This was a good week for mythology fans.
To start off with let's go with Herc.

As anybody who has seen the previews know Namor being Namor throws fists first and ask questions later. Meanwhile, Cho is getting his groove on with the Amazon Princess who ask him to translate some sort of pre-Cataclysm Atlantis script. Nice nod to past history.

Hercules and Co. track the Amazons to an Atlantean outpost that was meant to improve relations with the surface world. Herc convinces them to let him go in first since he has past history with Hippolyta which we are shown. Cho sees Herc sneaking in and while Herc gives Cho the thumbs up Cho clearly does not want Hercules around.

Unfortunately for Herc, well.....let's just say barring divine intervention Hippolyta isn't in a position to help him. The Gorgon Amazon attacks him and her snakes are able to hurt his eyes blinding him. I figure it is either due to attacking his eyes themselves or being a mystical creature she can to some degree get around his invulnerability. Other than that the Amazons aren’t more than an annoyance.

Cho gets the document translated and Attume lets her know how she feels. Boy, Herc must be used to dealing with a different type of Amazon. Meanwhile, Namor and Namroa barge in with soldiers, but due to bombs all of the soldiers die. Namor goes on rampage tearing the place apart without a care to Cho. By issues’ end we find out where Lord Neptune (or Poseidon as they call him here) disappeared to. This only raises the question of how a god as powerful has him ended up in said position.
Overall, another solid issue. Ties in well with Herc’s mythological past. It is serious and at the same time humorous enough that it is a nice relief compared to the past two story arcs. Neptune’s position as the end leaves some worry as to how Pak and Lente will explain it, but it is possible. We don’t know what the Amazons are after, but we should find you next issue.

Art wise I am liking the style. The exprassions on the faces of the varies characters caught them completely. I known this is the third artist on this series, but I think Clayton Henry and Slava Espins pencils along with Raul Trevino’s colors catch the humor of this story arc and overall feel in a way the two previous art styles would have lacked.

I give it a 9/10

Next up, Thor #11
Let me just get it right off. If you have liked the Thor series so far this continues the previous trend. If you didn’t this is unlikely to change your mind. At the same time it is a slow issue, but things get done and the plot develops.

Balder is getting the feel of ruling Asgard while Thor is away. For some reason Balder the Noble is surrounded by nubile young women. Maybe it is expect in Asgard for the king to be surrounded so? The Aesir are attempting to pass the time with games, but a quarrel breaks out and one of the Aesir stabs another with a spear resulting in a death to the surprise of both present. According to Balder, while the gods are still gods on Midgard due to it being the world of mortals thee “tough of mortality is greater.” In a way this makes sense because due to different dimensions. Also, shoving a pole through the middle of a guy’s stomach in unlikely to be just a passing injury. Especially if said weapon is made from godly materials.

Loki continues to be Loki, but once again in a way he cannot be easily caught. He points out how as long as the Aesir are not allowed out of Asgard they are prisoners of it and are wasting their lives. The Aesir are used to wandering and adventuring not being stuck so close together. To make it worse, uses Thor as an example. As we all remember, Thor and Odin often clashed when Thor put Earth before Asgard. Odin tried to control him and it often ended in disaster. Now, Thor trying to control the Aesir so tightly is a similar mistake.

The other half of the issue is devoted to Dr. Blake and Thor. Blake patches things up with Jane Foster and we get an update on Sif. In other news, it has been a year in Marvel time since Cap’s death and like everything else the American media and politicians are turning Cap’s death into a farce and each side is trying to spin it their own way. Thor visits Cap’s grave and calls for his spirit. Thor offers to smite those responsible, but Cap doesn’t want any more blood shed on his account. He just wishes they would leave his death alone and how everything he did was about the country, not politics, him or anything else. The problem is even dead and wherever he is now he can hear the noise them trying to use him. Thor does what he can and by using EM interference to for a minute shut down news satellites and radios gives him a moment’s peace. Back in Asgard, Balder tells Thor they have to talk.

Overall, I think this was a solid issue. Some will argue not much happened, but a lot actually did. JMS has built up the tension in Asgard wonderfully and it looks like next issue it will come to a head. Some may have issue with the Aesir being more “mortal.” But I think that was explained well. The Aesir have always been closer to mortality than other gods. Combined with what seems to be lack of golden apples makes sense some of their inherent healing powers may be less. That and haven’t wee seen Aesir gods die from just as severe wounds in the past? Remember, gods like Thor and Loki are exceptions.

The other big issue is between Thor and Cap. Some will argue JMS brought politics into the comic and should leave it out. I think what people forget is comics have always had politics somehow involved. Even SI is in a way about this. The question is can a writer do it in such a way that it does not come across as forced. I think JMS accomplished this. In the real world, if Cap had been alive the media would have only tried to use him for anything and everything and every politician would try and use his image for something. JMS touched on this in a way that made sense and had Thor respect a valued comrade. At the same time it was not done overboard.

As to the Odinpower, I think that is still left up in the air. In the past, the Odinforce’s ability to pull souls from lands of the dead other than Valhalla has been dubious at best. Thor implied that he was able to summon Cap’s soul not due to the Odinpower, but due to the connection they all had with Mjolnir which can tear down the fabric between worlds. Where Cap’s soul dwells is apparently unknown to Thor.

The one issue has I with his issue is more of a throwaway. Thor is surprised that Cap is not in Valhalla, who according to him is entrance is brought by action and not belief since Cap never really believed in it. My only problem with this is Valhalla would have been destroyed along with the rest of Asgard. It is a minor quibble, but.
Art wise Coipel does a good job. He is able to capture the facial expressions and emotions of his characters. The only issue I had was on the second page. The figure with the ornate staff with the bear hood in front of I guess a large bison. I am not sure where that figure came from. Based on his look and design I expected him to playa a larger role the way the art was set up.

Overall: 9/10

SI: Thor #2
This one is in a way a quick read. Thor vs. The Super-Skrull. Thor kicks butt. The Warriors Three have their moment to shine. Bill gets his hammer back.

The ease at which Thor was beating up the Super-Skrull seemed a bit too easy compared to how easily Bill lost. I understand they had to build the Skrull up, but I wish Thor had has a bit more trouble. The Warriors Three demonstrated why they are so well respected. That was a nice moment.

For those looking for action, SI: Thor #3 delivers.

Artwise, it was fitting for the story and alright. Not my favorite style, but it works.

Overall 7.5/10