So, I once again feel the need to say that I don’t know much about comics. Even with the little I do know about comics in general, I know even less about popular long running super-hero comics like those from Marvel and DC. Hopefully over time with me reading them and writing about them more often I’ll turn myself into an expert. For now these are reviews from the perspective of someone trying to get into comics. If you’re looking to find out what’s good to read for someone who hasn’t been following comics long and what will confuse a new comic fan, than my reviews will be just what you’re looking for.
The title of this post is supposed to be confusing, because unless you’re a long-time Thor fan, confused is what I’m sure you will be. So, Thor Vol.2 starts off with Thor injured and about to enter Odinsleep to heal his wounds. Yeah, i know what you’re thinking, “WTF?!” I felt the same way. I had to get and read Thor Vol 1. to even understand what the hell was happening in the beginning of Thor Vol 2. Without trying to spoil too much, in Vol 2. Thor makes good with his father Odin in the afterlife, his (former?) mortal alter-ego Donald Blake reestablishes contact with a woman from his past in New York, even though he is staying in a motel in Oklahoma (where Asgard now is), and Loki ‘seems’ to be up to his old tricks.
YAY:
- The artwork is often times very cool, especially in the crazy battle of issue #600.
NAY:
- This does not work as a stand alone story. Even after reading Vol. 1 I still had very little idea why Thor was where he was. I had no idea who Donald Blake was, and it’s not explained in the story. I had to wikipedia him to find out who he is and why he’s important.
- When Thor or any of the gods of Asgard speak, a weird old-English looking font is used, which until you get used to is kind of hard to read.
- Some of the writing is just plain lame. ” Is that a sword, or are you just happy to see me?” Donald Blake actually says that to one of the gods of Asgard.
- It’s not a very memorable story. After I read it I had to skim through it again to refresh my memory of what actually happened. It also deals with confusing ideas of time-travel, which I’m not even sure make sense. Would you know of a past event if the person who made it happen hadn’t yet gone back in time to do it? It’s a very confusing topic.
Thor Vol.2 isn’t a bad book, it’s just not a good pick-up for someone who isn’t familiar with Thor’s story and the Marvel Universe. I’m usually fearful of picking up Marvel and DC issues of long running super-hero comics because I’m afraid I might not know what’s going on. This collection has validated those fears.
