The Loki Record of Ragnarok

WARNING: This article contains major spoilers.

Every thousand years the gods of Norse mythology gather to decide whether humanity should be exterminated for their collective selfishness. However Brunhilde, one of the Valkyries of Valhalla, interrupts the Council to propose that mankind should be allowed a chance to prove its worth in the Gods’ Tournament. This competition is known as Ragnarok, and Loki, despite his misgivings, agrees to participate in the event.

On the way to his tournament destination Loki reunites with Mayura, the pink-haired, red-eyed high school girl who was thrown off a cliff by henchmen sent to kill him. They find themselves stranded on an alien planet, where they meet a disillusioned Valkyrie who is reluctant to return to Asgard despite her oath and Hela, the death goddess. She possesses Loki and convinces him to use the Volundr, a weapon that can destroy a planet, on Hela in exchange for her life.

The plot is fun, but the book never fully takes off. Esquivel tries hard to capture the interests of a younger audience by including plenty of anime cliches. He’s successful on that front, but a little more restraint and less vying for Tom Hiddleston’s attention might have made this a more enjoyable book. Jerry Gaylord’s art is a lot of fun, too. He gives the characters a cartoonishly giant look that’s perfect for the Scene Kids who are this series’ target audience, and his sharp angles give the comic its best sense of imposition.