Thor #6 Featured Reviews 

“Thor” #6

By | August 20th, 2020
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

“Thor” has taken quite a few massive left turns over the past six issues. Author Donny Cates and artist Nic Klein quickly gave the God of Thunder more power and a redesigned outfit to match his new state of mind. Marvel has been teasing this issue of Thor as a key chapter for the series. Amidst so many changes it seems there are still more to come! With last issue’s surprise reveal about Galactus, it will be interesting to see if Cates and Klein can reinterpret the mythology of The Marvel Universe and keep their focus throughout this issue. This run of “Thor” has been a slightly dour but exciting reinvention of a key Marvel figure that is benefiting from new ideas. Will “Thor” issue #6’s plot twists keep the series in the right direction or do Klein and Cates start to lose sight of the hero?

Written by Donny Cates
Illustrated by Nic Klein
Colored by Matt Wilson
Letters by VC’s Joe Sabino

THE DEATH OF KING THOR!
The Black Winter has the power to reveal the means of any person’s demise – and if the vision is true, Asgard is going to need a new Odinson to take the throne! But Thor is no mere herald or king – and even the death of all existence should fear his coming wrath.

“Thor” #6 manages to stir powerful emotion from the first page of the issue alone. Artist Nic Klein’s introduction to the Silver Surfer paints a bleak but beautiful representation of what this script has to offer. Cates offers narration to establish the setting while adding a few captions to engross readers into the narrative. This opening sequence is one of the best moments of the issue and brings readers into the dense plot of “Thor” #6 with ease. Over the last few chapters, we have begun to see the Odinson act more impulsive and violent. This change is even more odd when comparing the title to Jason Aaron and Mike Del Mundo’s most recent “Thor” series. However, Cates commits to this characterization of Thor and uses it to push the series into a few new directions. One of the best aspects of the series to-date is how he reinterprets Marvel mythology in brand new ways. Readers get additional context for villains like Galactus.

Klein’s visuals lend this series a wonderful Jack Kirby sensibility. Klein is excellent at framing each page of the story in an interesting manner. Klein gives Galactus a huge sense of scale making him imposing based on size alone. Also, it is remarkable to consider how clear the visuals make the plot twists. There are numerous bursts of energy surging at characters. Klein choreographs the action so readers can easily tell which party is launching an energy ball at the other. Thankfully, the framing of the panels make for a legible reading experience. These pages show Nic Klein’s impressive eye for page design. Each page of “Thor” #6 feels like it is carefully composed and crafted to make sure it inspires a clear visual direction.

This issue is also filled with a duo of wonderfully crafted double-page spreads. The penultimate page is the moment that is going to have everyone talking about this particular installment of “Thor.” At this point in their careers both Cates and Klein have an impressive body of work at the publisher. I always love seeing how Cates can occasionally return to his previous Marvel ideas in new books. Cates picks up on just few of those plot threads with Silver Surfer alone and there are more connections in this issue as well.

It is difficult to find flaws in such a well written and drawn chapter of Thor’s life but I am uncertain about where the story will pick up next. The main conflict pushing the Odinson forward has been resolved in this comic and while there are a few twists, I’m uncertain of how they will be used in future stories. I wish there was one more story thread that was left dangling for the next chapter aside from the last few cliffhangers. I’m also worried that Cates will continually throw twists at this property to the point where the series becomes uninteresting. While it was thrilling to read the resolution of this first story, I would love to see the main Thor title establish a stronger status quo for the next couple of installments.

“Thor” #6 is an issue that takes some of the best elements of classic Marvel and modernizes them with a fresh outlook. Kirby concepts like Galactus are wonderfully reinterpreted here with a new vision. I also can’t stress enough just how beautiful Klein’s visuals are here. Marvel opted to go in a much different direction than what we have seen with recent past “Thor” artists like Russell Dauterman and Mike Del Mundo. All the gambles and ambition lended towards a story that pays off on previous chapters. The last couple pages of the script will definitely have Marvel readers talking as well. While I knew something was coming in this chapter, I was definitely still surprised when I found out exactly what it was. Don’t get spoiled on this epic new run of “Thor,” get caught up so you can see just how many changes Klein and Cates have accomplished in such a short time on the series.

Final Verdict: 9.0 – “Thor” #6 is an essential Marvel issue that will leave readers talking for months.


Alexander Jones

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