Another adventurous female Thor. This time, however, we are dealing with the aftermath of the events that followed the Secret Wars and with some rational and feminine outlook on the meaning of a destructive conflict called war.
Here comes a new Thor
Few of you different strange versions of the same Norse god? Then wait, because you haven’t seen the best one. While Malekith’s campaign against the other kingdoms is in full swing, Senators Solomon of Midgard, Volstagg of Asgard, and Milkmane of Alfheim travel to the Skornheim Mountains of Nidavellir to meet the Elves of Light. There, however, a great tragedy occurs, as a result of which a mysterious version of Mjolniru, overshadowed by the fire of battle, summons a new Thor, who wants only one thing – war.
This volume took readers back to the ongoing conflict with Malekith, but in a completely different edition. The story of the female Thor, which has been boring for several volumes, was shown from the other side, because through the prism of her enemy. Moreover, she showed us how serious the war is and what costs and consequences it brings. The introduction of another Thor took away Jane Foster’s storyline. It made it more interesting, there was quite a breath of fresh air. That being said, Aaron has done a very good job of showing the realities of armed conflict.
The main screenwriter of the series has his ups and downs, although he generally sticks to a well-developed concept, which is clearly visible. He stripped the thunder god of his main attribute and handed it over to a weak and ailing woman, after which he began to show that the world that revolves around Thor is even worse than we could have imagined. Why? Maybe it’s because of the woman’s point of view? Ahead of us is the grand finale, which will push the series into completely new, undiscovered crossroads. So let’s keep following Jane Foster’s adventures.
Murdering with the other bottom
Malcontents may say that another impersonation of Thor is unnecessary and enough for this circus with different versions. Well, I agree, maybe this is how superhero comics would go in a completely different direction? Nevertheless, Thor of War provides a good metaphor for war – something like Ares from DC Comics. Although visually similar to Odinson and Miss Foster, it does not follow our favorites. His stance represents a ruthless berserker who will stop at nothing.
All this, as usual, decorated with interesting fairy-tale pictures, for which Russell Dautermani Matthew Wilson is responsible in the main story. On the boards, fire takes the form and shape of the one we know from the visual presentations of Vikings, and moreover, you can feel the spirit of progress and a modern line, for example in sharp lightnings crossing the sky. The visual side may dominate the text too much, and therefore it does not match it well, but it nevertheless pleases our sense of sight.
Would I recommend this next volume? Yes, and not only to people who read the previous volumes. It is true that new readers who do not follow the series may have small problems with getting into the main plot, but it is still worth getting acquainted with this inconspicuous-sounding title. Another advantage is the heroes themselves, because the whole mass of interactions and mutual relations, tormenting the heroes, is nothing but a preview of a kind of Ragnarok.
