According to Norse Mythology the Ragnarok is the final battle between the gods and the forces of evil, a battle in which the gods are destined to lose. You’d think our third Thor film would be in for a pretty bleak time.
Yeah, uh, not at all.
Thor: Ragnarok is by far one of the lightest, and quite possibly the funniest Marvel film to date. It’s fun as.. hell.
The film opens with our Asgardian hero being held captive by a fiery demon in the pits of a hellish world. And right away we’re treated to Chris Hemsworth’s underrated comedic timing, which quickly sets the tone we can expect for the rest of the 2-hour runtime. The action pretty much plays out like the cover of an Iron Maiden album, in the best possible way (usually to the inclusion of some Led Zeppelin). The performances from the rest of the cast are terrific. Tom Hiddleston brings his usual blend of humor and menace to Loki, and Sir Anthony Hopkins brings his gravitas to a fading Odin, which results in an extremely poignant scene amongst the Father and his sons. Another of the standouts is Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie, who joins forces with our heroes and also loves her booze a little too much.
This universe is populated with enough characters to keep the jokes moving from location to location, where our cast stabs at the chance to match wits with Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange (who I enjoyed a lot more in this film than his own), Mark Ruffalo‘s Hulk, Idris Elba’s Heimdall, Karl Urban’s Skurge, Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster — who bears a striking resemblance to Guardians of the Galaxy’s The Collector (portrayed by Benecio Del Toro) — and a host of other alien creatures and figures that populate the universe. Crazy of all, Director Taika Waititi suits up as rock alien, Korg, whose line delivery steals scenes.. in his own movie.
Finally, Moody has a date for himself on Friday.
Cate Blanchett does a fine job as Hela with what the script has given her. But again, due to the screenplay from Eric Pearson and Marvel Comic vets, Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost (X-Force), her character remains the general villainess archetype that we’ve seen before; not dissimilar to Angelina Jolie in Maleficent or Charlize Theron in Snow White and the Huntsman. Now would be a good time to start giving our female villains just as much care in the writing department as we do our male antagonists. Then again, Marvel never has been too strong with their villains in the first place.
Thor: Ragnarok is just as much a Hulk film as it is a Thor film. A decent portion of the film is dedicated to explaining what happened to Banner after the events of Age of Ultron. And Ruffalo brings the humor in Incredible doses. Seriously, the cast is that funny together and it’s great to see Hulk get some of the spotlight he’s deserved. If he never gets his own solo flick, this is it.
We put this here because it looks cool.
First time Hollywood director Waititi (Boy, What We Do in the Shadows) brings his caffeinated pinball energy to what was becoming a stilted formula and injects it with new life, bringing it to new and weirder territories. I mean, he hired Goldblum and he’s Korg g-o-dammit.
Its a good thing that Ragnarok is hilarious and the performances are fantastic, because the story itself is as bare bones and formulaic of a story the Marvel formula is known for. The sequel’s sequel will likely have a hard time holding interest in its plot, instead, steering True Believers on the next bit of humor or heavy metal action that’s bound to pop up. But to their credit, it’s fantastic.. no.. Mighty that the MCU has finally realized how preposterous of a character Thor and the rest of the Asgardians are. Here they’ve gone the Full Monty (Python), utilizing/relegating this mythological side of the Marvel Universe to pure comedic effect.
4 (out of 5) Bibles.
Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok strikes down the Mjolnir in theaters everywhere November 2nd.
The Congregation of Cool is called to order! And today The Parish brings forth yet another installment of FISTFUL OF COMICS!
Wednesdays are a Holy Day, True Believers — New Comics Day — and we’re up here in the pulpit and ready to preach! This particular FOC is even mores special, because this FOC is set against the backdrop of The Holiest of Holy Holidays in Geekdom… The San Diego Comic Con!
And while many of our priests in the GHG High Order have bravely pilgrimaged to that Mecca to bring you, our loyal readers, all the latest news, spoilers, and gossip, from the hallowed halls, the rest of us left behind have delved into the shelves for what’s new this week to hit you with the good, the bad, the ugly, and the unreadable! IT’S FOC! STORM #1
Storm #1 – Marvel Comics“Reverend” Ryan Ford @nayrdrof
Let me begin by saying singer-songwriter Johnny Nash would be proud. Because Ororo Munroe (a.k.a. “Storm”) has made the rain gone and she can see all obstacles in her way. Which is apparently the storytelling apparatus in Storm #1. Which is a problem.
