WOTN Review: Thor #5 (Marvel Comics)

A Battle Beyond Measure In Thor #5

Of all the Marvel characters, Thor has gone through the most chances in recent years. Yet one thing that will never change: the amount of danger he consistently faces. In Thor #5, that statement has never felt truer.

Thor is now King of Asgard, perhaps ironically since he did not want that. They say the best rulers are the ones that avoid the power. Here’s hoping that proves true for Thor as well. Though he’s currently facing a crisis like no other.

With a new creative team behind Thor (for the first time in ages), this series has something to prove. Or that it is a plot that has been stewing in the back of somebody’s mind for quite some time. Either way, Thor has been thrown into the deep end this time.

Writing

Thor #5 is a heavy-hitting issue that refuses to pull punches, all while setting up for the most dramatic reveal of the series. One in a line of revelations, actually. This series is only five issues in, yet it feels determined to throw everything it has at Thor (and his allies).

With a title like ‘The Devourer King,’ it’s safe to create some assumptions and theories, none good for our hero. Donny Cates has made sure to thread a fine line here, sneaking around those assumptions to bring about surprises and a truly epic plot worthy of that title.

There are a lot of throwbacks and references within this issue, the sort of thing that long-time readers of Thor will truly appreciate. Yet they’re carefully written, ensuring that newer readers won’t feel left out. They will probably be encouraged to read a few key arcs.

There’s so much raw power woven into this issue, which, combined with the throwbacks, is pretty moving. The final revelation felt almost at home with everything else going on. However, it’s hard to see how everyone (namely Thor) will react to the news.

Art

Without some seriously impressive artwork, you can’t have a dark and intense plot. Well, you can, but it would lose some of the impact. That’s why Thor #5 is quite remarkable. The artists behind the scenes really brought them to a whole new level.

Nic Klein was the lead artist, and there’s a lot to appreciate about their work. The expression of the secondary characters, the grand scale of what was shown, everything. The highlight for me had to be the transitory scene Thor witnessed, one that many long-running fans will pick up on and appreciate.

Matt Wilson was the colorist, and their colors are so vibrant, yet unafraid to dive into a darker realm. It’s fitting for the plot when you put it in those terms. His colors perfectly evoke the power scale dealt with, all while using darker hues to build concern.

Then there’s VC’s Joe Sabino, who handles the lettering. Unsurprisingly, they did a fantastic job here. The lettering was vital in this issue and likely required extra thought regarding placement, thanks to the color palette.

Conclusion

Thor #5 continues the latest epic saga in Thor’s life. It’s dramatic and intense, and on a grand scale that fans have come to expect from our hero. In many ways, it feels like we’ve been thrown back into the time of Gorr, which is horrifying.

This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.

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