Kieron Gillen has gotten an extra life on this title. A ‘1-Up Mushroom’ if you will. For reasons unknown (hint: probably cause of Ferry’s art) Fraction’s run is going to take a few more months to come out. Last month’s issue was a nice way to sum up the Asgardian’s take on Seige. What does Gillen have up his sleeve for his final story arc?

Apparently lots and lots of exposition. Seriously there is a ton of exposition in this to explain just what the heck is going on here. To be honest I completely forgot the deal Loki and Hela made previously in JMS’s run. It was such a small part in that issue (where Loki does his ultimate plan to exile Thor) that it was actually nice for a change to read the ‘Previously…’ page before the issue started. What is here is showing us how two demons have now gone on a killing spree in Hel thanks to Mephisto. It’s a shame there was more of this going on then focusing on Thor and the other Asgardians. As, once again, Gillen shows he is really good at writing them. This wasn’t a poorly written issue by any means, but it would be nice if there was more of a focus on Thor then the baddies here.

Rich Elson has returned to do a full issue on the title (as he previously did halfsies with Billy Tan from the Seige tie-ins). Looking at his work full on, I actually do quite like it. My problem with him beforehand was that he didn’t seem to mesh well with Tan’s artwork. Here though, with no one else around, Elson and his team shines with some really beautifull stuff. Thor lighting the pyr’s or anything in Mephisto’s relam is handled nicely. There are some awkward moments like some of the actual fighting in this, or anytime someone is bleeding. Still it will be nice to see if Elson can handle the epic fight that is going to happen probably next issue.

This series is still enjoyable as ever, but it’s not perfect. I have a sneaking suspicion that since Gillen’s run has been extended so suddenly, the man probably had to fill up some time for this particular issue. (It also didn’t help this was planned as his last issue so many months ago). Still, Gillen has a nice hand on the characters as always and Rich Elson does some really good panels in this. Next month should be exciting to see the epic battle in Hell Gillen promises here.