Thor [2020] #8 - Marvel Comics

THOR No. 8, December 2020

Based upon the debatably bizarre premise that anyone in Broxton, Oklahoma can simply pick up “the famed hammer of the Thunder God… no worthiness required”, Donny Cates script for Issue Eight of “Thor” was probably never going to really win over that many of the comic’s readers. Indeed, Odinson’s behaviour throughout this entire twenty-page periodical is unusually odd, with the founding Avenger seemingly not even caring when an incredibly detestable Iron Man batters him straight across the face with Mjolnir itself; “For the vast majority of the time I have known thee… You have been a noble ally and friend.”

Furthermore, it doesn’t seem particularly clear just what the American author was actually trying to achieve with his storyline. True, this second instalment of “Hammerfall” does a first-rate job of depicting Tony Stark as a total jerk, whose holier than thou ego foolishly makes the billionaire industrialist momentarily believe that he has every right to both keep Thor’s hammer for himself and subsequently assault the Thunder God with it. But frankly, the inventor’s famous arrogance is obvious for all to see when he immediately starts threatening a bemused Adam Aziz for possession of the enchanted hand-weapon at the start of the comic.

Likewise, it seems somewhat anomalous that Jack Kirby’s co-creation would later willingly allow a local mechanic to wield Mjolnir and go so far as to teach him how to fly using its power. Of course, this sequence is actually rather endearing, as the elderly repairman exudes an utterly enchanting childlike excitement during his once in a lifetime lesson. However, apart from padding out the publication with some tongue-in-cheek humour, as well as planting the seed in the long-haired deity's mind to reset “the Uru hammer”, this silly scene disconcertingly jars with the serious nature of the titular character’s potentially catastrophic confrontation with Iron Man just moments before.

Frustratingly, guest artist Aaron Kuder doesn’t seemingly help ‘sell’ Cates’ tale either, courtesy of some rather lack-lustre pencilling. The heavily detailed panels depicting the titular character staring into the great Book of Kings at this comic's opening is incredibly atmospheric, and packed full of menacing intrigue. Yet, as soon the audience are whisked to present day Broxton, there’s arguably a noticeable drop in quality – not least of which is the design of Adam’s Asgardian costume.

The regular cover art of "THOR" #8 by Olivier Coipel & Laura Martin