What do you think?
Rate this book
Marvel Graphic Novel #15
The Raven Banner: A Tale of Asgard
Long, long, and very long ago, when the gods of Asgard were many, the giants and their allies waged war against them on the plain of Ida. The gods were confident of victory: the Raven Banner had spread to the wind, and its magic was such that any side that bore it into battle was assured victory, though the bearer was certain to die.
64 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 1985
92 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 9, 2017
A pretty old comic (in fact, it's one year older than I am myself) but with a very good story.
This is a story about Asgard, home of the gods. As those interested in mythology know, Asgard is often fighting the inhabitants of other realms, such as giants or trolls, in order to keep the peace (relatively speaking) and prevent Ragnarok. This comic starts with a battle just like that. In this version of Asgard, the gods always fight under the Raven Banner which grants them victory. However, as with all magic, there is a cath: the standard bearer has to die to pay for the gods' victory. The noble family of Grimson are these standard bearers. However, when Magnus Grimson dies to ensure the gods' victory, his son isn't there to retrieve the banner and carry on the burden.
Greyvald Grimson (son of Magnus) would like to live and enjoy a long godly life with his newly-wed wife, the Valkyrie Sygnet, instead. The irony that is present in ALL of the Norse myths?
The actual story here is about Greyvald's character development, his journey to find courage and even help someone else finding it too, and do the right thing. And it's a wonderfully woven story with a tone befitting a story about the Asgardian gods.
The story is about what courage truly means. Many people think (wrongfully) that courage means the absence of fear when in fact it means doing the right thing despite being afraid.
And it's a story about honour, about how you can still salvage a situation after having made a mistake if you have the strength and will.
Basically, the summary of this story is something my great-grandmother once told me:
"Better to have had and lost something than to have never had it at all."
In the end, isn't the fact that time will always run out on everybody exactly what makes the time we're given so precious?!
The art is ... for the lack of a better description ... old. I had difficulty finding this volume, even in special stores, since it is from 1985 and apparently not too well-known unfortunately. However, that doesn't mean that it's bad, it was just not 100% to my liking (some panels also lacked quality printing but that is due to the fact that the quality back then wasn't what it can be today). By the way, some of the depictions in the panels reminded me of an old animated series I used to watch as a kid (it was about Prinz Eisenherz/Prince Valiant).
I wish MARVEL would rediscover these old tales of theirs and reprint them, because the storytelling is fantastic and this story would definitely deserve a beautiful reprint.
This is a story about Asgard, home of the gods. As those interested in mythology know, Asgard is often fighting the inhabitants of other realms, such as giants or trolls, in order to keep the peace (relatively speaking) and prevent Ragnarok. This comic starts with a battle just like that. In this version of Asgard, the gods always fight under the Raven Banner which grants them victory. However, as with all magic, there is a cath: the standard bearer has to die to pay for the gods' victory. The noble family of Grimson are these standard bearers. However, when Magnus Grimson dies to ensure the gods' victory, his son isn't there to retrieve the banner and carry on the burden.
Greyvald Grimson (son of Magnus) would like to live and enjoy a long godly life with his newly-wed wife, the Valkyrie Sygnet, instead. The irony that is present in ALL of the Norse myths?
The actual story here is about Greyvald's character development, his journey to find courage and even help someone else finding it too, and do the right thing. And it's a wonderfully woven story with a tone befitting a story about the Asgardian gods.
The story is about what courage truly means. Many people think (wrongfully) that courage means the absence of fear when in fact it means doing the right thing despite being afraid.
And it's a story about honour, about how you can still salvage a situation after having made a mistake if you have the strength and will.
Basically, the summary of this story is something my great-grandmother once told me:
"Better to have had and lost something than to have never had it at all."
In the end, isn't the fact that time will always run out on everybody exactly what makes the time we're given so precious?!
The art is ... for the lack of a better description ... old. I had difficulty finding this volume, even in special stores, since it is from 1985 and apparently not too well-known unfortunately. However, that doesn't mean that it's bad, it was just not 100% to my liking (some panels also lacked quality printing but that is due to the fact that the quality back then wasn't what it can be today). By the way, some of the depictions in the panels reminded me of an old animated series I used to watch as a kid (it was about Prinz Eisenherz/Prince Valiant).
