Classic Review: Marvel Masterworks- The Mighty Thor Vol. 12
Quick Summary
Pros: The volume’s larger story arcs are all very entertaining and very creative. Solid writing keeps the longer story arcs consistently exciting. The artwork looks good and is a huge part of what makes this collection feel so creative.
Cons: The opening few chapters are mediocre. Some moments later on push suspension of disbelief.
Overall: Though this collection starts out a little rough, it improves dramatically as it progresses. The main positives here come from a wonderfully entertaining cosmic story and the creative artwork that goes along with it. Meanwhile, the negatives come from some lackluster, shorter stories at the collection’s beginning. Readers who enjoy cosmic story arcs will likely enjoy this one, while readers who prefer Earth-bound stories may be less enthusiastic.
Story
It is interesting to witness the ebbs and the flows of Thor comics, particularly from this time period. The previous collection placed a heavy focus on Thor’s allies and their interactions. This volume places the spotlight firmly on the Thunder God himself.
At first, this spotlight leads to some lackluster adventuring. Thor faces off against a couple of familiar faces but does so in a way that is generic and predictable. However, things dramatically improve as the collection progresses. Soon, Thor is launched on an epic, galaxy-spanning adventure where his abilities are put to the test. This adventure is also written in a way that keeps things exciting from start to finish. In the end, Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Vol. 12, by Gerry Conway and John Buscema, has some problems but is a mostly positive collection.
(spoilers start here)
The opening chapters in The Mighty Thor Vol. 12 are isolated adventures that, unfortunately, end up being pretty dull. They have Thor facing off against one enemy after another in disappointingly predictable fashion. Even his fights with longtime rivals, like Loki and the Absorbing Man, are nowhere near as entertaining as many of his fights with them in the past. It is cool seeing new villains, like the Demon Druid or the 4-D Man, but this is not enough to save this portion of the narrative.
Luckily, things start to significantly improve starting with Thor #212. At this point, Thor and his allies are forced to team up with aliens in order to save Asgard from a race of slavers. Then, they are betrayed by these same allies and forced into slavery anyway, forcing Thor to launch a slave rebellion.
All of this helps create a narrative that remains consistently exciting. The twists ensure the reader isn’t positive what will take place next and the fighting ensures that what is taking place is fun to see. There are points where this storyline pushes the limits of suspension of disbelief, such as when Thor is able to defeat an army that took out his own father. However, as a whole, it is an enjoyable arc.
After breaking free of their bondage, Thor and the rescued Asgardians are put in conflict with a powerful, sentient crystal. The fight against this strange being leads to some intense scenes but is ultimately won thanks to some trickery from Odin. After a story arc all about fighting, having one where strategy prevails is a good complement.
(spoilers end here)
Art
The artwork in The Mighty Thor Vol. 12 remains positive almost all the way through the collection. John Buscema’s work on the opening chapters is able to capture the tone required by each chapter, whether that tone is creepy or straightforward action. Then, as the volume switches settings, his work is able to bring in the magic of the cosmos. These later chapters are where Buscema’s creativity is able to shine, as he depicts strange creatures and interesting locations. This creativity is specifically appreciated in the full-page spreads found throughout this collection, all of which look wonderful. The only problem is that there are a few places where faces and bodies are contorted in strange ways. However, these mistakes are pretty minimal. Overall, this is a collection with good artwork.
Continuity
Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Vol. 12 continues the story from Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Vol. 11 (Review).
The story here continues in Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Vol. 13 (Review).
This volume also makes references to other comic books, detailed below:
- The Absorbing Man was crushed under a mountain back in Hulk #125, collected in Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk Vol. 6.
- A note in Thor #206 states that Tom Fagan first appeared in Avengers #83, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 9 (Review).
- The adventures of Tom Fagan and the Marvel Bullpen in Thor #207 are continued in Amazing Adventures #16, collected in Marvel Masterworks: X-Men Vol. 7, and in Justice League of America #103.