Thus ends this exciting tale of cross-dressing, near gay marriage, and murder. There’s a lot of that in Norse myths. The murder, not the gay marriage.
There should be more gay marriage.
So where did we leave off last time? Thor and Loki dressed like women at Heimdall’s suggestion and left for Thrym’s Hall in their quest to recover the mighty hammer, Mjollnir. Upon arriving, Loki announces Freyja’s arrival and in enters…you guessed it, Thor! In the tale, he has a bridal veil covering his face (excluded in the comic for comedic affect) that somehow manages to hide all of his features as well as his GIGANTIC BEARD that TUCKS INTO HIS BELT. How this is possible is beyond me. Over the course of a meal in which Thor devours plates and plates of food, Thrym begins to become suspicious but his fears are laid to rest by Loki’s smooth talking. Eventually, the giant calls for Mjollnir to be used in hallowing the bride, a ritual in which a hammer is laid across the bride’s knees before the marriage is sanctified. As he places the hammer on Thor’s lap, the god, leaps up, smashes the giant in the face, and proceeds to crush every other living soul present in Thrym’s castle. Quite the reception, right? Only Thor and Loki are left in the end, and they make their way, hammer in tow, to the Hall of the Gods.
All is finally set to rights.
This myth highlights some interesting bits about Norse myth in general. There is an emphasis on dramatic action and over the top violence. Gods triumph over the giants, a theme common to many Norse stories, and they do so through wit. While it can be said that Thor’s rampage successfully ends the adventure with violence, none of what occurred would have been possible without Heimdall’s rather unconventional idea to dress Thor up like a woman or without Loki’s quick thinking at the marital feast. While many people remember violence and action as primary traits of Norse myth, there IS a significant emphasis placed on wisdom and intelligence being used to trick and deceive enemies. Myths involving Odin place a heavy emphasis on this particular idea.
Anyway, hoped you enjoyed the strips and the myth. Feel free to let me know how you felt about the extra strips. Did you like having more to cover a myth? Was it funny? Less rushed?
I’m curious!
Also a couple of notes: William and I will be at Anime Boston again this year in the Artist’s Alley. I’m hoping to have prints of strips as well as a mini comic or two (probably black and white) for cheap. I might even do some fan art! If you’d like to come see us, make sure you get your passes early so you get a discount! I believe the whole shindig is happening in late April.
