About Heroes

Writer: Matt Fraction
Artists: Patrick Zircher & Khari Evans

I picked up this one-shot on a whim today, and it was a well spent $3.99.  Its a huge issue, and wonderfully written and drawn.  The story is split up into two parts, both concerning Thor and Frost Giants.  Don't worry if you're not reading the current Thor series, as this book is set firmly in Asgard, centuries ago, when the Norse Gods were at the peak of their power.  The first story has Thor battling Frost Giants, and knocking down the wall of Asgard, leaving a Mason from Midgard (Earth) to fix it.  The Mason makes a deal with Odin and Loki that if he completes the wall in one year, he can take a goddess as his bride.  Of course, Loki messes this all up, and Thor comes in to clean up the mess.  The second story has do with Loki in exile, and he promises the same goddess to be a bride for an eagle who feeds him for 100 days.  Again, Thor comes to clean up the mess.  These stories have more to do with the other gods in Asgard than it does Thor.  Thor is used sparingly, and to great effect.  Any moment we see him is a great one.  I like how Matt Fraction writes this like a Viking myth, there's lots of narration to set up the gods and the situation, but it's not unnecessary narration.  It's written short and too the point, and gives the allusion that you are listening to a great Viking orator telling this story by the fireside as you sail around Norway pillaging villagers.  Its great for the mood, and it helps you get swept up into the book.  If you are a fan of Norse mythology or not, this is just a pair of great stories, a welcome break from the long arc that JMS has in the ongoing book.  They both wrap-up in the book, but for some reason it says to be continued in the Thor: Reign of Blood one-shot coming out in June.  That's great news though because it means that I can get another dose of some great Matt Fraction Thor.

The art in this issue is split between Patrick Zircher (Terror Inc and Iron Man) and Khari Evans.  Each one does one story with their own team of inkers and colorists.  The great thing is that the art transitions nicely from one artist to the other.  Both artists use similar styles, but enough that you could tell them apart when they were next to each other.  Each page is trully beautiful to look at, in the cinematic widescreen panels that Fraction uses, and I could easily see both of these artists taking over for Oliver Coipel on the regular book if need be, or even Fraction taking over for JMS.  This book is a worthwhile read, go get it.  You only spent $0.50 on DC Universe #0 this week, so put the money you saved towards this great book. A+