Thor #620.1It’s a time of celebration for Asgard. They will sing songs of their greatest hero, Thor, whist they feast and drink themselves silly. Unfortunately, the Gray Gargoyle plans to crash the party!
Just as the party gets going, a rock giant offers a gift – a glorious sculpture of Thor that has an extreme likeness to the Odinson. Balder quickly discovers the ruse as he notices most of the collected Asgardians have turned to stone. Gray Gargoyle busts out of his rock giant disguise and turns Balder to stone. Now that he has an hour to wreak havoc, he starts to search for the golden apple that will grant him immortality. Thor, still frozen in stone, wills Mjolnir to strike his statue to break him free. He takes on Gray Gargoyle, but quickly gets turned to stone again. Thankfully, Thor is able to grab the apple before turning to stone making it impossible for the Gray Gargoyle to make off with it. As the sentries close in, the villain escapes. The recently unfrozen Asgardians continue their party and await Thor’s tale of battle while they were cursed.
While this issue isn’t a groundbreaking thrill ride, nor was it particularly great, I don’t want to come down too harsh on it. I definitely liked Mark Brooks’ art. He had to deal with a lot of splash pages to show some history, and great moments, of Thor’s history, and a lot of quick-paced action. There was no feeling of awkwardness with the visuals that can sometimes happen when an artist other than the regular one. In fact, I actually like Brooks’ style more than Pasqual Ferry’s style. That’s not a slight on Ferry, rather a praise for Brooks.
When it comes to Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s story, it has that feel that you would have seen in the Bronze age. It celebrates the lighter side of the Asgardian life – praising high adventure and battle. However, a problem with the book is also what I found appreciation for… There’s nothing really new here. Yeah, we get a fight with Gray Gargoyle and that’s all fine and dandy, but it doesn’t fit with the story Matt Fraction is telling. Balder is dead, right? Odin is back, isn’t he? Perhaps this story technically exists in between Kieron Gillen’s run and the start of Fraction’s. This issue comes off the death of characters and a whole thing with the World Eaters, yet, we have no reference for them.
Yeah, I guess someone who hasn’t ever read Thor could jump on here, but it’s not likely people will find as much excitement here as they would if they just wait a few weeks for The Mighty Thor #1 or Journey Into Mystery #622. This is an example of how these Marvel.1 books could very easily frustrate regular readers. People who read Thor will be terribly disappointed having to spend $3 more this month for a story they know already. Old timey readers, like me, will appreciate the style of story to a certain extent, but readers who have only been around for a few years will hate it. Abnett and Lanning are great writers, there is no denying that, but this isn’t their best work, or a good example of what they can do.
So, what this all adds up to is that this issue isn’t really going to overly satisfy anyone.
A COMIC BOOK BLOG RATINGProsConsOld readers, like me, will love the classic style of storytelling and Mark Brooks' art is really spectacular and perfect for the book.New readers will not find the same appreciation, nor is this anything new for old readers. I don't hate the issue, but I didn't particularly love it either. Rating60% You might also like...
Thor #618 Review
Thor #610 Review
Thor #616 Review
Thor #604 ReviewBy BlogsdnaTagged with: Andy Lanning Dan Abnett Thor2 Comments
krakkaboomPosted on March 26, 2011 at 6:23 pmThis is a perfect example of something that Marvel does that attracts criticism. There was no need for this issue to be a .1 issue. It’s a standalone one-shot that has nothing to do with anything going on in the Thor ongoing.
I had no expectations for this issue, because telling a potential new reader to “jump on” in between the penultimate and final chapter of a story arc (nevermind that the next issue is the final issue of the series) is one of the most moronic things I’ve ever seen Marvel do. This is exactly what I expected when they announced the .1 initiative…a waste of time, money, and a scam to help fill the Marvel coffers.
