For years, Loki has been an enemy of the Avengers, Thor and anyone who gets in his way. As a trickster god, you can never be quite sure of his motives and it’s produced some entertaining stories. He’s caused so much destruction that you wonder if he can ever be forgiven. The theme of redemption is explored in Loki: Agent Of Asgard: Trust Me, written by Al Ewing and drawn by Lee Garbett. A younger, reformed Loki is carrying out heroic quests for Freya in exchange for his past being wiped clean. But that doesn’t mean Loki can’t play a trick or two.
The story begins with Loki infiltrating Avengers Tower and stabbing Thor through the back with a magical sword called Gram. The Avengers attack him, but it’s revealed that Loki is acting on orders from Freya and Thor has been possessed by a dark curse that’s slowly corrupting him. Gram, a sword of truth, helped to dispel the curse. Loki and Thor have a heart to heart and the God of Thunder thanks his brother for the aid.
Next, Loki attends a speed dating event to track down the Asgardian enchantress Lorelei. He meets a human named Verity Willis who can sense any lie. It makes for an interesting conversation between a god who specialises in lying and someone who sees the truth in everything. Verity is sarcastic and blunt and it plays well off Loki’s casual charm. A spark ignites between them, as much as Loki denies when he catches up with Lorelei.
Loki eventually invites Verity over to his apartment and he proposes that she help him in a heist. Before she can give an answer, Sigurd, the original wielder of Gram breaks in to find his sword. He and Loki battle until the trickster god recruits him into his scheme.
Loki plans on breaking into an Asgardian vault because he suspects the All-Mother is keeping something from him. With the help of Thor, Sigurd, Lorelei and Verity, Loki enters the vault and discovers that an older version of himself has been working with Freya. The All-Mother wanted to preserve the future of Asgard and having the older Loki around to play the villain would ensure Thor ultimately became king. Feeling betrayed, young Loki quits.
Ewing does a good job of showing the different sides of Loki. He might be trying to make up for his sins, but the trickster god continues to manipulate people around him. A great example is when he’s working with Lorelei on a heist in Monte Carlo and deceives her into thinking he’s a woman. There’s an Ocean’s Eleven vibe to the graphic novel that meshes with the mysticism of Asgard. Garbett’s art is gorgeous, with each panel popping with life and motion.
Loki: Agent Of Asgard: Trust Me offers a different take on the God of Lies, and if you’re a fan of the character I would check it out. You can buy it now on Amazon.
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