Thursday, February 19, 2015

Thor #4 (HERE BE SPOILERS!)

Aaron does exactly what he has to do here, showing us Thor, now Odinson, accepting the new Thor's ascension.  It is both a heart-breaking and heart-warming tale, and it's really a marvel that Aaron got as much done in 22 pages as he does here.

First, the conflict between Odinson and Thor is great.  "Calm thyself down," indeed.  First, Thor is grieved to see Odinson in such obvious pain over the loss of Mjolnir, though she doesn't pull any punches (literally) in fighting for it.  As she says, the hammer called to her and she took it.  But, we also see that she does actually seem to know Odinson.  Is it Jane Forster returned?  Is it Captain Marvel?  The mystery abounds.  Both Freya and Odinson comment on the fact that seems familiar, so it seems more likely than not to be Jane.  (I actually know nothing about Jane, since I only started reading "Thor."  But, I'm intrigued to learn about her if she is, indeed, the new Thor.)

But, the conflict ends when Odinson sees how Mjolnir sings in Thor's hands.  He is convinced of her worthiness, even if he's devastated by it.  Moreover, Thor seems overwhelmed by the realization of the responsibilities that she carries now that Odinson has given her his blessing.  Odinson rediscovering his purpose in life and Thor learning the ropes as a god are clearly going to be the themes of this volume.  But, Aaron reminds us that they're not the only two with dogs in the fight.  I loved the relationship between Freya and Odinson here, from him telling her that he loved her all the more for defying his father in leading troops against the Frost Giants to the two of them seeming thrilled over the fact that Odin will be less than happy about Thor's ascension.  Odinson has always had such a strong supporting cast and, as a new reader, it's really a thrill to get to know them.

It's clear that the introduction has concluded and we're now moving into the stories that Aaron envisions for Thor.  She might have stopped the Frost Giants, but it's really Malekith stirring up trouble.  I trust Aaron to make it as dastardly as possible.

*** (three of five stars)

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