The War of the Realms is upon us…

Published : April 10th, 2019

LOCATION : ASGARD

Welp. We’re greeted in the first visuals of the issue by chunks of Asgard sprayed all over space. Asgard is in ruins. The team arrives in shock. “Well…This looks…BAD” says Annabelle Riggs (current host of Valkyrie, leader of the Valkyrior warrier goddesses). Angela reminds the team to stay watchful. Skurge, being an Asgardian, has trouble saying his real thoughts but it is quite apparent of his true meaning. Ragnarok. Previously the team has been entrusted to the Nagflar Beacon, object that can call upon the soulless god fleet of the Nagflar.

Urzull the Dwarf has built a safe of his own design to house the beacon he thinks is impenetrable.  “The War of the Realms is upon us” booms Heimdall with the beacon and a shard of the rainbow bridge in tow. The bifrost has been destroyed. Malekith has designed himself a Black Bifrost to rage his war on the nine realms. Midgard (Earth) is final real. The land of the mortals. Heimdall is marshaling shards of the bifrost to help move their troops and fight the battles. He has enough energy to send the AotG to the fight in Midgard. Heimdall has one final message for Riggs, but she tells him she has no time for doom and gloom prophecies.

Now. WE FIGHT.

Midgard – Earth – Manhattan – Times Square

Show no Mercy.

All the heroes of Earth are locked in battle. Spider-Man, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Iron Man just to name a few. This is the stand and it’s not going well. Captain America lets Thunderstrike know that he knew his father, the former Thunderstrike, and his father would be proud of him defending his home. Throg (long story long, he’s a human who became a frog who befriended Thor, who was turned into a frog by Loki, who became worthy by saving Thor and helping him become human again. He caught a piece of Mjolinor turning him into THROG!) left the fight to go to Central Park. The frogs he’s swore to protect have been murdered by Dark Elves. Throg has sworn vengeance.

Skurge and Urzull load up their weapons to send the Elves back to the darkness. The battle continues. There are too many dark forces at play. Midgard is overwhelmed. Riggs, who is wearing an enchanted Nova helmet, is protecting a family when her powers suddenly stop. The worst time possible. A frost giant lands a glancing blow. They flee. The battle rages. Angela is enthralled in battle with her adoptive mother, Queen of the Angels. Skurge and Urzull happen upon The Punisher doing what Castle does best. He calls on Skurge to step up. They go back to back, punishing.

Back in Central Park, Throg comes across the Cinders who have killed all wild life in Central Park. SHRAKAW-THOOM! The frogs have been avenged. As the heroes of Earth are pushed back and pushed back, hopelessness sets in. Annabelle has let Valkyrie take over to fight for a while, but she wills control back. She must find her girlfriend, time is of the essence. Skurge sends Thunderstrike to follow and protect. The last of the AofG gather together for one last stand.

Annabelle finds Ren at last. She’s laying an asskicking on some Dark Elves. The girls have a moment about where Annabelle has been. She keeps getting whisked away by Valkyrie’s powers. She knows this moment will not last forever. Just as before, Annabelle is thrown through space and time. She is in the presence of Lady Freyja. She has called upon her greatest warrior Valykie, but she has received Annabelle Riggs. Sh**.

I’ve never read an issue of Asgardians of the Galaxy before. Holy crap. This issue holds weight. Great story, great characters, and wonderful visuals. It has played great into the tie-in for The War of the Realms. I’m impressed.

7/10

Beta Ray Greg is the Comic Critic for SoBros Network, the ‘Fangtastic 5K 2018 Mr. Irrelevant.’ The man has the single most impressive spreadsheet in existence that is used to document his historic collection. He’s a big time Spider-Verse guy. Follow on Twitter: @BetaRayGreg.

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