Published On: 2016-11-23 by Marvel
Artist: Steve Epting
Colorist: Frank Martin Jr
Letterer: VC's Joe Sabino
Catch-up on Last Issue
Back in The Mighty Thor #4, Malekith enchanted Aelsa and married the Queen of the Light Elves. Returning to this plot thread, Lady Thor and her allies prepare to steal the queen back. See our full review of The Mighty Thor #4.
In This Issue of The Mighty Thor #13
The Ten Realms aren’t coming together to fight against Malekith. There’s bickering among the Congress of Worlds. Lady Thor and Sif reform the League of the Realms to rescue Queen Featherwine. The plan goes about as well as expected and soon the League is fighting to stay alive against the entire Dark Elf army. Malekith with Loki tethered to him like an Asgardian wizard-dog makes the second move in their War of the Realms.
What Else Happens in this Comic?
The infighting between the Realms is the b-story this issue. It’s mostly among the different members of the League who don’t trust each other.
The Comic's Themes
Lady Thor isn’t accepted among the Asgardians. She’s seen as having stolen the mighty Mjolnir. Likewise Jane isn’t trusted as a member of the Congress of Worlds. That constant feel of being an outsider is a theme we’ll see playout throughout the rest of The Mighty Thor.
Play the Thor
How's The Mighty Thor #13's Writing?
The Dialogue
We’ve read this in issue after issue, Jason Aaron does great dialogue. The members of the League of the Realms jump onto the page as fully formed characters with history (even if we don’t know what it is). A dwarf and a troll. An Asgardian and an Angel of Heven. The citizens of the Ten Realms don’t generally like each other and it makes for great comics.
Showing Versus Telling
It’s all show this issue. Even the flashbacks help to push the issue forward by showing us how the League decided to attack the Dark Elves.
The Vibe
The Mighty Thor #13 reads like an issue of a war comic. Our team is venturing deep into enemy territory on a potential one way mission.
Comic Art Review
We’ve had three artists so far in The Mighty Thor. The guest artist for issues 13 and 14 is Steve Epting. He has a thicker line, more realistic style to his art. There’s plenty of detail but not on the level of Russell Dauterman. Shadows and light come into play often. Fans of classic Thor, Conan or Red Sonja will likely enjoy the art from these two issues. Angela’s ribbons are particularly fun to look at. It’s a carry-over from McFarlane’s art style, and Epting uses it perfectly. The ribbons are always floating around giving a dynamic, energetic feel to the panels.
-
- Mighty Thor 13 Cover
On the Cover
Russell Dauterman, series regular artist, drew this month’s cover. It’s a fight scene from the perspective of someone who has fallen down. The League of Realms is fighting with Dark Elves. We’re treated to just a quick glimpse of Russell’s character design work for the League members.
The Comic Panel by Panel
Frank Martin on colors does something subtle with the colors in this issue of The Mighty Thor. We have two flashback scenes, and he mutes the colors for those scenes. It’s an overlay that drops the saturation of the colors. Without the flashback overlay, we’d read right through thinking the scene was in the present (and be completely confused). It was a really nice touch.
Most of the pages are your standard four or five panels. We have consistent panel breaking with lines and hair. On a few pages, we have Dauterman style mixed panel shapes. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t, and we’re left with odd white spaces on the page.
World Building
This adventure happens in the spoiled lands of the Light Elves around the capital city of Ljosalfgard.
Live the Thor
Wear the Thor
Who's In This Issue of The Mighty Thor #13
- Malekith the Accursed
- Queen Featherwine
- Loki
- Ro Bloodroot
- Agent Roz Solomon
- Angela
- Titanya Vaetilda Vinnsuvius
- Sif
- Ud the Troll
- Screwbeard
- Sir Ivory Honeyshot
- League of Realms
The Big Question for Next Issue
What is a Kurse?
Wear the Thor
League of Realms, may we strike with speed and fury this day.
Who Will Like The Mighty Thor #13?
Fans of the League of the Realms from previous Thor runs will enjoy this issue. If you liked MCU Thor #2 and the Dark Elves, you’ll like this issue. I enjoyed seeing the breadth of the Dark Elf army from soldiers to bats.
I Need More Content like The Mighty Thor #13
The first time I remember readinga bout the League of the Realms was in The Mighty Thor #2 The Galactus Seed 2: Neighbors. Sif and Thor are attempting to train the league in that issue known at the time as the Brigade of the Realms. It was a different League but still interesting to see citizens of the Ten Realms work together. Angela can be found in any number of Marvel comics over the last few years. I enjoyed her a lot in All-New Xmen Volume 3 when the Guardians helped the Star Jammers rescue Jean Grey.
What was I missing?
The downside of any realistic comic artist is there’s a tendency for the art to lose some energy. It’s easier to make cartoon style characters stretch or float. For those that like realistic style, you’ll really enjoy these issues.
Should You Buy This Comic Book?
Read issues thirteen and fourteen as one complete story. We're getting an early taste of the War of the Realms, and it feels like that cross-over event is going to be a good one.