Volume 56: Thunderbolts: Faith in Monsters

Thunderbolts: Faith in Monsters

Author: Warren Ellis  |  Illustrator: Mike Deodato Jr.

"Maybe killing as fast as he creates makes me God's only friend."

I expected Thunderbolts to be just as bland as most of the other team-based crossovers, perhaps even more so because of the gimmicky nature of it, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

They're a super-villain strike force employed by the government to apprehend the remaining post-Civil War unregistered superheroes.

Each of the members is forced into the contract, but each will also eventually profit from inclusion; they're getting what they want, just not straight away. Until then, taking down rogue superheroes and getting paid for it is something they enjoy. So right from the start we have a situation that's a double-edged sword for everyone involved, the desperate employers and the dastardly employees.

The highlight of the book is Bullseye, the long-time thorn in Daredevil's side. Killing is an art form for Bullseye, one that he takes great pride in – but only if the subject deserves his special attentions; he'll commit multiple civilian murders but they don't sate him the same way. It would've been easy to have him always upfront, to have him lead the strikes, but instead Ellis keeps him in the background, and in so doing keeps him deadly and secretive, serving the narrative much better than he probably would otherwise.

Like Bullseye, the remainder of the team have no real loyalty to the cause or to each other. They have personal agendas that they indulge when the situations allow, and most recognise that discrediting the public's heroes is as important as capturing them.

Because we're on the darker side of the fence, the content is more adult in tone. Mistrust, selfish actions, violence for its own sake, and even references to casual sex are all treated as everyday occurrences.

There are times when it has to forego interesting character work in order to satisfy fans of explosive action, but the biggest flaw in the book isn't in its compromises, it's that the page count ends before the story does - what we get is just half a story.

The book collects together Thunderbolts #110-115; and Civil War: Choosing Sides (one-shot).

Verdict:

Volume 52: Thor: Reborn

Thor: Reborn

Author: J. Michael Straczynski  |  Illustrator: Olivier Coipel

"It is not for the gods to decide whether or not man exists — it is for man to decide whether or not the gods exist."

I read standalone Thor stories for over two years because they were part of a monthly collection I used to buy, but I never really liked the character very much. I always felt he didn't fit in the superhero world; he was a Norse god, not a costumed hero with overpants.

Thor: Reborn, however, I like very much. I'm a fan of much of J. Michael Straczynski's work. His Thor is a rebirth for the character, three years after it was cancelled. It's not a traditional origin story from Day 0, it picks up the threads that Michael Avon Oeming's Ragnarok (2004) arc left for whoever would follow him. I haven't read Ragnarok but it didn't matter too much, JMS gives enough of a recap to help figure out what happened back then.

The best thing about the book is that at times it reminded me of some of the better Superman stories. Not the leap tall buildings version - I mean the inner-vulnerability, weight of the world on his shoulders, lost little child in an adult body version of Superman. Thor's alone in a post-Civil War universe, and he's none too happy about how that turned out. There are obligatory fight scenes but they aren't the main focus. It's a character piece exploring the inner-feelings and the outer actions that a rebirth, both spiritual and physical, can have upon a person. He's forced to reacquaint himself with his humanity and duty.

Olivier Coipel, who illustrated House of M (Volume 40), did great things with his panelling and perspectives. His art is fantastic, alternating between close-ups and large open vistas as needed. His poses help humanise the man behind the musculature.

There are hints of where the story would eventually go, and I'd be excited to find out if JMS managed to keep the fragility of the character as a focus when the shit hits the fan... as I'm sure it did.

The book collects together Thor (V3) issues 1 – 6.

Verdict:

Volume 16: The Mighty Thor: In Search of the Gods

The Mighty Thor: In Search of the Gods

Author: Dan Jurgens | Illustrator: John Romita Jr.

"[T]hough I be a warrior born—'tis time for this battle to end!"

The first chapter (or issue) is an Avengers episode in all but name, which means we have a team-based fight that's all pomp and bores me rigid. Things don't look good for Volume 16.

But as it goes on the focus begins to shift, or rather to divide. A number of determined paramedics, the unsung heroes, attend to civilians that are caught in the crossfire created by the superheroes' battle with villain of the week. The one we're most concerned with is Jake Olsen. Jake's struggle to help the wounded is contrasted with the Avengers' struggle to vanquish the evil, and, unsurprisingly, it's the little guy doing a big job that's the most interesting of the two events. Even though Jake plays a crucial role in the story, that's all I'm willing to say about him because I hate spoilers and to say anything further would be edging into that realm.

Thor's life isn't all roses and cake, either. Asgard lies in ruins. It's one thing to be alone on Midgard, missing the familiarity and the friends of his homeland, but to discover that your home is gone should you ever need to return is something else entirely. He feels orphaned, abandoned, and is driven to find out who caused the destruction of the once great kingdom and why.

Along the way there's plenty of the 'methinks, alas, ye, and hath' language use to keep people who enjoy that kind of thing happy. The God of Thunder is even able to speak in different fonts, which is quite a talent. I'm not criticising; it is what it is and it has a purpose. What's important is that it's done well. And credit to Dan Jurgens, at the end of the day, despite the Avengers intruding, Thor's conviction really shines through and that makes it a success.

The book collects together The Mighty Thor (Vol 2) #1-7.

Verdict:

Volume 05: Thor: The Last Viking

Thor: The Last Viking

Author and Illustrator: Walt Simonson

"I live! The heat revives me. Yet I am broken inside."

The beginning of a four-year run on the series for author and illustrator Walt Simonson starts out shaky, but by the midway point has built itself a solid platform from which to scream, "I'm damn memorable, after all!" After that point it changes focus to a less interesting situation, but overall remains stronger than its beginnings.

In Simonson's hands the hitherto unknown alien enemy that goes up against the thunder-chump eclipses the hammer-wielding hero in how remarkable he turns out to be. For me, so too did the thoughtful Balder, despite his substory being small. And, not to be outdone, the Allfather also comes across as more engaging than his son. All of which leaves Thor's star somewhat deflated by the end. But that's okay because the storytelling is what's most important, which is something that Simonson proves he's clearly good at.

He also did the art. I'm guessing he's either a wizard able to generate more hours in his day than the rest of us or he simply never sleeps.

The version of the story presented in the book is the recoloured edition. I'd prefer they didn't do that to important works, but, in all honesty, besides a few lazy gradient fills the result is fantastic, remaining respectful to the amazing art while breathing new life into the environments. The quality paper stock used by the publisher really does the restoration justice. I still believe that it was an unnecessary step, but it didn't make me twitch as much as it usually does, although that's perhaps because I'm not much of a Thor fan to begin with.

I'm sad that I might never get to read some of what's hinted at in future issues, in particular the journey undertaken by Lady Sif and her companion, and the continuation of the aforementioned Balder story.

The book collects together The Mighty Thor #337-343.

Verdict: