Published On: 2017-06-21 by Marvel
Artist: Valerio Schiti
Colorist: Veronica Gandini
Letterer: VC's Joe Sabino
Catch-up on Last Issue
We start a new arc in The Mighty Thor #20. In other Marvel comics, the Ultimate Thor died defending the Multiverse, but his hammer remains. Who will hold the hammer now? War is coming to the Ten Realms. Can the new Ultimate Thor keep back the bloody tide?
In This Issue of The Mighty Thor #20
We jump back to the War of the Realms with the Queen of Cinders’ attack on Nidavellir, the realm of the Dwarves. Several senators from the Congress of Worlds get caught in the attack. Volstagg’s life is changed by the war forever.
What Else Happens in this Comic?
We return to Jane’s battle with cancer in a big way. Prince Thor knows that Jane transforms into Lady Thor at the touch of Mjolnir. He’s determined not to let Jane kill herself protecting the realm.
The Comic's Themes
The horrors of war and rage at death are the themes of this issue. Volstagg witnesses horrors. It affects him negatively so he gravitates toward a relic that’s also infected by similar feelings. Can a good man be corrupted by horror? Can he come back from the rage?
Collect the Ultimates
How's The Mighty Thor #20's Writing?
The Dialogue
Once you’ve read the first section, return to it. Notice how each of the senators speaks like a denizen of their part of the World Tree. All of them are speaking about the war, but how they say it and what they observe are unique to their cultures. World building doesn’t get much deeper. Thanks Jason!
Showing Versus Telling
There’s a scene where everything falls apart for Volstagg. It’s so visceral. The mind numbing terror is shown to use over several pages ending with Volstagg’s staring into nothingness.
The Vibe
It’s interesting how a different writer and artist team change the presentation of a comic. Jason Aaron, Valerio Schiti and Veronic Gandini combined bring a cinematic, war movie feel to The Mighty Thor #20. Other issues of The Mighty Thor have been epic. The look of this issue is large.
Comic Art Review
If you take the excellent character designs by Russell Dauterman and give them to another artist, what happens? We find out in The Mighty Thor #20 when Valerio Schiti takes over for Russell on art duties for this next arc of stories. Valerio brings a movie aesthetic to the comic and the character designs translate perfectly. Valerio is a master at facial expressions and drawing with light/shadows. It’s a thicker line style with much heavier dark areas. Valerio is a good match for this story.
-
- Mighty Thor 20 Cover
On the Cover
The new Ultimate Thor, or War Thor, in action destroying The Mighty Thor’s logo with the Ultimate version of Mjolnir. Art by Russell Dauterman.
The Comic Panel by Panel
To help with the transition to a new artist, we have several pages drawn by our usual team of Russell Dauterman and Matt Wilson. Valerio’s panel work is all standard rectangles. Russell’s panels are the standard for the Mighty Thor — multiple shapes and sizes. Both are very effective.
The coloring by Matt Wilson and Veronica Gandini is consistent and vibrant throughout the issue.
Joe Sabino has been doing something very subtle that I haven’t notice before. In the scene with Jane and Prince Thor, look at the font for each character. Humans and gods have different fonts. The Firefly Riders have their own word balloons!
World Building
There are two locations in The Mighty Thor #20. Congress-people visit Nidavellir to see how the Light Elves are doing. It’s a harsh dark land.
We also visit Old Asgard the previous home of the Norse gods. It was broken and abandoned. Now Thor and Odin use it as a place to sulk.
Collect the Ultimates
Diamond Select Toys Marvel Select: Ultimate Iron Man Action Figure
Collect the Ultimates
Who's In This Issue of The Mighty Thor #20
- Lady Solomon, SHIELD
- Lord Milkmane, ligth elf
- Lord Volstagg
- Prince Thor Odinson
- Thori
- Muspelheim Firefly Rider
The Big Question for Next Issue
What will the War Thor do?
Hear the Ultimates
Behold the War Thor. And prepare to bleed.
Who Will Like The Mighty Thor #20?
If you read the Ultimates and enjoyed that universe, you need to read The Mighty Thor #20 to see what happens to the Ultimate version of Mjolnir, the final survivor of that dead universe.
I Need More Content like The Mighty Thor #20
To get more Valerio Schiti drawing characters from Asgard, check out Journey into Mystery 646 – 650. Together with Kathryn Immonen and Jodie Bellaire, they craft several great stories about Sif.
What was I missing?
The Thori schtick got old after the third time the dog asked to murder something.
Should You Buy This Comic Book?
We jump into a new story arc this issue. It's a little jarring to change from series regular Russell Dauterman, but once you get used to the art team change, the issue moves along quickly and sets up a very good story. Volstagg doesn't get a lot of panel time. This story will change that and how you look at the good-hearted senator.