[Chris Samnee via Comic Twart]

Chris Samnee, artist on the joyride Thor: The Mighty Avenger, is one of my current favorites. So it makes sense that his minimalist take of his on the JLA gives me a fanboy boner alert. Head over to Comic Twart for more minimalist renditions of your favorite collection of capes and cowls by some rather talented folk.

Chris Samnee’s artwork on Thor: The Mighty Avenger is some of my favorite work in years. I hadn’t been drawn to the artist prior to this title, out of both ignorance and stupidity. But his lighthearted approach matches Roger Langridge’s scripts perfectly, and every panel seems to bleed the whimsical, expansive world of T:TMA. With that in mind, I was pretty stoked to come across this video over on Comics Alliance. This video is sped-up, but his actual work took only twenty-seven minutes. A feat apparently accomplished because, like me, Samnee is a Caffeine Warrior. A much, much, much more talented Caffeine Warrior, but nonetheless.

Comics Alliance:

Ever since I witnessed Thor: The Mighty Avenger artist Chris Samnee confess to downing inhuman amounts of coffee on a regular basis at this past summer’s Comic Twart panel at HeroesCon, I feel like I’ve had a better understanding of his equally inhuman art output (The man gets pages done!).

Amazing. Hit the jump to check out Samnee’s super-fast Batman drawing. And if you haven’t check out The Mighty Avenger already. For the love of god(s of Asgard).

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[images & words is the comic book pick-of-the-week at OL. equal parts review and diatribe, the post highlights the most memorable/infuriating/entertaining book released that wednesday]

Oh snap! It’s already Sunday!? Where did this week go? How could I have let work and personal tragedy get in the way of reading comics? Egads! Well then, the Sabbath will be kept holy! The funnies will be revered!

The best dang book from this week’s pile is THOR: The Might Avenger #4. Although OL’s been keeping an eye on this series for awhile now, we’ve yet to to grant it “best of” status. Which is damn shame, because this incarnation of the God of Thunder’s exploits is fuggin’ astounding. It’s bright and fun and full of the optimistic energy that Marvel is known for. Or used to be. Or still is, I’m not sure.

This issue picks up where the first three left off, bringing the readers through the origin-story of Thor’s arrival on Earth. The beautiful, bulky blond is straight chillin’ with his babe of an Earth-host, Jane Foster. In this retelling, Jane is an expert of Norse mythology and employed by a local museum – so of course she can’t help but take Goldilocks into her care when he stumbles off of the rainbow-bridge. Their relationship is slightly flirtatious, completely well-intentioned, and wholly endearing.

This most recent issue sees Thor’s homeboys the Warriors Three coming to visit him in his new realm. In search of a night of merriment and drinking, the foursome head to a tavern in England. Once there, the normal hijinks ensue; Fandral finds fleeting romance with the female bartender, Hogun keeps mum and Volstagg is the life of the party. And after Thor makes a scene when no one in the bar can tell him how to get to Trondheim, Captain Britain has to come regulate.

The ensuing confrontation between Captain Britain and Thor (with assistance from his buddies) is more of a skills-demonstration than a battle-to-the-death. What we see is warriors duking it out over a misunderstanding, being impressed by one another, and then ending the night by sharing a few rounds of brew! This is the type of friendly competition that is far too-often overlooked in favor of blood-feuds.

Roger Langridge’s script is both lighthearted and action packed. The characters, even when they are in the midst of more serious matters, always bring a smile to the reader’s face; for instance, even the Warriors Three’s investigations of Thor’s inability to recall his banishment is rife with jocular banter and witticisms. Fortunately, Samnee‘s pencils only make the comic stronger, lending a classic cartoon flair to even the most violent fight scenes. Chris Samnee manages to incorporate a level of detail into the art, which makes the almost animated stylings worthy of repeat-readings.

The word I find myself using over and over to describe this comic book is fun. This is a series for children and adults, for comics fans and newcomers, for writers and artists. There is no reason, provided that this quality continues, that this series can’t win and Eisner.

Or a whole heap of `em.