The Mighty Thor (2011) #20, p.5
Artists: Alan Davis (Penciller) , Mark Farmer (Inker) , Matt Fraction (Writer)
12 Comments - 299 Views - 12 Likes
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DescriptionThis page strikes me as a -perfect- Kirby 'Thor' page, deconstructed and re-invented/re-interpreted by the incomparable Alan Davis.It takes one of the most dramatic and satisfying equations from the Kirby Playbook (goons corner hero; goons rush and overpower hero; hero taps inner reserves of strength or vitality and vanquishes goons) and applies it wholecloth in a completely modern and "non-tribute" way. It's like the MCU version of a classic 'Thor' moment; bright and shiny and new and exciting but unmistakably (and intentionally) built upon the work of the giants who came before. I fell in love with this page because of the unorthodox panel layout and how the action uses that to its storytelling advantage. The sloped floor of the top 2 panels allows for a bit more space to set up the scene. Panel 1 allows some extra room for Heimdall, bent, bloody, and far from beaten, sizing up his foes. Panel 2 might be the best storytelling moment on the page, setting up the odds against our cornered hero; the white space between Heimdall and the monster horde is pitch-perfect potential energy. From there, panels 3-6 are pure Kirby-level operatic awesomeness. As the camera zooms in, the panel ceiling collapses and the panels wedge further into the corner of the page, packing in tightly and stacking like cordwood. This ratchets up the feeling of claustrophobia and allows for the enemies to pile up (literally) and bury our hero... until the moment when the spark flares in our hero's eye and he finds the means to vanquish the assembled menagerie. Beautiful. As with Kirby, few can match Alan as a storyteller, not just because of his unmistakable style and flat-out _presence_ on the page, but because of his awareness of just -what- to fit on a page, -how much- of that thing he can put on it, and (most importantly) -how best- to use the space to clearly convey what's happening to/with/about that thing. For this page, Alan did a blueline rough on the computer, printed it out, and then added full pencils on the page (traces of which can still be seen all over). From there, Mark Farmer added his high magic. Thank you very, very much, Steve! Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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F M 
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/18/2023
Fantastic page and use of layout to display orchestrated chaos. Davis can absolutely do no wrong but those last 4 panels closing in are something else.
M L
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 4/18/2023
Brilliantly executed. The way the weight crushes down... beautiful!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 4/18/2023
Heimdall is colder now
I think this’ sick Davis
It's time to make his move
He’s shakin' off the rust
I've got my art set on Nifflehiem right here
I'm staring down myself, counting up Vanir
Steady hands just Davis feel
Every chance they’re killing me
Time to make one last appeal for Asgard to lead
Stop and stare
I think I'm fighting, but I go nowhere
Yeah, I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be
Stop and stairs
Ink art of Farmer when your panels weird
And you'd pay anything to get Matt here
But Thor ain't what you really squeeze
Oh, can you see Jack Kirby
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 4/18/2023
Excellent description/analysis for a stunning page!! Love the panel layout and excellent story telling! And of course the beautiful art!
Ian Saint
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 4/19/2023
I love the panel layout for this. The eye scene at the bottom is electric and I mean how many bades can one get on a page. Really awesome.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 4/19/2023
I think Alan is not only a great storyteller, but one of the industrys absolute best all-around draftsmen. Great job on the Comic Art 101 class, Jason, your scholarship is invaluable to any collector willing read and listen!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 4/20/2023
Phenomenal page! Love the two top panels where Heimdall faces the horde singlehandedly. Alan Davis does an amazing job of showing Heimdall's courage and the futile situation he is in. And Mark Farmer's inks really make the packed scenes come to life. Great team on a great book. Congrats!
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 4/21/2023
Keey eye, my friend. Always dig how you can glean and articulate what it is you like about a piece. Totally see what you're saying about how panel layout and what's going on in-panel complement each other. Alan Davis really is a master at that and this is a prime example. And that last close up final panel functions as a nice closer here as well as being an enticer for the next page! As you say, King Kirby brought to today with an Awesome Alan flair! Congrats!
A K
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 4/24/2023
What a page! Heimdall's (last?) stand, beautifully depicted by the dynamite team of Davis and Farmer. Each panel is filled with palpable drama and feels relentless. This is storytelling at its finest. Congratulations!
Steve N. Comic/Fantasy Art
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 4/25/2023
That Davis panel setup is just brilliant. Blow by blow, the reader gets immersed in the frenzy of battle -- no detail left out and yet not saturated with noise. A solid get as always, my friend !
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