I wish MARVEL would rediscover these old tales of theirs and reprint them, because the storytelling is fantastic and this story would definitely deserve a beautiful reprint.
April 1, 2017
The Raven Banner is outstanding. It is set in the Marvel universe's Asgard, but instead it focuses on the lesser known gods. The story is told in verse reminiscent of the Norse epic tales and it works wonderfully for this tale.
The Raven Banner is the banner of victory for Asgard. Legend has it that the holder of the Banner will lead his forces to victory, yet the Fates decree the bearer will die. The banner holder- Grim Magnus falls in heroic battle and seeks to pass on the Banner to his son-Greyval. But Greyval is not present at the battle. The trolls have managed to trick him into attending a feast and delayed him from battle. Greyvald breaks free from the enchantment, but by then the trolls have taken the Raven Banner.
Greyval knows that the bearer of the Banner is fated to death and seeks to avoid it. Instead his desire is to marry the Valkyrie Sygnet, the love of his life and his betrothed. But, Sygnet is a Shield-Maiden of Asgard and doesn't like her men weak, meek and cowardly. In order to claim her love, Greyval must regain his honor.
Odin has already sent Greyval's cousin, Horskuld, to retrieve it. Greyval and Baldur strike out to find the Banner on their own. Over various adventures Greyval reaches the Banner and has to face none other than Horskuld who has become the Troll Prince. Greyval regains his honor and defeats his foes and returns the Raven Banner to Asgard. He returns in the heat of battle, as Asgardians battle Ice Giants, and flys the Raven Banner of victory. He then promptly gets shot in the throat with an arrow, thus fulfilling his fate.
Beautifully written and complemented by good artwork this tale will go down as a classic. The fact that Thor has a two brief appearances (in the distance) and that the focus is on a lesser known god-Greyval is nice. This has the feel of a Beowulf style story. An old style Norse tale of bravery, heroism, treachery and fate. Well done! My hats off to Alan Zelentz for penning a wonderful Asgardian tale. Highly recommend for any fans of Norse mythology.
The Raven Banner is the banner of victory for Asgard. Legend has it that the holder of the Banner will lead his forces to victory, yet the Fates decree the bearer will die. The banner holder- Grim Magnus falls in heroic battle and seeks to pass on the Banner to his son-Greyval. But Greyval is not present at the battle. The trolls have managed to trick him into attending a feast and delayed him from battle. Greyvald breaks free from the enchantment, but by then the trolls have taken the Raven Banner.
Greyval knows that the bearer of the Banner is fated to death and seeks to avoid it. Instead his desire is to marry the Valkyrie Sygnet, the love of his life and his betrothed. But, Sygnet is a Shield-Maiden of Asgard and doesn't like her men weak, meek and cowardly. In order to claim her love, Greyval must regain his honor.
Odin has already sent Greyval's cousin, Horskuld, to retrieve it. Greyval and Baldur strike out to find the Banner on their own. Over various adventures Greyval reaches the Banner and has to face none other than Horskuld who has become the Troll Prince. Greyval regains his honor and defeats his foes and returns the Raven Banner to Asgard. He returns in the heat of battle, as Asgardians battle Ice Giants, and flys the Raven Banner of victory. He then promptly gets shot in the throat with an arrow, thus fulfilling his fate.
Beautifully written and complemented by good artwork this tale will go down as a classic. The fact that Thor has a two brief appearances (in the distance) and that the focus is on a lesser known god-Greyval is nice. This has the feel of a Beowulf style story. An old style Norse tale of bravery, heroism, treachery and fate. Well done! My hats off to Alan Zelentz for penning a wonderful Asgardian tale. Highly recommend for any fans of Norse mythology.
September 7, 2023
Recopilatorio de historias "asgardianas" de Zelenetz y Vess (Más un "prólogo" de Wein y Buscema que no tiene mucha relación con el resto, pero es simpático) Épica y humor muy bien repartidas con tramas ingeniosas y un dibujo fantástico.
