4 issue Test #24 - The Mighty Thor

Yeah... me using variant covers might become a thing, still it's one of the best-looking so far

When the God of Thunder became the Goddess of Thunder the move was marked with controversy. Sure, female superheroes are not many and move helps balance that, but is the right way? There’s no easy answer to that, despite what some people think. Here’s my view. Making Thor a woman (in the same way they made the Punisher black for a few issues) would’ve been a mistake because it's a stupid plot-line with an instant reverse button if things go wrong. Making a woman Thor is what Marvel actually did. Just like they made a Hispanic Spider-man (Miles Morales), a Black Captain America (Sam Wilson) etc. It’s not ideal, especially in the latter case where the man in question already had an alter-ego (the Falcon). But I’d take that over changing a character because universe reset – yeah, I’m talking to you DC Wally West!

So, a little background, you might need this. In the event comic Original Sin, Uatu the watcher was killed and Nick Fury was his replacement. Nick Fury whispered something into Thor’s ear that made him unworthy, he dropped the hammer and was never able to pick it up. Eventually he ended up using the hammer of Thorr, of a parallel Earth, whose hammer can only be wielded by the unworthy. But the hammer of Thor was picked up by someone, a lady who became Thor, outlaw of Asgard and defender of people and somehow love interest of Captain America.

During time runs out, with Thor and Hyperion facing impossible odds, he found he could no longer wield Thorr’s hammer. He was worthy once again… But he was in a battle facing impossible odds, so we don't know whether he survived. We also got the revelation that the lady who wields Thor’s hammer is none other than Jane Foster, professional medic and ally of Thor.

The story is written by Jason Aaron, who is no stranger to the 4 issue test, having featured in the decent Doctor Strange title and the excellent Star Wars title (which still is by the way) but without further ado, let’s dig into Thor #1-4

This is basically a celebration of Thor's history with all of his major allies and foes present - may of whom haven't shown up in the Thor comic since Jane took over the mantle

It started almost a year ago, with a lump in her breast, it’s metastasized since then, moving into her lymph nodes and possibly her liver. The Doctors don’t get why her chemotherapy isn’t working, she does. The Doctor asks how she’s feeling, she’s cold. The Doctor asks if she has anyone waiting for her, there’s Volstagg, of the Warriors 3 doing so.

A weather satellite that actually is able to control the weather is impacted by some debris, they begin to activate the lasers and see what was falling, a light elf with the words carved in him ‘so begins the war of realms.’ There are more of them appearing, eventually taking down the Roxxon satellite.

Jane sees this and calls for her hammer. With the satellite crashing, Jane becomes Thor and helps Iron Man, The Vision, possibly Captain Marvel and Doctor Strange stop the satellite crashing into the Capitol building. She asks if any of them need help, one of them mentions elves in space, causing her to fly up there immediately. She knows that Malekith the Accursed is responsible for this.

She lands back on the ground, transforming back, knowing that her transformation has neutralised the chemotherapy and each time she changes back, it’s killing her. So why does she turn back at all, she has duties that only Jane Foster can perform, and it’s time she got to them. She wakes up Volstagg and they head through a portal to Asgard, the capital City of the realm of Asgard, filled with wanted posters for the ‘false Thor’.

The Light elves are pleading their case at the congress of worlds. Jane tries to plead their case, referencing the elves in the skies, but seeing as she can’t tell them she’s Thor because they serve the all-father who hates her guts she isn’t able to help. They’re all scared of Odin.

Jane goes to see Lady Freya, the All-Mother, locked in a cell by Odin. She asks about Thor, Jane says Hogun and Fandrall have searched far and wide but wherever he’s gone, he does not wish to be found. She pleads her to allow her to help her escape but Freya refuses, she will not be responsible for starting a war here whilst the light elves are dying. She tells Jane to relay a message to Thor, her duty lies in Alpheim, home realm of the light elves.

Thor heads to Heimdall, in need of the Bifrost, he says he cannot help. He does not plan on stopping her but Cul Borson, minister for Justice, and his thunder guard are there to arrest her. 

At the Yawning void Dario Agger of Roxxon is not happy about the destruction of the satellite. Malekith remarks that he pumped enough oil from Svartalfheim to cover the costs, and he’ll have even more once Alfheim has been conquered. Their stunt with the bodies was to lure Thor into the fray, the only question now is how will they greet her. Despite some resistance Malekith gives Loki his task, murder Thor and he can join the Dark Council. Loki says it feels good to be bad again.

Loki and Thor barely interact in this issue, but it gets the message across, Loki is in this issue

Laufey takes Loki for a test in Bloodcicle Canyon, if he passes through, Laufey will support his admittance into the Dark Council. Loki is surprised to be encountered by 5 frost giants. Thor tries to fight against the Thunder Guard but despite some impressive moves, she’s no match for them. As Cul prepares to cut her hands off, his axe is blocked by Heimdall’s sword. He swore an oath to Odin, not to him, he sends Thor to Alfheim before surrendering himself. Best he be taken now before the good cells are taken.

Alfheim is being decimated by Malekith’s forces, which include Roxxon tanks and tree-elephants?? Thor intervenes with the battle but Malekith has a secret weapon of his own, the Enchantress. She’s weary on his undelivered promises but with Thor Odinson missing, apparently Malekith chopped off his arm. She asks in the meantime to take the head of the ‘pretender’ but Malekith has a task for suited to her skills.

Loki has made it through Bloodcicle Canyon, much to Laufey’s surprise. Loki explains that he did not kill them, he simply talked to them and they decided to rip out their own ears. In Alfheim Malekith catches Laufey up on the situation. He tells Malekith that Loki is an abomination and neither he nor Thor will leave Alfheim alive.

