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Ragnarök #1
Ragnarök, Vol. 1: Last God Standing
Ragnarok... the Twilight of the Gods in Norse mythology... the destruction of the Nine Worlds. And now, three hundred years later, the birth of vengeance. Collects issues #1-6. Walter Simonson returns to comics in a BIG way with an all-new series.
148 pages, Hardcover
First published November 12, 2015
57 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
About the author
Walter Simonson
1,287 books174 followersWalt Simonson is an American comic book writer and artist, best known for a run on Marvel Comics' Thor from 1983 to 1987, during which he created the character Beta Ray Bill. He is also known for the creator-owned work Star Slammers, which he inaugurated in 1972 as a Rhode Island School of Design thesis. He has also worked on other Marvel titles such as X-Factor and Fantastic Four, on DC Comics books including Detective Comics, Manhunter, Metal Men and Orion, and on licensed properties such as Star Wars, Alien, Battlestar Galactica and Robocop vs. Terminator.
He is married to comics writer Louise Simonson, with whom he collaborated as penciller on X-Factor from 1988 to 1989, and with whom he made a cameo appearance in the 2011 Thor feature film.
He is married to comics writer Louise Simonson, with whom he collaborated as penciller on X-Factor from 1988 to 1989, and with whom he made a cameo appearance in the 2011 Thor feature film.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
January 8, 2016
For anyone who, like me, is primarily familiar with Walter Simonson from his run on Marvel’s Thor many years ago, the thought of him doing a non-Marvel Thor book might make you think, “Let the glory days go, man…those ideas you had in a box that you were never able to use for that blond-haired icon of masculine masculinity? Ain’t happening. Move on and do other stuff. And, wait, what’s this? You resurrected him from the dead and he is missing the lower half of his jaw now? Ooh…Chris Hemsworth’s not gonna like that. That’s his kissing jaw right there, yup. He can’t make the earth ladies swoon if his tongue is hanging out everywhere and there’s no, you know, lower part of his face. Hmmm. Guess it’s a good thing this isn’t the Marvel Thor, then, isn’t it? He won’t really actually care, I guess. Man, a turkey sandwich would be nice right now. My foot itches. What day is it again? I sure like pudding. But not banana pudding. The only thing worse than bananas is fake banana flavor. And smallpox. That’s worse than bananas.”
Because that’s exactly what I thought when I cracked the spine on this tome (and I say that as someone who enjoyed Simonson’s Marvel Thor stuff, even Beta Ray Bill). And, yet, I’m a sucker for Thor—primarily the Marvel incarnation, but Thor and Norse Gods are pretty fantastic story subjects as a general rule. Simonson’s post-apocalyptic take—in which Thor is awakened from the dead to find that Odin and all of his other Asgardian cohorts (even Asgard itself) are long dead and he’s out for vengeance—proves to be a fun and fast-paced addition to the Thor canon. The art is Kirbyesque, with stocky, oversized figures pounding away in kinetic action scenes. Sure, there’s not much characterization, and Thor’s hammer looks a little weird—this is not your father’s Mjolnir (and if your dad has a Mjolnir, then I’ve got news for you—your dad is probably Thor, and that’s kind of weird, because that means you’re at least half god, and your grandfather is an all-powerful asshole, and there’s a chance you can shoot thunder out of some part of your body or other…so, be careful when you’re, well, doing most things). Overall, though, this is a solid read worth checking out if you’re a fan of Thor or high-octane fantasy comics.
Let’s call it 3.4 stars.
Because that’s exactly what I thought when I cracked the spine on this tome (and I say that as someone who enjoyed Simonson’s Marvel Thor stuff, even Beta Ray Bill). And, yet, I’m a sucker for Thor—primarily the Marvel incarnation, but Thor and Norse Gods are pretty fantastic story subjects as a general rule. Simonson’s post-apocalyptic take—in which Thor is awakened from the dead to find that Odin and all of his other Asgardian cohorts (even Asgard itself) are long dead and he’s out for vengeance—proves to be a fun and fast-paced addition to the Thor canon. The art is Kirbyesque, with stocky, oversized figures pounding away in kinetic action scenes. Sure, there’s not much characterization, and Thor’s hammer looks a little weird—this is not your father’s Mjolnir (and if your dad has a Mjolnir, then I’ve got news for you—your dad is probably Thor, and that’s kind of weird, because that means you’re at least half god, and your grandfather is an all-powerful asshole, and there’s a chance you can shoot thunder out of some part of your body or other…so, be careful when you’re, well, doing most things). Overall, though, this is a solid read worth checking out if you’re a fan of Thor or high-octane fantasy comics.
Let’s call it 3.4 stars.
August 12, 2018
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
Everyone of us has one – a favorite writer. Someone whose creative works we run out and buy whenever something new comes along. Many of us (me included!) also seem to add any new edition of this writer’s previous works to our collection. And we do this because this writer never fails to deliver pulse-pounding excitement, heart-rending terror, or whatever floats our personal boat.
For me, one of my favorite creators is Walter Simonson; his creative runs on Marvel Star Wars, Thor, Fantastic Four, X-Factor, Orion, Elric: The Making of a Sorcerer and many other titles turning me into a lifelong fan of comics. So, whenever I spot his famous signature on the cover of a comic, I always view it as a gift from a true master of the medium, and when I saw Ragnarok with the “Simonson” below a dead dude with a hammer, I immediately got excited!
Could it be true? Was this perhaps a Thor story? Okay, not a Marvel Thor story obviously, but Walter Simonson creating a whole new Norse inspired story? I couldn’t believe it. It seemed damn impossible luck. I had to read this book as quickly as possible.
Immediately, the story sucked me in. Ragnarok playing out before my eyes. The end of the world. The final confrontation between the Norse gods and their enemies. Thor standing proudly before the Midgard Serpent. And then it was all gone . . .
