Mighty Thor #1 – Review

by Matt Fraction (writer), Oliver Coipel (pencils), Mark Morales (inks), Laura Martin, Justin Ponsor, & Peter Steigerwald (colors), and Joe Sabino (letters)

The Story: Thor and Sif go on a dangerous mission to the heart of the broken World Tree while Silver Surfer searches for a new target for his master’s hunger.

The Review:  In this first issue, Matt Fraction gives us several things that Thor fans will most likely enjoy, things that have been lacking from the series for some time, certainly more than a year.

First off is Fraction’s heavy inclusion of the Marvel cosmic.  The Silver Surfer and Galactus get a healthy chunk of attention this month.  It’s well-written stuff that shows that Fraction has a solid grasp of writing the Surfer, reflecting his burden and the gravity and entrapment of his endless quest.  More than that though, these scenes continue the dose of the cosmic that has been the strongest point of Fraction’s run on Thor thus far.  However, unlike in his previous arc, the use of recognized Marvel cosmic characters like the Silver Surfer make it even more palpable than the brand new World Eaters.

And hey, Sif actually plays a fairly substantial role this month.  Despite being resurrected and, presumably, in a relationship with Thor, Sif has been almost completely absent for so long that I was expecting to start seeing her on Broxton milk cartons.  While her dialogue is fairly run-of-the-mill, Fraction’s use of her was exciting in and of itself, particularly since it seems to hint at a long-term commitment to the character and her place in the series as a major member of the cast.

Fraction also does fantastic work with Loki.  His mixture of childish glee and old-beyond-his-years determination and insistence on helping make for a charming character that you can’t help but like.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Thunderbolts #156 – This is such a fun and awesome series right now.  There is always something neat going on as Jeff Parker keeps the action hopping from one plot-point to the next and never get’s bogged down in boring stuff.  The main attraction this issue is the Thunderbolts first mission out with a new member (Satana) who makes all the other team members nervous (including groping Moonstone).  As if that isn’t enough, we also get the selection of a new B-team, the “Underbolts”.  Fun, fun, fun….  Runner-up: Wolverine #8

Most Anticipated: The Walking Dead #84 – Goodness is this a STACKED week of new releases, but I know that TWD is the comic that I’ll be reading in parking lot outside the comic shop on Wednesday around lunchtime.  Last issue showed us some pretty bloody action and I must know who lives and who dies!

Other Picks: American Vampire #14, Detective Comics #876, Scalped #48, Haunt #15, Velocity #4, Amazing Spider-Man #659, FF#2, Uncanny X-Men #536

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Uncanny X-Force #8 – An easy pick for me.  Rick Remender continues to put together possibly the finest team book on the stands.  Great character work, great action, and everything you could as for a comic in a done-in-one package that does more than enough to earn your money.  Great stuff that even the most X-tired comic reader should give a shot.

Most Anticipated: Action Comics #900 – Ouch.  This week hurts, as seems to be the case with nearly every final Wednesday of the month.  The sheer number of quality comics coming out this week is mind-boggling and I was tempted just to say “I don’t know” when it comes to picking a most anticipated.

In the end, I’ll go with Action Comics #900.  Not only is it a super-sized anniversary issue, it’s also the grand finale of Paul Cornell’s Lex Luthor book, which has been among the finest superhero comics month in and month out.  It also features the return of Superman to Action, and with Superman still wandering around in Grounded in his own book, it also means that Action will be the first book to go back to giving us real Superman adventures.  I’m super interested to see how Cornell, one of my favourite writers, takes on the man of the steel.

Other Picks: American Vampire #14, Avengers #12.1, Secret Avengers #12, Detective Comics #876, Brightest Day #24, Captain America #617, FF #2, The Flash #11, Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #9, Morning Glories #9, Scalped #48, Amazing Spider-Man #659, Mighty Thor #1, Venom #2, The Walking Dead #84, Uncanny X-Men #536