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Thor #8: Review

Jun 2008
J. Michael Straczynski, Marko Djurdjevic

Story Name:

Father Issues Part Two

Review & Comments

Rating:
4.5 stars

Thor #8 Review by (September 14, 2012)
Review: The conflict ratchets up in this issue as we finally discover what has become of Sif—ain’t Loki a stinker? Jane Foster also returns after quite a few decades in the background for some romantic drama and the requisite slap in the face. Marko Djurdjevic again provides a knockout Surtur.

Comments: Jane’s life-force was merged with Sif’s in THOR (1965) #236-249.

Review: Bill and Kelda make a cute couple, don’t they? One of the best parts of this new series is the charming contrast between the high and mighty gods of Asgard and the lovably comic mortals of Broxton. JMS handles the shifting moods nicely, and even manages to make Volstagg funny instead of irritating (for a change). And Coipel matches him step for step, portraying the Earth people with affection but taking on a darker grittier shading for the battle with the Frost Giants. I didn’t know what to expect of Thor from the guy who made Superman walk but I needn’t have worried. Only big question: what was all that about the magic ring to return Balder to Asgard? Nothing ever came of it so it didn’t warrant a mention in the synopsis.




 

Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Thor #8 Synopsis by Peter Silvestro

The dead Odin continues to relate his own history: the birth of his son Thor served as a constant reminder to Odin of his own treachery in abandoning his father Bor. One day, the spirit of Bor appeared to Odin and told him that adopting the son of an enemy he will slay would silence the nagging voice forever—but later he would be betrayed by his son. Soon after, Odin kills the Frost Giant Laufey in battle and the All-Father raised Laufey’s son Loki as his own, unaware that this was not his father’s forgiveness but his means of revenge. And so Odin understands why Thor has left him in the place of the dead, though he may still serve a purpose here….

Don Blake arrives at the New York City hospital where Dr. Jane Foster works in the oncology department among the terminally ill. Over coffee in the cafeteria, Don learns that Jane’s life has spun out of control since it became known that Thor—and possibly Don—was back. Don then comes to the purpose of his visit: to discover whether Jane, having once possessed Sif’s life force, could be the human host of Sif; Jane slaps his face for his lack of concern for her as a person. Don apologizes and leaves….

In the land of the dead, Thor offers to return Odin to the land of the living but the All-Father refuses: if he were not here to slay Surtur and die himself in an eternal cycle, Surtur would escape to threaten Asgard again. By the offer, Bor’s curse is lifted: Odin is no longer trapped but chooses freely to remain and die daily for his people. When the Fire Demon attacks again, Thor stands by Odin’s side to prevent his father’s death for once….

Back in the oncology department, Jane apologizes to Don for her outburst. Don explains how Jane was the last hope that Thor’s beloved Sif would be found alive and Jane’s assurance that she is not the warrior woman’s host leads to Don’s resignation to her loss. As he leaves, a dying old woman named Mrs. Chambers calls out to him but a nurse quiets her. Surprise reveal: Mrs. Chambers is Sif’s host, trapped in a decaying body by the sadistic Loki in the form of the nurse….

Having driven off the mortally wounded Surtur, Odin assures Thor he will be well and sends the Thunder God back out of his Odinsleep. As he progresses through the wasteland, the ravens suggest that now Thor may be able to forgive himself….

Thor awakens in his chamber (and Don Blake suddenly vanishes from a New York City street) and announces to his people that all who can be resurrected have been brought back and Asgard can move forward in hope…as we get a final glimpse of Sif in Mrs. Chambers’ body….



Marko Djurdjevic
Crimelab Studios
Laura Martin
Marko Djurdjevic (Cover Penciler)
Marko Djurdjevic (Cover Inker)
Marko Djurdjevic (Cover Colorist)
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos.

Characters

Listed in Alphabetical Order.

Loki
Loki

(Loki Laufeyson)
Thor
Thor

(Odinson)

Plus: Bor, Surtur (Surtur the Fire Demon).

> Thor: Book info and issue index

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