Thor #6 ends Donny Cates and Nic Klein’s epic first story arc, and it’s a doozy. If you thought Cates was good at cliffhangers and big twists, you ain’t seen nothing yet. This latest issue literally changes the game but also shows how good of a king Thor is as he makes a very tough choice. Of course, in the moment, Thor may have also shown he has a temper.
The latest issue opens with Silver Surfer all in black attempting to parley with Thor, who is very drunk and a bit despondent. It’s a classic setup to help add some context and increase the anticipation as we wait to see how Thor and Galactus defeated the Black Winter. It’s also a way to show how Thor is a major player in the Cosmic Marvel universe, as even Silver Surfer is shocked and worried for Thor. This opening serves as a means to set up what Cates and Klein have in store for us in an easy to understand way.
As far as the meat of this issue, it gets intense. It’s hard to write about it without spoiling, but let’s just say it comes fast with choices made you’ll reflect on after the dust settles. It’s certainly an interesting approach when fighting a supervillain, and one that shows how Thor is capable of making decisions that may not appear logical at first. In the end, though, he makes the right choice. There’s a major development in regards to Galactus that will shock many fans, but as we know from comic books, it will likely not last. There’s also an interesting use of a bomb that may or may not call back to Jason Aaron’s God Bomb in some way, but it’s still a surprise to be sure.
Surfer, you’re looking gloomy.
Credit: Marvel Comics
Nic Klein will blow you away with his art in this book, backed up with colors by Matthew Wilson. Galactus fans should not miss this as we see him in new ways here. There’s a vulnerability to Galactus in this issue–and really more human emotion in him throughout this story arc–that Klein masterfully articulates. For a godlike character, he’s usually so straight-laced, but with the additional power Thor has been able to grace him, he has certainly acted a bit unhinged from his usual self.
Thor #6, and really the entire story arc, has shown how dark the Cosmic Marvel universe can be, which is a testament to Matthew Wilson’s work. Casting much of this book in blacks and dark blues gives the glow of Galactus, or of Thor’s hammer, that much more oomph. In a way, the color of this series makes me ponder if the Cosmic side of Marvel will get darker, but in that darkness light must prevail and come back stronger than ever.
Thor #6 is an awesome example of the correct way to deliver on a climactic issue. It sets up the next arc, puts a heavy weight on the hero, and does something that changes everything. My one gripe of this issue and the series really is each issue has been slow, yet packed with ideas. It has leaned on the big twists possibly too heavily, but it has been an excellent ride worth giving a standing ovation.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login