Loki: Agent of Asgard issue 2
April 7, 2014 1:16 pm | 1 Comment
Are you reading Loki: Agent of Asgard? That is the question I ask of everyone who comes into my local comic book store. The owner proudly told me that, as of April, Loki will be the second most subscribed to Marvel book after Amazing Spiderman. Now, in a effort to spread the message of mischief, I will be reviewing every issue, submitted for your approval. With the popularity of Loki as both a cinematic and comic universe character, Marvel was running out of options with his chronology firmly establishing him as the villain’s villain. Ancient and beyond redemption, there was only one path for the trickster – reincarnation. In a turn of events which would leave all but the most dedicated to the character confused, this new version has assumed the identity of Kid Loki and began again. Confused? Don’t worry – it gets easier from here.
Having established Loki in a familiar verse in issue #1, battling to save Thor and getting reacquainted with the Avengers, he’s now striking out on his own. Well, not entirely on his own, by working as an agent of the All-Mother, Loki has been offered the chance to rewrite history.
Issue #2 opens on a speed dating night – because really, where else would you find the God of Mischief – and with Verity Willis discounting all those men who come before her. Never heard the name? That’s okay, because she’s a brand new character to the Marvel universe – one with the power to see through lies. The perfect foil for Loki, so long as the writers manage to develop her beyond her ability.
This time, Loki has been sent to find Lorelei, the younger sister of Amora the Enchantress and – as is surprisingly customary in the Marvel Universe – former lover of Loki. Thor too, but that seems to be a fact thrown in to tie this new version of Loki to his past canon rather than something of direct relevance. The All-Mother wants her brought home to Asgard, and in delivering the message through the medium of punch-bowl manifestations, reminds us that even though he has a new look, this is still Loki – tricks and talents intact.
Locating Lorelei in Monte Carlo, playground of the rich and richer, what unfolds is a cross between Charlie’s Angels and Oceans Eleven, complete with Carmen Sandiego headwear. Her intention is to pull a heist, something she is accustomed to doing after exhausting cash reserves from the previous ones. With a beautifully executed double bluff, we’re left wondering just how exactly Loki is going to prevent her from doing just that.
Trixie the hacker is naturally the ‘tricksy as they come’ shapeshifter himself – and it’s a nice nod to one of Loki’s lesser known abilities. It also interesting to see that Loki’s attitude to gender – having stated that a disguise would not fool Lorelei, he is left with the option of being himself, something which he is capable of doing in a female form as well as a male. Given that Loki: Agent of Asgard creator Al Ewing has previously stated his Loki is bisexual and gender fluid, it is something I am excited to see explored as the run continues.
After explaining Verity’s abilities have been present since childhood, her use in the current story is over, and it’s down to Loki to finish his mission. Having come to the speed dating to detect Lorelei – who had escaped from the heist with cash and a few taunts about Loki’s new ‘lapdog’ status – he joins her in the alleyway. However, the story would not be complete without one more twist. Instead of taking her back to Asgard as requested, Loki instead recruits her as part of a team he’s forming.
The issue certainly dives wholeheartedly into the idea of bluff and double bluff, managing to explore an important facet of Loki’s character without turning it into a moral lesson. Not only does his story involve trickery, but the comic gleefully plays tricks on the reader’s expectations. With the series’ customary One Direction joke – this time about Loki’s neighbors mistaking him for the band’s Harry Styles – and two female characters who look promising on the development front, Loki: Agent of Asgard seems to manage to capture both drama and comedy in a way which might actually benefit geekdom. That said, it’s not without issues. With only one minor character as man of colour, the issue is white dominated – something which mars an otherwise promising series. Should the creators make their cast more inclusive and continue the work that they have begun in developing Verity and Lorelei, they may have a real and enduring hit on their hands. Two for two tupperwares two issues in.
Yours Truly,
domesticateddave@gmail.com
Categorised in: Comic Reviews, Random Reviews & News
This post was written by David Griffin
thank you for the recommendation. loki is now on the pull list.