Comic Book Review The Mighty Thor #1

9
Rating
Published On:2015-12-16
Published by: Marvel
Author:Jason Aaron
Artist:Russell Dauterman
Colorist:Matt Wilson
Letterer:VC's Joe Sabino

Retro Review: A Fresh Take on the Thor Mythos

Comic book review written on April 28, 2022

In This Issue of

What Else Happens in this Comic?

In this issue, Jason Aaron is setting all of the chess pieces in place.  We get Jane’s current status quo on Earth and on Asgardia.   On Asgardia, Odin is feuding with Freyja (well everyone really).  Asgard fell apart somewhere along the way, and he’s left with Ten Realms thinking they can run the show better than old One-Eye.  Cul Borson makes an appearance.  He’s been a pain since returning a few years ago.  Finally, we are introduced to the Dark Council.  Malekith has assembled is own Masters of Evil, and they are up to no good.

How is the Writing in ??

The Dialogue

Jason Aaron knows his characters well.  Even without the pictures, you can tell who’s speaking.  Heimdell sounds like a man dedicated to his post. Cul sounds like a brute. Freyja speaks as an insightful queen.  Loki’s dialogue is so solid, I can’t help hearing Tom Hiddleston’s voice in my head.  The conversations between the Avengers are a lot of fun; a bit of humor and a few inside jokes for the long-timers.

Showing Versus Telling

Jason Aaron knows his characters well.  Even without the pictures, you can tell who’s speaking.  Heimdell sounds like a man dedicated to his post. Cul sounds like a brute. Freyja speaks as an insightful queen.  Loki’s dialogue is so solid, I can’t help hearing Tom Hiddleston’s voice in my head.  The conversations between the Avengers are a lot of fun; a bit of humor and a few inside jokes for the long-timers.

The Vibe

The story is broken down into several sections. Each one moves the overall plot forward.  It’s solid comic book style storytelling.

Comic Art Review

The Mighty Thor #1 has an all-star set of creators. Russell Dauterman on pencils.  Matt Wilson on colors and VC’s Joe Sabino on letters.  Russell is a phenom of original character designs, and he has ample opportunity to show off by drawing characters and creatures from all of the Ten Realms.

Matt’s colors play into all the scenes and particularly powerful when Jane is speaking with Lady Freyja.

Joe uses the lettering to highlight the members of the Dark Council.  The frost giants and fire creatures from Muspelheim both have special word balloons.

On the Cover

If you buy the paper floppy of The Mighty Thor #1, you are in for a treat.  We get a wrap-around, three panel cover that’s repeated in glorious black and white lines on the inside.  Russell draws amazing character collages and we get everyone in the Thor universe featured on this cover (even some characters that will become important later in the series).

World Building

Locations

Thor’s universe is vast and wonderful.  In the first issue of The Mighty Thor, we start on Earth.  The Roxx News satellite shows us how big and technologically sophisticated Roxxon has become.  Asgardia and the Congress of Worlds is delightful.  The Yawning Void is the dark place of bad things (naturally).

Who's Who

- Jane Foster
- Volstagg
- Roxx News
- Avengers
- Denizens of Asgardia (elves, dwarves, gods)
- Lady Freyja
- Cul Borson (Odin's brother)
- Heimdell
- Thunder Guard
- Dark Council
- Loki

Big Question

Why doesn't Jane stay as Thor all the time? We get an answer, but it's not a very convincing one.

If this really is the beginning of some kind of War of the Realms then it looks like the good guys are already losing.

Jane Foster

Who Will Like

If you are a die-hard, Thor is a guy, you might not like The Mighty Thor #1.  If you are that guy, put aside your bias and give this comic a chance.  Thor Odinson isn’t far away.  When he does appear, this new twist gives his character an opportunity to grow.

I Need More Content like

Check out Russell Dauterman’s Deviant Art profile.  You’ll find all kinds of Thor artwork there.

Should You Buy This Comic Book?

The seeds planted in issue #1 are going to build Thor Odinson's mythology in fantastic ways. I'm not thrilled with the cancer storyline. It feels heavy-handed. Beyond that, the set-up for the War of the Realms is good, and Jane makes a really good Thor. She's thrilled to have the power and we're lucky enough to have two years of stories to enjoy the excitement with her. Buy it.

Official Website
Best Reviews, Marvel, Super Hero, Mighty Thor