THOR #44
"As Lives a Memory..."
Mildly Recommended (6/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Pencils: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Scott Koblish
Colors: Avalon Studios
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Price: $2.25 US/$3.50 CAN |
Jurgens has really stretched out the Death of Odin plotline, but if it keeps resulting in touching, resonant stories, I find it hard to complain. The grief-stricken and contemplative tone of the storyline fits right in with the "'Nuff Said" approach, as Jurgens shares the memories of two sons as they think back on the father they recently lost. Still, this is far from the most accessible issue of the series. There are elements from the ongoing storyline that require dialogue to be make themselves fully known.
As Asgard prepares for the funeral rites for Allfather Odin, Thor, Baldur, the Lady Sif and Loki all reflect back on past moments they shared with the great leader and father figure to the gods. All but one of the mourners reflect on Odin's wisdom and kindness.
Jurgens isn't just dwelling on recent events in this title; he tells new stories from the title character's youth. These flashback tales bring a more accessible tone to the story. However, its role as part of a greater story arc revolving around Odin's death will leave some readers -- those who might check this out as part of the silent event -- out of the loop, I think.
Immonen does a good job of filling the reader in on most of the details, though. However, upon reading the excerpt from the script in the back of the book, I realized I missed a couple of key elements... notably Loki's double-headed coin and the flow of the action in the Baldur flashback. The almost hazy tone of Immonen's collaboration with Koblish not only suits the silence, but it is in keeping with the sorrowful and hopeful tone of the script. The vague definition of the borders during the flashback sequences also added to the dream-like and reflective tone of the story.
I think what's most striking about this issue -- and the current plotline in general -- is how much the title character has grown. The weight of responsibility and his determination to honor his father's memory have granted Thor a degree of wisdom and patience we really haven't seen in the character before.
Note: Some comments in this review were reproduced from a previous related feature on the website.
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