December 17, 2025
3.5 stars
February 28, 2021
Charles Vess, who later worked with Gaiman on Stardust: Being a Romance within the Realms of Faerie, offers a delightful Tale of Asgard written by Alan Zelenetz. The story is very much in the tradition Wagner's Ring Cycle and other modern interpretations of Norse Myths, but Vess's art really captures the nuances of the narrative and provide a glimpse into a magical realm. Marvel has had many versions of the Norse Gods and myths since Jack Kirby reinvented them for a new audience, but Vess's unique blend of, dare I call it this, magical realism offers something that should be considered visionary. While Thor has a cameo appearance in this tale, that only adds to the story's ability to add a kind of authenticity to the tale. Another Charles Vess - Asgard connection can be found in the pages of The Warriors Three, which is also worth reading.
October 22, 2024
Set somewhere between 793 to 1050AD, in Vikings Age
How Are You Going To Keep Them Down On The Farm After They've Seen Asgard?
"What is life but to fight in heart and mind with trolls?" - Henrik Ibsen
A richly crafted graphic novel that follows the journey of Harald, a Viking "warrior", tasked with retrieving the Raven Banner, a powerful artifact tied to the fate of Asgard. Harald’s quest is steeped in Norse mythology, taking him through a dangerous landscape filled with mythical creatures, gods, and intense battles. The story's adventurous tone feels reminiscent of Tolkien's The Hobbit—a perilous journey driven by honor, fate, and the weight of ancient lore.
The artwork is a true highlight, bringing the grandeur and mystique of Asgard and its warriors to life with vibrant colors and dramatic compositions. Each panel feels epic, perfectly capturing the spirit of Viking sagas.
The narrative balances a personal quest with larger mythological stakes, delivering an engaging, well-paced adventure that held my interest until the very end. It reads like a fairy tale of mythology.
“The dark wolf of night will devour Asgard’s sun before I forget you beloved.” - Greyval
PS. For anyone expecting to see Thor killing monsters with his hammer, he's not in this story, just a brief scene for a second.
How Are You Going To Keep Them Down On The Farm After They've Seen Asgard?
"What is life but to fight in heart and mind with trolls?" - Henrik Ibsen
A richly crafted graphic novel that follows the journey of Harald, a Viking "warrior", tasked with retrieving the Raven Banner, a powerful artifact tied to the fate of Asgard. Harald’s quest is steeped in Norse mythology, taking him through a dangerous landscape filled with mythical creatures, gods, and intense battles. The story's adventurous tone feels reminiscent of Tolkien's The Hobbit—a perilous journey driven by honor, fate, and the weight of ancient lore.
The artwork is a true highlight, bringing the grandeur and mystique of Asgard and its warriors to life with vibrant colors and dramatic compositions. Each panel feels epic, perfectly capturing the spirit of Viking sagas.
The narrative balances a personal quest with larger mythological stakes, delivering an engaging, well-paced adventure that held my interest until the very end. It reads like a fairy tale of mythology.
“The dark wolf of night will devour Asgard’s sun before I forget you beloved.” - Greyval
PS. For anyone expecting to see Thor killing monsters with his hammer, he's not in this story, just a brief scene for a second.
August 29, 2022
Great heroes journey told in Marvel Norse form minus Thor featuring more Balder than any other god though we do get major cameos throughout the tale.
May 23, 2016
Marvel Graphic Novel No. 15, The Raven Banner: A Tale of Asgard is a somewhat odd little creature of an album. Written by Alan Zelenetz and beautifully drawn by Charles Vess, it is a very clear fantasy tale about the Asgardian god Greyval Grimson and involving giants and trolls, drawing quite elaborately upon Norse mythology in an interesting manner. At the same time, there are small visual cues that situate this tale in the Asgard of the Marvel Universe (one or two background images featuring Marvel's Thor being the most obvious ones); and quite frankly, for all of Marvel's Legends of Asgard, this one does not quite seem to fit. The tale stands on it own to legs and does not need Marvel Thor fleeting by (in fact, I would rather argue the opposite).
At any rate, this slight blemish aside, it is a good read, and fans of Vess ought to be delighted.
At any rate, this slight blemish aside, it is a good read, and fans of Vess ought to be delighted.
January 9, 2026
Una piccola perla misconosciuta a fumetti. Tavole dipinte e trama impeccabile. Un racconto ambientato nella Asgard dell'universo Marvel con un protagonista non famoso. Gli autori sono riusciti a trasmettermi perfettamente l'aura di mito e leggenda norreni.
April 23, 2018
A really good story, well told, and beautifully drawn (by Charles Vess).