Frankly, for a first issue for the weather goddess and former Queen of Wakanda, I expected better. As one of the most powerful mutants to ever exist, this premiere episode fell a little short of what could be. Whilst simultaneous juggling the duties of headmistress at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning, our eponymous superhero also has to deal with the complexities of being a teenage girl whom society has rejected… AGAIN. If that sounds like Groundhog Day, dress Bill Murray up in blue fur and give Andie MacDowell a Mohawk, because I’m pretty certain Storm and Jubilee had the same conversation in the early ’90’s.
But as far as the episode goes, Greg Pak (Iron Man: House of M) and Victor Ibanez (Zatanna) have created a compelling segment that might even be a bit cerebral for the casual viewer. Yet, for the die-hard fanboy in all of us, it’s still a nail-biter. Done up in the same Mohawk Wolverine came to love in the future, this version of Storm is fully a woman.
May you hear her roar.
Logan’s got Jungle Fever…
The dynamics of this issue dwell in the inherent knowledge of the character, from where she’s been to where she is. And for a casual reader, this may pose a problem, as Ororo may come across as bitchy [to her students], with no justification. What she does provide, however, is the sense that girls can achieve everything they want and more!… I mean, the X-Men have no leader! Whatever… For the cannon that has been espoused previously, I bestow upon thee, Storm #1, a rating of 2, at best. Yet, giving teenage girls a role model they will rally behind. AND become new subscribers… I give thee a 4. Therefore!, all in all, Storm #1 has conjured a rating of 3 Bibles out of a possible 5. Not quite a tempest, but this Reverend will continue preach the Gospel of Xavier. This is Reverend Ryan Ford saying “The best is yet to come.” —Ryan Ford
Storm #1= 3 (barely) (out of 5) Bibles
RAGNAROK #1
Ragnarok #1 – IDW“Vicar” Alex Gradet @gradet
Walt Simonson (Thor) returns to the fantasy genre with IDW’s Ragnarok #1, a Norse myth epic that, despite the story’s ambitious scale, manages to keep its emotional core compact and potent. Cards on the table, though: the fantasy end of the sci-fi/fantasy genre has never really been my bag, so take my opinions as those of a layman, and with a grain of salt. The beautifully-drawn prologue details an apocalyptic battle of gods and monsters, before the action shifts to the affairs of dark elves, Brynja and Regn, as they try to balance new parenthood with careers as assassins (shades of Saga‘s Alanna and Marko here). Soon, loving mother/stone-cold badass, Brynja, is off on a mission to kill a long-dead god… And this is where fantasy stories tend to lose me. However the stakes are these: Brynja’s success on her mission will bring immortality to her daughter. Failure will bring an “eternity in torment,” which is where fantasy stories tend to reel me back in. Back home, Brynja’s daughter dreams of the supposedly long-dead god Brynja’s mission is carrying her toward. Simonson paces the not-inconsiderable world-building well, and he has a flinty protagonist in Brynja. But even as a single chapter, it all feels a little wanting. All foreboding, and no stakes. Of course it’s hard to judge a book by its first issue, but it’s even harder when your main incentive to keep reading is to figure out by context just what the hell is going on. —Alex Gradet
Ragnarok #1 = 6 (out of 9) Realms
TRANSFORMERS VS. GI JOE
Transformers vs. GI Joe – IDW“Father” Joe Tower @whateverjoe
OK. First things first. I get it. I get the joke. But it’s a stupid joke. Now I’m sure there is, in fact, a version of this joke in a time and a place where it was a teeny bit funny. But its heyday, I think, was long before everybody who is doing anything started finding the trend in being all “self-referential,” and shit. Which, in itself, is probably an editorial for a different article, but what do I know? I just unnecessarily used quotations when I typed the words self-referential. The point is, Transformers vs. G.I. Joe would be a fine comic if the layout of the arc of the story in the aforementioned comic that surrounds the joke at the center of said comic — i.e. Transformers vs. GI Joe, the joke at the center being, ahem, that THE TRANSFORMERS are VERSUS, ahem, THE GI JOES — wasn’t just SUCH A STUPID JOKE. For all the potential there is for parody in here, and for all the attempts at flourishing pastiche, any aims into the kind of irreverent humor this is all begging for felt off-the-mark. I mean there are glimpses of it — for example, every character and/or vehicle in the comic is identical to its real-life Hasbro action figure counterpart — but they’re mostly just wasted opportunities. Bottom line: this comic doesn’t take itself seriously SO MUCH that I can’t take it not taking itself seriously so much, seriously. Get me? I mean, even Tom Scioli’s (Godland) art does what I’m sure it’s meant to do and creates a visual landscape that ALSO doesn’t take itself seriously. On which a story that doesn’t take itself seriously can play out NOT TAKING ITSELF SERIOUSLY. And, given my review so far, I get that all of this seriouslessness is probably deliberate, but that doesn’t make it any good. —Joe Tower
