Writer: Jason Aaron, Al Ewing, Daniel Kibblesmith, and Gerry Duggan

Art: Ron Garney, Cafu, Oscar Bazaldua, Juan Ferreyra, Matt Milla, Jesus Aburtov, David Curiel, VC’s Joe Sabino, VC’s Clayton Cowles, VC’s Cory Petit, and Phil Noto

Price: $4.99

Release Date: July 10th, 2019

Midgard is broken, and as heroes of Asgard and Earth alike start to sift through the pieces, new heroes – and villains – emerge in this week’s all-new WAR OF THE REALMS OMEGA #1 by Jason Aaron, Al Ewing, Daniel Kibblesmith, and Gerry Duggan. What’s next for Jane Foster, Loki, and even the Punisher? Let’s jump into the issue and find out!

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Jason Aaron, Al Ewing, Daniel Kibblesmith, and Gerry Duggan do a masterful job wrapping up loose ends from the War of the Realms and leave readers with a sense of direction as they proceed after this big event. Readers see a touching moment between Heimdall and Daredevil, Jane Foster transforming into Valkyrie, Punisher starting his Kill Crew, and Loki taking over as King of Jotunheim. Each story had its moments but ultimately the issue did exactly what it was meant to do, which was to be an epilogue for a company-wide event.

That said, some aspects of the issue did a better job setting up future stories than others while this reviewer left wanting more answers about parts of the war left undiscovered. For example, my interest was peaked with Lady Jane, the hammers transformation, and the direction of her character. This reviewer feels like Valkyrie may be a way of keeping Odinson Thor fans and Jane Foster Thor fans happy at the same time by technically keeping them both. Of all the new series spinning out of the war, VALKYRIE is the most enticing for this reviewer. Jason Aaron and Al Ewing did a sensational job pumping up readers for Lady Jane while Cafu and Jesus Aburtov’s art gave readers a little taste of the outstanding talent to come in JANE FOSTER: VALKYRIE #1.

On the other hand, the parts of the issue that involved Loki, as well as the comic spinning out of the war, just don’t appeal to this reader. This wasn’t Daniel Kibblesmith’s fault. When the war ended, this is where the character of Loki was left. Therefore, Kibblesmith is dealing with the Loki that Aaron already manipulated before he can take him down his own path. What truly solicited this reviewers interest was the future All-Father Thor battling the future Loki that readers have seen in THOR. This reader thought the LOKI comic was somehow going to focus more on that instead of him simply being the new King of Jotunheim. Loki may have helped set up the war but he’s been out of the fight for most of the event leaving this reviewer wondering why a focus on the trickster King is needed in this first place. However, if anyone can take LOKI and make it a fun read, it’s Daniel Kibblesmith!

Now, one of the most fascinating parts of the entire event was the God without Fear. Daredevil being a God, controlling the Rainbow Bridge, and becoming all-seeing was some of the most amazing parts of the entire event, especially considering his Catholic background. Thus, this reviewer was hoping that more parts of the issue could have focused on this relationship as well as the idea of someone becoming a God and then being forced to give it up. How do you move on from that? How do you relinquish that type of power and be ok with it? Where are Matt Murdock’s beliefs after this event? This is an angle that hopefully comes into focus as readers find Daredevil in the future. Furthermore, this reviewer hopes future writers of DAREDEVIL don’t forget about his new weapon, why he has it, and where it was made from… because that $&@$ was freakin’ awesome!

War of the Realms is finally concluded and after months of this line-wide event, we can move on and look ahead to the future. Often times, company-wide events hold books hostage for too long and become redundant, handcuffed, and feel like they’re simply spinning their wheels. This issue puts a well-needed stamp on the war and points readers forward while giving answers to some of the dangling plot threads left over after WAR OF THE REALMS #6.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Frankly, this issue wrapped up what THOR #15 tried to this week but just couldn’t. Honestly, WAR OF THE REALMS OMEGA #1 probably wasn’t necessary because each of the comics coming out of this event will probably recap what just happened in this issue within their own number one. However, if you’ve been following the event to this point and collecting the issues along the way, this would be a necessity for you and a must buy. Overall, the issue was super packed with talented writers and artists making it a really great read that helped to put a bow on the epic summer event. If your a person that needs a sense of conclusion and have followed the war since day one, this issue will help with that.