Odin and Friends

Respite

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:00:47 +0000

Hey, folks, I’m taking a respite from OAF this month. Three reasons: First, I’ll be adventuring in Iceland the first ten days of August and I don’t have an archive of toons built up to run the site on auto-pilot. Second, I need to take a little time when I get back to upgrade Word Press and make some site improvements to restore my missing navbar and help prevent the meltdown that happened a week ago from happening again. And third, I just need a break! I need to reflect on the toon a bit, figure out where it’s going, and decide what I want to do next. Send me some email if you want to weigh in on this subject. My apologies to those of you who depend on their twice-weekly Odin fix to make it through the week without going ballistic with a battle axe. In the meantime, please check out the archives or hit the random button on the right to find something you might have overlooked. OAF is pushing 300 comics now!

See you in September!

- Vato

Political Wisdom

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:00:37 +0000

Ouch! And for those of you wondering, yes, Odin does speak Raven.

Thor Versus Jesus

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:00:37 +0000

Yes, this is exactly the kind of discussion that takes place in Comparative Religion programs at top universities around the world. If it’s not Thor versus Jesus, it’s Zeus versus Vishnu, or who would have won in a barroom brawl, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada or Joseph Smith, assuming both men actually drank? Matter of fact, I’m surprised Spike hasn’t come up with a Deadliest God show to go along with the Deadliest Warrior. We’ve already seen Viking versus Samurai, Gladiator versus Apache, so why not move the action to the heavens?

Gods Versus Humans

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:00:12 +0000

Odin and Friends is back online! The site was recently hacked either by humans or robots, so Saturday morning was spent scanning Word Press tables for malicious code. But anyway, things seem to be working for the moment (get it while you can, folks), and above is Thursday’s missing toon. Commentary below:

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The difference between gods and humans is an intriguing aspect of Norse mythology. The Gods can (and shall) die, just as all of us humans will eventually pass away. Then there are those badass humans who have been “promoted” from Midgard to Asgard to fight side-by-side with the gods in the Big One. Also, most the Gods, other than being pretty fantastic “base model” entities to start off with (I’m assuming Freyja was a pretty hot teenager), seem to get the bulk of their powers from magic they have learned or some other action taken on their part — e.g. Odin gains his wisdom through a deliberate act of self-sacrifice. I’m not arguing that Norse gods and humans are the same thing (far from it!), but there are some intriguing similarities and relationships that don’t exist in other religions.

I suppose there is some inspiration to be taken from the life cycle of the Gods. Nothing comes easy in this world, not even for the Gods, and nothing lasts forever either. But in your short time, you can rise from the muck, trade your eyeball for wisdom, earn glory (and treasure) on the battlefield (real or metaphorical), acquire magical skills, seek the mead of poetry, and perhaps be rewarded with a seat at Odin’s table. And when your time comes, know that the gods are pleased with you when the fire giants rise from hell and you bravely stand your ground and accept that skull splitting axe blow between your mortal ears. Hey, if you’re looking for peaceful ending, seek Nirvana instead of Valhalla!

Religious Tolerance

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:00:58 +0000

This is a rare moment in Odin and Friends. Odin appears to be joking with Baldur. He seems almost affectionate. I mean, I think he’s joking.

Diarrhea Doomsday

admin — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:00:06 +0000

Here we go again. 2012 is coming, the Mayan Apocalypse. Ho hum.

Don’t people realize the day is coming when the Aesir gods will battle the giants and tear the world apart? Even if the Mayan Doomsday were to take place, it would seem like a mere stomach ache compared to the life-ending attack of parasitic jungle diarrhea that is the Ragnarok.

If people had any idea what really in store for them, they would spend a lot less time watching 2012 specials on television and a lot more honing their skills with edged weapons.

Second Hand Smoke

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:00:29 +0000

One should have a good breeze when serving up a lightning storm. The second hand smoke from fried humans can be a real nasal irritant.

Dance Camp

admin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:00:16 +0000

My mother sent me to dance camp when I was a kid. I don’t remember my father being overly pleased. But hey, I can tap.

I like the idea of Odin’s beard smoking when he’s not pleased about something.

Half and Half

admin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:00:30 +0000

Some see the glass as half full, others see it as half empty. Odin sees the glass completely drained of liquid and about to be smashed against the rocks by a drunken frost giant.

Sports Prayers

admin — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:00:49 +0000

The sports prayers never end.

Athletes praying for power, speed, and victory.

What would happen if the Gods answered those prayers and started taking sides?