There are a lot of comics out there, but some stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This,” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, we’re bringing the thunder with “Thor” and his ongoing family drama in the “Blood of the Fathers” arc.
Who’s This By?
This current run of “Thor” is written by Torunn Grønbekk, who’s well-versed in the “Thor” side of Marvel. she’s written “Valkyrie: Jane Foster,” “Return of the Valkyries,” and “The Mighty Valkyries” alongside Jason Aaron, as well as her own run on “Jane Foster & The Mighty Thor” before taking over the main “Thor” comic. Outside of anything related to gods of thunder, she’s also written Marvel’s “Warhammer 40,000: Sisters of Battle,” Caliber Comics’ “Ageless,” and her own work “The Last Train from Brumek.”
It’s illustrated by Juan Gedeon, whose Marvel portfolio includes work for multiple Spider-Man and Venom-related comics. DC readers will also recognize him for his work on “Pennyworth” and “The Jurassic League,” while Skybound readers will recognize him as a co-creator and artist for “Horizon.”
In the latest issue, Juan is joined by Sergio Dávila for the pencil work, and Sean Parsons for the inking.
The colors are by Matt Wilson, whose work readers might also recognize from “Daredevil,” “Fire Power,” and “Marauders,” among many other acclaimed comics. He’s also a returning “Thor” colorist, having provided the colors to “The Mighty Thor” from 2016 to 2018.
What’s it all about?
To quote The Fast and the Furious movies: “it’s all about family.”
Of course, in Thor’s case, family comes with a lot of violent baggage and dangerous secrets. In this case, we’re getting a look back at Thor’s grandfather, Bor, as he battled against Thanos, alongside a visit from a future version of Thor’s sister, Laussa. Oh, and the soul of Thor’s father, Odin, is also at risk, having recently been trapped inside his hammer.
Even outside of the family drama, Dr. Doom has stopped tormenting the Fantastic Four for long enough to go to war with Hel and create a machine powered by the souls of the dead. Naturally, that means the Valkyries have to get involved as well. So there’s a lot going on.
There’s mysteries afoot between Dr. Doom’s machinations, Thanos and Corvus Glaive, Bor’s hidden vault, and a whole lot more. All the while, there are plenty of foes that need a good smacking with a hammer.
In short: there’s a lot, and it’s a whole lot of fun to follow.
What makes it so great?
Torunn Grønbekk’s run on “Thor” takes the character in new directions, delving into both the thunder god’s family and history as well as some wider aspects of the Marvel universe.
This new run brings in Thanos, Doctor Doom, and other elements of the wider world of Marvel, without compromising either the characters or the Norse mythological side of the comics. What happens when a time-traveling Thanos fights Bor? What about when Doom sets his sights on Hel? This comic asks those questions, answers them, and makes it awesome.
At the same time, it remains a deeply personal story to Thor. We’ve seen plenty of trips to the future with old man Thor and his granddaughters, but Laussa is a new addition to his family, and we get to see glimpses into what her future is like. At the same time, it lets us learn more about the rest of his family, including Bor, whose own history is only occasionally visited.
So we get multiple generations of Thor’s family being badasses with big weapons.
Juan Gedeon’s artwork brings its own unique style to the comic, using a style that’s more of a traditional flat comic book design, relying on bold lines and hatch-marks to add depth and detail. This gives it a somewhat different look and feel than your typical Marvel comic, but for a story that delves into worlds of magic and mythology, it feels appropriate, almost like it’s from a storybook of tales and legends. The art also lends itself well to some great action scenes, whether it’s battles against monster birds in the realm of the dead or fights against Thanos; the intensity and impact of every fight is felt across the page.
Continued belowThis is made all the better by Matt Wilson’s color work, which uses strong background colors to control the atmosphere and bring out the characters in their shades of reds, greens, and blues. The colors blend well with Gedeon’s artwork, adding to the classic comic feel of the series and enhancing the mythological atmosphere.
It’s a great example of a writer, artist, and colorist matching the same mood, tone, style, and atmosphere with their respective arts, and the end result is a comic that’s not to be missed.
Where can I read it?
“Thor” #34 is out in stores today, and can be found at your local comic shop, online at Comixology, or on Marvel.com. Torunn Grønbekk’s run, which starts with issue #29, is not available in graphic novels yet, but will be available in Vol. 6 this September. In the meantime, you can catch up to the story thus far in volumes 1-5, available anywhere comics are sold.
