We’ve made it to the 18th day of this year’s Jack Kirby Tribute Month (created by Howard Simpson)! A new week means a new theme: Asgard week, featuring characters who appeared in Jack’s run on Journey into Mystery/Thor. And this first day, the prompt is none other than that wily rascal, Loki!
Loki made a pretty good ongoing threat to Thor and Asgard. He was always very crafty in how he went about his schemes, and even managed to gain control of Asgard at one point! A lot has happened to the character in the years since, but that “trickster” element has remained a part of his character.
I’ve said this previously, but Journey into Mystery/Thor is an important book to look at when studying the body of Jack’s Marvel work. All his Marvel work is worth looking at, but I’ve come to the conclusion that there are two books that are the pillars of his Marvel work, that must be taken into account. I’m talking about the Fantastic Four, and Journey into Mystery/Thor. Those are the two books where you not only see a storyteller/artist working at the top of their craft, you also get to see a glimpse of Jack Kirby as a person, the things that interested and motivated him. Thor shows the interest that Jack had in myths and legends which ran through his career.
It was fun to take a shot at drawing a classic-style Loki here. If you’re curious as to who might be next, pop by again tomorrow!
Now there is the outrageous control freak thief Loki that I keep in my head from his first appearance. Excellent. It is the best Loki I have seen in years. Congratulations. Although he was noted as the god of mischief when first revealed, he was labeled “the most cunning and wicked.” In that first story, tossing people onto the subway track made the character much more malicious than he might be thought of now, particularly after the live action series. Thanks, Mark, for the image that highlights the “wicked.” Good one.
Thank you very much! High praise!
While I like a lot of the complexity that Loki’s character has had in some of the later comics I’ve read, as well as in the MCU, I must admit that I miss the “cunning wickedness” of the early version. I was shooting to get that here, and from what you’re saying, it sounds like I succeeded. Which is good to hear.