As I’ve mentioned on the show before, Thor has never really been one of my favorite characters. Which is weird, because I love mythology and I’m a huge D&D nerd. But I think maybe I like that stuff to stand on its own instead of being co-opted into a superhero-based world. Whatever the reason, thor as a superhero character in the Marvel universe has never really been that interesting to me.
Until now. The idea that the Thor we know is now no longer worthy to wield his mighty hammer Mjolnir is interesting to me. Also interesting is that someone else who is deemed worthy has found the hammer and has no real idea what she’s gotten herself into. But the most interesting hook right now is that we have no idea who this new Goddess of Thunder is.
Writer Jason Aaron has done a nice job of introducing new readers to this series. In addition to the obvious central mystery of who is under the helm, Aaron pits Thor against a well-established enemy--the frost giants. We also see the dark elf sorcerer Malekith, so anyone who’s seen Thor: The Dark World will have a familiar foe to help bring them into this new storyline. I especially enjoyed the interplay between Thor and Mjolnir, as you get a real look into the new Thor’s personality as well as the wonder she has as she begins to explore her new powers.
Russell Dauterman’s art and Matt Wilson’s colors are fantastic in this issue, as we see Thor test the limits of what Mjolnir can do against the frost giants. Underwater battles, lightning strikes and shattering ice creatures combine for some epic battle scenes. Those big scenes are contrasted well by smaller moments with Malekith and the Odinson as well, and Dauternman’s depiction of Malekith is appropriately evil.
Two issues into the new Thor series and I’m having a lot of fun so far. Like everyone else, I want to know who this new Thor is, but I hope Aaron takes his sweet time with the reveal, as there’s plenty of other stuff to dig into with this book.