‘Thor Epic Collection: Even an Immortal Can Die’ review

A wonderful introduction to a character and era where Marvel’s pool of talent was producing incredible work.

April 26, 2023

Not every foray into comic runs from the past is worthwhile, but there are arcs that are a true treat for anyone interested in the medium. Len Wein and Walter Simonson’s late ’70s run on Thor, followed by Roy Thomas and John Buscema’s collaboration, is one of those periods that deserves all the praise it has garnered over the years, and the new Epic Collection titled Even an Immortal Can Die contains a block of pivotal issues to prove the point. There is so much to love about these comics, and this new reprinting is an excellent way to absorb them.

Collected here are issues #260-280, Annuals #6-7, and Marvel Preview #10 from 1977-79. For any Thor fan interested to see how the quintessential Marvel hero became a household name, you clearly must start with the Lee/Kirby material from the ’60s. But a close second is the material that came about in the ’70s from the likes of Wein, Simonson, Thomas, and Buscema.

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Thanks to the compressed nature of comics from this period, there are many concurrent arcs within this single trade. We start with Thor searching for Odin, who has disappeared and left his realm in peril. While the plot is simple in nature, the Simonson art (complemented by Glynis Wein’s vibrant colors) gives every page an orgy of psychedelic visuals. Thor’s larger-than-life pronouncements are given weight thanks to the insanely effervescent visuals. Thor then meets up with the Guardians of the Galaxy, confronts Stilt-Man, and collaborates with Iron Man, ending on a high note for Wein and Simonson’s creative career. Annual #7, by the aforementioned creators, acts as a gorgeous Celestial/Eternals storyline and is my favorite issue in the lot. It perfectly captures everything I love about this era of Thor: high adventure, creative stories, and beautiful art.

The arcs to follow, predominantly from Thomas and Buscema, build on the palace intrigue in Asgard, with the death of Balder, a new Thor replacing our titular hero. Buscema’s art owes a lot to the likes of Kirby and Simonson, but he also brought a more subtle expressive style to his character drawings. You can see the book make a significant leap into the modern age in these issues, while still being true to its psychedelic ’60s roots.

Besides the Marvel Preview issue, which is a black and white comic that feels like an attempt to visually capitalize on the popularity of Heavy Metal Magazine, the only other supplemental materials are the short “Hammer Strikes” editorial pages from this era. Fine additions, but considering the cultural importance of these specific comics, one would like to see other time-capsules included in this Epic Collection.

Marvel’s Epic Collections are a great way to read curated arcs from their extensive vaults, and while not all of them are excellent, there are books like Even an Immortal Can Die that are wonderful introductions to a character and era where Marvel’s pool of talent was producing incredible work. This is a collection that should be read by anyone who claims to love comic books. Highly recommended.