After the last volume, Thor is on the back foot as many believe he killed Roxxon CEO Dario Aggar. However, instead of continuing the main story, the first two chapters of this volume deal with the crossover with Jonathan Hickman’s GODS.
As with Hickman’s recent Marvel series, the first two chapters of this volume are both fast-paced and uncertain as to how things will ultimately turn out. Tyr disappears into one of the Inbetweener’s boxes, and Thor must gather his brothers to rescue him. I was actually surprised to see Thor’s other siblings, who rarely appear in the comics, appear in these two issues. Have you heard of Helmod, Honir, and Vidal? Neither have I, but it would be interesting to see them and others appear for the first time since the 70s, 80s, or even in Marvel Comics history. It was.
Ewing has previously explored the idea of Elder Gods and the meta-mythology of Thor, but things change here as he delves into more traditional Norse mythology.
Art for these two chapters is provided by Valentina Pinti and colors by Espen Grundetjern. There wasn’t anything about the art that stood out to me as “different”, but it’s consistent with the writing in that it feels like a different style/pace than the rest of the book. I think this team would have been used more in the ongoing Jed McKay-directed Avengers. For better or worse, it’s Martin Coccolo’s art that I most associate with Thor, so anything that deviates too much from his style doesn’t sit well with me. Again, nothing necessarily “bad” here, but the visual tone felt different to me.
marvel comics
The final three chapters of this volume of Thor are a return to form, both in writing and in art. Ewing returns to the main idea of the Old Gods and their spinning of the wheel as a looming threat to Thor, the All-Father. Loki continues his trial against his brother. These chapters welcome back Jean Bazarda for art and Matt Hollingsworth for color. Bazarda is my favorite secondary artist on The Immortal Thor so far. Say what you like about GODS and other related works. But this final chapter of the industry is everything I want from Ewing’s Thor book. A guest spot featuring Hercules, Prince of Power? Sign me up forever, even if he and Thor don’t clash in the traditional way.
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Alex Ross continues to draw sublime covers for The Immortal Thor, but I feel it’s important to point out some of the great covers included in this book. Two that caught my eye were a piece by Pablo Villalobos and a variant cover featuring Sif by Jessica Fong.
Ewing is deftly weaving Thor into his epic Marvel oeuvre, dating back to his roles in Avengers: No Way Home and Guardians of the Galaxy. You don’t need them to understand, but as a long-time reader of Ewing’s work, I have to say they’re worth it. Interestingly to me (and perhaps frustrating to some), references to events in these past works are accompanied by editor’s notes to guide readers to those stories. Not included.
“Immortal Saw Vol. 3: Review of the end of all songs
Immortal Saw Vol. 3: The end of every song
Ewing continues to deliver excellent Thor titles, although some chapters feel less strong.
Hercules and the Greek Gods!
While it’s a continuation of the main story, it’s also a continuation of Ewing’s larger Marvel story.
The first two issues don’t feel as strong as the rest.
