Vol 1
Written by Roger Langridge
Art by Chris Samnee
2010
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
Vol 2
Written by Roger Langridge
Art by Chris Samnee
2011
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
About a week ago I saw this here article on the AVclub (title: What Makes a Good All-Ages Comic?). Briefly skimming through it I saw that it mentioned a series called Thor: The Mighty Avenger which the author claimed featured "one of the best courtships in comic-book history." That praise - coupled with the example of the artwork underneath (four understated panels of a couple (the blonde one's Thor right?) sharing an intimate glass of wine) made me curious enough to want to try it out. It was only once I'd reserved it and had to sent over to North Library that I realised that it was a book that we already had in stock and one which I had seen over and over on our shelves. Thing was: I'd never been tempted to read it: it came in a mini-format which made it seem that it was more for eight year olds: and I assumed that it was just somekind of rushed cash-in for the Thor movie that was released around the same time it first appeared. And: anyway - back then I just assumed that Thor was never really a character for me. It just didn't seem like there was anymore to him then just a big strong Aryan-type with a massive hammer (*cough.*)
But - hey - I may as well give it go right? And you know what? I'm glad I did. As it turns out that Thor: The Mighty Avenger is one of the most - pleasant (!) - superhero comics that I've read in quite a while. There's something about the light tone of it and the way that things slowly develop in a way that never feels hurried or rushed: if most tales about men in tights having fights tend to feel like speeding at 100 miles per hour down a motorway, Thor: The Mighty Avenger is a happy saunter through the park. Yes - there's action and fantastic events and punches thrown in every issue: but it all feels so friendly and relaxed that the lasting impression is just how damn nice it was reading it. And Chris Samnee's artwork has a Steve Yeowelly simplicty that means that everything rolls quickly and easily off the page and into your eyes...
All-in-all: as sad as it was that it was cancelled after only 8 issues (which is almost criminal) and be warned: then when it does end it is rather abrupt and does leave quite a few loose threads up in the air (oh well) - this is the only Thor comic that you'll ever need. Or - looking at it another way: yet another reminder that there's no such thing as a bad character - only great writers and artists.
.......................................................................................................................................................
Links: Graphic Novel Reporter Review of Vol 1, Comic Related Review of Vol 1, Popdose Review of Vol 1, Geekvolution Review.
Further reading: The Ultimates, Nikolai Dante: The Romanov Dynasty.
All comments welcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment