The level of complexity occurring in Immortal Thor is pretty breathtaking. We have Thor and Loki on an adventure recounting the good old days, while at the same time, that adventure is a comic in the hands of Roxxon Corp, who has recently bought Marvel Comics. This series has played with language and classic comic style while introducing the idea of gods that came before Asgardian gods and commenting on storytelling itself. There’s a lot to unpack, and if you’re willing, a lot of enjoyment to be had.
The Immortal Thor #7 opens with a quote from Utgard-Loki about feats, which nicely sets up this latest trial for old-school Loki and Thor. The two fought a giant in the last issue, and now they’ve come upon a giant door. Behind it is a castle fit for a giant, but how will they get in? Writer Al Ewing continues to play how these characters used to interact, from Thor’s brash way with a solid temper to Loki’s clever and mischievous demeanor. We’re reading what is essentially a tribute to the classics, which is amped up when the Utgard-Loki arrives.
Things go from bad to worse, a trial is in order, and comedy mixed with drama ensues. Witness Thor and Loki take on trials of eating and drinking, or in one case, lifting an animal. These trials have a fun nature, unlike the classic comics. Only everything feels elevated with a Utgard-Loki hanging around.
Martín Cóccolo and Matt Wilson continue to impress in many ways, from the sheer scale of Utgard-Loki to the pleasant use of shadow and light. The detail in facial expressions is excellent, and the well-placed extreme close is appreciated. You’re right with these superheroes as they take on a trial no other hero could. You get the sense through the art that this adventure is beyond street-level brawls but something far more important.
How impressive is that scale?
Credit: Marvel
The art feels even more elevated with subtle visuals, like when Loki in the now gives a side eye as if catching on to the antics of the Roxxon villainy. Of course, you also have giant beasts and bizarre moments that highlight the weirdness of being a god. There’s a lot of storytelling between the panels that enriches the layered story at work.
The larger work of a Utgard version of each of the Asgardians continues to build nicely. We’ve seen a version of Thor, and it’s nice to see Loki this time around. Their motivations start to be seen in the threads of Utgard-Loki, while the cliffhanger promises a new trial to be had. I did find it slightly confusing as to what the Thor and Loki of now are doing telling this tale, though you can assume they’re recounting a story that the villains falsely create. A little more connection to that element could have solidified their current status.
Speaking of Roxxon, they get a nice page to detail their plans and what they’re up to. I noted in past reviews it’s a little frustrating how their involvement has been the same check-in for each issue, but here we see things are progressing from their end a bit.
The Immortal Thor #7 is a great example of pushing the comic narrative in new and interesting ways. There’s a complexity to this book that calls back to Thor’s history, plays with comics in a metafictional way, and builds a brand new set of gods to play with. Somehow, this creative team has celebrated the past while paving the way for the future, and I’m all for it.
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