REVIEW: ‘Loki’ Issue #2

Loki #2 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Dan Watters, art by Germán Peralta, colors by Mike Spicer and letters by Travis Lanham. Loki faces execution or imprisonment by the dwarves of Nidavellir, with a powerful weapon seeking to alter minds. The plot of this issue is awesome. Where the axe rose in the previous chapter, the first page of this one is where it lands. But after that excitement, Loki is locked away and the exposition in this realm and beyond starts. It might be slightly too long, leaning into the elements of this series that are more like a novel than a comic book.

This Loki series likes to tell stories, regaling legends of mythology and history that led to one specific moment. Then comes a slow movement, preparing us for the start of a battle. There is an epic fantasy feeling that runs through this whole comic like a bloodstream. All of the build-up and suspense leads to a moment that is shockingly sudden, and you remember whose comic it is. It’s a genius piece of writing that sobers the mind and spins the book away from anything close to regular.

There are so many facets of Loki within this comic, perhaps doing more to express them than in the first issue required so much groundwork to be done first. There is their slipperiness and ability to get out of trouble, benefitted by their powers of transformation. Their gender fluidity returns. Everything they do is to confuse and worm their way out of trouble. And it is important to mention that they aren’t an angel, even if they are the hero of this comic.

Some of the lines by the end of the issue are callous and brutally savage. The dialogue for other parts of Loki #2 are brilliant also. The dwarven storyline, with a father being overtaken by power, is close to Shakespearean as a subplot. The identity of the narration is revealed, and it is a really clever twist that was certainly unexpected right until it was clarified, and even then it was hard to believe.

The art is magnificent. The high fantasy parts of the issue are great, bringing a medieval castle and monstrous armies to life. But even in a world so larger than life, those small features are clear and effective. On the first page, Loki’s shapeshifting and the carnage that causes around them is brilliant to peruse as it unfolds. When they reform, they’re entirely different. This face is less carefree and youthful that the first issue incarnation. Now they are menacing and able to stare down the most fearless of dwarven soldiers. The father and son familial connection is instilled. You can tell they are related by it is also easy to tell them apart. The shock at the end of the issue is unleashed with one powerful panel. But after that, Peralta lets the art do the talking and for the reality of the situation to hit home.

The colors are endlessly awe-inspiring. There is a baseline brown color that covers everything on Nidavellir. But then a light source comes and radiates across the area. And then there is the green. When that color appears, it becomes obvious that trickery is afoot. The lettering continues to be that Asgardian used for ages, still awkward to read sometimes.

Loki #2 is a fantastic addition to their own fantasy epic. This comic contains the manipulative, smarmy, arrogant Loki, still trying to atone for their mistake. But there is also the notion of a wider story that is happening around Loki, expanding and getting even bigger whenever he takes a moment or is trapped. It is as if they are truly wandering through realms than the story revolving around them entirely.

Loki #2 is available now wherever comics are sold.