Thor #3 (Marvel – Straczynski / Coipel) – First, let me say that this is the best version of Thor I’ve read in a long time. I liked the Ragnarök story line because it felt like Thor and this supporting cast needed to be rocked in a big way. I would say that killing off everyone in the book was a great start. Then comes J. Michael Straczynski to tell the story of how Thor and his fellow countrymen continue on. In my review of the first issue, I called this book a re-boot, it’s not. It’s the next chapter in Thor’s story.
This issue finds Thor landing in New Orleans looking for a fellow Norse god, but finding Tony Stark, a.k.a Iron Man, instead. Thor gives IM the silent treatment while he gets the sales pitch on why he should side with Stark, S.H.E.I.L.D, and the US Government during this time of registration. Stark finishes his pitch and Thor gives his answer accompanied with a lighting storm. In classic debate form, Stark rebuts and in classic viking form, Thor give Stark a good look at the business end of his hammer. Yep, Thor knocks the crap outta him! This was on par with Hulk taking Stark down (yes, I have Tony Stark hate). The best part is, Thor was just getting started. He delivers to Tony a warning to stay out the the business of the gods, lets Stark know that he’s been holding pack his true power for years, and that he’ll be back to “discuss” the ramifications of Civil War’s clone Thor. To try and make peace, Stark lets Thor know how to politically handle the issue of Asgard floating eight feet above Oklahoma. Declare Asgard as a nation and get diplomatic immunity (much like Namor and Atlantis). Finally, Thor finds his first hidden god, Heimdall, Guardian of Asgard. It seems that all of the Norse gods have taken solace in the body of humans and there have laid dormant waiting for release.
Grade: A+ (I love this book)
