Thor #610 – Review

by Kieron Gillen (writer), Doug Braithwaite (art), Andy Troy, Doug Braithwaite, & Paul Mounts (colors), and Joe Sabino (letters)

The Story: The heroes of Asgard come to grips with Siege’s aftermath, while Thor concludes his unfinished business with his clone.

What’s Good: This issue of Thor does what needs to be done in positioning the series, and the Asgardian status quo, moving into the Heroic Age as a time of rebuilding.   I like where this series is going.  Partly, it’s because not everything is being reversed; for instance, I like the fact that Balder is going to remain king.

Then there’s Kelda, who’s left in a very interesting position after this month’s issue.  This is most particularly due to the painfully “sort of, but not quite” return of a much beloved character.  Just seeing this character in an issue of Thor that isn’t a flashback was a heartwarming moment that’ll fill any reader with a desperate kind of hope.

I’m also pleased that Thor’s clone is dealt with.  This is a piece of history that needs dealing with and this resolution is perfectly timed by Gillen.  The character is a clear representation of Civil War and the past and thus, having this character dealt with is a symbolic step forward, away from the past and into a fresher, brighter new era.

Thor #608 – Review

by Kieron Guillen (writer), Billy Tan, Batt, & Rich Elson (art), Christina Strain & Matt Hollingsworth (colors), and Joe Sabino (letters)

The Story: Siege continues as Tyr defends Asgard from the Hood and Volstagg tangles with Thor’s clone.

What’s Good: Volstagg is really a formula that never fails at this point.  He’s always a great mix of tried-and-true comedy and stalwart heroism, and as such, he’s put to good use this month in his battle with Thor’s clone.  Guillen has a good amount of fun in making Volstagg run yet also knows not to disregard the other half of what makes Volstagg successful.  All comedy aside, we also get enough heroism out of Volstagg to cheer for, as well as a reminder of the fact that the character, for all his bluster, is afflicted by emotional trauma after the events that led to Siege.  Guillen touches on this with perfect timing in a moment of solemnity in the midst of all the fist-pumping.

Kelda, on the other, shines if only due to the conversational dynamic she has with Bill’s family.  Her elevated language compared to the more every day tones of Bill’s family play off really well with each other, reflecting the real divide between two parties that share the same emotions.  It, as well as her appearance, brings the gap between god and mortal to the fore, making the scene all the more tragic and bittersweet.

Art-wise, this is a really great issue.  Billy Tan continues to churn out some of the best work of his career on Thor and his depictions of a crumbling Asgard are astounding.  Meanwhile, the other half of the book is handled by Rich Elson, who’s painted style, aided by positively glowing colors, feels, well, very Asgardian and mythic.  Normally I hate books that have two artists with two such different styles working on it, but this actually works, with the division of work being handled quite deftly.  Tan and Elson handle different scenes and characters from each other, so if anything, it helps thematically, enhancing the gap between Asgard and Midgard (what with Tan’s style being the more Midgardian).