Loki #2: Ax Me No Questions, I’ll Tell You No Lies

Loki #2 follows the dwarf Semir and his son Eitin as the cursed ax forged from Naglfar (the mythological ship built from the fingernails and toenails of the dead) sows discord between warring dwarven clans. As in the previous issue, there are echoes of Norse mythology, this time the myth of the shape-shifting dwarf Ótr and the cursed ring Andvaranaut. This myth featured directly in the series Loki: Agent of Asgard (written by Al Ewing and drawn by Lee Garbett), which amplified the myths’ more comedic elements. While Dan Watters’ narrative certainly has comedic elements, he borrows heavily from the tragic and horrifying aspects of these myths to tell the tale of a dwarven family torn apart by cursed artifacts, Loki (of course), and their greed. 

Like the issue before it, every page of Loki #2 is a visual gem. Colorist Mike Spicer fills every page with glowing orange tones that play beautifully against Loki’s unearthly emerald greens. Germán Peralta’s artwork, which combines gritty inks with rough ink and watercolor washes, adds incredible depth. Peralta also continues to show a great deal of creativity about framing. For example, many low angles often offer an air of menace but also deftly communicate the relatively short heights of the dwarves in scenes without taller characters. Additionally, each character and every facial expression carries so much depth and complexity that even the most mundane moments of the story are a treat to read. 

One element of the issue that is impossible to overlook is Loki’s change in gender presentation mid-issue. For many queer fans, myself included, it’s refreshing to see this element of the character addressed (and done well, for the most part). Rather than use the perpetually problematic “Lady Loki” costume (that continues to turn up like a bad penny), Peralta wisely falls in the footsteps of Lee Garbett, keeping Loki’s costume the same regardless of gender presentation.