Oh, didn’t I mention that Ragnarok is the beginning of this tale? Oops, sorry. But it is. The end of the world is just the beginning here; the start of a renewal of the cosmos. The world transforming into a familiar but different place. One thing remaining constant however: foul trickery and devious cleverness; these seemingly universal traits leading to the real story of Ragnarok.
The tale begins with a dark elf assassin finding herself caught up in a plot to destroy a being imprisoned at the edge of the world. Her quest not one to her personal liking but forced upon her out of love for her child and a deal with a capricious god-ling. Yet she is an elf of her word, and she would see her mission completed, no matter the personal costs.
Once she confronts the object of her quest yet another clever trap is sprung. One which was planned and put into place by a long dead god; one who wished to cheat the fates and, perhaps, undo Ragnarok itself!
The avatar of this dead gods’ plan is a long dead corpse. Someone who finds himself animated but confronted by the reality that all he knew is gone. Everyone he loved is ashes. He himself is merely a shadow of what he once was. And he has no idea why he has been resurrected from the halls of the dead. Any plan which was put in place kept a secret from him as well as everyone else.
All the thrills, mysteries, brawls, and daring-do spiral out from this set up. The narrative seamlessly shifting from Norse mythology to earth-shattering fights to tender moments of personal grief. One never overpowering the other, but complementing each other. And I found myself ensorcelled by it all, racing along with these characters and events until the wee hours of the dawn.
Honestly, I don’t get excited about many things. I’ve gotten too damn old for much to impress me, I guess. Or made I’ve lost my inner kid. Who the hell really knows.
The simple fact is that few things get my pulse-pounding and wake up that teen boy who dreamed of soaring through the skies holding a magic hammer, but this story by Walter Simonson did. It captured all the amazing Thor mythos and took it in a whole new direction, promising so much more to come.
Mystery. Combat. Emotions. Ragnarok has it all! And you should go get it now, because great stories like this only come around once a lifetime . . . well, maybe, three or four times, but who really wants to put a limit on greatness.
I received this book from IDW Publishing and Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Everyone of us has one – a favorite writer. Someone whose creative works we run out and buy whenever something new comes along. Many of us (me included!) also seem to add any new edition of this writer’s previous works to our collection. And we do this because this writer never fails to deliver pulse-pounding excitement, heart-rending terror, or whatever floats our personal boat.
For me, one of my favorite creators is Walter Simonson; his creative runs on Marvel Star Wars, Thor, Fantastic Four, X-Factor, Orion, Elric: The Making of a Sorcerer and many other titles turning me into a lifelong fan of comics. So, whenever I spot his famous signature on the cover of a comic, I always view it as a gift from a true master of the medium, and when I saw Ragnarok with the “Simonson” below a dead dude with a hammer, I immediately got excited!
Could it be true? Was this perhaps a Thor story? Okay, not a Marvel Thor story obviously, but Walter Simonson creating a whole new Norse inspired story? I couldn’t believe it. It seemed damn impossible luck. I had to read this book as quickly as possible.
Immediately, the story sucked me in. Ragnarok playing out before my eyes. The end of the world. The final confrontation between the Norse gods and their enemies. Thor standing proudly before the Midgard Serpent. And then it was all gone . . .
Oh, didn’t I mention that Ragnarok is the beginning of this tale? Oops, sorry. But it is. The end of the world is just the beginning here; the start of a renewal of the cosmos. The world transforming into a familiar but different place. One thing remaining constant however: foul trickery and devious cleverness; these seemingly universal traits leading to the real story of Ragnarok.
The tale begins with a dark elf assassin finding herself caught up in a plot to destroy a being imprisoned at the edge of the world. Her quest not one to her personal liking but forced upon her out of love for her child and a deal with a capricious god-ling. Yet she is an elf of her word, and she would see her mission completed, no matter the personal costs.
Once she confronts the object of her quest yet another clever trap is sprung. One which was planned and put into place by a long dead god; one who wished to cheat the fates and, perhaps, undo Ragnarok itself!
The avatar of this dead gods’ plan is a long dead corpse. Someone who finds himself animated but confronted by the reality that all he knew is gone. Everyone he loved is ashes. He himself is merely a shadow of what he once was. And he has no idea why he has been resurrected from the halls of the dead. Any plan which was put in place kept a secret from him as well as everyone else.
All the thrills, mysteries, brawls, and daring-do spiral out from this set up. The narrative seamlessly shifting from Norse mythology to earth-shattering fights to tender moments of personal grief. One never overpowering the other, but complementing each other. And I found myself ensorcelled by it all, racing along with these characters and events until the wee hours of the dawn.
Honestly, I don’t get excited about many things. I’ve gotten too damn old for much to impress me, I guess. Or made I’ve lost my inner kid. Who the hell really knows.
The simple fact is that few things get my pulse-pounding and wake up that teen boy who dreamed of soaring through the skies holding a magic hammer, but this story by Walter Simonson did. It captured all the amazing Thor mythos and took it in a whole new direction, promising so much more to come.
Mystery. Combat. Emotions. Ragnarok has it all! And you should go get it now, because great stories like this only come around once a lifetime . . . well, maybe, three or four times, but who really wants to put a limit on greatness.
I received this book from IDW Publishing and Netgalley in return for an honest review.
March 20, 2022
Simonson's Thor filtered through the lens of an Iron Maiden cover. Ragnarok happened generations ago. All of the Norse gods are dead. All their enemies now rule the realms. Thor has returned from the dead, minus his jaw, and looking for revenge. Simonson's art looks top notch. The coloring is great as well. This isn't Marvel's Thor though. This is a heavy metal take on Thor. The goofy headwear is gone, so is the Shakespearean speech, replaced by the undead and eternal twilight.
