The Mighty Thor #704 Review
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Russell Dauterman
Colorist: Matt Wilson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I am reminded once a month why Jason Aaron taking over Avengers is a genius idea. For how long it’s been, his Thor run has been astonishingly consistent in quality. And of course, The Mighty Thor #704 is no exception. This is a damn good issue. While it does feel a little like it was postponing the titular death of our protagonist (or at least hero godly alter ego), this entry is still sure to suck you in and leave you eagerly awaiting the next. Mild spoilers to follow.
While the Mangog continues its rampage through Asgardia, its ultimate destruction must be postponed for at least one more issue, as we the audience get to spend a little more time with Jane Foster rather than the Mighty Thor. Most of it is focusing on the hardships that Jane has faced in losing her family and her resulting struggle to find any religion to believe in. This is a step that’s compelling and succeeds in reminding us why we should be just as worried to lose Jane Foster as we should the goddess of thunder, however, I feel that a bit more could have been done to make this seed grow. Considering that not that much happens on the Asgardian battlefield in this issue, I think some more room for Jane’s past would have gone a long way in making those parts feel just as valuable. But the Death of the Mighty Thor arc still has two more issues to go, so I’m hopeful that this thread might be followed if only a little more. On another note, Jane admitting that she thinks that gods rightfully don’t believe in humanity creates a strong parallel between her and Thor Odinson, who became unworthy because he felt deep down that all gods were unworthy. I’m sure this will lead to some exchange between the two when she bites the dust that’s just bound to rip my heart out.
As this is a bit more of an emotional issue than the previous ones, we don’t get the rainbow cluster of jaw dropping action like we have before. The substitutes, though, are just as enjoyable. Jane’s mom looking exactly like her is a nice touch. Her confronting Thor in the rain is remarkably successfully in making us empathize with her, thanks to very realistic ugly crying faces. Yeah, like Toby Maguire in the Raimi trilogy. When someone has just lost everything important to them and all they show is a frown and some tears, it takes me out of the experience, so I’m glad to artist Russell Dauterman and colorist Matt Wilson were able to give this moment the weight it deserved. I also must mention a moment between Thor (Odinson) and the Mangog, in which he tackles it through several floors to save Odin. It’s presented diagonally across three panels, and each panel acts as the floor, so that it almost makes one complete image. I absolutely love panels that are this creative. They make any action sequence ten times more visually appealing.
Marvel’s announcement of All-New All-Different Legacy Now 3000: The Revenge initially had me rolling my eyes, but Jason Aaron taking over Avengers was the saving grace for me, and this book is my proof that I have every reason to expect great things from it. I only recently discovered his Thor run, but Aaron has quickly become one of my favorite writers in the industry. Put him with A+ artists that always go the extra mile, and you’ve got a book that I am simply never going to shut up about. This is something that I will always, always recommend.
Artist: Russell Dauterman
Colorist: Matt Wilson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I am reminded once a month why Jason Aaron taking over Avengers is a genius idea. For how long it’s been, his Thor run has been astonishingly consistent in quality. And of course, The Mighty Thor #704 is no exception. This is a damn good issue. While it does feel a little like it was postponing the titular death of our protagonist (or at least hero godly alter ego), this entry is still sure to suck you in and leave you eagerly awaiting the next. Mild spoilers to follow.
While the Mangog continues its rampage through Asgardia, its ultimate destruction must be postponed for at least one more issue, as we the audience get to spend a little more time with Jane Foster rather than the Mighty Thor. Most of it is focusing on the hardships that Jane has faced in losing her family and her resulting struggle to find any religion to believe in. This is a step that’s compelling and succeeds in reminding us why we should be just as worried to lose Jane Foster as we should the goddess of thunder, however, I feel that a bit more could have been done to make this seed grow. Considering that not that much happens on the Asgardian battlefield in this issue, I think some more room for Jane’s past would have gone a long way in making those parts feel just as valuable. But the Death of the Mighty Thor arc still has two more issues to go, so I’m hopeful that this thread might be followed if only a little more. On another note, Jane admitting that she thinks that gods rightfully don’t believe in humanity creates a strong parallel between her and Thor Odinson, who became unworthy because he felt deep down that all gods were unworthy. I’m sure this will lead to some exchange between the two when she bites the dust that’s just bound to rip my heart out.
As this is a bit more of an emotional issue than the previous ones, we don’t get the rainbow cluster of jaw dropping action like we have before. The substitutes, though, are just as enjoyable. Jane’s mom looking exactly like her is a nice touch. Her confronting Thor in the rain is remarkably successfully in making us empathize with her, thanks to very realistic ugly crying faces. Yeah, like Toby Maguire in the Raimi trilogy. When someone has just lost everything important to them and all they show is a frown and some tears, it takes me out of the experience, so I’m glad to artist Russell Dauterman and colorist Matt Wilson were able to give this moment the weight it deserved. I also must mention a moment between Thor (Odinson) and the Mangog, in which he tackles it through several floors to save Odin. It’s presented diagonally across three panels, and each panel acts as the floor, so that it almost makes one complete image. I absolutely love panels that are this creative. They make any action sequence ten times more visually appealing.
Marvel’s announcement of All-New All-Different Legacy Now 3000: The Revenge initially had me rolling my eyes, but Jason Aaron taking over Avengers was the saving grace for me, and this book is my proof that I have every reason to expect great things from it. I only recently discovered his Thor run, but Aaron has quickly become one of my favorite writers in the industry. Put him with A+ artists that always go the extra mile, and you’ve got a book that I am simply never going to shut up about. This is something that I will always, always recommend.
A Look Inside