With the situation looking bleak, Thor promises that none shall pass her whilst she lives, although some laugh that that won’t be long. She hears a voice she recognises. Not even surrender will stop Malekith killing every last one of the light elves and both of them. Loki stands before her saying he only wants to talk.

If you're expecting something more philosophical with this cover, you're going to be disappointed, not to mention the fact that the Enchantress does not appear in this issue

Loki tries to convince her he’s tired of their game of lies and trickery and being hit with a hammer and wants to try a different path but Thor doesn’t believe him and whacks with her hammer. When they first crossed paths he brainwashed him and tried to feed her to a tiger. Loki appears as a duplicate behind her, she brings the lightning down on both of them. She tells him to leave but he has a different trick, he’s created a number of different facets of himself, various designs from over the years and a few new ones I suspect.

Thor throws the hammer as the Lokis begin to argue. Female Loki decides to attack Thor, even drawing blood. The Lokis comment to the real Loki is that they’re ashamed of him, he’s weak. The real Loki begins attacking his other selves, Female Loki has Thor at her mercy but she calls the lightning upon her, her hammer manages to pin the real Loki down and dissipate the others.

He was merely playing a distraction whilst Malekith sends bombs down on the capital. Thor takes to the skies and creates a storm, destroying the bombs before any of them hit, impressing Loki, she’s thrust down away from her hammer and out of costume. Loki remarks that the war brewing here is nothing compared to the one brewing in Asgard. Lady Freya is being put on trial in front of Odin.

It's quite a nice idea to have the cover juxtaposed with the Thor wanted poster we've seen a few times

The Dark Elves are moving in in force, she laments that she’d be getting better if it weren’t for the hammer but she regrets nothing and manages to grasp the hammer, much to Loki’s disappointment. Queen Aelsa comes out of hiding and demands to see Malekith. She secretly tells Thor that Nidavellir have agreed to take refugees into their borders, she intends to buy them time.

Malekith comes and she asks that they can talk piece together. He agrees under the condition that neither Thor or Loki are present. Loki is bound in chains. Laufey shows himself, laughing at the notion that this Thor can be as capable as any son of Odin, Jane vows to remember that. Aelsa has her sages surrounding them, so no sorcery comes into play. He wants the land but even if he wins, he’ll never hold it, to do that it’ll take a different tact entirely. He offers to get down on one knee.

Disgusted, Aelsa orders her sages to escort him away but her sages are dead and these are just illusions by the Enchantress. Queen Aelsa announces her wedding to the populace. Thor tries to intervene but Aelsa reminds her she may be needed back in Asgard for the big trial.

Odin asks Lady Freya to confess, she confesses that she’s allowed her husband’s dominance for far too long. He tells her she’s accused of encouraging insurgence and even taking up arms against him when he sent the Destroyer to take Thor’s hammer back. She denies nothing but notes that Asgardia is on the brink of civil war, since he returned he’s been resistant to change

Odin gets angry, he considers himself Asgard, Lady Freya asks if he realises the descent growing outside his door. A large mob has gathered outside, Cul, the Destroyer and his lightning guard stand against them. Hogun, Fandrall and Lady Sif are among them and they begin to fight. Volstagg hopes for Thor to come.

Lady Freya begs Odin to embrace the change and to listen to his people. Odin’s had enough, he prepares to sentence her but Thor bursts down the walls, with Loki by her side. Thor and Odin prepare for battle.

That was Thor #1-4, how does it hold up? Let’s take a closer look

Well for starters the one thing The Mighty Thor has in abundance is action, there is a lot of it in this book and it all looks glorious. It’s a great matchup of writer and artist for this title, it looks great.

The epic scope of this story just to start off with is magnificent. Jason Aaron is playing his cards down nicely, giving Thor a long-term nemesis in Malekith and the Dark Council. How long this particular alliance is going to last is questionable but it’s clear what each bring to the table. Malekith has the cunning, serving as the leader and bringing a sizable army. Laufey brings power. He’s stronger than most of them and he too commands an army. Roxxon provides an element of surprise with their high-tech weaponry, the Enchantress provides a magical element to the group. She’s also the biggest wildcard and most likely to switch sides, depending on whether she feels Malekith is living up to his bargains

It’s intriguing the route they’re going with Loki. He’s been through a few changes of late and it’s good to see him trying a slightly different tact with this version of Thor. Of course without the family connection, this Thor is having none of it.

The All-Father is the absolute power corrupts part, his appearance is relatively minor in these issues but his presence is felt in all the Asgardia scenes.

Then we get to Jane Foster herself. We see all the downsides to her changing to and from Thor but I feel it does an ok job in demonstrating why it’s necessary. If I’m to gripe I think bringing her into conflict with Asgard is ok, but it feels like her home of Midgard is largely ignored, especially in #2-4. That said I thought her reaction to Loki was perfect and I’m excited to see the battle in #5

If were to have one complaint about the series overall, it’s that it’s very weighted down in past Thor stories. A first issue should be reasonably new reader friendly and I felt quite chucked into the deep end with this one. It helps that because of Lady Thor making waves I knew a little about what was going on anyway.

The artwork is excellent. There is plenty of detail to give a different feel to every location that's visited and that is of profound importance in a comic with such a scope.

Ratings

#1 8.5/10

#2 8.5/10

#3 9/10

#4 8/10

Overall 8.5/10

Recommendation

Jason Aaron continues great work with this series, the writing and art are spectacular and I’m definitely picking up the next issue, and the next, and probably the next and the next… you get the idea

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Images used in this review are from The Mighty Thor and belong to their respective owners. All images in this review are subject to fair use.