July 21, 2023
3.5/5
August 3, 2023
A well-presented fantasy tale. Fans of Gaiman & Russell's Norse Mythology series should enjoy this.
January 31, 2026
Perfectly okay Asgardian fare
October 13, 2016
Reseña de Luis Javier Capote Pérez para Zona Negativa:
http://www.zonanegativa.com/thor-esta...
http://www.zonanegativa.com/thor-esta...
February 3, 2013
1985, that's almost 30 years ago I read this graphic novel, so I guess it was high time I gave it a re-read.
Reading old-style english is somewhat of a challenge, add the "poetic" nature of Zelenetz's writting style to the mix and I had to re-read a few passages more than once for it to sink in.
Nevertheless, it was interesting reading a tale of Asgard without having the major pantheon involved. I don't know wether this was an adaptation of an actual Norse myth, but it certainly felt like it. Still, it's a good mythologically told story.
But then, there's the art. Charles Vess is one of the best and it let it shine thru on these pages. His attention to detail and landscapes are remarkable... and probably very much this graphic novel has earned and maintained it's place on the shelves.
Reading old-style english is somewhat of a challenge, add the "poetic" nature of Zelenetz's writting style to the mix and I had to re-read a few passages more than once for it to sink in.
Nevertheless, it was interesting reading a tale of Asgard without having the major pantheon involved. I don't know wether this was an adaptation of an actual Norse myth, but it certainly felt like it. Still, it's a good mythologically told story.
But then, there's the art. Charles Vess is one of the best and it let it shine thru on these pages. His attention to detail and landscapes are remarkable... and probably very much this graphic novel has earned and maintained it's place on the shelves.
July 6, 2014
L'arte di Charles Vess e la Mitologia Nordica.
..e puo' anche capitare in una calda sera di estate, passeggiando per ingannare il tempo lungo le banchine del Tevere in attesa di uno spettacolo, di imbattersi frugando in una bancarella di usato in una edizione del 1985 di questa Graphic Novel stampata dalla defunta casa editrice Labor che ritenevo ormai introvabile. E di perdersi nell'arte grafica di questo artista scozzese, qui completamente a suo agio nella dimensione fantastica e favolistica inj cui puo' dispiegare la fantasia del proprio pennello... E di arrivare tutto di un fiato all'ultima tavola patinata - che tanto bene ha resistito all'usura del tempo - con un sottile brivido sulla pelle, a dispetto dell'afa serale.
..e puo' anche capitare in una calda sera di estate, passeggiando per ingannare il tempo lungo le banchine del Tevere in attesa di uno spettacolo, di imbattersi frugando in una bancarella di usato in una edizione del 1985 di questa Graphic Novel stampata dalla defunta casa editrice Labor che ritenevo ormai introvabile. E di perdersi nell'arte grafica di questo artista scozzese, qui completamente a suo agio nella dimensione fantastica e favolistica inj cui puo' dispiegare la fantasia del proprio pennello... E di arrivare tutto di un fiato all'ultima tavola patinata - che tanto bene ha resistito all'usura del tempo - con un sottile brivido sulla pelle, a dispetto dell'afa serale.
August 8, 2014
Una storia di formazione, una grande avventura scritta da Zelenetz e disegnata da Vess.
Un'Asgard che i lettori di Thor non hanno mai visto sul suo mensile. Una storia in cui Thor appare in un'unica insignificante vignetta, Odino per un paio di pagine, e Balder, Frigga e altri personaggi minori la fanno da padrone.
La storia è quella di un noto vessillo che dona la vittoria, e del suo portatore, destinato a morire portandolo ancor prima della nascita.
Un'Asgard che i lettori di Thor non hanno mai visto sul suo mensile. Una storia in cui Thor appare in un'unica insignificante vignetta, Odino per un paio di pagine, e Balder, Frigga e altri personaggi minori la fanno da padrone.
La storia è quella di un noto vessillo che dona la vittoria, e del suo portatore, destinato a morire portandolo ancor prima della nascita.
June 23, 2013
I thought this was a pretty fun read, considering it takes place in Marvel's Asgard, but really has none of the Asgardian players ... fun.
February 7, 2016
Very good Norse mythology story set in the Marvel Thor universe. Very recommended
January 6, 2017
a magnific spin-off of thor !!!!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews