For starters, let me just throw this out there; I don't give a shit about Thor. Sure, I'll probably see the movie, but I don't think it looks that great. I've never cared for Thor comics, nor have I really followed them. Every time I read it, it's just too damned boring. I genuinely don't care about this character. The only Thor story I've sat down and read (and actually enjoyed) was "Thor: Son of Asgard."
Then recently, all the sweaty dorks were brandishing torches and pitchforks because Marvel was cancelling some young-adult series about Thor. Then I heard from some folks at my comics shop that it actually was a great story, then I saw the writer and artist of a webcomic I enjoy (www.letsbefriendsagain.com) essentially yelling at Marvel for cancelling this series. So fine, whatever, if this is really getting peoples' panties in a knot, I might as well pick it up. So I went to the comic shop and asked the guy working there to order me a copy. Here's what I got.
I dug the art style immediately, I still thought it looked lame because look at Thor. He's a goofy looking superhero. But hey, I shelled out the $15, so I might as well start reading it.
I am an idiot for doubting this book was anything but amazing.
It starts off with Jane Foster, who in the regular Thor cannon is a nurse, but in this story works in a museum. She is made head of the department dealing with Nordic History, and the recently acquired pieces. Within moments of her assuming her new possession, she comes across what appears to be a crazy vagrant in a silly costume claiming to be the God of Thunder. The guards can't seem to hold him back, but one word from Jane, and he's on his way.
Through some more development of Jane, we find that she is falling out of love with a longtime boyfriend, and meeting him for dinner to discuss things. As they find themselves leaving the restaurant, this "Thor" fella flies out of a bar window, in front of them, claiming that he was trying to stop a questionable person from getting handsy with a woman.
Thor gets his ass kicked by a hulking monster calling himself "Hyde." Jane and her now ex try to escort him from the scene and to a hospital. Thor requests that they take him to Jane's museum. He needs something from the recently acquired artifacts, which Jane will let him touch, so long as he doesn't break any of them.
He break's one.
The one containing Mjolnir! ZAP! POW! BZZT! LIGHTING NOISE!
He's gotten his powers back!
Now he's a god, and still homeless. Jane extends an offer for Thor to sleep on her couch.
That's all the setup you need, because it's way more fun when you read it.
I was so thoroughly charmed by this book, the relationship between Thor and Jane is so cute and precious, you look forward to seeing what they'll do together next. She takes him shopping, she walks in the park with him, showing him that though our world is not Asgard, it's every bit as beautiful and magical.
To start with the aesthetic, I loved the art in "Thor: The Mighty Avenger." It has this great Jack Kirby feel to it, while not feeling outdated. If I had to name the style itself, I'd probably call it modern pop-art. It's not like you're picking up a beautiful watercolor by Alex Ross, or an super-realistic look like John Cassaday, but it also doesn't look like an episode of "Batman: The Brave and the Bold." This is great for someone who isn't really into comics, or for someone who is getting too old for the kid's comics, but isn't quite ready for the complexity of the modern superhero story. And for the regular comic reader; you'll be reminded of what made you love comics in the first place; characters you care about, and a bit of welcomed escapism.
In a superhero book, I'm usually looking forward to the next badass action sequence, but in this book, it was all about getting to know this sweet, kinda confused god. When you see Jane and Thor together, they're holding hands, embracing, and just being cute. Call me a romantic, but I loved seeing that.
I loved this book, and I hope that Marvel changes their minds, and at least lets the series wrap up. What this story lacks in action (which their is some, but not a ton), it makes up for in heart. Through every action in every character, you follow Thor on his journey discovering the best in all of us.
If I could recommend this to any one audience, it'd be everyone. Pick this book up, borrow it from a friend, call and see if your library has this. You will not be disappointed.
-P
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