That being said, “The Last Days of Loki” and “Ragnarok” are easily my favorite stories in this volume. And honestly, that’s probably why it’s my favorite of the Norse Mythology series. Since each one builds off of the previous ones while setting up subsequent stories, the volume reads more like a traditional graphic novel than a collection of short stories. Unlike in previous volumes, the stories in Norse Mythology Volume 3 can’t really be judged on their own. And all of these stories perfectly set up the events of “Ragnarok: The Final Destiny of the Gods.” Put simply, these are my favorite stories from Gaiman’s original collection, and they’re brought to life gorgeously here. Balder’s death leads directly into “The Last Days of Loki,” a story that sees the rest of the gods finally take their revenge on Loki. “The Death of Balder” explores the death of one of the most beloved gods, and the immediate aftermath. In “Hymir and Thor’s Fishing Expedition,” Tyr and Thor try to win Hymir’s ale-brewing cauldron, encountering the Midgard serpent along the way. While the previous volumes primarily featured standalone stories, volume 3’s stories form a more cohesive narrative surrounding Ragnarok, the Norse apocalypse. Norse Mythology Volume 3 adapts the final four stories from Gaiman’s original collection. And, truth be told, Norse Mythology Volume 3 is easily the highlight of the entire series.

Craig Russell once again brings Gaiman’s text to life beautifully, aided by artwork from David Rubín, Colleen Doran, and Galen Showman. While the first two volumes follow the (mostly) light-hearted, irreverent misadventures of the Norse gods, Norse Mythology Volume 3 takes a turn toward the dark side, showcasing the end of everything and the rebirth of things anew. At least, that’s how Ragnarok goes in Norse Mythology Volume 3, the final volume in Dark Horse Comics’ adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology.

Norse mythology volume 2