The Good
The great thing about early reviews is the fact that you can read them a full day prior to your trip to the comic shop to help you decide on whether or not to pick up an issue. If you are having second thoughts or are still unsure as to whether or not you should pick up the first issue of Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic's THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #1, this review should reassure you that the first issue in this new Marvel NOW! series is a heck of a great book.
Part of the Marvel Now! initiative is a relaunch of Thor's self-titled series, and like most #1 issues, this is a great place for new readers to start. Essentially, Thor has been given a clean slate. This first issue is an introduction to Jason Aaron's brand new story that gives the character a sort of definitive beginning. It introduces readers to The God of Thunder, and brings us back to a mythical time where Gods once fraternized with regular men on Earth. By launching the series with a brand new story, the creative team is essentially crafting a really accessible issue that allows new readers who might be unfamiliar with Thor's character to jump right in without boring long-time fans of the classic comic book character.
Writer Jason Aaron doesn't hold your hand with this first issue, he instead thrusts you into the story introducing both character and premise simultaneously. It is clear that Aaron will use the story and the theme to depict the character; readers will witness for themselves who Thor is based on his decisions and actions in reaction to the events that unfold around him, and I think this was a really smart way to write his first issue.
We are first introduced to a young Thor, a fighter and a God who accidentally discovers that there is a God killer who is threatening not only his existence, but the existence of all Gods. Here we have a much more traditional God of Thunder who seems to be more brooding. Aaron really sets the tone of the book and the story he'll be telling with the language he uses. This character really sounds like Thor and I think that's very important. His internal dialogue also changes throughout the first issue; it is different in the beginning than in the end and is this sort of reflection of how the character has evolved. I don't want to give much more away, but I will say that it is interesting to see how worn and aged the character becomes through the years. Esad Ribic's art really reflects that tone, as well. The artist really captures the mood and the emotion of the character and how his experiences have affected him. It is really well done.
If you were a big fan of Matt Fraction's take on the God of Thunder, you'll find that this series feels a little bit differently.It's clear that Jason Aaron is telling a story that is deeply set in mystery, and in uncovering the mystery will gradually develop Thor's character.
The Bad
I really enjoyed this issue, nothing really bad to say about it.
The Verdict
This is a great first issue for anyone who has always wanted to read Thor but has felt intimidated by the character. Yet, this isn't just a new reader friendly book because it launches a whole new story and a brand new series; it's also a great first issue for those who have loved Thor forever (like me). The character is really well represented here, and it's a good first issue because it leaves readers guessing and asking a lot of questions. I won't get into specifics because I do not want to give anything away, but you will be left wondering and very interested. Great art, and an awesome story mean that I can't give this anything less than a perfect score.