September 1, 2015
www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com
This graphic novel is awesome! I loved the main characters Regn, Brynja and their daughter Drifta. One sets out on a quest to kill The Stone God with a group of assassins they hire. The assassins were a bunch of idiots let me tell you now!
The reason the person sets out on this quest is because their daughter was threatened, so... what else would you do. Unfortunately, that person doesn't make it..or do they?
The Stone God is awoken and trying to figure what he is doing in this strange land, what happened to all of his people. I'm sure you can imagine from the picture who this skeleton person is, at least those that know the Gods.
Anyhoo, I thought this book had such amazing graphics. I only wish I could have found some for my blog, but I don't think what would be right since the book isn't out yet, but still!
I recommend to all of those that love graphic novels and Norse God Mythology etc.
*I would like to thank Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for making this available to read for my honest review.*
This graphic novel is awesome! I loved the main characters Regn, Brynja and their daughter Drifta. One sets out on a quest to kill The Stone God with a group of assassins they hire. The assassins were a bunch of idiots let me tell you now!
The reason the person sets out on this quest is because their daughter was threatened, so... what else would you do. Unfortunately, that person doesn't make it..or do they?
The Stone God is awoken and trying to figure what he is doing in this strange land, what happened to all of his people. I'm sure you can imagine from the picture who this skeleton person is, at least those that know the Gods.
Anyhoo, I thought this book had such amazing graphics. I only wish I could have found some for my blog, but I don't think what would be right since the book isn't out yet, but still!
I recommend to all of those that love graphic novels and Norse God Mythology etc.
*I would like to thank Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for making this available to read for my honest review.*
May 2, 2016
Wow. Just... wow.
Not that I'm old or anything but I read Walt Simonson's run on Thor for Marvel in the '80s and it was amazing; totally unlike any other comicbook being published at the time or anything that had gone before.
Fast forward quarter of a century and Walt is writing and drawing Thor again, this time for IDW rather than Marvel (Marvel can't copyright Thor, you see, what with him being an already existing character long before even Lee and Kirby were born)... but this version is as different from his Marvel Thor as his Marvel Thor was from everything else at the time.
This is a zombified Thor who has been awakened from the deathlike slumber he has been in since Ragnarok (see the title of the book) by foul magics... His flesh is rotting and he's missing his bottom jaw (deftly avoiding the 'beard or no beard' question; nicely done, Mr. Simonson) and he's a little bit ticked off...
Anyway, I don't want to say any more here for fear of spoiling the book... Suffice it to say that Walt is producing work here that I can only describe as absolutely fucking incredible! If you're at all a fan of his work or Thor you would be a fool to miss this book.
Now I've finished reading the first collection I'm off to read #7 and add the book to my regular pull list...
Not that I'm old or anything but I read Walt Simonson's run on Thor for Marvel in the '80s and it was amazing; totally unlike any other comicbook being published at the time or anything that had gone before.
Fast forward quarter of a century and Walt is writing and drawing Thor again, this time for IDW rather than Marvel (Marvel can't copyright Thor, you see, what with him being an already existing character long before even Lee and Kirby were born)... but this version is as different from his Marvel Thor as his Marvel Thor was from everything else at the time.
This is a zombified Thor who has been awakened from the deathlike slumber he has been in since Ragnarok (see the title of the book) by foul magics... His flesh is rotting and he's missing his bottom jaw (deftly avoiding the 'beard or no beard' question; nicely done, Mr. Simonson) and he's a little bit ticked off...
Anyway, I don't want to say any more here for fear of spoiling the book... Suffice it to say that Walt is producing work here that I can only describe as absolutely fucking incredible! If you're at all a fan of his work or Thor you would be a fool to miss this book.
Now I've finished reading the first collection I'm off to read #7 and add the book to my regular pull list...
June 17, 2017
If you loved Simonson's run on Marvel's Thor like me, you are really going to enjoy this "Post-Ragnarok jawless Undead God of Thunder" awesome tale too.
A very nice surprise.
March 20, 2022
Centuries after Ragnarok, the mostly dead corpse of Thor awakens with vengeance on his mind!
There's more to it than that, of course, but I don't want to spoil anything. Like a lot of comic fans, I loved Wal Simonson's Thor run. When I heard he was doing a creator owned Thor book, I wasn't sure what to expect but it wasn't this.
This is some metal ass shit: Zombie Thor, wandering what's left of the world, kicking ass and taking names. When the enemies of the Aesir went to war with Asgard, they made one mistake. They let Thor get away!
I've made it sound like Ragnarok is just Thor kicking ass but it's not. Sure, Thor has a quest for vengeance as he pieces together what befell the gods at Ragnarok but it's also the story of black elf parents making a deal with the lord of the dead for their daughter's life. But it's also about Thor, aka The Stone God, throwing his hammer and fighting all kinds of stuff in a world that's gone to Hel.
I'd love to gush about a bunch of things that happen in this but I'd rather not spoil anything. The book is full of stunning visuals and awesome moments. I'm glad I have the other two volumes en route as we speak.
Ragnarok: Last God Standing is a masterpiece in both artistic achievement and heavy metal ass-kickery. Five out of five Mjolnirs.
There's more to it than that, of course, but I don't want to spoil anything. Like a lot of comic fans, I loved Wal Simonson's Thor run. When I heard he was doing a creator owned Thor book, I wasn't sure what to expect but it wasn't this.
This is some metal ass shit: Zombie Thor, wandering what's left of the world, kicking ass and taking names. When the enemies of the Aesir went to war with Asgard, they made one mistake. They let Thor get away!
I've made it sound like Ragnarok is just Thor kicking ass but it's not. Sure, Thor has a quest for vengeance as he pieces together what befell the gods at Ragnarok but it's also the story of black elf parents making a deal with the lord of the dead for their daughter's life. But it's also about Thor, aka The Stone God, throwing his hammer and fighting all kinds of stuff in a world that's gone to Hel.
