Review by Ian Keogh

With a dozen Olympians graphic novels spotlighting the ancient Greek and Roman gods under his belt it makes sense for George O’Connor to switch his attention to the Norse gods. He begins with Odin, known as the All-Father, which is a smart move, as in Norse myth Odin’s story is very much also the story of Asgard, the legendary home of the gods, and the associated worlds.

Much of this material has been mined over the years for Marvel’s Thor, but O’Connor’s interest in action is strictly confined to the source material: legends as handed down rather than later additions, so restricts his sources to the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. The reader’s viewpoint is that of a warrior slain during battle, collected by a Valkyrie and taken heavenwards where he receives a crash course in Odin’s achievements with other Asgardians mentioned in passing along the way.

O’Connor is very true to the legends, with Odin in some ways unknowable, unpredictable and always considering himself superior, even if that needs to be rammed home with fight or a war. He starts a lot of both. Like most belief systems, the guy at the top is in charge, and whatever he does, no matter how bonkers, is right and to be accepted unconditionally. For instance, when wanting to communicate with the World Tree, Odin pierces his side with a sword and then has himself suspended above a pool into which the roots descend, and into which his blood drips. O’Connor relates many equally incredible stories, and the one about the vat of knowledge could explain how Odin knew what was needed to communicate with the World Tree.

These are dark stories, so O’Connor keeps the colours dull on his neat illustrations. They depict some awful deeds, yet are kept at a level for a young adult audience rather than being fully explicit. Young readers who’ve not previously encountered the Norse myths will discover a world of wonder in an engagingly accessible form, and will surely enjoy the experience.

Odin’s son Thor features in the next volume.