Thor Visionaries: Walter Simonson, Vol. 4 (Marvel) [collects #371-373, Balder the Brave #1-4]
Thor Visionaries: Walter Simonson, Vol. 5 (Marvel) [collects #375-382]
w. Dave Gibbons; a. Ivan Reis, Marc Campos
| Writing |  | New reader? |  |
| Art | | Non-comics reader? |  |
The mid-80s were the golden age of Thor comics. Walt Simonson invested the Norse Gods with a power and majesty not seen since Kirby’s day, but also with more authentic mythological (and architectural) roots in Scandinavia.
By the time of these volumes, Simonson had dropped the art reins, handing them off to the capable but not-quite-as Sal Buscema. The first volume includes the companion mini-series Balder the Brave, a worthy inclusion. Much of the rest is frittered away with lesser tales (including a bit of the Great Morlock Massacre). Things heat up in he second, as Thor suffers from Hela’s curse to not heal from injuries — and immediately begins going up against some of the hardest hitters in the Marvel Universe, from the Absorbing Man to the Midgard Serpent, events hurtling toward the 300th Anniversary Issue.
Not the top of the period’s Thor, but some fine work nonetheless.
Thor, Vol. 1 (Marvel) [collects #1-6]
w. J. Michael Straczynski; a. Olivier coipel
| Writing |  | New reader? |  |
| Art | | Non-comics reader? | |
Joe Straczynski brings Thor back, along with Asgard, in a manner most epic and appropriate, but with the human touches he’s good at insertnig. Coipel’s art is fabulous. A great start to a good run. Includes a memorable confrontation between Thor and Iron Man over some of the Civil War occurences.
Listening to: -Various Game, “ALF” (Unreal))
Just came upon you in the surfing frame and I thought I’d say hi since you’ve posted for me a few times. Keep on rockin’!
Thanks, Meredith!
Sal Buscema is one of those artists whose work I grew to know quite well in my early days of comic collecting. I like his style, but he needs a strong inker. I most closely associate him with The Incredible Hulk, where he did some of his best work, methinks.
It’s interesting how different his style is from his brother John’s. There’s no mistaking one for the other.
There’s a lot to admire with Sal Buscema. If nothing else, he was an incredible producer, highly reliable, and did solid, if not spectacular, artwork.
His is still the definitive Hulk for me.