How to use this Page

Writer: Jason Aaron

Penciler: Chris Sprouse

Inker: Karl Story

Color Artist: Marte Gracia

Letters & Production: Joe Sabino

The Thors of every domain, together in one book! As cosmic cops! Whenever there’s trouble on Battleworld, the Thors answer the call. But a string of mysterious murders leaves some of them asking questions that may unravel all of reality!A hard-hitting Marvel Comics police drama. With hammers. Lots and lots of hammers.

By now it seems like the novelty of having Thors serve as cops of the Marvel Universe would have worn off, but exploring the idea in greater depth through the lens of Battleworld will still entice fans in Marvel’s Thors #1. Author Jason Aaron has always felt right at home with the Thor franchise at Marvel. Under his deft (Watcher) eye, the publisher has executed a lot of changes, including switching out the lead character. After revealing the identity of the female Thor, some may think that there’s no where else for Thor (the main title) to go — yet Aaron is clearly invested in the mythos, picking up stray plot threads that were seeded for years and tying them back into this story. While this tale is another book focused on fleshing out Battleworld further, the story’s contents show a focused narrative that’s full of intrigue and irreverent novelty.

This issue has a premise that isn’t impossible to understand or appreciate — basically team Thor tracks down a serial killer  running loose on Battleworld mercilessly killing people between various domains. It’s great to see one of my favorite domains: Weirdworld actually make a cameo in this issue. Yet, the Thors have yet to dive deeper into other parts of Battleworld. This tale skirts a really fine line in being silly and serious since the idea of having a force of Norse Gods functioning as policeman and woman is at least a little bit absurd. All of these different Thor characters fire off puns at each other that also moves dangerously close to the realm of self-parody (Frog Thor is in the issue after all,) yet a serial killer is still on the loose. The stakes are high in this initial installment — this is not a silly comedic farce of a bunch of Thor’s telling jokes to each other (see Valhalla Mad for that.)

One of the best parts of the new Secret Wars is how the different relationships with the individual characters are sometimes different — but also similar. Secret Wars obfuscates the story, but in most stories the narratives discrepancies usually add a wonderful sense of discovery to the different tales within the comic. The biggest contribution that Aaron really offers up to this comic is all the little moments about the Thors talking about their own duty. Later on, the book a really engaging piece of the Marvel Universe is lined back up with the superhero shared Universe in a fascinating manner. Every moment in this comic has some sort of rich discovery. We finally get a chance to meet the boss of all Thors and get a special look at a certain forensic scientist. There’s even a place for the unworthy. True Thor fans are not going to want to miss the last page of this issue when the world comes crashing down on Ultimate Thor.

Sprouse’ artwork is lovely. The penciller delivers a slight twist on the Marvel house style with a more cartoonish approach to pencilling than someone like a Dave Marquez or even Russell Dauterman. With this being a different incarnation for the life of Thor, it’s nice to see an artist who is different from the usual suspects really able to dazzle fans with extremely roster of characters present in this comic. The inking and colors are vibrant as well, taking advantage of the full potential present within the art of Sprouse. More importantly, this comic book has a really complicated tone, and this story is able to nail both the humor aspects along with the horrible serial murdering turning within every corner. In moments of humor, Sprouse renders just enough of a smile on Ultimate Thor’s face to show that he’s having fun — until the end of the issue.

With Thors not debuting until Secret Wars proper was nearly half over is definitely a bummer, it’s commendable that this series is truly able to captivate fans in the way that it does. So many surprises about Battleworld are left open in this project to discover — kudos to the editors and coordinators at Marvel who are tirelessly moving and shaking the event. Sprouse and Aaron have established one of the strongest narratives hammered into the umbrella of Secret Wars thus far — this issue is a can’t miss for people invested in the Thor mythos or even huge Secret Wars fans.

