Marvel Comics
Thor #600
By Hervé St-Louis February 16, 2009 - 08:36
Publisher(s): Marvel Comics
Writer(s): J. Michael Straczynski, Stan Lee, Chris Giarrusso
Penciller(s): Olivier Coipel, Marko Djurdjevic, Chris Giarrusso, David Aja, Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Mark Morales, Marko Djurdjevic, David Aja, Vince Colletta, Artie Simek
Colourist(s): Laura Martin, Paul Mounts, Christina Strain
Letterer(s): Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Artist(s): Olivier Coipel, Marko Djurdjevic, Gabrielle Dell'Otto, Patrick Zircher
$4.99 US
This issue reintroduces the numbering of Thor to that of
the previous run he had before the series was initially cancelled a few years
ago. However, the story continues straight from Thor #12. Loki who had hidden
Thor’s grandfather centuries ago, releases Bor, but tricks him into seeing
demons everywhere. Thor confronts his grandfather trying to stop him, but at
what cost?
I must admit that the geeky part of me wanted Thor’s
grandfather, Bor would remain as a regular foe for Thor. He would have been a
great champion and someone worthy of matching Thor’s great power. Alas,
Straczynski had other plans for Bor, which create a great dynamic for future
Thor stories to come. How Thor could have been so dumb around Loki is a mystery
to me. How could anyone be so unfearful of the master of lies surprises me?
This issue offers a lot of payback for readers that have been following the
latest Thor series. After a year of setup, Straczynski finally put all the
pieces together and made the story advance.
There are other stories about Thor in this issue that are
worth mentioning. The first is a short story written by Stan Lee about Thor in
the early years of the Avengers. The second is by Chris Giarrusso featuring cartoonish
Thor and company. Other stories include reprints of early Thor stories drawn by
Jack Kirby.
As usual Coipel delivers the best Thor rendition in
years, although he gets some help from Djudjevic. I like the facial expressions
he gives Loki, as well as the well-choreographed fights. There’s not much else
I can say. Coipel does excellent work.
Aja brings an iconic touch to this early Avengers’ story
that reminds me of James Fry. Giarrusso
and Kirby are just pros, although the inkers on Kirby’s work made his stories
look quite different.