Review: Serial Box’s Thor: Metal Gods

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Serial Box has delivered an audio gift for Marvel fans: another adventure with Thor and Loki!

With the ability and power of planetary and interdimensional planes, plus their long lives, these siblings were ripe with stories and adventures. As Taika Waititi showed us in Thor: Ragnorak, the relationship between Thor and Loki may be marred with history but their clashing personalities create a charismatic dynamic that compels and entertains.

Thor:Metal Gods  is the first officially license Marvel story in their catalog of audio stories. Each story is a season split into episodes that run about 30 minutes.  Serial Box offers the option to buy single episodes or the whole season. The season is narrated by Daniel Gillies (The Vampire DiariesThe Originals).  This series begins with the Asgardian brothers and a Korean Demi-goddesss,  Horangi.

“I’m delighted to take part in this project, particularly as this is a new territory in storytelling for comic book fans. This material looks both challenging and absurdly fun, and I look forward to participating in this new aspect of the Marvel Universe,” said Daniel Gillies.

For this audio adventure, the first episode begins in the 1980s with Loki appeasing his boredom by playing guitar in a rock band.  This is one of the best and most satisfying introductions to a new Thor and Loki story.  Immediately, we can imagine Loki wearing leather pants in a mega sexy rocker aloof way.  Daniel Gillies’s deep kiwi-accented voice is just divine. Absolutely, stunningly divine to listen to as he switches between Loki and Thor.  For Loki, there is definite sense of aloofness in the way he drawls. While for Thor, Daniel plays him more confident, certain of his words but definitely full of himself.

Daniel Gillies played Elijah Mikaelson on The Vampire Diaries and The Originals. Neither show I have seen. In fact, this is the first I have heard of him. After literally hearing his voice for the first time, curiosity lead to several youtube videos of interview clips and general prankster sassy attitude. He is handsome in sound and in visuals. Scrolling through his instagram (@mr.danielgillies), he is passionate about music and justice. He is the absolute embodiment of both Loki and Thor in concept and style. This was SOLID casting!

Behind the voice is a very interesting team that laid the story foundations. The team is lead by screenwriter Aaron Stewart-Ahn. A current note on Aaron is that he co-wrote the screenplay for Mandy,  a horror thriller movie starring Nicholas Cage about revenge and other phantasmagorical elements.  Adding on to the horror vibe is Briane Keen of the The Horror Show with Brian Keene and other zombies.  Then there is Jay Edidin (Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men), and  Yoon Ha Lee (Ninefox Gambit). Judging from the overall flavor of the creative writing team, there is an expection that this is just a mild introduction. This team has strong horror and grimy action.

Audiobooks have recently entered my radar for two reasons: long commute wrought with traffic and knitting. Otherwise, it’s been actual books or e-books.  So the kind of audiobook that I will listen to depends on which activity I commit to. Long commutes means longer stories, something that would not have loud sound effect that will startle while driving, and easy enough to continue if I have to pause when traffic is moving. Knitting means any type of story as I am remaining stationary but shorter times are preferable for breaks. With that,  Thor: Metal Gods is  best to listen to while knitting or while doing something stationary.  It is also preferable to stay still as you mentally process Daniel Gillies voice as he switches between Loki and Thor. It is pretty distinct and equal parts sultry. The tendency to daydream, certain dreams, is also very high and can be dangerous while operating heavy machinery.

 

Overall, the first episode is a solid introduction to the series.   We  know that Loki is in London while Thor is off to save a friend. Loki’s portion of the story is entertaining, energetic with the sound effects of the rock crowd and guitar riff. A warning on the guitar riff: your cats and dogs may not like it, it’s pretty high guitar riff.  The energy oddly quiets off with Thor’s portion as he is summoned by  Horangi.  Horangi confronts Thor in her tiger form and immediately goes on the offensive.  It is a strangely subdued tiger versus Thor attack that ends with a cliff hanger revelation.

 

Episodes are now available on Serial Box.The full season, 15 episodes, is available for $9.99, or each individual episode is available for $1.99.

 

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