The Mighty Thor was first introduced to the Marvel universe in 1962 in the “Journey Into Mystery†comic book series. Since then, he has had peaks and valleys in his popularity. When J. Michael Straczynski took over the writing duties of the god of thunder in 2007, he was faced with yet another occurrence of Ragnarok. However, instead of bringing Thor back in the usual cartoony-bravado style, Straczynski uses something unheard of for the over-the-top god – subtlety.
By delving into Thor’s history, Straczynski inventively places his resurrection after the Civil War by having his Odin-created persona, Dr. Donald Blake, bring him out of the void. A particularly devastating version of Ragnarok has decimated the Norse gods, giving Straczynski the freedom to play with the Norse mythos. It seems that Thor has broken the cycle of destruction and rebirth, thus creating a new destiny for Asgardians.
Conjoined once again, Blake and Thor seek out the other Asgardians who are trapped in mortal bodies. His first stop is Oklahoma, a wide open space that is perfect for a new Asgard. After the amusingly establishment of home base, Thor goes to seek out his brethren. He is met with the devastation of New Orleans.
For a god who is best known for commanding the weather with a thought, it is a humbling moment.
He is met with resentment from a small band of people still struggling to survive and with the knowledge that had he been there he would have found some way to stop it, while there Iron Man confronts him about his castle in the sky. Stark’s disregard for where this tete-a-tete is taking place and his droning on about politics is a further example of Thor’s absence from the world having an effect on the personal relationships that he has built. It also shows Thor fully embracing his godhood. The meeting with Stark and the following sequence of events is Straczynski at his best. Coupled with the artwork of Olivier Coipel and company, these scenes help pack the emotional punch of Thor’s words and actions.
With the promise of continuing his “conversation†with Stark regarding his betrayal, Thor continues on his quest.
Straczynski not only has the expert capability of making Thor relevant, but he also makes the Donald Blake construct interesting as well. There are several instances where Blake is allowed to have a personality. It is refreshing to see the characters in Thor’s neighborhood being used to their fullest. There are also several surprises in the first six-issue in this trade paperback. Loki, ever the trickster, causes a sequence of events that gives Straczynski an out, just in case his re-imagination of Thor is a total bust. Somehow Dr. Doom is involved and Thor has yet to find his beloved Sif.
By using Thor’s history to the fullest, Straczynski has created a world full of intriguing characters, while opening a plethora of storylines. Taking a myth and giving him humanity is a near impossible feat that has been successfully accomplished.
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