Yes, the art was excellent. Yes, the story was decent. Did it accomplish what they set out to do with the .1 initiative? Absolutely not. Therefore, it was a complete failure. I would have no complaints if this issue was not a .1 issue.
Reply
Geoff ArbucklePosted on March 26, 2011 at 9:00 pmI think you hit on a really important point… If this was Thor #622, or even a one-shot that plays up Thor in preparation for the movie, it’s perfectly fine. It’s a completely different type of tale and is so far skewed from where we are in the actual story arc this is taking place within that it really hurt this issue.
ReplyLeave a ReplyClick here to cancel replyYour name (Required)
Your e-mail (Your email won't be published) (Required)
Your website
-->The Author
This post was added on 23 Mar 2011, 19:10 by Geoff Arbuckle who has contributed 358 posts to this blog.
InformationPosted in Comics, Marvel, REVIEWSThis post has 2 Comments. Write your own comment.80 views on this postSubscriptionSubscribe by RSS feed or by e-mail address to receive latest news and updates.
Subscribe by RSS feed
Hot topicsRecent TopicsMost ViewedMost DiscussedBatman: Brave & The Bold “The Battle of the Superheroes!” ReviewNew Mutants #23 ReviewRoundtable: How We Got Into ComicsCover of the Week: March 16 & 23, 2011Uncanny X-Men #534 ReviewHellraiser #1 ReviewBatman: The Dark Knight #2 ReviewBatman Incorporated #4 ReviewLegion of Super-Heroes #11 ReviewUncanny X-Force #6 ReviewBlake Lively Cast As Carol Ferris In Green Lantern viewed 62,255 timesTop 10 Best Superhero Movies Ever viewed 46,148 timesGreen Lantern Movie News: 5 Candidates For Carol Ferris viewed 38,505 timesTop 10 Hottest Marvel Heroines viewed 17,055 timesWonder Woman Movie: Brent Strickland Interview viewed 14,897 timesTop 10 Comic Book Girls I’ve Crushed On viewed 14,029 timesTop 10 Worst Marvel Superhero and Villain Costumes viewed 11,703 timesStar Sapphire Corps: Corps Profile viewed 11,402 times10 Non-Obvious Batman 3 Villains viewed 10,676 timesTop 10 Lamest DC Comics Villains viewed 10,066 timesGenecy #1 Review discussed 47 timesTop 10 Best Superhero Movies Ever discussed 34 times10 Non-Obvious Batman 3 Villains discussed 24 timesWhy There Can Never Be a Successful Batman and Robin Movie discussed 21 timesTop 10 Worst Marvel Superhero and Villain Costumes discussed 14 timesUncanny X-Force #5 Review discussed 14 timesTop 10 Lamest DC Comics Villains discussed 13 timesTop 10 Hottest Marvel Heroines discussed 12 timesRundown On Blackest Night Ring Promo discussed 12 times10 Needs For Smallville Season 10 discussed 12 timesAll Our C2E2 Coverage
See All Our Favorites From 2010!
All Our Comic Book Reviews
All Our Top 10s Lists
Follow us on Twitter
A COMIC BOOK BLOG wants to know…Are you sold on digital comics yet? Yes NoView ResultsMost Recent CommentsDaniel HDR on Legion of Super-Heroes #11 ReviewVictor Kutsenok on Fear Itself: The Book of the Skull #1Geoff Arbuckle on Steph on Top 10 Sexiest Comic Book Guyskrakkaboom on Popular TagsAvengersBatmanBlackest NightBrian Michael BendisCover of the WeekDeadpoolGail SimoneGeoff JohnsGreen LanternHulkIron ManMarvelPreviewsreviewReviewsSiegeSmallvilleSupermanThorTVWolverineX-MenArchivesMarch 2011February 2011January 2011December 2010November 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010Copyright © 2011 A COMIC BOOK BLOG. All rights reserved.
Powered by WordPress. Developed by Deluxe Themes
0 comments:
Post a Comment