Thanks to the 2 Thor movies and the Avengers franchise, all things Thor especially back issues are at an all time high. However, if you do have a chance, and do enjoy comics not just because of artwork like Jim Lee or Whilce, then give Simonson's legendary run a try. I am not a huge fan of his work not when it was on FF or on his own series, Star something or other. But here, the critics are right. I got them via back issues off of Mile High and boy do they rock!
354 starts with the war against Surtur over after a build up of more than 2 years. In today's times, this would have made a Marvel summer event but back then with a short appearance in other comics, it didn't result in major crossovers even though the Earth was supposedly covered in unnatural winters and demons abound!
Anyway, the opening page says it all SPOILER ALERT. At the end of the war, Odin made the ultimate sacrifice by plunging the demon Surtur and himself into the pit and straight back into the fire realm that is Surtur's home and prison leaving behind both Thor and Loki. Thor in his rage chased Loki away even though he had come, towards the end to their aid to defeat the fire demon
Loki being Loki naturally immediately has something else up his sleeve for he doesn't let emotions get the better of him unlike his more bullheaded brother and he sees the vacant throne as a future opportunity
As per the cover, Hela comes to Asgard hoping to find Odin but could not. Now if Thor were to pay attention, it means Odin is not dead as Hela could not claim him for her own but instead, being the brawny type, he battles Hela until Hela disappears. Then Thor girds himself to chase her to her own realm
While on other fronts, we get to see each faction of life returning to normal after the war with characters like the Warriors Three, Sif and Beta Ray Bill
During this era of story telling, seeding for future stories is the norm and we get a very tiny glimpse of a gathering of arms, this time mortal, for something brewing that will come in the near future
So was this a good read?
Yes, if you enjoyed the earlier saga as this is not just the epilogue but continuing part of that saga and should be considered essential reading
Ratings: 8/10
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