What If…? returns with dark new stories, and Loki is becoming the new wielder of Mjolnir, as he takes Thor’s place for Asgard’s fall.
The God of Thunder is switching places with his pesky brother, as Loki gets a new look and claims Thor‘s hammer, Mjolnir.
Following the success of Marvel’s classic What If…? comics relaunch, as well as the brand’s more recent television series of the same name, the company is bringing the concept back to comic book stands in a big way. However, Marvel will be putting a darker spin on it with What If …? Dark, focusing on memorable moments, but in an alternate universe where they went as badly as possible.
What If…? Dark: Loki #1 by Walter Simonson and Scot Eaton, on sale starting July 5, will see the God of Mischief usurp his brother’s mighty position, with a musclebound new look. Simonson, best known for his legendary 1983-87 run on Thor, returns to Asgard but this time, he’s focusing on Thor’s dastardly brother who is now presiding over what’s promised to be “one of Asgard’s worst days – and one of Loki’s best.” As seen below in Simonson’s cover art – shared by Marvel – Loki looks far beefier than usual, with a body type more akin to Thor than his usual stature. He’s also somehow wielding Mjolnir, though it seems his villainous nature will remain intact.
Loki Claims Mjolnir as Asgard Burns
There isn’t much known about this one-shot in terms of story yet. However, with Surtur and the Midgard Serpent Jörmungandr in the background, it seems the prophecy of Ragnarok will be in full swing, with Loki leading the charge against Asgard. This raises the question of how he could possibly be worthy of Mjolnir when he still seems to be on the side of evil – the new circumstance the What If…? scenario will doubtless explain. However, this isn’t the first time Thor’s adopted brother has raised his hammer.
Will Loki Finally Become Worthy?
In Marvel’s main canon, Loki has never officially been deemed worthy of Mjolnir. With that said, this story wouldn’t mark the first time that Loki would be seen on-panel holding the hammer of the Gods. During the Axis event where Scarlet Witch was able to invert Earth’s Mightiest Heroes into villains and vice versa, Loki suddenly became capable of holding Mjolnir and beating Thor. He also met a Mjolnir-wielding alternate version of himself in Infinity Wars, who was not only the ‘Thor’ of his world, but had gathered together the Infinity Stones. Loki was deeply influenced by both moments, taking both pleasure and heartache from the fact that worthiness is possible for him, even though he’s never attained it.
It’s possible that this What If…? comic will explore a version of Ragnarok where Loki becomes a hero, or else one where he steals Thor’s powers in order to lead Asgard’s enemies. Either way, the joy of What If…? stories is how they unfold one slightly different moment into a whole new mythology – something that’s perfectly suited to the godly drama of Asgard, and the eternal battle between Thor and Loki.
What If…? Dark: Loki is coming from Marvel July 5.
Source: Marvel