I'd love to gush about a bunch of things that happen in this but I'd rather not spoil anything. The book is full of stunning visuals and awesome moments. I'm glad I have the other two volumes en route as we speak.
Ragnarok: Last God Standing is a masterpiece in both artistic achievement and heavy metal ass-kickery. Five out of five Mjolnirs.
January 6, 2016
So in this tale of the Gods, Ragnarok has happened (the end of the world) and all the Gods are dead, but are they?
September 1, 2016
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was great! A new tale set in the post-Ragnarok world of Asgard, something that I've never even considered, much less read. I really enjoyed seeing the Stone God revived, the battle scenes were portrayed very well, and the story (a quest!) was developed well. Of course, it ends on a cliffhanger. Now I'm waiting for volume 2...
Highly recommended for fans of Norse mythology, as well as fans of swords and sorcery.
This was great! A new tale set in the post-Ragnarok world of Asgard, something that I've never even considered, much less read. I really enjoyed seeing the Stone God revived, the battle scenes were portrayed very well, and the story (a quest!) was developed well. Of course, it ends on a cliffhanger. Now I'm waiting for volume 2...
Highly recommended for fans of Norse mythology, as well as fans of swords and sorcery.
March 30, 2016
Well this was pretty rad. Walt "Mr. Saved Thor in the 80s" has a whole new take on the Odinson, this time as a post apocalyptic resurrected zombie.
So very Jesus like, and apt for just after Ishtar! Not much bunnies or eggs, though there was a cool squirrel.
Everyone is dead, and
Thor wakes up awful pissed off centuries later...cue fights, thunder, need for mead, and vengeance.
OK, I'll bite, gimme more Mad Max Thunder God.
So very Jesus like, and apt for just after Ishtar! Not much bunnies or eggs, though there was a cool squirrel.
Everyone is dead, and
Thor wakes up awful pissed off centuries later...cue fights, thunder, need for mead, and vengeance.
OK, I'll bite, gimme more Mad Max Thunder God.
August 1, 2015
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Ragnarok volume 1, collecting comic single issues 1-6, is an interesting take on Thor and the world after Asgaard fell. I didn't know much about the title or author going into the read and so was pleasantly surprised to find an interesting, nuanced, and unique story with solid, rich artwork. Ragnarok exceeding my expectations and keep me riveted to the end.Story: The Asgaard Gods have fallen and the world has become home to Draugrs, trolls, fire creatures, and more. In this land, a dark elf assassin leaves her family to take on a bounty to kill 'the stone god'. She collects a band of mercenaries and attempts to kill the stone god - but only ends up awakening him. The stone god turns out to be the last of the gods, Thor, and he has been asleep for a very long time. With hisa body but a shell and missing his jaw, Thor will venture out into the world to discover what has befallen his beloved and brethren after Ragnarok destroyed them. But the new rulers of the plane do not want him to return: and the family of the assassin elf sent to end him have their own plans for the God of Thunder.
Ragnarok is a very imaginative spin on Norse mythology. Never taking itself too seriously, this is Thor the comic book hero after he has lost everything and now must find a way to put the world back in order. The cast of characters are interesting and I really like that we're given an introduction to Thor through the family of dark elf assassins (rather than having Thor wake up, kill everything in site, and go on a rampage). The story is much bigger than Thor and so it is appropriate and appreciated that we get a much larger view of the world.
The side characters are interesting and Thor's encounters with them are more than "save the humans" or "kill the draugr". I was invested in the story from the very beginning with its large cast of monsters and creatures to enjoy.
The artwork is beautiful. From the dark elf family to what's left of Thor, burning fire spirits and an ages old fortress, there is certainly a lot to love here and a treat for the eyes. The colors are vibrant and really help with the storytelling. It all feels so epic and crisp.
I read Ragnarok in one sitting and then went back and read it again. If I have a quibble, it's that the intro with the 'runic' font is annoyingly difficult to read. I'd have rather enjoyed a standard helvetica than have to squint and peer to figure out the words in the odd font. But again, minor quibble.
In all, highly recommended. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
November 17, 2018
So I decided to try this one out because it sounded pretty awesome and while it’s not bad, it is not in the awesome category.
What’s it about?
Sadly that is hard to describe without spoiling the shit out of the first 2 issues in this collection so I’ll skip that.
Pros:
The art is amazing, holy shit. The highlight of this by far is how great each panel looks, if nothing else this book might be worth reading for the artwork alone.
This comic is full of bad-ass action scenes. Fans of fantasy action will be pleased with this book’s action as it is frequent and exciting throughout.
This book has a few interesting, unexpected twists, I enjoyed that. This book has some awesome page layouts! I unfortunately can’t find an example but yes, it’s super cool!
Cons:
The story while not bad is typical fantasy. It’s the story of bad-ass warriors who slay their enemies and some monsters are involved. There’s not a lot more to it!
The characters are bland as hell. The first 2 issues focus on a (I hate saying it but am going to anyway) Mary Sue who kicks everyone’s ass and proves that the only flaw this bad-ass female can have is her lack of personality. Then there’s this book’s rendition of Thor who is basically the same as the other character except slightly cooler because he looks like if Iron Maiden’s Eddie put on a couple of pounds.
The dialogue is very cheesy.
Overall:
This book isn’t bad but I won’t be in a hurry to read volume 2. It is fun so if you’re a fantasy fan it’s worth checking out for the cool action scenes and fantastic art.
Another reason I would maybe recommend it is if you’re trying to get your kid(s) into fantasy and/or comics, it would have been right up my alley at when I was younger and isn’t any more graphic than the majority of superhero movies so...
In general, there are a lot of more interesting fantasy stories to read with better characters but this is still okay.
