Thor #36

Posted: Saturday, April 7
By: Jason Cornwell

Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Walter Taborda

Publisher: Marvel

PLOT:
After looking in on the crew of a fishing vessel off the coast of Norway, as they discover an ancient mystical medallion caught in their fishing nets, we then look in on Loki as he is freed from the mortal body that Odin imprisoned him inside, by Karnilla, Queen of the Norn.

We then see that Loki has been freed so that he might kill Thor, and to help him achieve this goal Karnilla supplies him with the Destroyer armor. With Loki looking for a suitable pawn among Thor's supporting cast, to be placed inside the Destroyer armor, we see Thor has been trapped inside the severely burned body of Jake Olson. When the Destroyer armor arrives at the hospital with Tarene (the new Thor-Girl) trapped inside it, we see Thor is freed from his mortal shell, and is ready to drop the hammer on the rampaging Destroyer.

However, thanks to the important role Tarene is destined to play, we see Thor has to temper his attacks for fear of killing her.

COMMENTS:
I've been a bit disheartened by this title as of late, as it seemed like Dan Jurgens was more focused on making his stories appear to be grandiose in scope, than he was on making sure that they actually were. This month he brings back Loki, but unlike the past few arcs, the plan that Loki comes up with contains a nice sense of danger.

We have a threat that Thor can't resolve by simply overpowering his opponent, and at this moment I'm not entirely certain how he'll resolve this crisis, which is something that hasn't occurred in this title very often. The simple fact that Loki is behind it all is also a big plus, as he's always been my personal favourite Thor villain, and Dan Jurgens looks to be playing him as the puppet-master manipulating events from the shadows, which is always the preferred role for Loki.

In fact I'd even go as far to saw this is the best this book has been since the Dark Gods saga wrapped up. On the side of the equation, I've never found the Destroyer to be all that interesting an opponent for Thor, as despite it's ability to kill a god, in the end all it is a big, super-strong robot. I mean, there's only so much one can do with an opponent like this, as given it doesn't speak, it lacks personality, and there's only so many ways one can show Thor's hammer bouncing off the Destroyer before the reader gets the idea that it's one tough suit of armor.

I guess the fact that Tarene is the soul trapped inside the armor does give this contest a unique twist, and one has to ask why she appears to be intent on killing Thor, when in the past, the soul inside the armor has been able to exert full control over the armor. However, in the end whenever I see the proclamation "Thor Vs. the Destroyer" my inner fanboy begins to nod off, as these encounters are normally dreadfully dull reads.

Walter Taborda is a name I've never seen before, and if this issue marks his debut, then I have to say it's one of the more stunning first time efforts I've ever come across. I mean this issue is a fine blend of detailing & style, as Walter Taborda's art has a very unique look to it. His version of Loki looks suitably sinister, and the sight of a severely burned Jake Olson is shocking enough that one can easily believe that turning into Thor is the only chance at saving him.

However the highlight of the entire issue is Walter Taborda's version of Asgard, as it lives up to it's Viking heritage, without losing the sense of grandeur & cosmic scope. The shot of the Destroyer on it's rampage does have some perspective problems as on the one-page spread it looks to be several stories tall, while on the following pages it's roughly the same size as Thor, but this is a minor detail. Walter Taborda is a name to watch for, as this was truly a spectacular Marvel debut.

FINAL WORDS:
Not a bad read, but it is a bit top heavy with continuity, so any fan who might be coming into this book cold, is going to have a rough go of it this month. Still, for fans who have been with the book since issue one, this issue is a big old mess of exciting ideas. We have Loki restored to his full power, and given a new toy to crush Thor with.

Plus, Dan Jurgens nicely has Loki live up to his role as a trickster, as Loki has pitted Thor against a Destroyer that contains the soul of Tarene, and should her soul be destroyed, the universe will be doomed. Add to this a nicely intense confrontation sequence between Odin & Tarene, and a couple brief glimpses at looming threats, and you have an issue that is quite rewarding for Thor fans.