“Journey into Mystery” and “New Mutants,” two of Marvels best books, have joined together in a tale about traveling from dimension to dimensi–no, that’s not right. Ever since Fear Itself, these books have slowly been build toward each other in a much hyped, if not unconventional, crossover that pairs the Asgardians with Dani Moonstar and crew. Whether or not the beginning of this crossover hits Asgard or falls to Muspelheim is another story entirely.
Written by Kieron Gillen, Danny Abnett and Andy Lanning
Illustrated by Carmine Di Guandimenico
- With a left over “s”.
- A forgotten hero returns, mightier than Thor himself, but will the truth behind his exile consume them all?
If you told me last year the spring event I was most looking forward to this year was one starring the New Mutants and a baby Loki, I probably would have laughed in your face. That’s certainly not something that I would have expected, and to be quite honest, I still can’t believe it
Even more unbelievably, it’s actually quite good!
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, considering the pedigree of the creative team. DnA, the popular creative duo that put Cosmic Marvel back on the map, along with “Uncanny X-Men”/”Journey Into Mystery” scribe Kieron Gillen, are some of the most enjoyable writers working in the business today, telling action packed stories filled with all too human characters, even when they’re superpowered killing machines from Viking Heaven or a Hippie Haven. There’s no difference in this case, as they craft a wonderfully human story, albeit one in a fantastical setting. It’s not exactly perfect, though.
When or if you read the book, the first two pages are as close to poetry as you’ll ever get in comics. It’s a gorgeously written summation of the history of not only Loki, but the villains in the story, the Disir. The Disir are a group of what are essentially cannibalistic zombie warrior women who are fleshed out be be more human, or at least, more frightening. However, the buzz I was feeling from the absolutely beautiful tale being set up came crashing down towards the ground when I saw something that should never show up in a new character’s inner monologue. It was, and I quote:
Little does she know lol
My head got whiplash from that moment of crass storytelling in an otherwise amazing book. Is it enough to make me hate it? Not even close. Is it worth mentioning? Absolutely. It’s such a silly way to try and put the point across when even something along the lines of *chuckles* or even “heh heh” fits so much more fluidly, and contains 100% less eyerolls. But I suppose that if the usage of internet slang is the only complaint I have in the whole book, then it can’t be that bad at all, can it?
One of the more intriguing and exciting parts of the story happens to be the art, from one Carmine Di Giandomenico. Di Giandomenico’s art feels like the thematic marriage of both the art in “New Mutants” (specifically, from the work of one Dave Lopez) and the darker work over in “Journey Into Mystery,” mostly from Dougie Braithwaite or Richard Elson. It’s layered but fun, and even though there are dead Valkyries clamoring to eat our newly introduced hero whose…unfortunate…inner monolouge probably means he deserves his death, it’s never labored or dark for the sake of being dark.
Exiled #1 is the start of a great event. There’s tons of context for it and there are threads throughout both books, even though reading both up to this point is not necessary. Couple that with the splendid plotting and gorgeous art and you get what could be the sleeper hit of the spring. Check out “Exiled,” just beware the internet speak. omg I can’t with all the internet speak lol!
Final Verdict: 8.0 – Buy
Also, I see you with your “Exiles” joke in the solicit, Marvel. Well done.
