Motion Comics are fairly new. It takes an established comic, and makes some of the art move, but not as much so as animation. You’ll get a blinking eye here, some lips moving there. But for the most part, it’s kind of like playing with dolls so to speak. Thor & Loki is by far one of the best Marvel has released. They were able to integrate more movement. The music, the voiceovers, and the effects all fit perfect with the story being told.
Thor and Loki are step brothers. Though, in the Marvel world (since only the names and likeness are really taken from Norse mythology), they grew up as blood brothers until the truth was discovered. Loki was the son of Laufey, king of the Frost Giants. In battle, Odin killed Laufey, and later discovered Loki, an infant, who Laufey kept hidden because he was ashamed of his small size. So Loki was raised in Asgard as a brother to Thor. But Loki grew up feeling unwanted, ignored, segregated. At least that’s how he felt. And after years of battle and fighting, he finally accomplished his goal, defeated Thor, Odin, and took siege of Asgard.
This is where this story takes place. Loki is now lord of Asgard, with all he ever wanted has been accomplished, and yet, he is not happy. Many tell him that in order to seal the deal, he needs to execute Thor, something he struggles with. On one hand, he can show his hand of force, especially to all those who have treated him so unfairly; on the other, there is his brother, the only one who has ever shown him love and mercy. Loki seeks high and low council. He hides from others to be alone in his thoughts. All those years plotting, all those years of wanting to best his brother, seeking approval, being the god of mischief and owning it, left him empty and lost.
One thing that stood out to me was a thought that Loki asked himself, “To whom can a god appeal for mercy?” What a profound statement. And yet, the answer lies in the Bible. The one true God, Jesus. I thought of Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). He was the only prophet of the Lord left. The people had turned from the Lord to worship the god Baal. When Elijah challenged them to build an altar and to see which god would show up, there was no sign of Baal, but the Lord Jehovah showed up in a big way.
You see, the answer to Loki’s question is Jesus. Had he sought out the council of Jesus first, then he would’ve never gone through all the turmoil that he did. In the end, he was too late.
This was a well-written story, and well done motion comic. I will be looking for the actual graphic novel on this, as it will be a perfect pairing.
