Immortal Thor #18: The Stroke of Midnight

This month’s Immortal Thor concludes Thor’s battle with a mix of minor baddies—Gargoyle, King Cobra, Mr. Hyde, and Radioactive Man—recruited by the secretly-not-dead supervillain Dario Agger/Minotaur to be his “pantheon.” There is, to be sure, something comforting and nostalgic in such a narrative, our mighty hero beating up a cavalcade of silly themed villains as the Big Bad lurks in shadow. Artist Jan Bazaldua’s artwork, colored by Matt Hollingsworth, is suitably bold and dynamic. Nonetheless, spread thinly over three issues, this series of sparring matches begins to drag. This somehow remains true even when disrupted by the surprise magical revival of Magni, the God of Strength and Thor’s son by Enchantress in an alternate timeline. It’s enjoyable enough, but grates in the context of the wider series which not so long ago saw Thor brainwashed by a Marvel-esque nostalgic cash-grab comic produced by the Minotaur. 

Every month for over a year, The Immortal Thor seemed to achieve something impossible: to be both an idealistic reminder of what superhero comics could be and a cynical deconstruction of the corporate art they often are. But over the course of recent issues, the magic has started to fade and the narrative carriage that whisked us away is starting to look a bit pumpkin-y. There aren’t any awe-inspiring set-pieces left to gawp at or incisive commentary to spend the month mulling over. What remains is a serviceable superhero story with characters whose faces feel interchangeable and a muddy color palette that relies a tad heavily on midtones. The narrative gestures towards larger themes like father-son relationships and the true meaning of strength, and the narrator themself promises that all of this drawn-out stage-setting will be worth the wait in the end. 

Alex Ross’ cover, depicting the fearsome foursome realistically reflected in Thor’s winged metal helm, is Immortal Thor #18’s crowning achievement. Beyond showcasing Ross’ technical skill, his clever composition places the battle inside Thor’s head, gesturing at the series’ emphasis on Thor winning battles through wit rather than brute force. And like Cinderella’s glass slipper, it’s a reminder of how enchanting this series has been and what it may be again.