Thor #9 Review

by Nick Devonald on November 04, 2020

Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Nic Klein
Colours: Matt Wilson
Letters: VC’s Joe Sabino

What’s been great about Donny Cates’ run on Thor is his obvious knowledge and reverence for Thor, and while he’s been making his mark upon the character he’s also placed tribute to his history. Choosing Broxton as the setting for the previous story is a great example of that, and the end of that issue teasing us with the return of Donald Blake. For those readers who aren’t familiar with who Donald Blake is and his relationship with Thor, Cates’ does a spectacular job of summing it all up at the start of the issue. Just like he’s done with Venom though, it feels like Cates’ is going to end up putting his own spin on the story, and with a few subtle changes make it very much a Donny Cates story.

One of the strengths of Cates’ writing is the way nothing is ever black and white. This latest story-arc takes things in a very morally grey area, and readers will find themselves unsure who the hero or villain of the piece really is.

This issue gives readers a long overdue conversation between Thor and Loki, the newly dubbed God of Stories and Myths. It takes a good look at their relationship, which has gone through so much over the years, and gives readers a chance to understand how things are between the two siblings. Loki’s has been present from the very start of this series but so far we haven’t seen too much of the former God of Mischief, but it doesn’t take any stretch of the imagination to realise he’ll have an important role as the story progresses.

While it was nice to have Aaron Kuder as guest artist for the previous two issues it’s really good to have Nic Klein back as regular series artist. What he’s brought to the table with Thor has been absolutely outstanding, and there are a couple of incredible double page spreads which fans will fall in love with. And his new design for Donald Blake is truly inspired and leaves readers with more questions than answers.

Matt Wilson’s colours are used to great effect in this issue as well. Without diving too much into spoilers we get to see the same scene under vastly different circumstances, and the colours really hammer home the differences between these scenes. And of course any instance where Thor uses magic is excellently coloured in, Wilson manages to do things with the colours that are incredible.

This is the start of one of the more inspired and exciting Thor stories for a good long time, where this story could go is really up in the air, and it’s an excellent time to be a Thor fan. By taking the familiar Thor mythology and putting his own slant on it Donny Cates shows fans yet again why he’s one of the best writers currently at Marvel. Having series regular Nic Klein back on art duties means we get some truly gorgeous and detailed art, one of the highlights of the entire series.

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside