Thor #603 – Review

By J. Michael Straczynski (writer), Marko Djurdjevic (pencils), Dany Mik (inks) Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic with Lauran Martin (colors)

The Story: Thor is in deep trouble as he and Sif try to get acclimated to their new lives together while Loki and Doom plot all-out evil and destruction. William has his first heroic adventure that ends in disaster for him and possibly his new King, Balder. While all these dramatic themes and dire threats culminate, the Warriors Three look for small town employment.

What’s Good: Happily, everything about this book is great except for the fact that this is the second to last time that JMS will be on this series. Seriously, raise your hands if you will be reading Thor after JMS will wrap up his run in thirty days. I for one won’t be. To me, the fact that JMS decided to leave this series is a gross mistake for Marvel. Basically, because he refused to write Thor into the next “event,” whether it is Dark Reign Seige or World War Hulks, JMS had to leave the series. Let me not understate this point; Marvel lost one of their most prolific writers and in turn, arguable their best on-going series because one of the best writers of all times wouldn’t write his muse, Thor, hit She-Rulk with his hammer. Insane, insane and insane.

Anyway, back to this issue. It’s basically perfect. The art is way back on track since the dip in quality that took place last issue. It’s a gorgeous affair and works on every level ascetically and story telling wise. Especially note worth was the band of attackers at the end. Those character designs are almost unforgettable. However, the biggest compliment to the art is that it perfectly compliments the varying perfect moments that JMS writes. The comic beats are flawless and the slower dramatic moments are lasting and emotive.

Of course every comic works from the top down. It all starts with the writer. JMS has so many great ideas and characters being flawlessly executed simultaneously. This is master story telling in any medium and Thor is a true classic. The best part is Thor is mostly absent from this issue, but the whole story revolves around him completely. You lean so much about his character by his influence in his world.

The other high point is the Loki and Doom relationship. The reader gets the feeling that these two could easily destroy and rule the world and their characterizations are impeccable.

Conclusion: A great, great issue. There is something in Thor for everyone. The only down side is that it signals JMS’s run coming to an end. It’s hard to not long for what could have been if JMS was able to stay on this series for another dozen or so issues. Marvel promises that the next and final installment in this run will be in thirty days and trust me, I’ll be the first in line to buy it.

Grade: A

-Rob G.

WCBR’s Picks Of The Week

Kyle’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Fantastic Four #571 –  Jonathan Hickman is a master of big ideas and the current Fantastic Four is all about a very cool big idea.

Most Anticipated: Secret Warriors #8 – Secret Warriors always brings the goods.  I fully expect the eighth issue to follow suit.

Other Top Picks: Aliens #3, Batman: Widening Gyre #2, Gotham City Sirens #4, Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #2, Amazing Spider-Man #607, Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man #4, Secret Warriors #8, Thunderbolts #136, Wolverine: Weapon X #5, and X-Force #19

Rob G.’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Fantastic Four #571- It’s really astounding how great this series is. The art is exceptional and Hickman’s take on the FF, and Reed especially, is incredible. The whole thing he’s got going here with the multiple dimensional Reeds joining together to save and perfect the totality of all existence is set to be a classic. Plus, this team of Reeds’ enemy is a perfect surprise.

Most Anticipated: Green Lantern #46 – I’m not sure exactly what Johns is addressing in this issue specifically, but it’s all good, especially when it’s Johns on Blackest Night.

Other Top Picks: Hulk #15, Amazing Spider-Man #607, Dark Tower The Fall of Gilead #5, Justice League of America 80 page giant #1, Justice Society of America #31, Secret Warriors #8, Thor #603, Wolverine Weapon X #5, X-force #19

DS’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Dark X-Men: The Confession #1 – a great character story brought on by all the stuff going on in the Marvel Universe. Scott and Emma aren’t at peace with what they’ve done, but they’re at peace with each other.

Most Anticipated: Wonder Woman #36 – Gail Simone has been dropping some seriously good books on us with Wonder Woman, and this month Diana is squaring off against Achilles. (A close second is Blackest Night: Titans #2)

Other Picks: JSA #31, Ms. Marvel #45, Thor #603, Thunderbolt #136, Green Lantern #46

Alex’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Spider-Woman #1 – A beautiful, sleek, and thoroughly modern book that makes for a very promising looking series to come.  Strong character work and a great look guarantee this book’s presence on my pull list for some time to come.

Most Anticipated: Wolverine: Weapon-X #5 – No particularly strong reason, to be honest.  Looking at my pull list this week, I just realized that I wanted some good ol’ fashioned Wolverine stabbing more than anything else.

Other Picks: Secret Warriors #8, Green Lantern #46, Justice Society of America #31, Thunderbolts #136, Unknown Soldier #12, Jack of Fables #38

Tony’s Picks

Best of the Past Week: Last week’s comics were too mundane for me to endorse, but I think this week will more than make up for it.

Most Anticipated: Green Lantern #46 – Make no mistake: “Blackest Night” is THE event storyline of the year, and it continues here. Thanks to my friend Jeff for hooking me up with a promotional Black Lantern ring, I can’t wait to geek out and wear it while reading this issue. And yes, I realize how truly lame it is for me to admit that to you. Shut up.

Other Top Picks: Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu Black & White One Shot – Harkening back to the days of Bruce Lee and 70’s exploitation flicks, this promising one shot features four stories of kung fu fighting in the Mighty Marvel Manner. Should be fun!