In the fallout of the War of the Realms event, the mighty superhero Thor has become the new king of Asgard--and the new title is weighing heavilyy on the god of thunder, now that the first images have been offered from the coming Thor #1 relaunch.
The official announcement of the relaunch showed how the new series will give King Thor a new, much darker look. But in the first three pages shared by writer Donny Cates, it appears King Thor will be getting a new visual design from Cates, Nic Klein, and Matt Wilson even before his goth makeover. So with the first issue due in 2020, there's no question the new king of Asgard is facing responsibilities that have taken the spark out of his one remaining eye.
From the preview pages shared by Cates via Twitter, Thor looks to be much more grizzled than he was when readers last saw him. Granted, his new, horned helm, and a beard that any viking would envy does fit with his larger mythology. But even with his golden eye patch remaining, the transformation is breaking with Jason Aaron's Thor from the get-go. Thankfully, the Asgardian destroyer arm Thor reattached is still helping him wield the newly reforged Mjolnir.
The preview shows Thor arriving to be seated upon his throne, in what looks to be a brand new location--likely the heart of his new Asgard, anchored to the newly reborn World Tree, Yggdrasil. Thor's lack of armor is immediately noticable, looking more like a working king than a glorious one, even with Odin's famous ravens draping his kingly cape around his shoulders. The rune for Thurisaz is carved into the tree trunk over his throne (representing strength, and growth through struggle) signifying the dawn of a new age, with Thor as King. But examining how Thor lets his hammer fall to the ground with an audible thump, before rubbing the hand that was holding it... it would seem the battle-hungry Thor of yesterday is feeling the weight of both the hammer and the crown.
The rune carved above Thor's throne is the same one which will glow in his brand new costume, but this preview is clearly set prior to that transformation. Instead Thor must face a reunion with his brother Loki. An enraged Thor hurls his hammer directly at Loki's face, and apparently whatever scene precedes the act has Loki convinced Thor means to harm him. Of course, Thor stops it in mid-air... casually walking by Loki, and plucking the hammer out of the air. Not the first time Thor has been too tired to deal with his trickster brother, but perhaps hinting at more exhaustion given the previous page.
The future of King Thor has never seemed less certain, and with an inexplicable new helmet confirmed before his second, even more dramatic makeover... fans may be best off waiting to see how this story will develop one page at a time. Until then, check out the full solicitations details and credits below:
- THOR #1 (2020)
- Writer: Donny Cates
- Artist: Nic Klein
- Colorist: Matt Wilson
- A BRAND-NEW, SUPERSTAR CREATIVE TEAM TAKES THE KING OF ASGARD TO NEW REALMS OF GLORY! The prince is now a king. All Asgard lies before Thor, the God of Thunder. And after many months of war, the Ten Realms are finally at peace. But the skies above the Realm Eternal are never clear for long. The Black Winter is coming. And the God of the Storm will be powerless before it.
Source: Donny Cates