Two gods come face-to-face on a snow covered battlefield. As hammer meets staff so begins each episode of “Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers.†This motion comic series is based on the miniseries “Loki†by Esad Ribic. The artwork of this now rare-find in print reflects the iconic characters in Nordic lore expertly. And in this animated work there is a seamless transition that leaps from the written page.
In every form of mythology each figure must play his role. For Loki he is always the trickster, the one who foils the fair haired, and sometimes hubris-riddled Thor. For all of Loki’s darkness, there is Thor’s light – but what would happen if Loki ruled and announced the death of Thor by daybreak? Over the centuries Loki Laufeyson of the Marvel universe has made several enemies. In the recent Siege series, he was saved by Thor. Now a baby, Thor hopes that Loki will not return to his malevolent ways and grow up a better person than he once was. However in the natural order of the universe it is not if, but how Loki will again become the evil one.
In the motion comic there is a considerable amount of backstory through flashbacks of Loki being continually slighted by Thor’s circle. Sif, chained to a wall in the dungeons of Asgard calls him by his old name Lackey’s son and he is ripped back into a childhood where he was scorned and ignored. Being the adopted son of the man who had just slain his father didn’t exactly warm him to Odin and the Asgardians. And it is from this hurt little boy who has finally gotten all he’s wanted (Thor, Sif and Balder beaten and in chains, Odin gone) is where the audience is able to see every pained gesture and a litany of emotions over several of the characters. These gods truly come to life.
Still the focus is on Loki. With every scene we see him grapple with his hasty decision to eliminate Thor. After all how can he glorify in defeating his enemies if he kills the one he wants to hurt the most? Loki is not interested in being a monarch, he ignores the fact that Asgard is vulnerable to attack, since the rainbow bridge has no watchman. He turns his back and runs from those who allied themselves with him to overthrow Odin and imprison Thor. So by killing his “brother†can there truly be an accomplishment?
At the heart of these first two episodes we see Loki unable to grieve for the loss of his father and in turn denying his frost-giant heritage. Ever defiant Loki has used his role as the mischief maker to the hilt. In the lead up to his newfound sovereignty he shaves Sif’s hair and causes Balder’s temporary death. However, as the trickster it is imbedded in his role that he will not succeed. Sif’s hair becomes black locs that distinguishes her from the other Asgardian women, thus making her even more attractive in Thor’s eyes. What’s more it is Balder who reveals to Loki what he has seen in the world between life and death. Loki may take many forms in different realities – yet Loki has never ruled. He has never won.
With this information at the close of episode two we leave a bereft Loki. Now it becomes a matter if Loki heeds Balder’s words. Only time will tell if Loki gives up his role as ruler or is usurped by his own trick.
Leave a Reply