TITLE: The Mighty Thor Walter Simonson Issue #1 – Halloween ComicFest 2017
YEAR: October 2017 (US Release)
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Art and Story: Walter Simonson
Lettering: John Workman, Jr.
Colors: Steve Oliff
Edited: Mark Gruenwald
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter
Back in Halloween time of 2017, I picked up the Halloween ComicFest version of “The Mighty Thor” Walter Simon issue #1.
Despite already having owned the issue (which is “The Mighty Thor” issue #354), part of the reason why I wanted to pick up this reprint is that it features newer digital coloring and it’s printed on better paper. Granted, I would choose the original issue with its original paper in a heartbeat, it’s always interesting to me of seeing how a company such as Marvel changes things for their reprints.
In this issue, Odin and Surtur have battled it out and disappear in Muspelheim and Odin is thought to be dead. Thor tries to save his father but Loki tells his brother that it is too late to help their father. Thor wants to desperately open Muspelheim but is warned by Loki that if he does, the demons will escape.
Thor knows Loki is right but at the same time knows that he is up to no good and wants to rule the realm with Odin gone.
As word spreads throughout Asgard of what has happened to Odin, others try to take advantage of the opportunity such as Hela, the Goddess of Death has come to claim his soul but she is unable to feel his spirit, so she wants Thor’s spirit instead.
Meanwhile, Thor and Sif try to find a way to bring the Asgardians home now that the Rainbow Bridge is gone.
A second story is included titled “Tales of Midgard – Home of the Amazing Race” and back in Chicago Don Blake’s employees Nurse Stevens and Mrs. Barclay worry about their boss, who has not been around for months and his account is nearly exhausted and bills are overdue. This leads Fandral coming to visit and giving them severance pay, which are charms to make them forget about Don Blake.
And also included is a short story from “Journey Into Mystery” issue #102 featuring “The Boyhood of Thor” at the age of 18 and features the first time Thor was able to lift Mjolnir above his head and him meeting Hela, Goddess of Death.
Overall, the issue is very interesting because despite how difficult Odin was to Odinson (Thor), Thor always respected and loved his father but also to see how much chaos comes to Asgard when Odin is not around.
A wonderful comic written and illustrated by Walter Simonson!