REVIEW: ‘The Mighty Valkyries,’ Issue #2

The Mighty Valkyries #2 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Jason Aaron and Torunn Grøndekk, with art by Mattia de Iulis and Erica D’urso, colors by Marcio Menyz, and letters by Joe Sabino. As Jane Foster confronts More to determine if he is the threat she has been told he is by Loki, Runa makes her escape with the oracle whose sight gifted her with her name.

This issue begins by going back a bit in our narrative. As the story opens, we find Karnilla, wife of Hela, having a bit of a personal crisis. While not all the details are given, what plagues her mind leads her to make a deal that results in More’s release from his prison in the land of the dead.

Following this reveal of how More escapes from his bondage, The Mighty Valkyries #2 spends much of its time fleshing out More’s personality as he strives to persuade Jane that he is not the threat his Grandfather has painted him as being. This discussion is handled well by writers Aaron and Grøndekk. There is a subtle nuance to More’s words and attitude. The writing duo gives the new character a lot of personality without tipping their hand as to what his agenda actually is. This leaves an air of mystery around the character as all the reader can do is look to future issues to learn what motives and goals this new character truly harbor.

Balancing out this thoughtful discussion is Runa’s side of The Mighty Valkyries #2. Having shattered the oracle’s prison, she attempts to escape the dying world with her new charge. But the oracle’s presence has clearly been making his captors a lot of money, and they have no desire to part with him. This leads to a running brawl through the streets of the city as the oracle guides Runa in the best and least harmful path out of the city. This extended action sequence breaks up the slower discussion between Jane and More well. Grøndekk continues to flesh out Runa’s personality through the hastily managed escape, and I continue to like what I see of this character.

Just as the narratives of the two sides of this book complement each other, so does the art. While de Iulis’s art captures the heavier mood of Jane’s discussion with More, D’urso’s lines combined with Menyz’s colors deliver the fast action of Runa’s improvised escape all the chaotic energy it deserves. The contrast between the two visual designs highlights how far from each other the stories are both thematically and spatially.

Wrapping up this book’s presentation is a strong performance from Sabino on letters. The styling of the letters, both in the font used and box design, is consistent throughout the book and serves as a thematic bonding agent, helping to pull the book together despite how different the two halves are.

Bringing it all together, The Mighty Valkyries #2 continues to flesh out its story as it guides its dual protagonists forward. My biggest curiosity here lies in how these two distinctly different tales are going to come to tie together. Hopefully, this creative team won’t let the Valkyries down.

The Mighty Valkyries #2 is available now wherever comics are sold.