Thor is getting the Marvel-Verse treatment this week, which is Marvel’s digest-sized mini-collection starter pack. Typically in the Marvel-Verse trade paperback, readers get a taste of the character’s traditional form, a more kid-friendly take, and a general sense of who the character is at their core. This week, Thor gets the focus, which quite frankly feels rather late since many more characters have gotten the Marvel-Verse treatment!
For a recap of all the Marvel-Verse books, be sure to read our reviews for Marvel-Verse: Spider-Man, Hawkeye, Doctor Strange, Shang-Chi, Captain Marvel, Deadpool & Wolverine, Iron Man, Venom, Thanos, and Black Panther — each one features a smattering of stories from the title character’s history.
Collected here is Thor the Mighty Avenger (2010) #1-2, Marvel Adventures: Super Heroes (2008) #7, Thor: Crown of Fools (2013) #1, Thor: Where Walk the Frost Giants (2017) #1, and material from Marvel Adventures: Super Heroes (2010) #19. Somewhat shockingly, most of these are modern stories, although there are some retellings from earlier eras for the character as well. It gives the entire book a kid-friendly vibe that differs from previous Marvel-Verse collections, which can feel like a smattering of stories showing off the character in different lights.
This book opens with a two-issue story by Roger Langridge and Chris Samnee that features a younger Thor. Samnee’s art is fantastic, delivering on comedic timing, character acting, and action that feels real. He faces off against Mister Hyde, who matches his strength well.
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Next up, Louise Simonson and Rodney Buchemi tell a story with Thor in his ’90s era costume. This is the era where Thor has a secret identity as Donald Blake. It’s a good representation of this era of Thor with the secret identity as well as has Loki pop in.
This is followed by a short but sweet story from Joe Caramagna and Kevin Sharpe showing how Loki and Thor’s father messes around with them. Loki gets time to shine and there’s a touching moment where Thor isn’t happy that Loki loses at all. It’s a nice way to show how he truly is worthy of Mjolnir.
Bryan J.L. Glass and Andrea Di Vito tell a tale that heavily is influenced by Asgard. It’s a swashbuckling affair with Thor wearing some sleeker garb.
Wrapping up the book is a story by Ralph Macchio and Todd Nauck featuring plenty of Frost Giant action. This story leans into the fantasy elements, Asgard, and even features Thor riding a pegasus.
Marvel-Verse: Thor is a great collection for the younger reader who is interested in the character, but isn’t looking for complex tales. It’s geared more for younger readers more than most Marvel-Verse stories, but that’s not necessarily a strength if you’re an older reader just trying to understand the character for the first time.
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