Comic Review: Thor (2019-) #2

Thor #2

Marvel Comics

Writer: Donny Cates

Artists: Nic Klein and Matt Wilson

Thor #1 was a wonderful debut. It managed to differentiate itself from the previous iconic take on the character and does so without completely ditching all it had built. It was full of fun ideas and served as an excellent hook. A story needs more than that though, and Thor #2 sets out to prove it has more going for it than just some exciting ideas. It has vision, passion, and talent to ensure that those things reach their potential.

This issue comes out swinging with a wonderful establishment of stakes. What better way to hammer home the danger the Marvel Universe faces than by having it destroy the DC Universe? While it’s of course not meant to hint at some larger connection, it felt like something straight out of a comic from 30+ years ago. I love the friendly rivalry between the staff of Marvel and DC, but it’s something that rarely shows itself in the work anymore since the two have become such huge media empires. Most importantly though, it’s a fun sequence that takes me back to a different time.

In terms of the actual story, it’s kind of delightful. Taking Thor away from Asgard just as the story begins to become Galactus’ herald presents many potential problems. It could say “I don’t know how/don’t want to write King Thor, so I’ll make it a non-factor”, or “I don’t care for Asgard and it’s cast, so I’ll do a story without them.” This issue, however, addresses most of the concerns I had. Thor is still king, and it directly influences his character while heralding Galactus. Asgard and Thor’s supporting cast still have significant roles to play and are anything but forgotten. Sif, for example, is a great character who is constantly in the sidelines, yet in this book, she plays an essential role.

The issue has all of this going for it, but none of it is possible without Nic Klein and Matt Wilson. Klein brings an otherworldly atmosphere to the book. Many pages and panels feel like something straight out of God Butcher and allow the book to fit within the mold of Thor that has become so well-defined over the last several years. His sense of scale, specifically on Galactus, is so effective. Klein gives Galactus the presence of a being beyond us, and it truly makes the giant purple man intimidating.

Thor #2 was a wonderful follow-up to an incredible beginning. It’s given me confidence in the staying power of this run and in this team because now I know there’s more to it than what is immediately on the surface. Donny Cates delivers a wholly unique and tight script while Nic Klein and Matt Wilson elevate the book to the cosmic scale it demands. Here’s to many more years of stellar Thor stories.