Thor Goddess Of Thunder SPOILER FREE Review: Lightning in a Bottle
- Eve Andrews
- Jun 27, 2022
- 3 min read
Based on the notorious Nordic Thunder God, Thor made his first Marvel Comics appearance in Journey Into Mystery Issue #83 way back in 1962 and has since become a major fan-favourite in the Marvel Universe. Now, decades down the line, he’s made a prominent mark on the MCU, with the next instalment, Thor: Love And Thunder, set to release early next week. So, to help get you hyped, we want to draw some attention to one of our favourite Thor-related comic books: Thor: Goddess Of Thunder!
The version we’ll be reviewing today is the Thor: Goddess Of Thunder Omnibus, containing Thor (2014) #1-8, Thor Annual (2015) #1 and, as an extra little nugget, What If (1977) #10.
As you can imagine, a collection of comics such as this contains a diverse range of plotlines and art styles, which is awesome! But let's focus on the main attraction here; the Goddess Of Thunder herself!
Written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Russell Dauterman, Thor: Goddess Of Thunder explores a wide range of subjects, from new horizons to full-on identity crises. The comic opens up with Thor, specifically The Odinson, AKA; the Marvel incarnation of Thor we’re all familiar with. Suddenly unable to wield his hammer, we see Thor experiencing a very raw sense of distress. His vanished abilities throw him into a sudden bout of inner turmoil. Being the Thunder God has defined his personality for so long that he finds himself questioning who he really is without his powers. This is all a stark contrast from the firm, confident, lightening-fueled Thor we’re used to seeing and makes for a wonderfully jarring hook! However, as if Thor’s world hasn’t been turned on its head enough, a mysterious woman arrives who is able to wield the hammer, thereby passing the identity of Thor onto her - chaos ensues!
This comic offers an epic throwdown that would surprise even the most dedicated Thor fanatic. This, along with some surprise alliances and epic villains, makes Thor: Goddess Of Thunder an absolutely wild ride. Touching on some very real issues such as identity and the burden of responsibility, Jason Aaron’s character-driven script drives the plot forward seamlessly in a healthy balance of epic action and quiet introspection.
Before we touch on the artwork itself, something I feel deserves a mention in terms of the comics’ overall aesthetic is the small but effective detail of lettering, compliments of Joe Sabino. A slight switch-up from the typical comic book font, the somewhat rune-like letters really add to the Nordic feel, drawing you into the world in a subtle yet deeply evocative way.
All of this is then set to the backdrop of Russell Dauterman's stunning art. Seriously, the artwork in this comic is phenomenal. Every single facial expression is perfectly formed, even the ones that lack in detail due to being mere background figures. Not a single panel here will make you arch a brow or grin from mild amusement due to being comically malformed - a common faux pas that often appears in comic books due to artists being overly rushed. From faces and proportions, right down to stray hairs and ruffles in clothing, the detail in this comic is exemplary. This, paired with the gorgeously rich colour work from Mathew Wilson, will have you lingering on each page long after you’ve finished reading. Also, the lightning - I have to mention the lightning. The way the neon lights and lasers are coloured against the rest of the artwork’s distinctly earthy tones make these already epic action scenes absolutely fly off the page!
A nail-biting story punctuated with gripping character arcs, Thor: Goddess of Thunder boasts a great deal more substance than the average hammer-throwing Thor-flick. With its beautiful artwork and meticulous storytelling, this one really is a true page-turner and an absolute for all the long-term lovers of Thor out there. And if you’re new to the Marvel rabbit hole, don’t worry because this comic book can be read as an equally satisfying standalone with little to no context of Marvel’s pre-established lore regarding the beloved Nordic Lightning Deity. And with Thor: Love And Thunder just around the corner, this comic is the perfect thing to get you hyped!
Have you read Thor: Goddess Of Thunder? What were your thoughts on this comic? Let us know in the comment section below!
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