Comic Review: Journey Into Mystery (2019-) #2

War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery #2

Marvel Comics

Writers: The McElroys

Artists: Andre Lima Araujo & Chris O’Halloran

Have you ever eaten something and thought, “Oh! This is what I’ve been craving!” That’s my exact reaction upon finishing this book. Journey Into Mystery harkens back to the zany comics of old where anything is possible.

The McElroy Brothers take Marvel’s license to run wild at its word. Bringing together a cavalcade of unexpected characters, this team feels like the original Champions or West Coast Avengers. Strung together by a thread of fate, these heroes must take care of Freyja and Odin’s newest daughter. The McElroys understand the universe they’re working in, showing the heroes as a babysitting club at a campsite. Though in typical fashion, not all is at it seems and the vibe of the park feels off.

Side story comics from big events can often lose themselves in following the main comic or trying too much stuff. This series has hit the perfect balance so far. The War of the Realms may cause the need for protecting the new baby, but it keeps focus on its task. There isn’t a moment in the comic that feels slow or out of place, it all fits seamlessly.

I can’t even tell you how lit up my face was to see Wonder Man and Sebastian Druid here. There’s a crazy matchup going on with the team and I can’t get enough. Especially with the road trip aspect of the book, there’s just a huge hijinks and absurdity point to this book. The characters don’t have a huge clash moment yet but I’m sure it’s coming. For now, I’m happy to see Death Locket and a few other characters stop being the strangers they’ve become recently.

Araujo’s linework is awesome, making for memorable interactions between characters. You really get to feel what they’re saying and how they’re moving. The art is great for action sequences, showing the best kinetics of a comic in recent memory. But what would those sequences be without Araujo’s partner in crime? O’Halloran brings the right amount of mystery in his depictions of events around the team. He uses a darker palate this issue that really ramps up the intrigue as everything unfolds.

What’s the big mystery of Balder and Thor’s sister? I don’t know, but I’m definitely along for the ride. Between the team of interesting and oft-neglected characters (besides Kate and Miles) and the wackiness, this has my money. I’m simple to please and an adventure-mystery comic like this will always win me over. If you’re similar, definitely check this out.