Stillanerd Reviews: Generations: The Thunder (The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor) #1 review

A young, pre-hammer wielding Thor fights alongside the hammer wielding Jane Foster in this rousing, but imperfect tale from the thunder god’s past.

Generations: The Thunder #1

Writer: Jason Aaron

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Artist: Mahmud Asrar

Color Artist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino

Covers: Mahmud Asrar and Jordie Bellaire; Olivier Copiel and Jason Keith; Das Pastoras; Alex Ross; Jack Kirby and Paul Mounts; and Dale Keown and Jason Keith

In each Marvel Generations comic, we’ve seen modern-day legacy heroes meet the original heroes during the latter’s formative period in the comics. General “Thunderbolt” Ross hunted Bruce Banner in Generations: Hulk, Jean Grey is the Phoenix before her corruption in Generations: Phoenix, and Logan fights Hand ninjas in Generations: Wolverine. You would think the latest issue involves a Thor story from the days of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, or Walt Simmonson. You’re wrong.

Instead, with Generations: The Thunder (The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor) #1, writer Jason Aaron opts having Jane Foster, as the new Thor, meeting Thor Odinson before he proved himself worthy of wielding his hammer, Mjölnir. This is the same Thor that Aaron introduced us to during “The God Butcher,” the cocky young God-prince who wields his great ax, Jarnbjorn, while riding into battle on a giant blue goat. In other words, it’s Thor before becoming Thor.

Credit: Mahmud Asrar and Jordie Bellaire (Marvel Comics); from Generations: The Thunder (The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor) #1

Contradictory and awkward gender politics aside, Aaron does craft a lean, brisk, well-structured arc for the “Unworthy Thor.”

This also means we have, along with scenes at the court of Valhalla, Vikings raiding Ancient Egypt while facing the wrath of the X-Men villain, Apocalypse. Likewise, it means Jane finds herself in a time where most men, Thor included, held some archaic attitudes about women. At least Aaron’s script alleges as much — the prince of Asgard expresses disbelief that a “wench” could ever be worthy of Mjölnir instead of him. Mind you, he says this despite the comic clearly showing him leading male and female warriors into battle.

Contradictory and awkward gender politics aside, Aaron does craft a lean, brisk, well-structured arc for the “Unworthy Thor.” When we first see him struggling to lift Mjölnir, it seems he’s only doing so just for himself. As we read on, it becomes clear it’s not just about personal glory or proving his father, Odin, wrong. It’s about protecting the people of Midgard, especially those who pray to him. We see the hints of greatness within, and of the future founding member of the Avengers.

Credit: Mahmud Asrar and Jordie Bellaire (Marvel Comics); from Generations: The Thunder (The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor) #1

This, in turn, allows for a logically presented comparison between the Norse god and Goddess of Thunder. Even though she’s worthy of wielding Mjölnir, Jane, due to her cancer, considers her humanity a crutch. Odinson, impetuous and prideful as he is, not only inspires devotion and loyalty among his followers, but gains strength from them in return. What the other lacks, the other has, and, in turn, finds inspiration from it. This is the first of the Generations comics where both heroes learn from each other.

If Aaron’s goal was showing how Jane Foster is on Odinson’s level in terms of raw power, he botches it. Yes, they’re both equal in terms of power, but remember, this is an Thor Odinson who isn’t wielding Mjölnir. If he’s just as powerful with or without his hammer, and Jane can only be as powerful as him with it, doesn’t this diminish her stature instead of elevating it? Wouldn’t the story’s message work better if set in a time when Thor did wield his hammer?

There’s also a tease towards the upcoming Marvel Legacy #1 which is both sudden and odd. At the same time, it does kind of make sense given the characters involved, and definitely makes you curious about what happened. Even so, it still doesn’t make the concept of an “Avengers 1,000,000 B.C.” any less ridiculous.

Credit: Mahmud Asrar and Jordie Bellaire (Marvel Comics); from Generations: The Thunder (The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor) #1

I do wish Generations: The Thunder #1 choose a different time during Thor’s life for Jane Foster to visit…Still, this comic is one of better offerings Generations has given us so far…a worthy effort, you might say.

Mahmud Asrar’s art also works in this comic’s favor. There are some impressive looking action poses, along with some breathtaking imagery. Jane Foster’s arrival, for example, looks as stunning as it should. The same goes for an awesome-looking splash page of both Thor and Jane aloft in the air, each enveloped by lightning, ready to bring their weapons on a downward strike. Then, Asrar follows this with an even more awesome-looking double-page spread showing their battle with Apocalypse.

Unfortunately, while ninety-percent of Asrar’s looks terrific, the ten-percent where he’s off isn’t hard to ignore. His facial structuring waivers from realism to impressionistic. There are too many times where his foreshortening lacks real depth. Also, while I do think Jordie Bellaire’s coloring allows for some fantastic lighting effects, most of it looks muted with Asrar’s style. Fortunately, its at it’s strongest when Ancient Egypt and it’s sand dunes serve as a backdrop.

I do wish Generations: The Thunder #1 chose a different time during Thor’s life for Jane Foster to visit. Not that Aaron’s run on Thor hasn’t been good, but the character does have a rich history to draw upon, which include great epics like “The Surtur Saga” or “Skurge’s Last Stand.” Still, this comic is one of the better offerings Generations has given us so far … a worthy effort, you might say.

Stillanerd’s Score: 3.5 out of 5

Next: Stillanerd Reviews: Generations: The Best (All-New Wolverine and Wolverine) #1 review

Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (possible spoilers)

Credit: Mahmud Asrar and Jordie Bellaire (Marvel Comics); from Generations: The Thunder (The Mighty Thor and The Unworthy Thor) #1

Is it me, or is it weird for Odin, who is a god, saying “What in the name of the gods?” Shouldn’t it be more accurate for him to say “What in our name?”

“… one of those filthy beasts.” Gee, for someone who supposedly created humans, Odin doesn’t have a high opinion of them, does he?

So Thor’s original costume is his “formal wear”? All these years, the son of Odin fought in what’s essentially an Asgardian tuxedo?

“Where are these blasted Vanir?” Be paitent, Odin, for you will soon marry one, and she’ll give birth to your third son, Balder the brave.

“… a strange land, unlike any they had ever seen.” I’ll say. Although Vikings did travel the Mediterranean, there’s no historical record of them raiding and pillaging the Nile delta. Then again, Loki’s involved, so …

How do you know Jane isn’t Thor’s twin sister instead of his “concubine,” Apocalypse? After all, since she’s literally a female version of him.

And in typical villain fashion, Loki doesn’t stick around to see if his diabolical plan actually worked.