NorsePlay.

  Yes, this splash page flashback scene from The Mighty Thor #22 has Marvel Odin wistfully remembering his hottest date ever with the fiery Phoenix Force herself! Perhaps the Phoenix's flavour of ice cream's one-eyed leaders? In terms of prestige, it's All-Father Odin over Blue Team X-Men leader Cyclops in any epoch of the Marvel Universe, but if a girl feeds her emotions with whole planets of sentient beings, perhaps that dark dinner bill's more than even a Norse God can afford. This surprising panel evokes what stories could be suggested about a more nascent Odin in the Norse Lore. If his forefathers married frost giantesses, then perhaps the idea of a dating a hot Eldjötunness isn't outside the Nine Realms of possibility. Many of the hard-won dating lessons in the Hávamál implies stories attached to them, and Odin's shouting match with Thor in the Hárbarðsljóð has them both relating & bragging on experiences that came from their pasts. It makes one w...

Odin crafts the dome of night from Ymir's skull ! We like the barely visible line drawing of the Allfather 's thoughts of the skull as building material being executed into the overlaying reality of the scene. [illustration by Troy Howell from Favorite Norse Myths .] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Before Marvel Entertainment's Thor makes his first appearance in 1962, DC's then-Jack Kirby uses the God of Thunder in a 1957 issue of Tales Of The Unexpected ! [as pointed out by MisterKitty.org] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Team Odin vs. Fenrir.  War God Odin bestride fastest Sleipnir, with Freki & Geri flanking, Huginn & Muninn from above, and never-miss Gungnir all together could totally take the wolf in this one. Go Team Odin! [and we'd love to know who did this piece, so comment below if you know.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Before NorsePlay emerged from the nothingness of Ginnungagap, I dressed as Odin in 1981 for Halloween. The strips of cardstock constructed helmet got spraypainted in silver, the white wings handdrawn & photocopied, earth-maroon jean Toughskins, socks over shoes with torn strip leg wraps, bedsheet cape, costume store beard, cardboard & broomhandle Gungnir, all lightly modeled on Jeff Dee's 1980 illustration of Odin for Dungeons & Dragons ' Deities & Demigods . I'd crafted an eyepatch too, but it came out too tight and broke when I tried it on, so this is a pre-Mímir's Well depiction. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, an...

We would just like to take a moment to point out that if you name a dog Loki you're openly asking for I-do-what-I-want trouble , which probably merits such a heavy-duty frog clip leash & burly collar in the first place. Or you could go with a more protective dog name: [Collars by Tactipup.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Odin from the interior art in Choose Your Own Adventure Books' reissue of Trumpet of Terror , where the Aesir pick you to help them figure out how to eject the Vanir sorceress Gullveig from Asgard. The starry cloak's a great touch while the wizard claws seem almost wolf-like. [thanks to my bestie Justin Beltran for gifting me this birthday copy.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

What wins us here is the bear drinking with Odin.  I mean, just look at him pawing that tankard of ale! So to NorsePlay: Presumably this is in Valhalla, which the nearest specific Norse Lore match could make this Böðvar Bjarki (Warlike Little-Bear) of Hrólfs saga kraka  ( Saga of King Hrolf Kraki ). On Midgard,  Böðvar needed to trance out to send forth his bear-form to fight on the battlefield, but given the metaphysical afterlife arena depicted here perhaps that physical/spiritual division process becomes unnecessary, so the  Böðvar- bear gets to feast just as much as fight. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and s...

Jǫrmungandr versus Thor backgrounded by a Viking ship automata crashing through the waves.  This may be an implicative NorsePlay that their essential conflict drives the motion of the ocean, both through his storms and the serpent's underwater writhing, and/or his three drinks that start the tides and the serpent being nearly picked up to set the sea to tremble. [crafted by Fyodor Krasniy of MadnessAndTea on Etsy.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development...

NorsePlay has long admired Sam Flegal's work so much we've featured it as our collection's banner from the beginning until now. The work is Freyr's Last Stand (2014). We love his take on the dwarven wrought golden boar Gullinbursti as a mechanical war steed . [Check out Flegal's other work & gets awesome prints at www.fatefulsigns.com .] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Sweet cover art from the 1992 computer/console RPG game Heimdall . Loki has stolen the Gods' weapons, scattering them across the realms, and it's up to you as Heimdall to find them. The game itself is far more cartoonish than this fantasy art cover, but such was all early videogame marketing. [Play it in your browser here: https://archive.org/details/msdos_Heimdall_1992 ] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

In the American Gods ' extras, Mr Nancy's Orlando Jones forgoes his sartorial best to pay homage to Ian McShane by sporting this sweet "I Am Odin" t-shirt. [Addenda: Note that since we posted this Orlando Jones was fired from the show. We don't know the details, but we had to swap the original image of him in the shirt since it disappeared.]  #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

"I have as many names as there are winds, as many titles as there are ways to die." This is the reveal we all know ahead of time on American Gods : that Mr Wednesday is Odin, but it takes a seasoned actor of Ian McShane's caliber to drive it in like a spear and make it feel like we didn't know that in the first place. And in this clip he reveals many of the Allfather's names with gravity & power. [from season1, episode 8, directed by Floria Sigismondi.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field ...

Brunin from Alane Adams ' Legends of Orkney YA NorsePlay series bears a strong resemblance to a well-known Norse God ... . Any of you read this series? If so, comment below! [Covers by Johnathan Stroh.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Graphis design competition's gold award winning Odin-centric logo for Asgard Brewing Co.! Odin's usual animal companions aside, note the Nine Worlds symbolized by the nine stars, and the stylized facet-cornered unicursal Valknut s. [Design by Tom Ventress.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

There's a moment in Thor: Ragnarok that raises the question: What if Dr. Strange was foolish enough to tangle with God of Mischief Loki, a being who's been practicing sorcery for untold millennia longer than he? While Marvel Studios makes it look one way, we all know that either inside or outside of 177A Bleecker Street, Loki would gore out his Eye of Agamotto. [Art by Steve Ditko.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him...

We're using this sweet Lego animated video to point out that the diss (short for disrespecting) in hip-hop is a modern-day parallel of Flyting, the poetic trading of insults , which is present in Norse Mythology's Lokasenna & Hárbarðsljóð , so the idea of Thor successfully rekking Zeus with his mad thunder rhymes is pretty on the mark. Go Thor, go Thor, go, go! And though the word "rap" itself is Scandinavian in origin, the African roots of The Dozens, an insult contest played in the evening that eventually led to rap battles, is not directly related to flyting, but just happens to be an incidental cultural match that also celebrates verbal deftness and one-upsmanship. [From ERB, directed by Forrest Whaley.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful poten...

We've previously posted a selection from this before, but only now did we notice the cosmic cover on this issue of Loki: Ragnarok and Roll from the 4-issue mini-series, and especially the angry Odin about to break up the band! [From BOOM! Studios Inc., and my acquaintance accomplished comics writer Eric Esquivel, cover art by Alexis Ziritt.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Labeled "psychedelic" by Grupo Erik, we like the pop-art stylings of this wall poster for the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok . And since the Hulk's really a menace, we only see one champion in this arena coming out on top: Thor! #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

"The Battle of Ragnarök" from the  Fall of Gods illustrated novel by Rasmus Berggreen & Michael Vogt (writer for the Hitman game). This successfully funded Kickstarter out of Copenhagen, Denmark, is based on an expansion of the Norse God Vali's story. Now underway at 20th Century Fox as a movie adaptation, with Wes Ball directing ( Maze Runner trilogy) and Stuart Beattie to write the script. [Book available at FallOfGods.com.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or pro...