Hey, look! More TPB reviews! Wow! Who’da thunk!?
Finish these, then it’s time for cheesecake …
Review code format (ranked 1-5, blah to faboo): [writing / art / new reader? / non-comics reader?]
Thor Legends: Walter Simonson (Marvel MAX) [4/5/3/3] (collects #360-269)
w. Walt Simonson; a. Simonson, Sal Buscema
Generally acknowledge to be the pinnacle of the Thor series since — or perhaps including — the Lee/Kirby days,this is the third and final collection from Simonson’s run. After Ragnarok and the death of Odin, Thor heads down to Hel to retrieve the other souls trapped there by the elves — which epic battle rivals that in Ragnarok itself. Thor is disfigured, and the Executioner goes down in a bit of comics glory rarely ever matched. Of course, silly season then comes into play, with Thor meeting the Beyonder (Secret Wars II then being in swing) and being turned into … a frog? Ah, but a frog with the soul and power of Thor, which is fun to read even if it had some fans scratching their heads. Further skulduggery from Loki and strong support from the Warriors Three (plus Baldur) rounds out this fine collection. Great stuff. This, and the matching volumes, are on my “Best comics of all time” list.
Thor: The Reigning (Vol. 5) (Marvel) [3/3/2/1] (collects #68-74)
w. Dan Jurgens; a. Scot Eaton
Skipping forward a generation, Jurgens put together a strange alternate history, in which Thor brought Asgard to Earth (over New York), and tried to do a “we will take care of you” riff (cf. The Squadron Supreme). Violence ensues, leading to the nuking of New York and Asgard — and an Asgardian dominion over Earth. This volume tells of the ongoing and growing resistance movement amongst humans and the surviving non-Asgardian heroes of Earth, even as intrigue bubbles around the throne … and Thor’s son. This is one I bought as a TPB, rather than the individual issues. I now slightly regret it, as it’s remarkably unspectacular, and doesn’t really say or do anything new on any of its themes.
Thor: Gods and Men (Vol. 6) (Marvel) [3/3/1/1] (collects #75-79)
w. Dan Jurgens; a. Scot Eaton
Continues the previous story line, as Thor’s son, Magni, takes up Thor’s hammer — as worthy in a way that his father no longer is. Big battles ensue, eyes are opened, lots of folks talk in big, fancy words and gestures, major menace are set up and defeated with big sacrifices. Ho-hum.
(listening to: Pet Shop Boys, “Yesterday, when I was mad / Coconut 1 12″ mix” from Disco 2)
(listening to: Beach Boys, “Help Me, Rhonda” from 20 Good Vibrations)
(listening to: “Mendelssohn – Wedding March” from Music for Festive Occasions)
(listening to: Enigma, “Principles Of Lust” from MCMXC a.D.)
(listening to: “Heroes3_loop” from City of Heroes)
I only stuck with Thor past the fight with Thanos in issue 25 to see the end of the Reigning saga, and I was terribly disappointed.
Fortunately, somebody on eBay relieved me of the entire storyline for slightly more than half-price. Now I have more room on my shelves for Queen & Country.
Yeah. I think those are not long for my collection …