Thor #4
Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Nic Klein
Colours: Matt Wilson
Letters: VC’s Joe Sabino
As this run on Thor progresses, you can’t help but wonder about the choices Thor's making, and the consequences they’ll have down the line. Last issue we had his epic battle with Beta Ray Bill, with Lady Sif appearing in his defence at the conclusion. These actions are bound to have consequences down the line. Of course we understand why Thor is making the choices he is, now he’s King he needs to look at the bigger picture and make choices which are less heroic and noble than before.
This trend he’s set of bad choices continues in this issue. It’s mostly down to a rock or a hard place though, and Thor must do what he feels is best for the bigger picture. Never has the phrase "Heavy is the head that wears the crown" been more apt.
This is only the fourth issue in Donny Cates’ run on Thor and this series feels bigger and more epic than most other Marvel series manage in their entire run. The stakes here affect the entire universe. This isn’t the fate of just one planet here. Entire planets will be lost during this arc. Already have been, in fact, down to Thor and Galactus. The scale of it is almost unprecedented, it’s Annihilation event level, and Thor is facing it alone. You can feel the burden he’s under.
One of the things I love about Cates’ writing is he’s always thinking ahead. We get a brief teaser for another storyline he’s got brewing when he have a brief Loki cameo, and I’m excited to see where that takes us later on as well. And of course the other thing is how he manages to make every issues conclusion bigger and more intense than the one before it. Every time I feel he can’t outdo himself, he find a way. The final page of this issue is fantastic, so haunting, full of promise. I can’t wait for #5. If a cliff-hanger ending is the best way to sell comics it’s no wonder Cates’ does so well.
Onto the artwork. Nic Klein’s artwork has been stunning in every issue so far, and somehow it just seems to get even better. The level of intricate detail in every panel is incredible. It amazes me he’s able to keep to a monthly schedule with the detail he puts into every page. I like to highlight a particular page or two in each issue where I feel the artist has really outdone himself, but how can you choose one page over another when they’re all so good? There’s an outstanding double page spread, and a number of one panel pages which will fill you with awe, yet I couldn’t say they’re better than any other pages. Incredible.
Matt Wilson also deserves recognition for his colours. Flicking through this issue (or whatever the digital equivalent of flicking is) the number of colours on display is not only impressive and but really steals the scene. Not only that but Wilson also understands how to contrast them to maximise the impact each colour has. His palette is fantastic and Klein’s art wouldn’t look half as impressive without Wilson colouring it.
There hasn’t been a bad issue in this run on Thor. A phenomenal creative team of Cates, Klein and Wilson make this epic series a must have. Cliffhanger endings keep me on tenterhooks between issues. A level of intricately detailed artwork and rich colours which defy belief. An instant classic.
Artist: Nic Klein
Colours: Matt Wilson
Letters: VC’s Joe Sabino
As this run on Thor progresses, you can’t help but wonder about the choices Thor's making, and the consequences they’ll have down the line. Last issue we had his epic battle with Beta Ray Bill, with Lady Sif appearing in his defence at the conclusion. These actions are bound to have consequences down the line. Of course we understand why Thor is making the choices he is, now he’s King he needs to look at the bigger picture and make choices which are less heroic and noble than before.
This trend he’s set of bad choices continues in this issue. It’s mostly down to a rock or a hard place though, and Thor must do what he feels is best for the bigger picture. Never has the phrase "Heavy is the head that wears the crown" been more apt.
This is only the fourth issue in Donny Cates’ run on Thor and this series feels bigger and more epic than most other Marvel series manage in their entire run. The stakes here affect the entire universe. This isn’t the fate of just one planet here. Entire planets will be lost during this arc. Already have been, in fact, down to Thor and Galactus. The scale of it is almost unprecedented, it’s Annihilation event level, and Thor is facing it alone. You can feel the burden he’s under.
One of the things I love about Cates’ writing is he’s always thinking ahead. We get a brief teaser for another storyline he’s got brewing when he have a brief Loki cameo, and I’m excited to see where that takes us later on as well. And of course the other thing is how he manages to make every issues conclusion bigger and more intense than the one before it. Every time I feel he can’t outdo himself, he find a way. The final page of this issue is fantastic, so haunting, full of promise. I can’t wait for #5. If a cliff-hanger ending is the best way to sell comics it’s no wonder Cates’ does so well.
Onto the artwork. Nic Klein’s artwork has been stunning in every issue so far, and somehow it just seems to get even better. The level of intricate detail in every panel is incredible. It amazes me he’s able to keep to a monthly schedule with the detail he puts into every page. I like to highlight a particular page or two in each issue where I feel the artist has really outdone himself, but how can you choose one page over another when they’re all so good? There’s an outstanding double page spread, and a number of one panel pages which will fill you with awe, yet I couldn’t say they’re better than any other pages. Incredible.
Matt Wilson also deserves recognition for his colours. Flicking through this issue (or whatever the digital equivalent of flicking is) the number of colours on display is not only impressive and but really steals the scene. Not only that but Wilson also understands how to contrast them to maximise the impact each colour has. His palette is fantastic and Klein’s art wouldn’t look half as impressive without Wilson colouring it.
There hasn’t been a bad issue in this run on Thor. A phenomenal creative team of Cates, Klein and Wilson make this epic series a must have. Cliffhanger endings keep me on tenterhooks between issues. A level of intricately detailed artwork and rich colours which defy belief. An instant classic.
A Look Inside
