REVIEW: Thor and Sif Go on a Poetic Odyssey in ‘Ultimates #11’
- Sarah Angelo-Haight
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
The stakes are high for Lady Sif and Thor Odinson in the latest issue of Ultimates. Aided by the time-traveling Maker, Loki has seized power over the Nine Realms. His rule is one of hardship, not only for the people of Asgard, but the other Realms within Yggdrasil. It is up to Thor and Sif to once again save Asgard from Loki’s clutches.
Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers for issue #11 of ‘Ultimates’.
Thor and Sif’s journey is told through rhyme, much like the Poetic Eddas from which their characters emerged. With almost no dialogue, the narration lilts and flows along their perilous journey. They begin in Nidavellir, world of the Dwarves who are makers of all of Asgard’s treasures. Instead of the artistic craftsmanship for which they have been long-renowned, Loki has turned them into assembly-line workers. Stripped of their dignity and their art, the Dwarves of Nidavellir are quick to turn on the Liesmith. In a deft nod to the source mythology, Sif promises that she will deliver not only Loki’s head, but would “throw in his neck for free”.
Loki’s head upon his neck is no longer as quick-witted as it once was as he gluts himself on mead and the immortality-granting apples of Idunn. Not only has he chained the maiden to his throne, but has hoarded the apples to himself, leaving the rest of Asgard aged and weak. The Loki of Ultimates is certainly not the anti-heroic skald of 616 canon. Lazy, indolent, and cruel, this Loki lounges on his throne and makes decrees that do nothing but elevate his own position while beating down the rest of the Realms. He has even enlisted Hela, Goddess of Death, to provide him with an undead army with which he creates suffering.
Alfheim suffers similarly to Nidavellir. Their artists are now “content-creators”, something the narration tritely points out is now one and the same. They sit chained to their tables as faceless censors loom over them. Now efficient and soulless, creativity exists solely to enrich the god on the throne.
Only Vanaheim remains unchanged and untouched. Loki has given Asgard’s sister-realm freedom, and therefore they refuse to fight. They are not the ones who are suffering, and the ones who are suffering remain out of sight and out of mind. Thor and Sif’s pleas fall upon deaf, indifferent ears.
Loki’s machinations are a stark reflection of real life and the commodification of the arts. Instead of allowing the Dwarves and Elves to continue their crafts unimpeded, Loki has forced them into being rank and file workers. As in the Immortal Thor title, Thor is directly fighting against the evils of the late-stage capitalist hellscape Loki has warped the Realms into.
The issue’s narrative style cleverly twists the ideas of art as content and craft as profit with a light rhyme scheme. This is not a sonnet, nor any carefully formatted epic poem. This is a tale told through feeling, conceptually complex as so many stories told about Asgard and its inhabitants are.
Thor’s willingness to sacrifice everything for the good of not only Asgard but all of the Realms is par for the course. Thor will always be willing to do what needs to be done, regardless of timeline. What will become of the deal he has made remains to be seen, but as the issue closes out on some of the only dialogue in all of its pages, it is clear there are layers upon layers of deceit that Thor and his teammates will need to yet unravel.
Rating: ★★★★★
About The Ultimates #11
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Written by: Deniz Camp
Art by: Juan Frigeri
Cover by: Dike Ruan
Page Count: 26
Synopsis: THE WAR FOR ASGARD! A NEW HERO APPROACHES! Time to topple another of the Maker's dominoes: removing LOKI from his seat of power in Asgard! Thor, Sif and She-Hulk journey into mystery for blood, for glory and for rebellion, and discover a surprising new ally!
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