The Mighty Thor #15 Review

Jane Foster has been Thor for a good amount of time now, at least enough to take charge of the role. This week starts a new story arc, and the threat couldn’t be any bigger (or more cosmic!), but is it good?

The Mighty Thor #15 (Marvel Comics)

So what’s it about? The summary reads:

THE “ASGARD/SHI’AR WAR” STARTS HERE! As Malekith’s campaign to conquer the Ten Realms rages on, Thor and her League of Heroes lead the charge against the Dark Elf’s forces. But far across the galaxy, another conflict is brewing and the most powerful super-army in the cosmos is preparing a surprise attack on the city of the gods.The Shi’ar Empire will lay siege to Asgardia. Their target: the Goddess of Thunder.

Why does this book matter?

Jason Aaron is no longer telling one Thor story, but two! One about Jane Foster as Thor, and another about Odinson attempting to reclaim some pride after losing the hammer. The story has been going for years now which in itself makes it epic, but damn does he know how to write a cosmic story. The Unworthy Thor has been fantastic, and there’s no reason this series shouldn’t be either, especially with a new story arc kicking off this week!

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Just an awesome way to open the book.

This issue effectively sets the stage for the forces Thor is up against, but also delivers a rip roaring battle to kick things off too. It opens with Heimdall in an awesome page (see above) with perfectly written captions that draw you in, explaining how far reaching his sight is…and then it smashes all that down with a commanding punch. In some respects this is very much Gladiator’s issue (see below), but Aaron effectively uses the character to show those in Asgard and Thor are facing off with some major players.

That isn’t to say Thor isn’t in this, as Jane Foster gets a prime scene with Cul as he bullies her concerning Asgard politics. This scene helps show how strong Jane is and how she’s fully taken this role on. It also helps convey some key political information which will most likely be important moving forward. This scene ends with an awesome Mjolnir moment that once again shows Aaron is good at showing us new ways of using the hammer.

Much of the rest of the issue helps flesh out enemy supporting characters (helpful for later), fun internal monologuing from Thor, and setting up one hell of a cliffhanger. This cliffhanger is rendered so well by artist Russell Dauterman it’s easy to see why even the mightest hero would be left in awe.

The art throughout the issue is competent and good at telling the story. The choice of camera angle in the Jane Foster confrontation scene for instance, use lower angled shots to show how empowered Jane is regardless of how weak she looks. Cool blur effects and tons of detailed rubble help make the action feel momentous and epic. The color is brighter in this series in comparison to The Unworthy Thor (though both are colored by Matthew Wilson), giving it a more classic cosmic feel.

It can’t be perfect can it?

The balance of the book has the feel of being written for the collected format. While it’s not boring by any means, it feels very top heavy with characters setting up the confrontation rather than giving Thor/Jane time to shine. Given it’s a Thor book I wished for more Thor dammit!

“He must work out”

Is It Good?

The Mighty Thor #15 sets up the new arc in all the right ways with big stakes and defining character moments for multiple characters. I wished there was more Thor in the book, but it had me hook, line, and sinker by the final page.