Thor Vol. #1
© Marvel Comics

Mania Grade: B+
Written By: J. Michael Straczynski
Art By: Olivier Coipel
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Pages: 160
MSRP: 14.99

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Trade Paperback Review: Thor Vol. #1

The third series for Thor has the difficult task of re-introducing the entire Asgard world with all its past complexities into the post Civil War setting of the Marvel Universe. While Thor had a minor role of sorts in the Civil War storyline, the most intriguing Thor related moments in that miniseries involved Mjolnir impacting the planet and the various people that would come to try and wield it.

With the new series, written by J. Michael Straczynski with artwork by Olivier Coipel, Thor has to be relaunched while still staying true to all that has come before. My re-introduction to the Marvel Universe came with the Civil War series after I had moved on from Marvel Comics in the early nineties. Thor was always a favorite character from the old days and I was certainly curious to see how JMS would handle bringing him into the way the world works in the Marvel Universe these days. His task of bringing all of the material back into play is difficult enough, since you have to make it accessible enough to a new reader, but he also has the task of bringing back a “dead” character in a way that doesn’t annoy both the old and new readers.

Thankfully, I think he pulled it off quite well.

When Donald Blake finally regains Mjolnir, he ends up being transported to the voice where Thor has been all this time. The events of the past that involved the separation of the two is covered only lightly, but the core of it is that the two decide that they must move on. Thor’s belief that the Asgardian’s are all dead is something that plays nicely as Blake is able to get him to understand that the gods exist because of mankind’s faith in them. Thor’s existence is because so many people do still believe in him. And that if Blake can restore Thor, then Thor can begin to restore all the rest as well. Or at least, those that he wants to bring back since there are certain troublemakers that may not be worth the while.

Thor is all about the future of not just Thor but of Asgard and its inhabitants in general. When the pair decide to actively bring back the other Asgardian’s, Blake travels to a remote town in Oklahoma where he sets up residence. This is also where Thor sets up as he essentially raises Asgard from the ground and buys off the local easy enough who owns it. Slowly but surely, almost in a Pokemon like way, Thor begins his search for the other Asgardian’s whose essence is inside various humans around the world. Should they die before he frees them, then they would be lost.

The nature of finding the others thankfully doesn’t play too huge of a role, though there are some welcome moments in this minor quest that takes up the first six issues of the series that this trade paperback is comprised of. Having Heimdall be the first to come back with his silent brooding nature is just right. Loki not being quite all that he was before was an amusing if expected change as well. Thor’s inability to find Sif just yet adds a nice bit of potential as well. What made it interesting overall though is the conflict within Thor about potentially releasing Odin in all of this. With the belief that his people can now be led into a new future, one he intends to lead them on, bringing Odin back who only knows the old ways could complicate things far more than Loki ever would.

This volume has a lot of good simple light material that isn’t laugh out funny, but the kind of subtle amusements that have you smirking or smiling at it. With the locals now finding themselves with visiting citizens from Asgard, there are plenty of potential issues. The sanitation issue alone is enough to make the volume worthwhile for reading. The possibility of romance between the two sides also adds a nice little bit of side storytelling. When the gentleman who owns the land finds out how he’ll be compensated, it was perfect. To contrast this, we get some really solid set up for the future as well when Tony Stark arrives to try and sway Thor to his particular agenda. Considering what happened in the Civil War series, it’s not a surprise that it does not go well nor that Thor doesn’t consider the issue concluded in the slightest.

Thor hits just about all the right notes for me. JMS’ writing has a very solid flow to it and it reads very well in compilation form. The shifting narrative between Blake and Thor is also quite welcome as much of my earlier recollections rarely had Blake as a useful character. Complementing all of this is the rather beautiful artwork by Olivier Coipel. His artwork suits all of this perfectly with his character designs evoking a new way to look at some of these very familiar characters as well as the overall set designs. The Oklahoma town isn’t a surprise, but he contrasts it all very well with the raising of Asgard and how everyone flows through both locations.

This compilation with the first six issues of the series is the right kind of way to relaunch a character that’s been long established. It acknowledges all that has come before while setting its own path for a new future. New readers should be able to slide into it easily enough while long time readers will want to see where Marvel will take one of its cornerstone characters next. Very recommended.