The Time Variance Authority, or the TVA, isn’t a new idea, but it has become much more well known in recent years thanks to the Loki television show. Much of what we saw in that show is getting a second life in the TVA comic series launching this week. Written by Loki season 2 writer Katharyn Blair, the TVA is getting a brand new direction with a team of misfits in an exciting first issue.
Right off the bat, TVA #1 feels like a Spider-Gwen series. She narrates the book via captions, getting us acclimated to what she’s doing there and the various characters that run things. That includes Miss Minutes, the same character who went nuts and tried to kill everyone in the Loki television show. She’s fixed now and trying her best to manage things now that there isn’t just one sacred timeline, but many.
Along for the ride are familiar characters from the show, like Mobius and B-15, as well as new agents, including Jimmy Hudson, who is some kind of version of Wolverine. There are even more characters that make up this team (just look at the cover), which adds a new dimension to a multiverse authority superteam.
If you were a fan of the show, you’ll likely love this book. I certainly was, and I’m happy to dive back into the TVA, but I will admit it seems to take a while to get the plot going. There’s a lot of talking, and while Pere Pérez’s art is as pretty as ever, even I was wondering how long it’d take to get this show on the road. The threat is quite dire but also obtuse enough not to know where things are going. It’s a mystery wrapped in a nightmare.
“You’re probably wondering how I got here…”
Credit: Marvel
Speaking of mysteries, I didn’t quite understand the cliffhanger. It’s not clear, although I’m sure it’ll make sense when issue #2 is released.
Once the characters shove off, they go on an impromptu mission with exciting twists and turns. The threat also ties to each character’s greatest fears, allowing the creative team to do a little character work via action. It’s very clear all the characters and pieces are strong, with the TVA and a threat worth fixing, making this an easy addition to your read pile.
There’s also nice attention paid to the clocks that work at the TVA. I say clocks, as there are two new clocks alongside Miss Minutes that are introduced. It’s a neat wrinkle I didn’t expect. One of those clocks is introduced in a new-page backup story by Ryan North and Enid Balim, and while I love the character, it’s also a poop joke six-panel story that didn’t quite work for me.
TVA #1 successfully captures the charm of the Loki TV series while carving out its own identity with a dynamic team and engaging premise. While the pacing stumbles early on and the plot is a bit murky, strong character moments and impressive visuals make this a promising start for fans of multiverse adventures.
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