chezkevin: Thor: The Accursed and The Last Days of Midgard

In his senses-shattering take on the God of Thunder Jason Aaron introduced the time-hopping team of past Thor (the adventurer), present Thor (the Avenger), and future Thor (the King of Asgard), each with their own unique personalities and problem-solving skills. With the lush art of Esad Ribic, the two were unstoppable. My only criticism of the original storyline was that it took 2 paperbacks in order to complete the story -- which they have since rectified by publishing a paperback that collects issues 1-11.

So let's take a look at the latter half of the series. It ended at issue 25, which led to the "Original Sin" mega-event, and a whole new Thor title with another #1. Today we cover "The Accursed" and "The Last Days of Midgard."

Thor: God of Thunder Vol. 3 -- The Accursed

by Jason Aaron, Ron Garney, et al.

Collects issues 12-18

The main story is issues 13-17 "The Accursed," named after one of Thor's greatest enemies: a sadistic Dark Elf titled Malekith, the Accursed. The more I thought about it, the conflict between these two aren't that important at all. We already know how these guys are going to act together. Malekith comes off as your standard comic-book sadist, desiring to rule the Dark Elves of Svartálfheim, by eh, murdering them one by one, even if they're dead. It's how their conflict plays out in the larger world of Asgard that Aaron wants to touch on here. To convey this importance, Aaron even includes a map of "Yggdrasil,"the world tree that contains all nine realms, in nearly every issue!

We get to see the various races that compose the colorful world of Asgard: from the artistic Light Elves and pixies of Alfheim, to the towering Frost Giants of Jotunheim, each race has its own history and skills. They go so far as to form a "League of Realms," a UN of Asgard, if you will, so that one kingdom isn't seen to be dominant. My favorite are the Dwarves of Nedavellir, as the Dwarf of the League of Realms provides comic relief:

And finally, Dark Elves: a selfish, violent, and hostile lot. In fact, their congressional debates are composed of an "introductory stabbing" phase, and the two debates are insulted when Thor interrupts their due process!

So the only logical conclusion for the Council of the Dark Elves, is to make Malekith King of the Dark Elves. That way, he's obtained what he wanted all along, and no more blood will be shed. It's a resolution that comes out of nowhere, yet it makes perfect sense -- for Dark Elves. The background is set for a new world order with Malekith as a realm leader, setting off an uneasy peace.

"The Accursed" is bookended with two slice-of-life-ish stories at both ends. I enjoyed both of them, since they give you special insight to who Thor is, was, and will be in all areas of time. Aaron does such a good job of building a charming, fantasy world with a sense of dry humor. For example, check out this intro caption:

Midgard: World of fossil fuels and high-fructose corn syrup.

And check out young Thor's opinion of his responsibilities when responding to prayers:

Just charming.

Thor: God of Thunder Vol. 4 -- The Last Days of Midgard

by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic, et al.

Collects issues 19-25

It's an end-of-the-world story paired, with another end-of-the-world story as Thor the Avenger fights the mega-corporation Roxxon Energy, and King Thor battles Old Man Galactus, in the future!

There's some heavy environmental undertones in here, with points where it does get too ham-fisted. Particularly interesting is the guardianship that Thor has over the planet Earth, reflected in both battles fought by Thor the Avenger and Thor the King. King Thor even reflects, when asked why he wants to save the Earth at the end of its life cycle:

Because it's saved me more times than I can count. And I haven't saved it nearly enough.

As an old man, he sees the value of this place that took care of him when he was in his "teenage" years, so to speak. Earlier, in Volume 3, King Thor states his love, as if it's a matter of fact:

Foolish sentry. Doth the boy not know his history? Thor ALWAYS returns to Midgard.

No matter how much it PAINS him.

He's this grumpy old bastard with this unstoppable love, for a planet. A whole planet. It's this love that redeems him, for any of his flaws. This love shines through even in the Thor the Avenger plotline, when asked if he has a girlfriend.

This focus on Thor's love for a planet makes Volume 4 unique. It's conveyed beautifully in the words and the art, now that Esad Ribic is back. Esad Ribic. Just look at this underwater scene:

I love hand-drawn sound effects! The color is even muted, to signify the depth of the water.

The evil corporation storyline isn't very novel, but the Roxxon CEO, Darius Agger, does have a neat twist that allows him to fight hand-to-hand with Thor.

The fight scene between Galactus and King Thor is an instant classic: Asgardian trash talk, using black holes as an assist, bringing forth Mjolnir held by a Destroyer arm. It's great super-comics.