I was honestly disappointed when I found out that P. Craig Russell had not in fact done all of the art for this comics adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology. He did fully illustrate the prologue and the first chapter, and he provided covers for all of the original floppy comics--which are happily appended here, along with beautiful alternate covers by David Mack. For the other five chapters, Russell's scripts and layouts were rendered by other artists. While none of these were as good as Russell--who has been one of my very favorite comics artists for decades--they are all capable, and I liked a few of them very much. Russell's eye is detectable in the layouts throughout.

Russell's opening offers the Norse cosmogony, including its formative theomachy. It doesn't feature any of the Asgardian gods other than Odin, who has yet to acquire some of his distinctive characteristics. So it is only in later chapters that the reader gets to see visual designs of Thor, Freya, Tyr, Loki, and others.

My favorite non-Russell art in the book was from Mike Mignola and Piotr Kowalski. I think both of these artists' styles, while distinctive and interesting in their own right, are well suited to collaboration with Russell. Mignola's chapter on "Mimir's Head and Odin's Eye" was excellent, though short. Kowalski's "Master Builder" was a real high point.

The final two chapters were illustrated by David Rubin and Jill Thompson, both of whom served as their own colorists, and offered more painterly art than what was in the previous sections of the book. I actively liked Thompson's work here, but I wasn't much taken with Rubin's.

I haven't read Gaiman's book that served as the basis for this one, but the mythology here is much as I remember it from other sources I encountered in childhood, such as Hamilton Wright Mabie. Russell and Gaiman have worked on many projects in the past, including graphic versions of Coraline and The Graveyard Book. This project is one suited to both of their demonstrated interests and abilities.

featuring art from Mike Mignola and P.Craig Russell (as well as a few other Gaiman collaborators), this graphic novel perfectly illustrates and adapts Gaiman's retelling of these famous tales into the graphic novel medium. The Nordic myths of old feel fresh and relevant in Gaiman's hands. ( )

Amusing diversion ( )

Quick read and wish it was longer, but it's a fun comic book. Never read Gaiman's book this is adapted from; however, I've read a ton of his comic books. This collection has some really good art too. Hoping there is a volume two. I know there are more Norse stories not included in this collection. ( )

It’s not often I check out a comics adaptation before I read the source material (which is still sitting in my to-read stack), but you can’t really go wrong with a master craftsman like P. Craig Russell adding his vision to a series of mythic tales as told by Neil Gaiman.

This is one beautiful looking book with a great selection of artists adding their own finishes to Russell’s designs and layouts, all woven together with his distinctive aesthetic and lettering.

This is what comics should be, fine art mixed with great storytelling that’s instantly accessible and engaging. ( )