Walter Simonson

I'm not gonna lie, this one was okay at best. I picked it up thinking "Yeah! More Marvel comics and another graphic novel to read! Woo hoo!" But it wasn't what I expected, if I'm being totally honest.

The first half is Balder the Brave. I was really hoping for all Thor content, but... It was okay? I had no idea what was going on though. I wish I had read the previous comics in this series. I felt so lost and didn't even know who the guy was. The research to let me know who this dude was took me more time than reading the little series of comics.

The second half is Thor. Again, didn't really know what was going on. I know he's Thor based on my Marvel movies binging over the years, but the comic books left me wishing I had read the first instalments. My bad.

Either way, okay set of comics. Not the best I've read though.

Two out of five stars.… (mer)

As a Marvel/DC collector, in terms of graphic novels, this is at the top of my "best" list. The story: (No spoilers) Walter and Louise Simonson were at their best in terms of crafting/writing a duo-superhero drama with a western vibe. Jon J. Muth and Kent Williams as the illustrators are second to none in this genre. Their brush calligraphy style is unique in the comic book world, however, it fits this noir tone. The characters of Wolverine and Havok never looked more stylized! If you're a fan of Wolverine and the X-Men in their 1990's heyday, or if you love a brushed paint style in your graphic novels, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy or check it out on digital.… (mer)

Much improved over the previous volume, because, I think, Simonson had an end goal here. He knew he was telling one last story, and knew where he was ending it.

The thing I enjoy about Simonson's writing, when he's on, is that he's happy to subvert your expectations. I can think of no greater example of this than the pages of dialogue between Thor and Fin Fang Foom. They are simply delightful, and crackle with fun and mischief.

Sal Buscema's art is, as always, adequate. Sal was never going to be a Great Marvel Artist. He's the Marvel artist equivalent of a meal at McDonald's: quick, gets the job done, and completely unremarkable and unmemorable.

Still, finally Simonson and Buscema left behind Midgard in this volume, and moved back to the epic storytelling that Simonson excels at. A fitting end to a mostly fantastic run.… (mer)

Have to admit, I didn't enjoy this collection anywhere near as much as the previous ones. Feels like Simonson's tank was running dry.

First, we're treated to only a few issues of Simonson's art, then it switches over to the competent, but nowhere near as wondrous art of Sal Buscema (also known as "the artist that can get it drawn in time if the book's running late" artist). He does all right, but every panel screams "what would Walt have drawn?"

And the storylines? They're uncharacteristically dull. Simonson needs sprawling epics. As soon as he centres on the mundane villain of the week stuff, it becomes weak stuff. Thug. Justice Peace. Zaniac. Frog Thor. All rather anticlimactic after the wonders of the first three volumes.

In fact, if I had to choose my favourite storyline here, it'd likely be Simonson's reinvention of Volstagg from fat, cowardly eating and drinking machine to caring father with hidden depths of love and empathy that Simonson has carefully built over multiple storylines.

To be honest, with fare like this, I'm kind of glad there's only one more set to go.… (mer)