Comic Info
Comic Name: Thor (Volume 2)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: John Romita Jr./Sal Buscema/Dan Jurgens
# of Issues: 6
Release Date: 2010
Thor (2) #11
Reprints Thor (2) #9-13 and Annual ’99 (March 1999-July 1999). As Thor discovers Asgard has been ransacked by the Dark Gods, the truth about his bonding to Jake and Marnot’s secret plans will be revealed. The battle to save Asgard, Odin, and the other gods could prove fatal, but Thor must prevail or the world could fall. Plus, Thor reveals to Reed Richards why he took so long to return to Earth after the collapse of the pocket-universe.
Written by Dan Jurgens, Thor by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr.—Volume 2 is a Marvel Comics superhero comic book collection. Following Thor by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr.—Volume 1, the series features art by primarily by John Romita Jr. but with back-up art by John Buscema and Dan Jurgens. Issues in this collection were also included in Thor: Heroes Return Omnibus—Volume 1 and Heroes Reborn: The Return Omnibus.
The Heroes Reborn relaunch managed to do something that hadn’t been done for me before…it made me interested in Thor. Reading the first story arc (which ended here) off the shelf, I actually looked forward to Thor and what was happening month to month. While it is problematic at points, Thor by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr.—Volume 2 represents some of the better Thor storytelling.
Thor (2) #13
The volume wraps up both the Dark Gods and the secret of Marnot. Rereading it, it feels a bit clunky, but it has some fun twists and turns. Most of the Heroes Return storylines were worked into more of a streamlined big story, and Thor (though it started later) was no exception. The build up to Thor #12 was solid and it did pay off. Smartly, Jurgens keeps some secondary stories running (including the more interesting storyline about Jake’s past before becoming Thor).
The stand-alone story in the collection is Thor Annual 1999 (though it does play a part in a later story). This is a story of obligation. The Heroes Return storyline served as the launch pad for new Fantastic Four, Captain America, Iron Man, and Avengers titles…but Thor didn’t show up until later. In Thor Annual 1999, Thor explains why he was so late to the party and what happened after the events of Heroes Return. It is a so-so story, but it is a necessary one.
Thor by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr.—Volume 2 is where I dropped regularly collecting the series. It wasn’t so much that I was disliking it, but it was a point at which I could sever the ties with the least amount of damage. Likewise, if you are reading the collections, you could stop with this volume…but there are a lot more mysteries to be unwrapped. Thor by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr.—Volume 2 was followed by Thor by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr.—Volume 3.
Related Links:
