Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Thor #1
Marvel Comics
Aaron, Dauterman & Wilson
Thor re-launches with a new lead as Thor. This time it's a female. However, this comic book is mostly about Thor lamenting that he can no longer lift the hammer. His parents show up to give him a pep talk/verbal beat down. The comic is good at setting up the mindset of the old Thor but it does little to introduce the new character. This book is an entertaining read but isn't really the first issue you may have been expecting.
Thor is hanging out on the moon trying to lift the hammer. He's not eating, sleeping or doing much of anything other than groaning and talking in whispers to the hammer. Eventually his parents, Freyja and Odin show up with others to talk some sense into Thor. This creates an interesting scenario.
It appears that Freyja and Odin both believe they are still in command of the people of Asgard. While Freyja ruled in Odin's absence, Odin assumes he is in charge now that he has returned. Freyja isn't so easily convinced. This becomes paramount when some frost giants invade Earth. Thor is hammerless and the gods appear to be leaderless, which leaves Earth in a bit of a bind. This is all good stuff for the series in the long term.
The issue at hand does bring the hammer into new hands in the close of the comic book. However, it is not clear who wields the hammer or how they came to attempt to lift it. This feels a little anticlimactic and rings a little too much like the identity of Red Hulk and how Jeph Loeb dragged that on for some twenty issues. I hope this isn't done in a similar way.
The artwork is very good. The series retains an artist that has a strong hold on the epic scenes but with a completely different style. Gone is the darker, painted style and in its place is brighter color palette with a super hero style to the characters. The artwork is good and definitely hits the right points in the first issue.
Thor is clearly not a gimmick comic book. Jason Aaron is in another phase of his longer story. With that I'm not sure a new reader can come into this and pick up all the strands immediately. However, the readers that have already been on board with Aaron's story will find the subplots just as interesting as the new hammer wielder. I recommend checking this out.
3.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