3/5
What’s it about?
Sadly that is hard to describe without spoiling the shit out of the first 2 issues in this collection so I’ll skip that.
Pros:
The art is amazing, holy shit. The highlight of this by far is how great each panel looks, if nothing else this book might be worth reading for the artwork alone.
This comic is full of bad-ass action scenes. Fans of fantasy action will be pleased with this book’s action as it is frequent and exciting throughout.
This book has a few interesting, unexpected twists, I enjoyed that. This book has some awesome page layouts! I unfortunately can’t find an example but yes, it’s super cool!
Cons:
The story while not bad is typical fantasy. It’s the story of bad-ass warriors who slay their enemies and some monsters are involved. There’s not a lot more to it!
The characters are bland as hell. The first 2 issues focus on a (I hate saying it but am going to anyway) Mary Sue who kicks everyone’s ass and proves that the only flaw this bad-ass female can have is her lack of personality. Then there’s this book’s rendition of Thor who is basically the same as the other character except slightly cooler because he looks like if Iron Maiden’s Eddie put on a couple of pounds.
The dialogue is very cheesy.
Overall:
This book isn’t bad but I won’t be in a hurry to read volume 2. It is fun so if you’re a fantasy fan it’s worth checking out for the cool action scenes and fantastic art.
Another reason I would maybe recommend it is if you’re trying to get your kid(s) into fantasy and/or comics, it would have been right up my alley at when I was younger and isn’t any more graphic than the majority of superhero movies so...
In general, there are a lot of more interesting fantasy stories to read with better characters but this is still okay.
3/5
February 2, 2016
Well here we are in a post apocalyptic world , where supposedly all the gods are dead, but Thor is re awoken and must travel back in search of his family, home and the gods.
The story took a bit to get started, but found a pace after the first issue. Illustration was solid.
I'm hoping that this story will have more depth as time goes on, as it does have potential.
The story took a bit to get started, but found a pace after the first issue. Illustration was solid.
I'm hoping that this story will have more depth as time goes on, as it does have potential.
March 10, 2016
'Ragnarok Vol. 1: Last God Standing' reunites Walter Simonson with Norse mythology, and it's a welcome reunion.
Ragnarok has happened. The battle of the Nine Worlds is over and there is destruction everywhere. The gods are dead, supposedly. But one crawls from the wreckage, basically a skeleton with a missing jaw. He is an unstoppable force and he seeks answers to where his family is. When he calls forth his mighty hammer Mjolnir, we know who this is. Any who stand in his path had best beware, because this is Thor and he wants to find his way back to Asgard.
I loved the Simonson run on Thor in the 1980s. I devoured them. The Thor in this book is not the Marvel version, but the mythological one. Yet this fits for me. I also like the mythological elements like the Midgard Serpent and Fenrir. I like the decimated look of the surroundings and the conniving of the survivors. I also really like Thor's resolve. Nothing will stop him, even if he's a shell of his former self. The writing is great and the art is amazing. The work here is really that good.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Ragnarok has happened. The battle of the Nine Worlds is over and there is destruction everywhere. The gods are dead, supposedly. But one crawls from the wreckage, basically a skeleton with a missing jaw. He is an unstoppable force and he seeks answers to where his family is. When he calls forth his mighty hammer Mjolnir, we know who this is. Any who stand in his path had best beware, because this is Thor and he wants to find his way back to Asgard.
I loved the Simonson run on Thor in the 1980s. I devoured them. The Thor in this book is not the Marvel version, but the mythological one. Yet this fits for me. I also like the mythological elements like the Midgard Serpent and Fenrir. I like the decimated look of the surroundings and the conniving of the survivors. I also really like Thor's resolve. Nothing will stop him, even if he's a shell of his former self. The writing is great and the art is amazing. The work here is really that good.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
August 21, 2015
Not as compelling as I thought it would be. Didn't care much for the dark elves arc that served to eventually intro us to Thor... but after that things got rolling. I like the stripped-down God of Thunder in his vastly reduced (but no less awesome) post-Ragnarok form. Will agree with one other review regarding the Runic font though. Tch. Readability is important in comic-book enjoyment.
August 15, 2018
This is certainly a different take on Thor and the Norse Gods. How does one talk without a lower jaw? I do like the fantasy aspect of this series. I have already downloaded Vol 2 of Ragnarok. I forgot, is there a 3rd volume? Need to check this out. Vol 1 and 2 thanks to Comixology Unlimited.
January 29, 2017
Marvel Comics in the early- to mid-eighties was undergoing a transformative time of progressive change. Frank Miller was redefining Daredevil and placing the blind hero up against ninjas. Denny O’Neil catapulted Tony Stark into the ravings of serious alcoholism forcing James Rhodes to wear the suit in Iron Man. Chris Claremont and John Byrne were deep into making the all-new, all-different X-Men become counter-culture saviors. And in Thor, Walt Simonson did away with the Donald Blake identity, replaced the title character entirely with a horse-faced alien and even briefly made the Thunder God a frog. And it was cool.
Walt Simonson’s four-year run on Marvel’s Thor is not only one of the title’s most acclaimed runs, but also one of Simonson’s most known works where not only his art and designs, but his skill as a writer, worked in exemplary union. Simonson has since written and drawn scores of projects, but Thor had always been a highlight. Having Walt Simonson return to Thor? A fanboy dream.
Ragnarok, from IDW, not Marvel, provides such a dream in a certain manner. Simonson writes and draws a different, perhaps more in line with the mythos, Thor adventure taking place in a time of a fallen Asgard, in the post-apocalyptic twilight of the Norse gods. And Simonson’s artwork is amazing. Every panel, every splash page, every call to attention, proves that he is still a master on this or on any of the Nine Realms. And for all of the effort on the art, the writing is merely pedestrian.
