Loki: Ragnarok and Roll #2 Review
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writer: Eric M. Esquivel
Pencils: Jerry Gaylord
Inks: Jerry & Penelope Gaylord
Colors: Gabriel Cassata
Letters: Ryan Ferrier
Cover: Alexis Ziritt
Review by Derek B. Becker
I have to talk about this book. It’s just that simple.
Before I dive too far into this review, I need to say this: I’m a podcaster by heart, and this is my first attempt at a written review. With that said, you may be wondering why I wouldn’t just review this book on the weekly Drunk On Comics podcast I do with my buddies. Like I said at the beginning, I absolutely HAVE to talk about this book. Now. As in, I can’t wait to share my excitement I have for this story and how much fun I had while reading it.
So enough of my blabbering, it’s time to talk about Loki: Ragnarok and Roll!
If you missed the first issue of this four issue miniseries, you shouldn’t have, but I’ll catch you up. Loki, the black sheep of Asgard’s royal family has come to Earth and found his calling as the front man of a rock and roll band. There is far more going on than just that, but go buy the first issue and read it for yourself. You can thank me later.
Issue 2 picks up after the band has started making a name for itself, and thrusts you right into the middle of the hysteria of an up and coming band headed up by an Asgardian god. And once again, I’m not going to get into the details of the story, but only because I don’t want to deny you any of the sheer joy I had while reading this comic book.
Esquivel has amped up his game on writing duties in this issue like he was Odin himself. Truth be told, the man could hold court on what is and isn’t impeccable dialogue. The conversations between the characters in this book are beyond perfect, and are, in fact, the embodiment of the types of conversations we all wish we could have in real life: insightful, eloquent and intelligent. What’s more is there are multiple lines in the book that are not only quotable but could be considered life lessons. Esquivel has nailed it with his take on pop culture and society’s obsession with celebrities.
As for the artwork, I’ve been a fan of Jerry Gaylord’s work since I first saw Fanboys vs Zombies a few years ago. His style is an amalgamation of slightly exaggerated caricatures, celluloid animation and pure genius. He has mastered the art of keeping the line work clean and simple, all while being able to evoke the actions and emotions needed to make you feel like you are a part of the world he has rendered on the page in front of you.
When you add in the crisp inks by Jerry himself and his wife Penelope, along with the beautiful color palette by Cassata, you have some of the best sequential story telling you will ever see. For as perfect as Esquivel’s writing is, this artistic team has managed to be able to convey the meaning and heart of this story strictly through the stroke of pencils, inks and colors.
This comic book is exceedingly fun and bursting with energy. The entire creative team has laid out a perfect example of everything that is great in comics. They bring you action, emotion, relationships, humor and social commentary, all while allowing you to be absorbed into their environment instead of forcing it down your throat like so many books do.
Even if you missed the first issue, there is absolutely no reason to miss this one. BOOM! Studios has put together one of the best crews ever on this perfect example of all that is great in the comic industry. Every page in this book as an adventure in story telling, and if you don’t read this book you’re only denying yourself some of the best fun you will ever find on a printed page.
Writing: 5/5
Art: 5/5
Overall: 5/5 Must Buy!!!
Derek is the Founder and Creative Director of Drunk On Comics. You can follow him on Twitter at @bubba_nerd, although he rarely uses his personal account. Your best bet is to download the weekly podcast where he rambles mostly coherently with his co-founders and co-hosts about the nerdliest of nuggets.