I don’t know about you, but when I see someone with an ego get taken down a notch there’s a certain sense of satisfaction even if I barely know them. Nobody likes a braggart, and Thor is possibly the biggest braggart in the history of comics. Not so these days–having lost his hammer, his arm, and all the pride that comes with it, Thor is truly unworthy of a lot of things. Is this latest issue worthy?
The Unworthy Thor #3 (Marvel Comics)
So what’s it about? Check out the summary and preview pages!
Why does this book matter?
Go ahead and read my last two reviews of this series and you’ll note I’ve positively glowed over it. It contains everything you’d want in a cosmic story and then some due to the interesting character work of Thor. We’ve never seen him in a position like this, which is exciting. Add in art from Olivier Coipel and this is a blockbuster-worthy story you won’t get at the movies. Comics is the only format that could showcase what’s going on in this comic.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Can someone please cheer this dude up.
Aaron heaps on the pain and self-loathing Thor has been going through in this issue; he’s possibly at his lowest point ever. This builds towards an eventual psychic break of sorts which makes the action he takes feel earned. The promise of another hammer was introduced in the last issue and it’s this hammer (presumably from the Ultimate universe) that Thor has his eyes on. The sad truth though, is that even if he can wield it he may not feel as though he deserves it. Given how down on himself he is in this issue that’s a character element we should watch out for moving forward.
This is very much a table setting sort of issue, but Aaron saves it from being an A to B affair as Thor must fight something within himself or else lose himself completely. It’s a clever bit of writing that adds a layer of character development as Thor is put through the ringer.
Outside of Thor, there are other elements at work in this issue. The Collector continues to be a compelling force who, like most villains, wishes for even more power than he already has. A certain villain and his soldiers continue to press into the plot and a new character entirely is introduced which should make Thor’s band that much more interesting. There’s also a mysterious character who appears to be someone we may know which should tantalize any theorists out there. I don’t want to spoil this character in any way, but let’s just say he adds a comedic element that Beta Ray Bill and his flying goat just can’t produce. It’ll be fun to see where Aaron takes this character in the future.
Add in the art by Coipel and Kim Jacinto and the dramatic beats are hit quite well. Beta Ray Bill for instance, looks positively badass as he shatters prison bars, or the final cliffhanger of the band of heroes who have found themselves in a sort of team bring all the detail you expect from Coipel and then some. It’s hard to say which pages Jacinto was involved in, but I’m going to guess many if not most. The sharpness Coipel brings isn’t quite there in many pages, though it’s damn near close.
It can’t be perfect can it?
The bar is set so high with Coipel manning an entire issue that it’s obvious he wasn’t as involved which is a slight letdown. I can’t say the art is bad in any way, but it’s not as magnificent.
Part of me was a bit bored in the opening half of the book as Thor is essentially put into a position we all know he’ll escape from. It’s a matter of expectations and how the story went about as I’d expect it. Thankfully his self-loathing and later emotions make these scenes compelling enough. There’s also that new supporting character I want to see more of too!
I wanna see more of this character!
Is It Good?
Jason Aaron continues to prove he might be the best in the business at capturing the inner pathos of a character. Thor is going through an emotional rollercoaster that’s highly entertaining. He uses it to keep the narrative interesting and moving when action is light. Another fine issue in a series I can’t get enough of.
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