With the new Prez series launching next week as part of the New DC You(niverse) members of The Beat were attempting to do everything they could to get an exclusive interview with Prez Rickard, the former DC teenage hero and star of the original Prez title. Reaching out to Rickard was difficult, after all, The Beat isn’t particularly savvy with politics outside of the written page. Fortunately, when the new Prez, Beth Ross was alerted of our campaign, she managed to get us in a room with the former Prez of the DC Universe. When we finally cornered him in the back of a crowded room, he alerted us of his various picks for the week, politics and comics go together like vanilla and tofu. Here’s Rickard’s picks for the week:

Prez Rickard’s Picks:

Prez #1

Writer: Mark Russell Artist: Ben Caldwell

Meet Beth Ross, the first teenaged President of the United States. In a nation where corporations can run for office, the poor are used as human billboards, and tacos are delivered by drone, our only hope is this nineteen-year-old Twitter sensation. But the real question isn’t whether she’s ready for politics – it’s whether politics is ready for her. Don’t miss the start of this new, 12-issue miniseries!

Rickard’s all grown up now, and ready to let someone else take over the role of teenage president (Prez) which is actually why he informed us that he was perfectly cool with the new Prez Beth Ross taking over his position. He’s also eager to read the story-behind-the-story in Prez #1, the start of a twelve issue mini shipping from DC. With political humorist Mark Russell writing the story alongside Wednesday Comics alumni Ben Caldwell on art, Rickard is more than confident in the output of the non-traditional creative team of DC Comics members to deliver something creative on some title.

Thors #1

Writer: Jason Aaron Artist: Chris Sprouse

The Thors of every domain, together in one book! As cosmic cops! Whenever there’s trouble on Battleworld, the Thors answer the call. But a string of mysterious murders leaves some of them asking questions that may unravel all of reality! A hard-hitting Marvel Comics police drama. With hammers. Lots and lots of hammers.

Thors #1 is set to be a fun title for a number of reasons, although Mr. Rickard really wishes it would have came out closer to the launch of Secret Wars #1. The art of Chris Sprouse is in rare demand these days — and getting him on a title instrumental to the Marvel Universe with one of the series top writers is going to be a small blessing. Rickard also seeks to dig deeper into whatever Battleworld-flavored mystery Aaron and company have cooked up for the upcoming first installment of Thors. Unfortunately, after briefing me on his picks for the week, Rickard was quickly summoned into a meeting with Ross. Still, we were glad to finally have a meeting with one of the most “normal” visitors to the Stately Beat Manor — someone so “normal” that we actually had to go visit them.

Matt’s Picks:

Southern Bastards #9

Writer: Jason Aaron Artist: Jason Latour

NEW STORY ARC The Summer of the Bastards begins with a new arc, as the Runnin’ Rebs are gearing up for the big homecoming game against arch-rival Wetumptka County.

I recommended Weirdworld #1 by Jason Aaron sight unseen last week, so it only stands to reason that I’d spotlight the start of a new arc of a series that has a perfect 8-0 record. The trades for Volumes 1 AND 2 of Southern Bastards are just $9.99, so for less than $25 you can get caught up on a book that Aaron and Jason Latour always score with.

Kyle’s Pick:

Doctor Fate #1

Writer: Paul Levitz  Artist: Sonny Liew

You thought global warming was bad? Anubis, the Egyptian Lord of Dead, is preparing the flood to wash the world away. Standing in his way? An overwhelmed Brooklyn med student who’s been handed the helmet of Fate, without an instruction manual.

For those who don’t know, I’m probably the world’s biggest Doctor Fate fan, or darn close to it. So, it is with ravenous excitement that I look forward to tearing into Paul Levitz and Sonny Liew’s reinvention of the character this week. Based on previews, it looks like DC is somewhat aiming for a Ms. Marvel-style take, and what I’ve seen so far has been some of the most inspired Levitz scripting I’ve read in some time. The biggest draw for me though, is Liew, who is easily one of the hottest rising talents in cartooning. I’m all in!

Alex Lu’s Picks:

Low #7 (New Arc!)

Writer: Rick Remender  Artist: Greg Tocchini

The hit aquatic sci-fi series returns, to cast a pale light on the icy spires of the Second City, a frozen dystopia at the bottom of the ocean, where hoping for a better tomorrow is a crime punishable by death.

Low is a criminally underrated series.  Imagine the character work and constant peril of Game of Thrones meeting the thirst for familial vengeance present in Taken, then throw it all in an Atlantean blender.  Remender has crafted an intricate story about a family struggling to survive in the midst of a world going through its death throes.  In the first six issues, he threw the Caine family through the ringer in a way that emotionally affected me in a way that few comics have.  It’s great to see him reunited with Tocchini, who lends a beautifully natural and impressionistic touch to the proceedings.  His jagged linework emphasizes the chaos of the story, and Rafael Alberquerque’s colors are the glue that holds the story together.  Perhaps it’s delirious to be hopeful, but it’s damn hard to not be when you’re faced with a book as good as this one.

