Serial storytelling is tricky, especially when characters like Thor are decades old with countless stories to their name. And yet, Al Ewing seems to have found an incredibly fresh new angle on Thor. With The Immortal Thor #2 out this week, Thor must face a god of gods who happens to have similar storm powers. Thor may be the All-Father with Odin-Power and Thor-Power, but is he a match for a 20-story tall god?
The answer is complicated. This issue deals heavily with the powers of Thor and the results of using them. Like his father before him, he may have abilities that go beyond the usual superhero, but an All-Sleep is usually around the corner. One can see the groundwork Ewing is doing when it comes to the powers of Thor via a flashback with Odin. They are gods, yes, but at a cost.
That cost weighs heavy on Thor in this issue when he’s forced to push himself beyond measure. Martín Cóccolo brings his a-game once again with some epic scale and energy effects. When Toranos says he has more power than a tiny god like Thor, you believe him due to the visuals.
Matthew Wilson adds to the visuals with epic colors via lightning. In some panels, Thor is cast in white from the light of the lighting, creating a supernatural look for him. Meanwhile, the warm orange glow of the city in the background creates a sense of doom for onlookers.
Toranos doesn’t play around.
Credit: Marvel
Probably the most surprising thing with this issue is the use of thought balloons. Largely fallen out of style in the last decade, they work well to capture Thor’s internal monologue as he speaks in his old-school style. Ewing hammers home Thor’s fear, dismay, and eventually worry as he realizes sleep is coming for him. I wouldn’t be surprised if thought balloons make a comeback due to their strong usage here.
Closing out the issue is a key scene with Loki, which may or may not spell doom for Thor. The play between the characters is intriguing as Thor must trust Loki or fight. It’s not clear what Loki is up to, but fans of Ewing’s Loki should delight in the look and vibe they offer.
The old-school style of Thor and how he speaks, paired with a distinct focus on how his powers work, separate this series from modern Thor tales. Add in a god for gods and likely new versions of other familiar gods like Loki, and this story has a lot of potential to blow our minds. The Immortal Thor #2 reminds us Thor is a god with limitations as he’s tested more than ever in his Odin-Power era.
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