When Kieron Gillen left “Journey Into Mystery”, having told the story he wanted to tell, and Kathryn Immonen took over as writer, a question hung over the title: would the series retain the quality it had before? Did Immonen have what it takes to follow such a universally beloved run?
Written by Kathryn Immonen
Illustrated by Pepe Larraz• Mayhem in the mess hall! Horror in the hash house!
• Volstagg’s daughter, Hildegund, only wanted a midnight snack! But something else is rampaging in the lower kitchens of Asgardia and she’s going to have to wake the whole house to fight it.
• Sif! Thor! The Warrior’s Three! Heimdall’s dog! All join forces to chain this beast once and for all. Unfortunately, everything they need to do it? Never EXISTED!
The simple answer is yes. And then some. What you would never guess from the unfortunately bland cover is that this issue has everything you’d ever need from a “Journey Into Mystery” issue. It’s a one-and-done, self-contained adventure story where Volstagg’s daughter and Heimdall’s dog accidentally awaken and free Fenris and it then becomes a quest for Thor, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three to chain Fenris once more and keep Asgardia protected in the dead of night and all while wearing their bedclothes. It’s really just as simple a story a that, Immonen and Larraz tell it just well enough that it never seems boring or like it’s been done to death. The issue is packed full of personality with great character moments between all of the Asgardian cast and intense action all while keeping a real light and fun tone.
The idea of this issue was clearly just a fun adventure romp through Asgardia with tons of hijinks and it just nails it completely. Nearly all of the dialogue is hilarious (“Deal with thine pants” was a real high point) with great interactions between the cast of characters, especially between Volstagg and his daughter. Even as the action ramps up, it never feels too direly serious and keeps everything focused on how fun an adventure story can be, which is perfect for a series about Asgardians, giant monsters and weird creatures. The tone of the whole book is captured perfectly just in the opening recap page of Volstagg telling a bedtime story of the issues events to his children from an ancient tome titled “Journey Into Mystery” with them constantly interrupting him. And that’s what this issue feels like. A great little adventure you’d tell kids at bedtime, full of action and humour.
While the issue was originally solicited to feature Matteo Scalera’s art, it shipped with Peppe Larraz on interiors and it’s hard to imagine the book would work half as well without him. Larraz just kills it. All of the characters’ exaggerated expressions and reactions to everything going on just blend superbly with Immonen’s dialogue and make for a really fun book and with Jordie Bellaire’s colours, the whole book just looks vibrant and lively and just keeps the tone of the story fun and enjoyable throughout. Volstagg’s huge, pink onesie has never looked better and when it comes to the fight between the Asgardians and the massive Fenris wolf the action was over-the-top and meaty as befitting of gods and monsters, but it never once lost its sense of humour or liveliness.
Following an arc that focused mostly on the journey of Lady Sif, this issue significantly expands its cast to other Asgardians and brings the Warriors Three and even Thor, who I was surprised to see make an appearance, in on the action leading to some great character interactions (again, “Deal with thine pants” might be the single best moment of the issue). But where this issue really hits the mark is how these characters just come together for this adventure in the dead of night and in their bedclothes like its any other adventure. The sense of camaraderie really shines through on nearly every panel as they interrogate dwarves and charge giant wolf beasts in their underwear. It all makes for a fun adventure story seeing these characters relish in the action taking place on the page.
This issue is a prime example of why this series is just great and why Kathryn Immonen was a perfect fit to take over from Kieron Gillen. It’s just a really simple fun and adventure story that doesn’t come piled with any backstory or any convoluted comic book-ness that could keep new readers from fully enjoying the issue. Literally anyone could pick this book up and enjoy the story within and that is entirely down to the creative team and their deft handling of the story and the characters. This is nothing short of pure fun.
Final Verdict: 8.0 – This is not one to miss out on.
