Thor: Man of War #1 (One Shot)

Thor may be the first superhero to get a retcon.

(A retcon is the practice largely found in comic books wherein the character's history or continuity is somehow altered or expanded upon in unexpected and retroactive ways.)

When the character first appeared, his origin seemed simple enough. Dr. Don Blake finds an old cane in a cave in Norway, and when he strikes the cane on the ground, he is granted the powers of the Norse God of Thunder, Thor - including incredible strength, control of the weather, and flight (well, sorta).

But over the first few years, Thor's character changed. Instead of talking and behaving like a normal human, Thor become more regal, and his speech pattern become almost Shakespearean. His connection to the gods in Asgard was also revealed, including his evil brother Loki and father Odin.

All this raised questions about his origins. Was Blake somehow becoming the real Thor? Where had Thor been before Blake discovered the cane? What was the connection between the two?

Almost seven years after the character had first appeared, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby finally got around to explaining Thor's true origin. To teach Thor humility, Odin sent him to Earth in the form of Dr. Don Blake, and years later allowed him to "find" the cane and regain his original form.

The story that takes place before that original issue is the basis for the story in Thor: Man of War. It's the latest chapter in writer Matt Fraction's version of Thor's life in Asgard, and it's an excellent update of the classic tales.

The issue centers on a battle between Odin and Thor, and it's an intense confrontation as father and son

The issue features outstanding pencil art by Clay Mann and Patrick Zircher, with inks by Victor Olazaba, as the panels crackle with energy and emotion.

Given the character's long and (mostly) fascinating life, it's great to see Thor getting this "top of the line" treatment. These special issues, combined with the excellent work on his regular comic, put Thor in the upper tier of Marvel heroes - which is where he belongs.

Grade: B+

(By the way, sorry for the lack of cover art - I'm having scanner problems. Hope to have it fixed later today.)

Now fixed.