Within the pages of Ragnarok, which should have been titled After-Ragnarok, or Ragnarok Aftermath, or The Walking Asgardian, Thor, once presumed dead but really is just missing a lower jaw, has been awoken and begins to take account of the world around him. For the remaining time, in what is assumed the first of a series of graphic novel collections, he doesn’t do much than get into fights. And c’mon. This is Walt Simonson drawing Thor getting into fights with spectacular, over-the-top action. But there is no intrigue. The action, and the character, simply moves from place to place, from fight to fight. Who knew Ragnarok would be so tedious?
Simonson has a proven his writing chops on multiple occasions. His short, and sometimes overlooked, run on Fantastic Four was as fresh a take on Marvel’s first family as was his time in Asgard. In Ragnarok, the plot goes no deeper than providing an incredible showcase for Simonson’s art. If this series does indeed continue, let’s all pray that reality soon fulfills our dreams.
Walt Simonson’s four-year run on Marvel’s Thor is not only one of the title’s most acclaimed runs, but also one of Simonson’s most known works where not only his art and designs, but his skill as a writer, worked in exemplary union. Simonson has since written and drawn scores of projects, but Thor had always been a highlight. Having Walt Simonson return to Thor? A fanboy dream.
Ragnarok, from IDW, not Marvel, provides such a dream in a certain manner. Simonson writes and draws a different, perhaps more in line with the mythos, Thor adventure taking place in a time of a fallen Asgard, in the post-apocalyptic twilight of the Norse gods. And Simonson’s artwork is amazing. Every panel, every splash page, every call to attention, proves that he is still a master on this or on any of the Nine Realms. And for all of the effort on the art, the writing is merely pedestrian.
Within the pages of Ragnarok, which should have been titled After-Ragnarok, or Ragnarok Aftermath, or The Walking Asgardian, Thor, once presumed dead but really is just missing a lower jaw, has been awoken and begins to take account of the world around him. For the remaining time, in what is assumed the first of a series of graphic novel collections, he doesn’t do much than get into fights. And c’mon. This is Walt Simonson drawing Thor getting into fights with spectacular, over-the-top action. But there is no intrigue. The action, and the character, simply moves from place to place, from fight to fight. Who knew Ragnarok would be so tedious?
Simonson has a proven his writing chops on multiple occasions. His short, and sometimes overlooked, run on Fantastic Four was as fresh a take on Marvel’s first family as was his time in Asgard. In Ragnarok, the plot goes no deeper than providing an incredible showcase for Simonson’s art. If this series does indeed continue, let’s all pray that reality soon fulfills our dreams.
June 7, 2017
Walt Simonson is the Thor artist for me. His run with the Marvel iteration of the Norse God of Thunder is arguably the masterpiece reference for anybody who works with the character today.
This book is Simonson's take on Thor without any regard for a Marvel (or anybody else's) universe. It's truly a tale set in a world after Ragnarök. It's a sad fantasy land and the gods are long dead. The story starts as a dark elf assassin is hired to finish off the last remnant of the gods, a slumbering undead carcass whose name nobody remembers, lying in chains inside an abandoned fortress. But said god won't be destroyed without a fight.
He's, of course, Thor. There's no spoilers here. He's in the cover of the book. That gigantic living dead warrior is fielding one of the most famous weapons in all myth and literature. You know it's Thor even before the story begins. Apparently, after falling defeating The World Serpent, Thor missed Ragnarök, and now roams the Dusk Lands (the world that the Twilight of the Gods left behind) in search for answers to what happened to his kin — answers that he might as well know in his heart already.
If you're fond of larger than life characters, battles that shake the foundations of the Earth and very, very big onomatopoeias on the page, you'll love this book. This is Simonson doing whatever the hell he wants with Norse mythology. He's clearly influenced by what he did for Marvel Comics Thor in the 1980s, but that's something that adds a lot of nostalgia value for fans of his work. This isn't a heroic story, though. Epic, yes, but there are no heroes here — only people, complex and contradictory, trying to eek out a living in a world left behind by the gods. It's also a fatalistic, tragic Thor that roams that melancholic world, meeting even more fatalistic and tragic characters.
Verily, a tale after the end of the world!
This book is Simonson's take on Thor without any regard for a Marvel (or anybody else's) universe. It's truly a tale set in a world after Ragnarök. It's a sad fantasy land and the gods are long dead. The story starts as a dark elf assassin is hired to finish off the last remnant of the gods, a slumbering undead carcass whose name nobody remembers, lying in chains inside an abandoned fortress. But said god won't be destroyed without a fight.
He's, of course, Thor. There's no spoilers here. He's in the cover of the book. That gigantic living dead warrior is fielding one of the most famous weapons in all myth and literature. You know it's Thor even before the story begins. Apparently, after falling defeating The World Serpent, Thor missed Ragnarök, and now roams the Dusk Lands (the world that the Twilight of the Gods left behind) in search for answers to what happened to his kin — answers that he might as well know in his heart already.
If you're fond of larger than life characters, battles that shake the foundations of the Earth and very, very big onomatopoeias on the page, you'll love this book. This is Simonson doing whatever the hell he wants with Norse mythology. He's clearly influenced by what he did for Marvel Comics Thor in the 1980s, but that's something that adds a lot of nostalgia value for fans of his work. This isn't a heroic story, though. Epic, yes, but there are no heroes here — only people, complex and contradictory, trying to eek out a living in a world left behind by the gods. It's also a fatalistic, tragic Thor that roams that melancholic world, meeting even more fatalistic and tragic characters.
Verily, a tale after the end of the world!
August 27, 2015
As a once avid comic book collector, I was eager to start reviewing the graphic novels offered at NetGalley.
This story begins unknown years after the fall of the Aesir and Vanir. The gods have fallen and all is despair and death. The Sun and Moon are gone. Creatures, men, demons and the dead co-exist not so peacefully.
