Thor #1 Review: A Spectacular New Chapter for the New King of Asgard

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Thor is one of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes. Even prior to the MCU, Thor was a house hold name. Personally, I was always indifferent towards him. He’s cool enough, but I never found him to be interesting the way I did other heroes. In Thor #1, written by Donny Cates and illustrated by Nic Klein, follows Thor as he takes the throne. After the War of the Realms, Thor has rebuilt his fathers golden palace with wood and stone. Thor is seemingly overwhelmed by his new status and the responsibility that comes with it. However, he does feel that it’s his throne. When Loki arrives to mock him, asking “how does it feel to sit on father’s throne?” Thor responds with “I wouldn’t know, brother. I’ve only ever sat on mine.”

Thor has no issue displaying that he not only is he the “All-Father” now, he has inherited all the power that the title entails. However, Thor has been feeling the weight of Mjolnir grow over time. He’s unsure why.

Galactus falls from the sky

The devourer of Worlds, falls to the ground. He’s is exhausted, frostbitten and missing the mower part of his right arm. Reacting to the arrival of Galactus, Thor armed with Mjolnir prepares to attack. However, Galactus begs him to stop. Mumbling something about the “Great Black Winter” before passing out. Weeks later, the appearance of Galactus appears to have brought death to Asgard. The tree of life, Yggdrasil, has begun to die.

Meanwhile, Thor has gathered the Heralds of Galactus, wanting to learn of the impeding “Star Plague,” and “Black Winter.” A newly blackened Silver Surfer arrive to explain that the Black Winter has many names but “one truth.” It is the “one true end.” However, Galactus had survived two black winters. Silver Surfer believes that he must face this one as well. According to Silver Surfer, Galactus must feed. Having gained and kept secret knowledge of five “special planets,” that would increase the powers of Galactus. Silver Surfer will now offer them to Galactus.

Thor, Herald of Galactus

Silver Surfer offers himself as the herald of Galactus, with Thor offering his services. However, Galactus refuses. When you “gaze into the Black Winter,” . . . “you see the form of your own true death,” he says. Galactus states that when he saw the form of his death, it was Thor. Embedding Thor with the power cosmic, Galactus turns him into the “Herald of Thunder.” His plan is to join forces with Thor to defeat the Black Winter, then they will deal with his vision. I had no expectation going into reading this comic. Like Jonathan Hickman, I wasn’t familiar with Donny Cates work. I can’t speak to the quality of his previous work but I’m impressed. Cates gives Thor some complexity, although he does resemble Odin quite a bit. His storytelling is easily digestible, despite a more complex story.

Along with a new writer, comes a new art team. Nic Klein (artist), with Matthew Wilson (colorist) and Joe Sabino (letterer). As usual the art is what originally drew me in. Klein’s art style has a sketchy feel to it. Wilson complements Klein’s style well, using muted colors that don’t over power the line work. If I have any issues it that I get the impression that many comics are the beginning of some cosmic level event. Regardless, I’m excited for this series. And Black Silver Surfer and Thor, Herald of Thunder look cool.