Two weeks ago we brought you our spoiler-filled honest review of Insight Comics'
Vei: Vol. 1 which you can catch up on
here if you haven't had the chance yet. Now we are bringing you the follow-up to that with the review of
Vei: Vol. 2, which brings the series to a close. Beware though, as it will be just as spoiler-ridden as its predecessor, so read on at your own risk!
These reviews are made possible thanks to the publisher, Insight Comics. They have provided us with gorgeous hardcover copies of both
Vei Vol. 1 and
Vei: Vol. 2 so that we could review them and share our thoughts with you. They have also set up exclusive interviews with the creators for us so we will be sharing more exclusive material with you soon. But for now, without further adieu, lets dig into the review!
The creative team behind this series has solidified the fact that they share two halves of the same brilliant creativity. With the smoothly flowing story there is never a point in which the reader feels like the plot is all over the place. The magnificent art from Karl Johnsson
(Mara from Ulthong) weaves in perfect tandem with the captivating story told by Sara B. Elfgren
(The Circle). We have included some images of the inner pages as well as the cover art so that you can experience a swift preview the alluring beauty of the graphic novel for yourself.
The first thing I notice when looking at the cover of the second volume of
Vei is the symmetry to the first volume's cover. On both of them the titular character, Vei, is featured, and in both Loki can also be seen in its bird form. It is also worth noting that while in my previous review I mentioned that Vei was sitting on a wooden stump on the
Vei Vol. 1 cover, I was recently corrected by Elfgren herself as Vei was actually perched atop the antler instead!
Moving ahead to the contrasts on these covers however, one only needs to get a glimpse of the sky to see that instead of the bright rainbow against a blue backdrop fans are treated to a foreboding darkness hanging over the Meistarileikir and both of Odin's ravens can also be seen in the sky.
This volume benefits from something that wasn't present in
Vei: Vol. 1: a poem about the Jotun brood. From the beginning it litters the gorgeous pages, drifting from scene to scene as if it emerged there itself. What feels like genuine Norse poetry makes it clear to the reader who the focus of this tale is: the mighty Jotun and their brood.
While the first graphic novel focused on jumping right into the story and the action, this one takes its time and provides readers with more information about their heroine and her people. Within the first few pages readers are treated to the story of the Jotun, their Ran, and how the giant's blood came to run in their bodies to begin with.
It isn't long however until Vei is back in the Meistarileikir and readers are reminded exactly what a force she is. Undefeated, she continues to tear through her opponents one by one with no regards to who they are -- for most of her enemies, anyway.
After tearing through her enemies one by one, Vei comes to face the one person she had grown to consider a close friend -- Dal. Having the fight rigged against her, she winds up being able to trust the only one she had never expected to team up with -- the master of deceit, Loki.
It is worth noting that while my last review mentioned that this depiction of Loki is of a woman, but during
Vei Vol. 2 it certainly seems that it is more of an androgonous being that can take any shape that it wants. Whether or not it has an original gender that it hides is a curious thing.
I enjoy the contrast between the two graphic novels. In the first, Vei does everything she can for her God and the Jotun, but in the second everything gets torn down by her hand. While she is close with Dal in the first volume, the second volume sees her team with Loki instead and forced to face Dal in combat.
The end of the graphic novel delivered a satisfying conclusion as well, though it isn't one that I'll spoil for you here. Although initially I was disappointed that the story wasn't going to continue, once I reached the end I understood why it was self-contained and it definitely benefits from being so.
If it is possible, Sara B. Elfgren and Karl Johnsson have managed to outdo themselves. Observing the bar set by Vei: Vol. 1 which was an immensely good read, somehow this team manages to top it with the closure to their exciting tale. If you weren't a fan of Norse Mythology -- you are now.
- Five out of Five
Vei is now the undefeated champion of the Meistarileikir. But the brutal gladiator games are far from over, and the constant barrage of death begins to take its toll. As the line between friend and foe becomes harder to distinguish, Vei is forced to question everything she's ever known: what is really worth fighting for? And how much is she prepared to sacrifice?
Vei: Vol. 2 is currently available and can be picked up here for a purchase price of $29.99.