Thor #1 Review: The Old Gender Changeth

It’s always fun to review issues that are stirring up passionate feelings in fans before they even hit the stands, and Thor #1 definitely falls into that category. It’s almost impossible for you not to know what the central focus of the new series, but just in case you’ve just returned from one of the Ten Realms that doesn’t have internet service, here it is: Thor has been found unworthy of carrying Mjolnir, and is about to have the mantle of the God of Thunder passed to a woman.

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Who is she? We don’t learn that here, as it’s set to be the central mystery of the series moving forward. Writer Jason Aaron weaves this first chapter around several other interconnected plot threads instead. Odin has returned, but his attempt to simply reclaim leadership of Asgardia (calling it that instead of Asgard doesn’t feel right yet) from his wife Freyja isn’t as simple a matter as he might expect. There’s also the question of the hammer: why is Mjolnir acting this way, defying even the god who enchanted it? And there’s the not insignifcant matter of a Frost Giant invasion of Earth, led by a recurring Thor villain who Aaron writes with real menace and a twisted sense of humor.

It’s a heady mix, even though in terms of pacing this comic is clearly a product of its time. There are no real answers here, not to the question of what Nick Fury whispered to Thor, and certainly not to who is taking over as the Goddess of Thunder. And for readers who might be dreading an examination of gender roles when they’d rather just read super hero comics, let’s just say that the theme certainly looks like it will be a part of this series, but maybe not in the way you might think.

Russell Dauterman certainly seems up for the challenge here on art, capturing the despair on Thor Odinson’s face  on the calmer pages and illustrating the true power of a rampaging band of Frost Giants in a cool two-page splash. Thor #1 is possibly a little slower start than this reviewer expected, but still one that’s worth the price of admission.

Venture on for more details, but only once you accept the …

SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT!

Thor Odinson isn’t the type to accept defeat. Given that, it should be no surprise that he’s been out on the moon since we last left him, struggling to budge Mjolnir and even pleading with it to move. No dice. None of his friends or his returning father can move the hammer either, much to Odin’s annoyance, and Thor won’t share what Fury said to him.

Meanwhile, word comes via raven that the Frost Giants are invading Earth. Odin wants to ignore the problem (thanks a lot All-Father!), but Freyja wants to go to war in defense of Midgard. The first of what appears to be many power struggles between Odin and Freyja commences, with Odin telling his wife, “It is time you remembered your place in that world.” Subtlety was never really his style.

Always one to plot his own course, Thor Odinson heads down to try saving the day even without Mjolnir, but Malekith the Accursed is leading the Frost Giant raid, and the Dark Elf seizes upon his enemy’s weakened state to relieve him of one of his arms. Turns out Thor looked the way he did in Avengers #35 for a reason. Also, if you were disappointed by the portrayal of Malekith in Thor: The Dark World, this should help, because he’s great here.

It isn’t until the very end that the payoff happens, as someone declares, “There must always be a Thor,” and the inscription on Mjolnir changes to read “if she be worthy,” allowing the Goddess of Thunder to lift it. Who changes the inscription? There are so many mysteries here!

Next issue: we get to see the new Thor get to kick some Frost Giant butt, one would assume.

Favorite moment: All of Malekith’s dialogue is pretty excellent, but Freyja’s sarcastic comeback to Odin probably tops them all.

Final thought: It’s possible that the last scene shows just a single person both changing Mjolnir’s enchantment and lifting the hammer. If that’s the case, my money is on Freyja herself as the new Thor. Mom power!