The year 2010 was very convulsive for the header of Thor, not only because of the events of the previous stage of a certain Straczynski, which left a very good taste in the mouth despite its brevity and periodicity problems, but also because it was time to face a great event of which he would be the protagonist. Panini Comics brings together all that and more in a hardcover Integral that includes a very outstanding stage with Kieron Gillen as screenwriter.
Joe’s Witness Michael Straczynski
It is not easy to take over from an author when he has set the bar very high when circumstances do not allow the screenwriter to start from scratch and forge his own story. Kieron Gillen accepted a very risky bet and continued with what was already defined, made it his own and added to all this having to participate in the Siege event, where Thor and Asgard were absolute protagonists of the main plot. Making the series rise to the occasion by taking on the reins of such a challenge is something to keep in mind and that effort would be rewarded with general recognition, despite being a short stage, even longer than Straczynski’s stay. at the head of the God of Thunder.
Kieron Gillen had inherited the vileness of the plan forged by Loki and Doctor Doom to vivisect Asgardians to experiment on them, Kelda’s grief at the loss of Bill, or Thor’s exile for the murder of his grandfather Bor. The fall of the Golden City from the skies of Broxton, Oklahoma, was already planned, Norman Osborn as director of HAMMER would be the executor. He only had to increase the bid, add to all that the presence of Mephisto, give Hela a new Hel, face Thor with his robotic replica called Ragnarok and present the Disir, who were the Valkyries of Bor, cursed by their thirst of blood.
Reigning Balder, the Bravo… What can happen?
This is not the first time that the least recognized of Odin’s sons has taken on the mantle of ruler of Asgard. Even with a story as tragic as his, including a descent to the lands of Hela, the God of Light has already had convulsive moments while occupying the throne, much to his chagrin on most occasions. They have not been very long mandates over time, it has been more of an interim manager, like when you go to the coach of the quarry to conclude a season in which you have had to fire the one who was the holder of the bench, a short-term solution , waiting for the next hiring of a more prestigious orchestra conductor.
That inexperience, added to the kindness that the figure of Balder naturally exudes, makes it very easy to force him to follow advice that neither Odin nor Thor would listen to, especially when it comes through advisers of dubious reputation. But when the most faithful to Asgard remain in exile of their own free will, read the Three Warriors and Sif, there is little left to hold on to and then it’s time to suffer at the hands of manipulators and liars who use a good man to carry out the most undesirable plans. Some tricks that have small print but that will affect the God of Thunder greatly.
surrounded by talent
While Siege was taking place under the tutelage of Brian Michael Bendis and the drawing of Olivier Coipel, who had been a reference artist of the Straczynski stage, Gillen had the great fortune of having illustrators who greatly embellished his work. We cannot say that there was a continuity in any of the participants but the quality was up to the narration. Names like Billy Tan, Richard Elson or Doug Braithwaite join the punctual collaborations of Jamie McKelvie and Niko Henrichon in an impressive display of virtuosity and class worthy of occupying a place in the halls of Valhalla.
Thirteen episodes that leave us breathless, that transport us not only to worthy combats but also to suffer with the broken heart of a goddess who, despite having her innate immortality, sheds tears for a brief romance in which she finds the despair that only the death of true love can bring, that feeling of not being able to find a new path to follow when you lose the only thing you wanted and find death in life, something very human, that many people suffer daily, a difficult mourning overcome, sometimes an impossible void to fill and that leads to extinguishing the very light that a pure soul gives off.