Writer: Daniel Kibblesmith

Art: Oscar Bazaldua, David Curiel, VC’s Clayton Cowles, and Ozgur Yildirim

Price: $3.99

Release Date: September 11th, 2019

Ask any parent with a 5-10-year-old what the worst thing their kid could say is, and dollars to donuts “I’m bored!” is top 3. There’s something so annoying about being bored, isn’t there? This month, Loki tries to fight off his boredom, channels his inner Bill S. Preston and Ted “Theodore” Logan and beat omniscient God-lets at their own game… and win! Sort of.

While Nightmare was busy robbing an innocent woman of her marriage in a very Sandman– like way (Yes, I realize Sandman is actually DC, but still…), Loki was in The House Of Ideas while The Children Of Eternity – confusingly named “Now” and “Then” explained how the books of heroes are actually written – The Collective Unconcious Minds of True Believers. Every heroic deed gets written down by the unconscious admiration of their believers. It’s so Jungian and Aquarian, at the same time!

Now and Then want to give Loki more pages to tell of his exploits – Awesome! What’s the catch? In a Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey – esque competition, Loki must defeat Then at a confusing game of chess, where they both move the pieces and ARE the pieces at the same time. And, I thought my dad trying to teach me Cribbage was tough! Loki wins, signs his book and is returned to Midgard. He’s also promised a Heroes story… and death. He’s not on Midgard long before Nightmare finds him, and Nightmare’s bad breath reveals… he may have never actually escaped King Laufey’s gut. Interesting!

Meanwhile, in Jotunheim, Frostï is ruling as Loki’s right-hand branch with an iron(bark) fist, and poor little Drrf is caught in the middle.

Final Thoughts:

If you’ve ever read DC’s Sandman, these sorts of heady topics are nothing new, but they are interestingly presented here and Loki’s own cunning and trickery are used against him in a very clever way. What’s a man/woman who gets everything they want to do? The intentionally ambiguous ending leaves on a genuine cliffhanger. It’s an interesting take on the philosophy and contextual place of heroes in society. I’m really looking forward to the next issue!