CREDIT: Marvel Comics
Rating: 4/5 – An Ending that is Really a Prelude of Things to Come.
by ComicSpectrum reviewer Adam Alamo.
Thor: God of Thunder is easily my favorite of the “Marvel NOW!” relaunches. Set over the span of millennia, this volume features Thor in three periods of his life: young brash ally of the Vikings, proud Avenger, and king of a shattered Asgard. Often, the stories in this book explicitly link these very different personalities into the main narrative, while other times the connection is subtler. Yet every time it expands upon the grand mythos and vision that writer Jason Aaron is creating. While issue #25 marks the end of this volume, in many ways this issue is a prelude of things to come.
This “God-sized Final Issue” features three tales, with the first used as a vehicle to transport the reader into the other two and to ultimately tie them all together. I found each tale fairly average as stand-alone stories, but the issue ends on a high note as Aaron masterfully ties them together to show the reader that he has a plan. With a two-page splash, he teases images of his forthcoming agenda, which includes the much-publicized female Thor debuting next month. Despite the premature misgivings of many, I think Aaron has proven that he can be trusted with Thor’s legacy so I look forward to this change in the status quo. Either way, the future Thor has been featured quite prominently this volume, so those with reservations need not worry too much. Overall, I think Aaron skillfully sets the stage with this issue for a saga that promises to be epic.
This final issue is brought to life by a litany of artistic talent. Series regulars Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina illustrate the main story and keep the issue artistically cohesive, while RM Guera, Giulia Brusco, and Simon Bisley provide their own flair with the remaining stories. I don’t usually like when different artists are used in one issue, but having them illustrate different stories within an issue is a good way to showcase different creators without disrupting the flow of the story. Sadly, this issue marks the end of Ribic’s run on Thor. He has defined the look of this volume since its first issue and has done a spectacular job. Like the new direction of the story, I look forward to Russell Dauterman taking over on art duties, he will have some pretty big shoes to fill.
Thor: God of Thunder #25 ends one of the best runs on Thor in recent memory. It would truly be a distressing turn of events if it weren’t picking up right where it left off next month with its relaunch. As such, the issue was less of an ending and more of a bridge to the new series, doubling down on Aaron’s ambitious tale that spans the ages. I believe that Mjölnir is in good hands with Aaron and the future looks bright, if not for “Thor classic”, then definitely for the readers.
Reviewed by: Adam Alamo
(adam@comicspectrum.com)
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This was a really good issue I thought. Really liked the Malekith story in it. The relaunch should really be interesting.