War of the Realms (2019-) #3
Marvel Comics
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artists: Russell Dauterman and Matthew Wilson
Midgard has fallen.
The Valkyries are no more.
The invading forces have split up the territory between themselves. The Frost Giants have claimed North America. The Enchantress has South America. The Trolls rule Australia, while the Trolls control Asia and the Angels have Africa. And Malekith? Malekith has claimed Europe and the Middle East as New Svartalfheim. Oh, and Roxxon took Antarctica, for some reason.
But despite these overwhelming odds, our heroes do not give up so easily. They may have run to the Avengers Mountain, but only to regroup and devise a plan. They form three new strike forces, each with a specific mission. One is to go to Jotunheim and find Thor, one is to push back Malekith and one is to attack the Black Bifrost. With Daredevil taking Heimdall’s duties, their Rainbow Bridge is functional again and they can move in their positions.
Hope lives on.
There is so much going on with this issue and it’s a miracle that is working so good. And boy does it work. The book flows magnificently, with the action moving from Jotunheim to Manhattan, from Britain to Asgard to Svartelheim. You get a nice taste of everything the creative team has to offer without getting overstuffed, but just enough to leave you hungry for more.
There are some epic character moments – moments that can easily rival some of the iconic scenes from Marvel’s storied history of awesomeness. Just seeing Captain America and his Strikeforce rushing to Jotunheim on the backs of Odin-damned Pegasi is awesome enough. Then you notice that Wolverine looks like a mofo cowboy and how ridiculous (and badass) Spider-man looks wearing a Viking helmet, and the scene gains a whole new layer of awesomeness. Daredevil wielding Hofund is another sight to behold, as are some of the other stuff that I won’t get too much into. I don’t want to ruin the whole enjoyment for yours. However, I will say this – that last page? By Odin’s beard!
Kudos to Jason Aaron for writing such cool stuff, but let’s be honest – it wouldn’t be as nearly as epic if it weren’t for Russell Dauterman and Matthew Wilson. These guys are just masters of their craft. Especially Wilson, who’s colour work makes every page pop in every imaginable way possible. He’s easily one of the best colourists in the industry right now.
I’m not a huge fan of company events. They often feel rushed, forced, and rely too much on the tie-ins. Relying on the tie-ins usually also kinda sucks because the tie-ins are mostly done by other creative teams, which can break the magic. But this one? So far, I’m loving the $#%@ out of this one! It feels focused, it feels epic, it reads wonderfully and it looks fantastic. Reading this book is a complete joy because Jason Aaron, Russell Dauterman, and Matthew Wilson have such wonderful chemistry. We’re already three issues in and there hasn’t been a single moment that felt needless and/or boring. Let’s hope they can keep it up for the next three issues as well!
Reading this book is a complete joy because Jason Aaron, Russell Dauterman and Matthew Wilson have such a wonderful chemistry. They give you a nice taste of everything they have on the menu just enough to leave you hungry for more.
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