Thor #6

In reading the various reviews across the internet for "Thor", I thought I might like the book. I came late to it and wound up reading it as I could find issues. That meant I've missed issues 2 and 3. I've now read issues 1, 4, 5, and 6 with the last three in within one month of each other. I like what JMS is doing in "Thor". He is writing this and it reads like a novel. Slowly building and adding story elements and character development. I like this take on the Thor mythos. I'm glad that they have brought back Dr. Don Blake as I felt that was what grounded Thor in our world. The juxtaposition of small town U.S.A. and Asgard is very interesting providing some comedic elements. This issue provides more of that comparison as the towns people discuss their interactions with the Asgardians. JMS is creating something that doesn't require me to know who's invaded who, who's making deals with the devil, or who's registered and who's not. The baggage of the greater Marvel Universe is left behind and JMS just tells the tale of Thor. That is enough for me. The art by Oliver Coipel on pencils, Mark Morales on art, and Laura Martin on colors truly enhances JMS excellent story. I especially like they way Coipel illustrates the transitions between Blake and Thor.

If you are frightened by the greater Marvel Universe titles but want to try one, pick up "Thor". I've come in half way, missing some issues and I'm still enjoying it. No knowledge of Thor is required. However, if you have read classic, silver age Thor comics, you will enjoy JMS' nods to those days.

The Twelve #2 of 12

Issue #1 ended with the death of the Blue Blade and this issue picks up from there...sort of. The Phantom Reporter is still our view into the world of the Twelve. I think this is a pretty good device for writer J. Michael Straczynski. The Phantom Reporter has no powers and was truly grounded in the world of the 1940s. This issue jumps back six months prior to the Blue Blade's untimely death and shows how these WW II heroes begin to acclimate to 2008. Captain Wonder's story is especially poignant. Straczynski touches on a few issues TV, race, etc. that would be new or changed for these heroes. Chris Weston's art really captures the differing moods of the Twelve. Weston has a knack for facial expressions and he does a fine job here.

Straczynski is definitely using this miniseries to make commentary on contemporary America - showing both the good and not so good changes for these heroes. I'm hooked and on board for the remainder of the series.

The Twelve #1 of 12

I missed this one last week, but caught a few of the reviews out there for it. "The Twelve" follows twelve World War II era heroes that are awakened from suspended animation in 2008. The events occur in the post-Civil War Marvel Universe as well. In reading reviews on the internet, I had heard that this story might be similar to Alan Moore's "Watchmen" and decided to check it out. As luck would have it my LCS had a couple of copies left when I went for my weekly comics run.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski provides a good setup here. I'm not up to speed on my WWII Marvel superheroes but I believe all of the ones presented here are original. The narrator is Dick Jones - the Phantom Reporter. Dressed like the DC's Phantom Stranger without any powers, he provides the reader's view into this story. I like the tone set here and Chris Weston's character designs are good. Each character of the twelve looks like the could have stepped out of some WWII comic.

The last panel of the book is the reason most cited for the "Watchmen" comparison and I can see why. However, the tone set here really isn't like Moore's creation. I haven't decided whether I'm going to buy the whole series in monthlies or wait for the TPB, but I am intrigued.