Comic Review: War of the Realms (2019-) #2

War of the Realms #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Russell Dauterman

I think the last time I was excited for a Marvel event like this was for 2017’s Secret Empire. That felt like an “anybody can die” kind of event, and this one feels the same. I mean, not naming names but there is that shocking ending from the first issue. This feels like one of those big comic events that will have a lasting impact on the continuity going forward. And it really should, considering Jason Aaron has been building towards this since 2012 when his Thor: God of Thunder series started.

War of the Realms #2 continues right where we left off in the first issue. Malekith and his army are invading all of Midgard, bringing the War of the Realms to Earth. On the ground, fighting is the Avengers, Asgardians led by Thor’s mother, Freyja, and other New York superheroes. Evacuating the civilians is the priority, and Doctor Strange uses a spell to bring everyone, heroes included, to Avengers Mountain.

I literally said “Holy s**t” at the end of this issue. We’re continuing to see the fight in New York, but there’s a kind of large cast of characters running around all at the same time. It feels a little hectic and scattered, but I really appreciate that feeling and think it’s intentional. There’s a lot of heroes running around New York, and it’d be absurd to imagine them all in one spot fighting together. This issue is also mainly just to set up the main things going forward. Literally, towards the end, separate characters say things like “I have to go to this place, and do this thing”. And it happens two or three times, with no reaction from anyone else. But again, as big as this is, it feels like a natural thing to happen.

In preparation for this, I spent the last half of March 2019 reading through all of Jason Aaron’s various Thor series. Though they all had some really good art, I think my favorite stuff is from Russell Dauterman. Which is my roundabout way of saying I really enjoy the art in this issue? The action is great and dynamic. There are blood and destruction, and everything looks appropriate for an invasion of elves and giants. The colors are also really great and help the comic look as good as it does. I think it comes together best on a two-page spread of the Valkyries flying in from the sky to join the fight. It looks epic, as it should.

Unless you’re absolutely brand new to comic books, and this is your first issue, I don’t see why you wouldn’t read this. Jason Aaron is definitely delivering on the long build-up to this story. Russell Dauterman’s art is gorgeous and dynamic, with fantastic colors from Matthew Wilson. Marvel has a tendency to overdo the big “events” but this is one that definitely deserves the title, and you should definitely read this.