Status Updates From The Raven Banner: A Tale of...

Nice Marvel Norse tale without Thor who appears in one panel. Essentially it is the hero journey for redemption. I really got a charge out of the humanoid otter character.

Remarkable! With the expectedly-exquisite art of Vess, but the astonishingly-breathtaking prose of Zelenetz!

So far? Breathtaking in both art and writing. I would LOVE more writing like this and less of...well, whatever Dan Slott & Ryan North are vomiting out there.
Also, it's in-continuity with the main Marvel stuff -- Marvel's Thor appears, as do the Warriors Three (even if only in the background).

"..but first you must sojourn in Hel, the darkest realm of all, bitter cold and full of horror. There you will see the wretched fate of hollow lives misspent in cowardice or mean spirit. Such will be your sorrowful lot if you fail to make valor your hard-edged sword and virtue your shield."

Amen to that.

"Remember always, that not all the world's brave sentiments can outweigh one brave deed."

Amen to that, straight from the mouth of a Valkyrie. A concept we (not all of us) have forgotten in the modern world where words outstrip deeds every day. *sigh* If there must be religion why can't it be Pagan Norse? I LIKE these gods and their code.

Grim Magnus is dead. The Raven Banner taken by trolls and Grimwald (Magnus's son) has no desire to take up the banner and the fated death that ensnares the bearer. This is VERY good. I'm surprised...the prose is top notch...