Thor: God of Thunder #19 – Review

by Jason Aaron (Writer), Esad Ribic (Artist), Ive Svorcina (Colorist)

The Story: Let it be known that Thor does not like fancy and arrogant CEO’s, especially those who threaten the planet and pretty ladies.

The Review: The wait has been long for this one. While the previous story arc, for all its faults, has been enjoyable in general, it simply did not reach the height of quality the Gorr story reached. Due to many factors, the story revolving around the nine realms and Malekith the accursed seemed like a downgrade in terms of themes and evolution, which made the announcement that Esad Ribic would return for a new arc a rather welcome, yet anticipated thing worth waiting for. However, with the artist returning and a new arc beginning, does this issue bring back the grandeur the title once had?

Doing something decidedly different in terms of themes, Jason Aaron mostly succeed in setting up a new problem for the god of thunder to tackle. There are a few problems along the way, yet most of what makes this series work is still very much present for fans to enjoy.

One of the better aspects of this run has been Aaron’s take on Thor himself, portraying him in various ways throughout time. Focusing mostly on the present day Thor in this issue, the writer presents him as the confident, gallant, yet also somewhat obtuse person he is in most of his incarnations, playing with his very nature and the clash it makes with the more normal situations he is in. Bringing a great lot of fun and humor to the character with his penchant for alcohol, violence but also good-natured heroism, his Thor is still one of the best take on the character. With a small, yet important scene with the future King Thor, there is also a very good comparison in his evolution, with the surly, prideful, yet nostalgic and caring god being a very apt transition of the version heavily featured here.