Transformers vs. GI Joe = 2 (out of 5) Bibles
ARMOR HUNTERS: BLOODSHOT #1
Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1 – Valiant Entertainment“Heirophant” Luke @LUKEPOISONER
Valiant’s nascent tradition of spectacular summer cross-overs continues with this premiere issue. The second mini-series launched off the back of their Armor Wars Event, it throws Bloodshot, the human weapon, into the fray against high-tech aliens and their biological terror weapons. Yup. Armor Wars, itself, revolves around X-O Manowar, but this side-chapter sees extra-terrestrial monitoring agency, M.E.R.O., recruiting the nanite-powered, combat-and-hacking powerhouse, Bloodshot, to help defend their facility from powerful aliens in a sentient warship seeking to rescue one of their own taken captive. As high-concept as ever, Valiant’s strengths are all on display here, with wildly imaginative science-fiction seamlessly blending with high-octane militaristic action sequences. Add to this Trevor Hairsine‘s (Ultimate Six) “Joe Kubert-esque” line work
Ultimate Six original artwork
and you have a comic that’s like a manga version of an old Sgt. Rock issue. Joe Harris (Great Pacific) writes the fast-paced superhero siege story with the usual energetic aplomb. Perhaps my only question is whether Harris was intentionally riffing off DC’s Amanda Waller with his depiction of M.E.R.O. head, Colonel Capshaw, as the resemblance is more than just passing. It’s an apt comparison too, if any geeks out there are looking for a more coherent story than Suicide Squad or recent X-Force arcs. And for more wildly imaginative stories than either of the “Big Two” have published since Dial H ended, look no further than the burgeoning Valiant universe 2.0, and to this blockbuster cross-over series. —Luke Anderson
Armor Hunters: Bloodshot #1 = 3.75 (out of 5) Second Comings
Invading the land of the Mouse like DX trolling WCW back in the day, WonderCon 2014 saw every major and minor publisher hit Anaheim like a collective storm of Geek. While the collective consciousness of Marvel Comics was busy defending the House of Mouse’s turf and sharing exclusive news on their new event “We Can’t Talk About That Yet,” your good Guy Padre rolled past the sea of endless Deadpool cosplay clones to check out his beloved indie comics panels, most notably IDW’s Greatest Panel In The Known Universe.
While the company had several panels at WonderCon this past weekend, none were filled with as much GodHatesGeeks-approved coolness as IDW’s GPITKU. Padre, flanked by two judges, with a third behind him (Dredd, is that you?), keeping the lawbreakers away, sat down to be wowed by the IDW crew. Like much of #WC2014, a lot of this news was not very new at all. No real surprises here, folks, other than the Gabriel Rodriguez exclusive announcement. What made this panel cool though, was the fact that they did go into detail about many of the books. The format was loose, fun, engaging, with a spirited Q&A, and — GASP! — interactive. They also offered actual insights into what the books might be about. I know, crazy!
While they did touch on several of their licensed properties, the big focus of this panel was on what they are doing with creator driven titles.
Seems like the “Happy Place” Rick and Glen were talking about…
The panel, moderated by Dirk Wood, featured writers Brian Lynch (Angel), Mike Johnson (Star Trek), Eric Shanower (Age of Bronze), and Tom Waltz (TMNT); artist Gabriel Rodriguez (Locke & Key); Editor-In-Chief Chris Ryall; editors Scott Dunbier and Sarah Gaydos; and IDW President Greg Goldstein.
Things kicked off with the rollout of their “Summer Blockbusters”!
Walt Simonson’s Ragnarok — the most anticipated book of the year for your Padre — was shown via an amazing spread. The greatest creator to ever work on and define Thor, busting out work on a creator owned version of the Norse Gods equals one hell of an amazing July in my book. It was described as “the end times”, “not your typical Thor book,” and “grim and beautifully told.” The series will be colored by Laura Martin and drooled over monthly by yours truly.
