Immortal Thor #2: Thought Bubbles & Thunderclouds

Picking up this month’s Immortal Thor, one continues to get a sense that writer Al Ewing and artist Martín Cóccolo are both profoundly aware of their place in relation to the longer history of both Norse mythology and Marvel comics. It’s there not just in the quote from the Elder Edda, but in the visceral retelling of Odin’s sacrifice and the Kirby krackle adorning the abyss of space. 

More than anywhere else, it’s there in the way Ewing’s Thor speaks–and thinks. Immortal Thor #2 makes extensive use of the thought bubble, a device that has gone the way of the dinosaurs in recent years (its role largely taken over by narrative caption boxes). Contrasted by modern comics and a modern New York skyline in the background, it’s a quirk that makes this iteration of Thor feel that much older – perhaps even (charmingly) antiquated. Letterer Joe Sabino does a first-rate job of balancing Thor’s inner thoughts with the omniscient narrator’s caption boxes and a variety of specialized speech bubbles. The page never feels overburdened and the story moves along at a steady clip. 

While the first half of this month’s Immortal Thor focuses on Thor’s fight with Toranos, the latter focuses on a smaller, more intimate exchange between Thor and Loki. While the previous Thor run often seemed uncertain of what to do with Loki, Immortal Thor #2 (and last month’s reveal of Utgard-Loki) makes it clear that this new series is set to explore their evolving relationship (and relatively new roles as All-Father and God of Stories) in a great deal more depth. 

Cóccolo’s artwork continues to dazzle during fight scenes, with Matthew Wilson’s colors making every page feel bold and luminous. The quieter half of the issue, meanwhile, feels equally enchanting and far from static. And while Thor himself might still be dressed in his classic Jack Kirby-designed costume, Cóccolo brings another phenomenal new character design to the table as he did in the last issue with Toranos and Utgard-Loki.