Alex and Ada #15 (Series Finale!)

Writer: Jonathan Luna  Artist: Sarah Vaughn

Alex + Ada reaches its emboldened conclusion this week.  The story of a man whose relationship with an android has dire consequences for their lives and the world around them, Luna and Vaughn have created a genuinely affecting love story that has social implications for our real world.  In a world where our relationship with technology is evolving at an increasingly expedient pace, we have to ask ourselves if there are limits to the roles that it plays in our lives.  If so, what are those limits?

Matthew’s Pick:

Mad Max: Fury Road – Furiosa #1

Writers: Mark Sexton, Nico Lathouris, George Miller  Artist: Tristan Jones

A prelude miniseries to the motion picture Mad Max: Fury Road tells the story of Furiosa and how she became Immortan Joe’s most trusted Imperator — and the unlikely hero to Joe’s enslaved wives

From the first trailers for Fury Road, it was clear Charlize Theron’s Furiosa was the true protagonist of the film. This Vertigo miniseries tells her pre-film story, and with writer/director George Miller credited as co-writer there’s bound to be some wonderful and strange post-apocalypticia involved.

Edie Nugent’s Pick:

Lumberjanes #15 

Writer: Noelle Stevenson & Shannon Watters  Artist: Brooke A. Allen

All-ages favorite Lumberjanes follows the continuing adventures of a group of friends just trying to enjoy their summer at scout camp amidst a various and wide-ranging selection of supernatural threats.

Something about the imminent arrival of the summer season makes reading Lumberjanes all the more satisfying. Which is pretty ironic, because currently the ‘janes and their entire scout camp has been plunged into a Narnia-like eternal winter. As the series has gone on, it’s gotten more bizarre and even more satisfying. This new story line gives the campers fresh challenges as they’ve been separated from their watchful counselor Jen. And what of Jen and the mysterious and troubling relationship she’s forming with Abigail? Expressive art continues to bring to life this ongoing coming-of-age tale where supernatural mysteries lurk around every corner.

Heidi’s Picks

Fragments of Horror by Junji Ito (Viz)

A new collection of delightfully macabre tales from a master of horror manga. An old wooden mansion that turns on its inhabitants. A dissection class with a most unusual subject. A funeral where the dead are definitely not laid to rest. Ranging from the terrifying to the comedic, from the erotic to the loathsome, these stories showcase Junji Ito’s long-awaited return to the world of horror.

I’m not a big horror fan, but when its as creepy and inventive as Ito’s work, I’m all in. A new collection from the creator of Gyo and Uzumaki.

The Complete Eightball 1-18 by Mr. Daniel Clowes (Fantagraphics)

We can laugh at these grotesques if we can laugh at ourselves. I still feel the pain of Tina, the hideously disfigured girl in Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron, who just wants love, like everyone else. Where is Dan Pussey now? Just look around you. $119 simoleons is not cheap but it really is for this masterpiece that set the stage for decades worth of comics experimentation.

“This is basically me doing a cop story, but with hammers instead of guns,” exclaims Thors author Jason Aaron to Marvel.com. “This is me getting to do ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ with lots of cosmic cops. It’s every version of Thor you can imagine, all walking beats, solving murders, getting yelled at by their commissioner and blowing off steam at their local Thor-cop bar.”

Marvel is looking to expand Secret Wars even further (10+ series have already been announced) with a new comic entitled Thors. The tale features the incredible creative team of Jason Aaron and artist Chris Sprouse. Thors follows up on some crucial plot points that have yet to be revealed in Secret Wars #2, but the cover features various characters (the new Thor, Ultimate Thor, Beta Ray Bill, Frog Thor, and more) equipped with hammers. Little regarding the plot is known except that all these different characters are investigating a murder case for the ages.

The comic ships in June, and is cited to be one of the more important titles for Secret Wars.

“I’ll just say that this book is probably more of a direct tie-in to the main SECRET WARS series than a lot of the other tie-ins you’ll see, in that the role of the Thors is something that is set-up quite extensively in SECRET WARS #2,” says Aaron.