Jane Foster and the Mighty Thor #2: A Smashing Success

Given its relatively short length, it’s astounding just how much the second issue of Jane Foster & The Mighty Thor accomplishes. While it remains unclear when this comic takes place in relation to the main Thor title, trying to tie it to the current “Hulk vs Thor/Hulked-out Thor” storyline might only confuse things. Instead, we’re invited to follow Jane on a fast-paced trip that includes saving Asgard and a visit to New Orleans (among other things) as she continues to search for the comic’s kidnapped damsel-in-distress (Thor). 

Every bit as action-packed as its cover promises, the second issue also reveals more about Thor’s disappearance and digs into the god’s relationship with death. In contrast, the main Thor title has, as of late, become a splash-page-heavy comic light on dialogue, narration, and character development. While “more words” doesn’t always mean “better comic,” Torunn Grønbekk’s narration and dialogue make for a comic that feels balanced and rich. Text boxes and speech bubbles compliment but never overcrowd Michael Dowling’s drawings of dynamic fights, expressive faces, and sweeping scenery. In terms of coloring, Jesus Aburtov plays up the dark blues and purples of night and space, punctuating it with unearthly greens and dramatic oranges, all lending even more depth and melodrama to Dowling’s art.