Comic Vine Review

14 Comments

Thor: God of Thunder #9 - Godbomb: Part Three of Five - Thunder in the Blood

5

With the God Bomb nearly ready, can the Thors from three time periods marshal their power enough to stop Gorr, the God Butcher?

The Good

This is an absolutely amazing issue of Thor, and an stellar issue of any comic. The sheer amount of gravitas that Jason Aaron brings to the battle between Gorr and the three Thors is worthy of being enshrined in the annals of actual legend. At one point, the phrase “Moments Later, Light-Years Away” is used as a caption to perfectly show EXACTLY how hard King Thor just blasted the God Butcher and it’s one of the simplest, but most evocative and effective, phrasings I’ve ever read. Plotting has closed for business, this is a straight-up BRAWL for twenty pages. Yes, there are parts where no one is fighting, but they are the exception and even within those confines, Jason Aaron manages to characterize the three Thors in completely different ways with incredible efficiency, demonstrating the brashness of the Bloody Redeemer, the hesitant introspection of the Avenger, and the millennium-suppressed rage of the King, and squeezes in one of the most epic, jaw-dropping conclusions in comics.

Have I mentioned that Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina are on art? Because that’s definitely worth mentioning too! This art is absolutely timeless, with an ancient quality but a modern sensibility. It’s like if an ancient Renaissance painting of an alien invasion was uncovered: the cognitive dissonance of the classical look against the sci-fi themes walks a razor’s edge of being too much, but it’s absolutely perfect. This is one of the few comics I’ve ever read that I literally couldn’t see anyone else doing a better, or even comparable, job on. You could frame almost any page or panel from this book as a work of art.

The Bad

The only thing I could think of would be that, if you’re in the market for a traditional superhero book, this is about as far as you could get while still having a superhero’s name on the cover. This book, and this issue especially, is a legend in the most traditional sense: it is epic, it is fantastical, it has narration, the characters look like marble statues, but it has no capes nor tights nor blue hoodies nor even slick, streamlined black trench coats. Were it not for the aliens and other strange gods, it would fit right in with any actual Norse fable, and while I think it’s an amazing achievement, I could see it not being everyone’s cup o’ tea.

The Verdict

I have a hard time defining what, exactly, it is about this book that draws me to it, but there’s definitely something and it is a STRONG pull. I now realize the last two issues, which I wasn’t as fond of, weren’t dragging, they were leading. Specifically, leading up to this issue which, if I haven’t made it crystal clear, is nothing short of astounding. It’s always been tricky to find villains worthy of Thor’s godlike power, but Gorr is one of the best, and most compelling, ever and this issue represents the culmination of so many disparate elements coming together perfectly that I have to recommend it to anyone looking for a truly legendary book.

14 Comments

Avatar image for killemall
Killemall

19020

Forum Posts

12398

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

At this point it feels more and more like the Book of Gorr as opposed to God of Thunder, but i am not complaining, love having a powerful villian.

Avatar image for ashr
Ashr

116

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I've thoroughly enjoyed this title. As Corey mentions, this isn't a traditional superhero book but that's exactly what sets it apart and makes it far more interesting. Let's hope that continues long after the current storyline ends.

Avatar image for zarrarzeez
zarrarzeez

10

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I know I'm late but I had to write about how good this issue is! I love how they showed new moves that Gorr has in his disposal. The ending took my by complete surprise since throughout the issue each Thor had his chance to give Gorr an @$$ whooping, but at the end.... WOW! Finally, the art. Nothing short of extraordinary and because of how unique it is, it makes it one of, if not the, best art from all ongoing comics today!

Avatar image for haveatthee
HaveAtThee

1258

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Awesome! every Thor has got his unique brand of badass, Old Thor: "My Mjolnir finds that amusing. How about yours?" Avenger Thor: "Can't you hear it laughing?" that's pretty much the mos badass exchange i've read this year in any comic. And what Young Thor lacks in Mjolnir he compensates with space shark riding prowess.

The scene where Young Thor finally arrives to the party is both amusing and astounding in one breath.

Avatar image for tweakedsynth
tweakedsynth

4

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

This issue. Just perfect. Wormhole punches and shark riding. Also King Thor's lightning is epic.

Avatar image for red720
red720

4

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I love this series, but grabbed an old issue on accident when avoiding the one on the front that everyone has handled. Ugggh

Avatar image for the_titan_lord
The_Titan_Lord

9508

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Been following this issue for a while now. Can't wait to read it. I enjoyed the previous issue's Thor is such a badass. =)

Avatar image for frozenedge2
frozenedge2

1465

Forum Posts

164

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

King Thor is definitely my favorite version of Thor to date

Avatar image for praetor_fenix
Praetor_fenix

227

Forum Posts

14

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 1

Edited By Praetor_fenix

Awesome! every Thor has got his unique brand of badass, Old Thor: "My Mjolnir finds that amusing. How about yours?" Avenger Thor: "Can't you hear it laughing?" that's pretty much the mos badass exchange i've read this year in any comic. And what Young Thor lacks in Mjolnir he compensates with space shark riding prowess.

Avatar image for undeadpool
undeadpool

726

Forum Posts

704

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Even though I liked the issue I was confused during some of the action as to what the hell was going on.

When in doubt, just assume Thor was thwacking something or someone.

Avatar image for manwithoutshame
manwithoutshame

659

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By manwithoutshame

Even though I liked the issue I was confused during some of the action as to what the hell was going on.

Avatar image for deranged_midget
Deranged Midget

18346

Forum Posts

4277

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 4

Edited By Deranged Midget

This is easily the best issue in the series so far and continually one of the best books on the market! I cannot express how much I adore this title!

Excellent review!

Avatar image for johnreid5895
johnreid5895

19

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Want to get into this....and the prospective storylines i'd be enjoying only entice me further.

Avatar image for cdw101
cdw101

474

Forum Posts

234

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By cdw101

Great review of a great issue! I must say this is the first series and ongoing of thor ive bought and im loving it, great writing and art and love this gorr-its about time we had a decent new villain. Yet another comic on my long list of buys per week d'oh!!