The book is well drawn and colored. The shading and greys in the twilight forests of the Fetch counterpointed with the vibrancy of the flames of Surtr are a great visual representation of the different realms. The variety of tints used within the palette the artist limited himself to in each scene was astounding.
The fighting is done without any explicit gore, which I appreciate. I am not a fan of splatterfests. The action flows as a natural part of the story. The identity of the Stone God is fairly obvious, but clues still unfold and the reader is led to the conclusion.
All of the characters, from the introduction of Brynja, Regn and their daughter, Drifa to Ratatosk the squirrel, to the troll guarding the human village are believable and engaging, even or especially the villains.
The story was well-paced. There were no huge dumps of expository information. The dialogue is crisp, on point and succinct, hinting at things yet unrevealed. There were no real drags in the flow. I was not shaken out of the story at any point. The end of the book came at a satisfying point but definitely left me wanting to read more.
I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley.com in exchange for this review.
This story begins unknown years after the fall of the Aesir and Vanir. The gods have fallen and all is despair and death. The Sun and Moon are gone. Creatures, men, demons and the dead co-exist not so peacefully.
The book is well drawn and colored. The shading and greys in the twilight forests of the Fetch counterpointed with the vibrancy of the flames of Surtr are a great visual representation of the different realms. The variety of tints used within the palette the artist limited himself to in each scene was astounding.
The fighting is done without any explicit gore, which I appreciate. I am not a fan of splatterfests. The action flows as a natural part of the story. The identity of the Stone God is fairly obvious, but clues still unfold and the reader is led to the conclusion.
All of the characters, from the introduction of Brynja, Regn and their daughter, Drifa to Ratatosk the squirrel, to the troll guarding the human village are believable and engaging, even or especially the villains.
The story was well-paced. There were no huge dumps of expository information. The dialogue is crisp, on point and succinct, hinting at things yet unrevealed. There were no real drags in the flow. I was not shaken out of the story at any point. The end of the book came at a satisfying point but definitely left me wanting to read more.
I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley.com in exchange for this review.
October 14, 2019
Ragnarok, Last God Standing was surprisingly good. I didn't know what to expect, but a friend of mine told me that I would like this series and he was correct. Ragnarok has occured, but the world didn't end. Evil didn't die. Only the Asgardian gods died. The Nine Worlds collapsed into one, known as the Dusk Lands. In the Dusk Lands dwell dark elves, trolls and men all toiling under the tyrannic rule of the Great Enemies (eg, Surtur).
However, it seems that the god Thor is not completely dead. He "rises from the dead" with the features of a corpse but with the powers and fighting abilities of Thor. As he travels through the fallen worlds of the Nine Worlds, it seems ancient enemies from Surtur to Angantyr, Lord of the Dead are aware of his rebirth and send assassins after him.
Without getting spoilery that's the gist of this first volume. I enjoyed this post-Ragnarok setting and felt it quite entertaining. The idea of a world in which only the gods died, save Thor, and the example of Thor as a corpse was also quite interesting. If I had to have one complaint? The art is, at best, mediocre. That is a shame since this was a setting that certainly would have been able to make a talented artist shine. Had that been the case then this would have been a 5 star volume.
If you are a fan of Norse myths or just like the Asgardian gods, this is a volume that you will enjoy. I will certainly hunt down volume two of this. A shame the art isn't better, but don't let that stop you from a very cool story.
However, it seems that the god Thor is not completely dead. He "rises from the dead" with the features of a corpse but with the powers and fighting abilities of Thor. As he travels through the fallen worlds of the Nine Worlds, it seems ancient enemies from Surtur to Angantyr, Lord of the Dead are aware of his rebirth and send assassins after him.
Without getting spoilery that's the gist of this first volume. I enjoyed this post-Ragnarok setting and felt it quite entertaining. The idea of a world in which only the gods died, save Thor, and the example of Thor as a corpse was also quite interesting. If I had to have one complaint? The art is, at best, mediocre. That is a shame since this was a setting that certainly would have been able to make a talented artist shine. Had that been the case then this would have been a 5 star volume.
If you are a fan of Norse myths or just like the Asgardian gods, this is a volume that you will enjoy. I will certainly hunt down volume two of this. A shame the art isn't better, but don't let that stop you from a very cool story.
May 18, 2018
Walter Simonson é um dos melhores - senão o melhor - artista de quadrinhos que já passou pela história do Thor. Em suas mais de trinta edições com o Deus do Trovão da Marvel ele definiu muito da sua mitologia - e não estou falando da mitologia nórdica. Ausente da Marvel desde os anos 90, Simonson aos poucos foi trabalhando na sua própria versão do deus nórdico. O resultado foi essa HQ aqui, Ragnarök. Essa palavra, para aqueles que não conhecem a mitologia nórdica, significa o fim dos deuses, o fim do mundo. Sim, ela também é o subtítulo do último filme do Thor e de um game muito popular na internet. Nesta HQ, que se passa após o evento derradeiro, encontramos uma família de elfos negros indo em busca da morte definitiva de Thor, que se tornou um zumbi sem maxilar preso em uma fortaleza. Ao mesmo tempo em que conta a jornada da família de elfos assassinos, Simonson mostra a busca de Thor por conhecimento e pela redenção de seus pares, os deuses da doirada Asgard. Ragnarök mostra que Simonson não perdeu o viço da narrativa nem o afã pela mitologia dos vikings. Seus desenhos, abrilhantados pelas sensacionais cores da premiada Laura Martin captam toda a aridez de um mundo devastado e desolado que são as Terras do Crepúsculo. Portanto, Ragnarök é uma bela homenagem ao Thor da Marvel e das lendas e também uma ótima forma de matar a saudade daquelas histórias épicas dos anos 80. E agora preciso ler o volume 2!
