THOR #1 is on sale Wendesday, October 1.
The Good
There's been a lot of talk about the direction for this new THOR series. Some are really excited and others are upset. With Jason Aaron at the helm, we already know what he's capable of when it comes to Thor and the Asgardian mythos. It should also be noted that Thor does appear in this issue--quite a bit. He hasn't been written off and swept under the carpet.
Following the events of Original Sin, Thor has found himself no longer worthy of Mjolnir. This isn't something to be taken likely and Aaron depicts the struggle Thor goes through following what we saw when the moment occurred. For those that haven't read ORIGINAL SIN, this issue does a fine job filling in any gaps. You'll know everything you need to know.
While we get to see Thor on the moon struggling to understand the new situations and the others that arrive to try to assist him, this issue isn't just page after page of Thor trying to lift the hammer. To amp up the excitement, Frost Giants have invaded Earth. This leads to other problems and you can imaging what Thor has to figure out. With another foe of Thor in the mix, Thor hasn't even seen the worst that could happen.
Russell Dauterman's art is amazing. The Asgardians simply have a regal look to them. Thor looks like he's gone through hell for some time with his struggle. The attack scenes are fantastic. Matthew Wilson's art compliments Dauterman's art perfectly. Simply put, this is a great looking book. Adding to the mix is Joe Sabino's lettering. I have to say, I was fascinated by the placement of some of the action sound FX. In some scenes there is a layered approach to them that doesn't cause a distraction in the art and makes it feel like it should be included. I always love when there is a variety in the lettering and fonts used rather than the same used for every possible sound.
The Bad
If you're expecting answers right away about who the new Thor is, you're not going to get them right away. This issue is heavily focused on Thor and his struggle along with the consequences that follow. If you're a huge Thor fan, it could be difficult to read a "fall from grace" story, especially when there's the unknown of why he's become unworthy. Jason Aaron and Marvel are setting up an intriguing story and it should be given a chance.
The Verdict
This isn't the THOR you're used to. Besides the fact that a new female character will be taking over the power of Thor along with Mjolnir, the Thor we've known for years is still here. We're seeing him in a new struggle and Jason Aaron is cooking up an interesting story readers will want to check out. Having the status quo shaken up can be difficult for diehard fans but we're witnessing some intriguing new ideas rather than getting more of the same stories we've seen for years. Russell Dauterman's art and Matthew Wilson's colors make this a gorgeous book. If you've at all been curious about the changes coming to this corner of the Marvel Universe, there's no way you'll want to miss this series. It's a great time to jump in if you haven't been following along as well. Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman are ready to knock your socks off.
Here's a special preview from this issue.
