REVIEW: ‘Thor & Loki: Double Trouble,’ Issue #3

Thor & Loki: Double Trouble #3 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Mariko Tamaki, with art by Gurihiru and letters by Ariana Maher. Having utilized a magic orb of unknown qualities, Loki sought to hasten the clean-up from his previous mischief.  Instead, he and his brother Thor now find themselves tumbling through time and space to points unknown. What new adventures could await this mismatched duo at their final destination?

I feel like you’ve taken the concept of a dysfunctional family to a whole new level when tumbling through time and space doesn’t stop a pair of brothers from bickering. Though perhaps trips through the Bifrost have made this sort of travel more mundane for them? Whatever the cause, Thor & Loki: Double Trouble #3 opens with a Loki who seems far too jovial and a Thor who looks far too focused given their current predicament.

Upon ending their monstrously long plummet, the brothers find themselves in what appears to be the realm of Jutonheim. Alas, no sooner can Thor and Loki set upon each other with their usual verbal sparring than they find themselves beset by a hoard of angry-looking mountain giants. Before the hoard can overwhelm our lost heroes, their attack is stymied by…Mjolnir? But not Thor’s. So who else in this land could have another of Thor’s singular hammer? Would you believe it would be Thor, Goddess of Thunder?

For the first two issues of Thor & Loki: Double Trouble, I assumed that the double trouble part referred to the two brothers. However, Thor & Loki: Double Trouble #3 has revealed a whole new meaning to the title. The arrival of this new addition to the story is played brilliantly by Tamaki. With Thor having an instant identity crisis and Loki gleefully enjoying his brother’s discomfort, Tamaki continues to play both characters incredibly well. And as a fresh new twist to our main duo’s bickering, we have the Goddess of Thunder. Who, like her alternate timeline counterpart, seems to want nothing more than to prove who the better Thor is.

The art of Thor & Loki: Double Trouble #3 continues to adapt the Asgardian elements to its lighthearted visual style wonderfully. The marauding mountain giants fight in the book perfectly as a threat that is “intimidating,” though really they are mostly just goofy. And while these guests are well done, I absolutely love how artist Gurihiru adapts the classic Jane Foster, Goddess of Thunder, character design into the book’s art style.

While the comedic elements of the story grab most of the limelight, Gurihiru does an equally skillful job delivering the book’s action moments as well. Despite the highly cartoony style, Gurihiru succeeds in imparting the Asgardian warriors with the combat prowess one would expect of them.

Rounding out the book’s presentation is Maher’s letters. The letter work here does a solid job of guiding the reader through all the action and misadventures without ever interfering with the book’s fun art.

When taken all together, Thor & Loki: Double Trouble #3 delivers yet another fun adventure for our mischievous Asgardian duo.

Thor & Loki: Double Trouble #3 is available now wherever comics are sold.