Comic Book Review The Mighty Thor #12

8

Rating

Published On:2016-10-19

Published by: Marvel

Author:Jason Aaron

Artist:Russell Dauterman

Colorist:Matt Wilson

Letterer:VC's Joe Sabino

The Hidden History of Mjolnir

Comic book review written on June 10, 2022

In This Issue of

What Else Happens in this Comic?

A few issues ago, we had a two-issue historical story with Bodolf the Viking. The Mighty Thor #12 follows that same pattern with Lady Thor and Mjolnir in the present being told a story of Mjolnir’s past. To give you an idea of the magnitude of Mjolnir’s story. Bodolf’s story set the stage for five issues of stories. The story in The Mighty Thor #12 is so big it will affect at least three years worth of Thor comics. It’s a huge development and a good read.

How is the Writing in ??

The Dialogue

This is the first time we meet the Lord High Librarian and Jason Aaron imbues him with the personality of a crotchety old librarian using words and actions we’d expect from a creature in that position.

Mjolnir’s tale is told as if it were a living myth with grand words. It fits the mightiest of weapons and is a tale well told.

And we get a bit of humor. Mjolnir apparently doesn’t believe in doors (or has a beef with the Lord High Librarian).

Showing Versus Telling

This is the first time we meet the Lord High Librarian and Jason Aaron imbues him with the personality of a crotchety old librarian using words and actions we’d expect from a creature in that position.

Mjolnir’s tale is told as if it were a living myth with grand words. It fits the mightiest of weapons and is a tale well told.

And we get a bit of humor. Mjolnir apparently doesn’t believe in doors (or has a beef with the Lord High Librarian).

The Vibe

The Lord High Librarian’s story reads like an old Norse myth. You could jump from that story to any library book about Norse gods and flow seamlessly between the tales.

Comic Art Review

Having two artists in one comic is always difficult. There’s an editorial choice to make. 1. Use two artists who are very similar and split the comic book in half. 2. Pick two artists who are different and have them illustrate different chapters of the book. Russell Dauterman and Frazer Irving definitely fall into the second choice. There’s a stark contrast between the two artists and Marvel’s editorial team used the differences wisely. Russell tells the present day chapters of The Mighty Thor #12. Frazer Irving tells the story of Mjolnir. Frazer has an epic style that worked for an epic story of Odin creating Mjolnir.

Both artists bring us captivating character designs. Frazer Irving’s designs remind me of classic Thor comics.

On the Cover

The only cover for what may be the most important issue of The Mighty Thor shows us the top of Mjolnir just as it smacks us in the face. Out of all the things we could have illustrated from this issue, it’s a silver rectangle. It wasn’t satisfying at all. The second to last panel of Frazer Irving’s historical section with young Thor looking at Mjolnir would have been a solid cover.

World Building

Locations

We are introduced to the Halls of All Knowing in Omnipotence City, the Nexus of all the Gods. Put this one in your memory cache. We’ll learn more about it later in The Mighty Thor.

Who's Who

- Lady Thor
- Mjolnir
- Lord High Librarian
- Ulik the Troll
- Odin
- Dwarves
- Young Thor

Big Question

How long has Mjolnir been whispering in the dark looking for the right champion?

I name thee Mjolnir, the thunder weapon. First among hammers. The breaker of all things.

Odin to Mjolnir

Who Will Like

Those readers that enjoy myth building episodes will find The Mighty Thor #12 is a must-have issue. The tragic history of Mjolnir gives depth to the hammer and transforms it from a hunk of metal into a character with motivations all its own.

I Need More Content like

If you didn’t read The Mighty Thor #6 and #7 and you enjoyed the story-in-a-story of this issue, go back and check it out. The historical artwork by Rafa Garres is very similar to Frazer Irving’s art.

Find more Frazer Irving art on Tumblr. Or visit Frazer’s Instagram to find an image of Lady Thor.

LibriVox has dozens of free audio books about Norse mythology. Hours of listening to some of the best stories ever told.

Should You Buy This Comic Book?

This may be my most favorite issue of The Mighty Thor. The myth weaving and the world building made an excellent comic book. The last page has a few Easter eggs for future plot developments. The mighty hammer Mjolnir picked Jane for something special and invites us to stick around for the another year (or two) of Lady Thor stories.

Official Website

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