Asgard, Book 1: “Ironfoot”

Norse mythology is not my thing. I’m not even a huge Thor fan when it comes to Marvel Comics.

This book shouldn’t work for me.

And, yet, once it gets going and gets over some of its fancy terminology, there’s a core to the story that pulls me right in.

This isn’t about the battle of Ragnorak. It’s more “Jaws” set in the fjords: a monster under the water threatens the economies of the local fishing community, and only the outcast named Asgard is capable of saving the day.

It’s man against monster with a side of man against man.

We Begin With… a Glossary?

Reading a comic book shouldn’t be work. The possible exception to this is “From Hell.” That includes a glossary you can read after each chapter to expand on what you’ve just read. It’s enlightening and it answers most of the questions that might have come to mind while you were reading the chapter, anyway.

“Asgard” begins with a page of definitions that you’ll need to keep in your head as you read so that the story makes sense. I don’t like to begin a story this way. I’d prefer the writer define the word, even with a footnote, the first time it’s used. Maybe hint at its definition in the dialogue once or twice after that to help drill it in with repetition.

Having to flip back and forth to remember these words is annoying in digital format. This is one case where print editions are big wins over digital. It’s still too much work, though.

It’s not a huge ordeal, but add in the different names of various characters on top of it, and it’s a small bit of annoyance that adds up over time.

What’s the Story?

“Ironfoot” is the nickname of Asgard, who was born without a right leg below the knee. He should have been killed at birth, but his father couldn’t bring himself to do it. He fashioned himself a right leg out of iron and became one badass something or other. I’m not quite sure how to define him. He’s a loner who likes to work with metals.

When a sea creature wreaks havoc on the local fishing economy by destroying ports and killing fisherman, he sees an opportunity to put his skills to work. He shows up in town to field offers. For big money, he’ll go kill the monster.

The story is half “Jaws” and half “Moby Dick,” right up front. Asgard is on a quest to kill the monster and nothing’s going to stop him.

Coming from the other side of the story is Sieglind, a slave to the local fishing trade. She works on the boats and enjoys the fishing. She’s young and spunky and enjoys her job. Asgard piques her curiosity (and saves her life after an encounter with the monster), and she wants to learn from him and figure out what he’s all about at the same time.

Can Asgard live up to his reputation? Can he slay the sea monster and bring peace back to the local towns and restore the open fishing and trading trades?

Recurring Themes?

I seem to read a lot of books about people on boats, don’t I? (Hello,”Esteban,” “Long John Silver,” “Theodore Poussin“, “The Campbells,” “His Name Was Ptirou“, and countless space ships… )

How Does It Work?

While the book remains lively with action pieces along the way, the book is really all building up to the last 10 pages, where the big confrontation of man against nature finally takes place.

The front part of the book establishes the universe well, giving us plenty of hints about Ironfoot’s background, plus a clean picture of his current personality, both the good and bad. Smaller adventures and Asgard’s mysterious personality keep the rest of the book moving along nicely, too.

Asgard is a mixed bag. He can be rough and tumble, but he develops a certain almost fatherly adoption of the younger Sieglind. It doesn’t cross any uncomfortable lines, thankfully.

It remains a relationship of mentor and mentee, but even that is a strained one. She questions some of his decisions, which he doesn’t take kindly to.

He’s used to being a loner, so it’s not like he’s going to accept anyone’s feedback, especially this young slave’s. Who is she to tell him what to do?

I like this kind of character, though. Yes, it’s reminiscent of other characters in books I’ve read here before. Most notably, it’s similar to the way “The Undertaker” acts, or even “Stern” in the books of the same name. You’re never quite sure which way he’s going to overreact, but you’re fairly certain there’s a heart of gold underneath there somewhere. It’ll show itself eventually, right?

The Art of Ralph Meyer

Meyer won my attention with “The Undertaker,” where I’ve described his style as being a pretty modern take on old school brush-based Marvel Comics of the 1960s and 1970s. Although it has a slightly more modern coloring style, his art there evokes classic Buscema and Romita forms with strong panel compositions and well-drawn clothes and architectural details.

I followed that up with “Ian,” which feels like Meyer Lite. The artist is clearly the same, but things feel stiffer. The more modern/futuristic landscape doesn’t lend itself well to his style. It’s an older book, though, so it’s still relatively early Meyer work.

This book isn’t quite up to “Undertaker” levels, but it’s far better than “Ian.” Meyer gets back to his composition tricks with “Asgard.” The establishing shots on new locations are particularly strong, including some dizzying angles on fishing villages nestled inside fjords in the water, and ground-level vistas showing small fishing towns from eye level, with a variety of detailed wooden buildings to be seen.

There’s a looseness and a confidence in his ink line, which helps keep everything very lively. Characters have a variety of looks and what feel like authentic costumes. (I choose my words carefully because it’s not like I’m a Scandinavian clothing expert from the time period. It looks right to me, so maybe that’s enough.)

And when the big action moments hit, the pages explode with action and, where appropriate, terror. As good as Meyer is at laying out quiet moments to make them look so good on the page, his action scenes are visceral and startling. It’s exciting stuff to read through.

I have nothing to complain about on the artistic front here at all.

Recommended?

This is the first of a two book series. Ultimately, I’ll have to see how the whole thing ends in the next book before I can be too effusive about this one.

However, I like what I see here, more than I had any right to expect to. For that alone, the book earns my praise.

And while you may see some familiar tropes being remixed to create this book, it’s still a fun combination of things that Dorison and Meyer put together.

For now, it’s a book I’d recommend trying if it’s on sale. Let’s reassess that after I read Book Two.

— 2019.022 —

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