The third and final volume of P. Craig Russell's comics adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology has more plot continuity and narrative unity than the two earlier books, and it ends with the ultimate Twilight of the Gods.

The first of the four stories is "Hymir and Thor's Fishing Expedition" with art by David Rubin, whose work I enjoyed more this time around than in his contribution to the first volume. It was during my reading of this story that I realized just how much Gaiman really drew on his reading in Norse myth when he wrote American Gods. The narrative structure and character relationships really reminded me of Gaiman's novel.

Coleen Doran was an excellent choice of artist for "The Death of Balder." Although there have been other foreshadowings, this story is the one in which the worm turns and it becomes clear that it's all downhill from here.

"The Last Days of Loki" featured art by Galen Showman, who--of all the artists working in this series--produced results that most resembled Russell's own work. (Of course, Showman like the others was working from Russell's breakdowns.) The moral valence of this tale was really quite appalling: there's no one to like here!

And of course "Ragnarok" caps it off, with Russell returning for the closing bracket to mirror his initial story from Volume 1. There must be various ways to account for the fact, but I was struck at how consonant with Abrahamic eschatological apocalypses the mood and tropes were here.

In a surprise move, Gaiman, Russell, et al bust out the best effort in this last volume.

In my last review, of the second volume, I pointed out how silly many of the myths are. I still agree with that, but I will say I'm often shocked at how unbelievably violent and bloody they are as well. I also have to note how, in complete contrast to the Marvel version, Thor is just not the sharpest tack in the box. It's quite refreshing.

It's always a good time when P. Craig Russell offers up his own stellar linework to the proceedings as well.

And finally, this was the volume that pulled many of the threads together and wove them into the final Ragnarokian tapestry.

Well done. ( )