ODIN #3
Creative Team
writers: JAMES TYNION IV & MARGUERITE BENNETT
artist: LETIZIA CADONICI
colorist: JORDIE BELLAIRE
letterer: TOM NAPOLITANO
publisher: IMAGE COMICS
How far would you go to tell a good story? Would the story still be worth telling if it cost you your life? Image Comics' Odin #3 by Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV throws those questions at both its protagonist and the reader, crafting a mystery where every step towards an answer comes at a devastating cost.
By placing a journalist at the heart of its story, Odin blurs the line between fearless reporting and reckless obsession, pushing the reader to question whether the protagonist's pursuit of truth is an act of courage or one of self destruction. In exploring that question, the series transforms the investigative process into its own hauntingly beautiful brand of psychological horror.
Odin follows Adela, a thrill-seeking journalist willing to push the boundaries of her profession for the perfect story. Her latest investigation leads her to infiltrating a group of white supremacists calling themselves neo nazi’s, as they venture into the frozen forests of Norway in hopes of summoning Norse god Odin to bring forth a new white supremacist destiny. (Trigger warning: This issue mentions sexual assault.)
As Adela goes to increasingly dangerous extremes to expose them, she soon realizes that the story she's chasing is capable of chasing back. What begins as an undercover investigation quickly descends into a hallucinogenic nightmare where ancient forces, disturbing beliefs, and Adela’s own obsession with the truth collide.
The artwork in this issue thrives on subtlety and expression, proving that horror doesn't need to rely on graphic imagery to unsettle its audience.
Artist Letizia Cadonici blends grounded surrealism with a touch of gothic stylization to create stunning visuals.
While the issue certainly doesn't shy away from monsters and bursts of gore, Cadonici never allows them to overshadow the psychological unease at the heart of the story. Instead, Cadonici uses haunting compositions, and heavy expressive faces to communicate fear showing horror just as effectively as gore and unsettling monsters.
Every page is layered with visual information, inviting the reader to linger. Search the shadows and backgrounds where the smallest of background detail can be used to subtly amplify the tension. This keeps the horror feeling as though it's creeping just beyond the edge of the page.
As impressive as the artwork is on its own, Jordie Bellaire's colors elevate the entire issue to another level. Bellaire does an amazing job using color to establish the atmosphere.
The use of red to portray dread, violence and impending horror stands in striking contrast to the stark white used to portray the snow white Norway. The artwork and colors work harmoniously creating visual storytelling that feels incredibly cinematic with certain pages feeling like stills pulled directly from an animated film or series.
One of the issue's greatest strengths lies in its ability to create a sense of unease long before the horror fully reveals itself. Rather than relying solely on shocking imagery or bursts of violence, Bennett and Tynion cultivate an atmosphere where every conversation, discovery, and unanswered question carries an undercurrent of danger. The reader is constantly aware that something terrible is lurking, but the story wisely refuses to reveal its hand too early.
That tension gives the narrative its power and adds a sense of thrilling anticipation. The script moves with confidence, allowing quieter investigative moments to breathe while steadily tightening the tension around its characters. Each revelation that our protagonist Adela receives raises the stakes without sacrificing the mystery, making the eventual moments of horror feel like the natural consequence of everything that came before.
When the issue finally reaches its closing pages, the mounting anxiety gives way to a payoff that feels both shocking and inevitable. It's a reminder that the strongest horror isn't simply about what the audience sees, it's about the lingering fear built through careful pacing, unanswered questions, and the creeping realization that there may be no escaping what's coming.
Final Verdict
If you’re a fan of horror stories like Green Room, The Witch, The Ritual, Nope, and Midsommar, then Odin is a series worth checking out. Like those films, the comic builds its horror through atmosphere, mystery, and the feeling that something is wrong beneath the surface. The series also puts its own spin on Norse folk mythology, taking familiar ideas and turning them into something darker and more unsettling. With its strong artwork, slow burn tension, and unique approach to horror, Odin is a series that will appeal to fans looking for a story that blends mythology, mystery, and fear.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 8 |
| Story/Plot | 7 |
| Art/Line Work | 10 |
| Colors | 10 |
| Final Score | 8.8/10 |