August 18, 2015
Rating: 1.5 stars
Ah, I have to say that this was not for me, which I'm super shocked about, seeing as I adore all myths and legends, but perhaps maybe I just didn't know enough about Norse mythology to appreciate this comic fully.
In all honestly I found this volume particularly difficult to follow and it didn't seem to have a strong plot, that was comprehensible to me (more so in the beginning) and was not something you would expect for a first volume.
I wanted action, of course, but I felt like I was thrown in straight away to a story I was really struggling to understand and I believe it really lacked character development which meant that I went on reading with little to no motivation.
The art style is really awesome though, as I found it took on a more traditional comic-book art style, that a lot of modern comics don't really use that often, so that was rather refreshing and the detail in the illustrations were perfect.
The plot did pick up a bit as I read on, but again, not understanding what was happening from the beginning meant I struggled to enjoy it fully as I continued on.
This was received as a read for review, via Netgally.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! ^^
Gén
Ah, I have to say that this was not for me, which I'm super shocked about, seeing as I adore all myths and legends, but perhaps maybe I just didn't know enough about Norse mythology to appreciate this comic fully.
In all honestly I found this volume particularly difficult to follow and it didn't seem to have a strong plot, that was comprehensible to me (more so in the beginning) and was not something you would expect for a first volume.
I wanted action, of course, but I felt like I was thrown in straight away to a story I was really struggling to understand and I believe it really lacked character development which meant that I went on reading with little to no motivation.
The art style is really awesome though, as I found it took on a more traditional comic-book art style, that a lot of modern comics don't really use that often, so that was rather refreshing and the detail in the illustrations were perfect.
The plot did pick up a bit as I read on, but again, not understanding what was happening from the beginning meant I struggled to enjoy it fully as I continued on.
This was received as a read for review, via Netgally.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! ^^
Gén
Read
August 11, 2015Walt Simonson will likely always be best-known for his peerless run on Marvel's Thor, and as too many examples illustrate there is great risk in a comics veteran returning to the territory on which he made his name. Mercifully, this is a most satisfactory homecoming. Simonson has lost none of his skills; epic landscapes and kinetic battles are still leavened with flashes of dry humour. And perhaps most important of all, those inimitably awe-inspiring sound effects at which he always excelled have lost none of their verve either. Thematically if not legally, the story could be considered a sequel or at least a dark alternate future to that Thor run, set in a twilit realm where Ragnarok somehow turned out even worse than expected due to the absence of one crucial god. Would it even be a spoiler to say which one? But he's a much-changed figure here, struggling to come to terms with the broken world to which he returns. It's often grim and in places gory, but there's a grandeur to proceedings which stops that from feeling gratuitous. These were dark myths, after all, and here they've taken a still darker turn.
(Full disclosure: a freebie from Netgalley)
(Full disclosure: a freebie from Netgalley)
May 26, 2017
I really enjoy Walt Simonson's take on the Norse gods and worlds. This series lets him have a nice free rein to do whatever he wants and he delivers superbly. Packed with his always amazing art and now a story to match. Very recommended
February 22, 2021
A beautifully drawn post-Marvel Thor story from Walter Simonson, the man who created the most memorable and beloved run of The Mighty Thor that character has seen. This story leans heavily into Norse mythology, giving Simonson more freedom in the tone and complexity (read: unlikeability) of his central characters, making for better-than-superhero fare. Splash pages throughout, and rich colorization.
September 20, 2018
I love Walter Simonson's work, so I was excited to read this. The art is frantic and full of energy, it's an interesting take on Norse mythology, and there's tons of great action. Here's the thing though, I'm just not a big fantasy guy, and that's essentially what this book is. It's dark fantasy suspended in a Norse mythology solution. That made it hard for me to get into. I'm also not big on using literal versions of mythological characters in new stories. I think I was just overexposed to it in high school (if I read one more story that literally uses Greek gods in a modern setting I'm gonna lose it...but I liked Azzarello's run on Wonder Woman so I guess that makes me a hypocrite). So yeah, nothing really clicked for me in the way I wanted it to. But if you like fantasy and Norse mythology, then I think you'll really dig this so give it a try.
September 9, 2015
Thematically this series might be considered a final act to Walter Simonson's visionary run on Marvel's Mighty Thor although this is not the same Thor from the pages of Marvel Comics, this is a Thor unlike any we have previously seen. This is Thor which has little to nothing to do with superhero and has everything to do with the old Norse mythology. Simonson's is as gorgeous as ever and to have him working on Thor again is a thrill, even if this isn't the same Thor. I am eagerly awaiting the start of the issues which will comprise the next volume.
July 29, 2017
Walt Simonson's sort-of return to Thor leans into the criticism you might have of such an idea: this is a story about the impossibility of returning to past glories. Simonson's action scenes and figure-work are as majestically brutal as ever, but the light-hearted joy and swagger that made his Marvel THOR run definitive is replaced by post-apocalyptic dust and shadow. The vibe is less Kirby and Lee, more Moorcock and Leone - but that's what makes Ragnarok a strong work in its own right, rather than just an unasked-for appendix.
August 28, 2015
A great return to form for fan favorite Simonson! Although treading familiar ground (Norse mythology and the god of thunder), Simonson is unburdened of established characters and continuity and is free to create and play to his hearts content. Recommended for any fans of Simonson's previous work...and for those wanting to discover an old master!
January 12, 2016
What if you had Thor from myth in a post-apocalyptic world awakening many years after the fall of all the gods? That is essentially the premise here though we still have multiple races, worlds/dimensions, and villains. Lots of plot points begun and nearly none of them answered. A fun read and I am looking forward to the next volume.
Love that IDW printed this in oversize format.
Love that IDW printed this in oversize format.
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