Fraction/Coipel New Thor Ongoing Series

[ckal]

Marvel has announced that there will be a new Thor ongoing series launching in April titled 'The Mighty Thor.' Matt Fraction will be writing with Olivier Coipel (J. Michael Straczynski's run on Thor) doing the artwork. Pasqual Ferry (the current artist on Thor) is set to return to Thor once the 'Fear Itself' event has concluded.

The story, called ‘The Galactus Seed,' will follow the current 'World Eaters' arc once it concludes in March, and is summarized as follows:

Prepare yourselves for a new Asgardian age with The Mighty Thor #1! In this all new ongoing series, from the superstar creative team of Matt Fraction and Olivier Coipel, Thor must defend his homeworld of Asgard from Galactus! When Thor and Sif retrieve an artifact from deep within the World Tree, nobody expected the Silver Surfer to show up. And where the Sentinel of the Spaceways travels, Galactus is sure to follow! It’s the World Eater vs. Asgard in the explosive opening arc that’s great for new readers! No fan can miss this monumental new series that will redefine what it means to be the Odinson!

Olivier Coipel cover for 'The Mighty Thor' #1

Matt Fraction provides his thoughts and feelings on this new title:

“The God of Thunder ain't never been mightier than now!” exclaims writer Matt Fraction. “Everything is going beyond-epic in The Mighty Thor and I couldn't be more thrilled to have Olivier onboard for the book's maiden voyage. Look up - think big - fight hard!”

“It’sa really exciting time to be working on Thor. A lot of things that have been developing over the last few months are about to come to fruition in a big way—and in a way that’s going to affect not only all of Asgard, but all of the Marvel U,” said Marvel Editor Charlie Beckerman. “With the release of Marvel Studios’ Thor this May, we wanted to be sure that we pulled out all the big guns. And I’m talking talent—Matt, Olivier, Mark and Laura—and I’m talking characters: I can’t say exactly who’s going to show up, but I will say that it will knock your socks clear off.”

'The Mighty Thor' #1 movie variant cover


Marvel explains that while this is a new ongoing, Fraction will not be working on two Thor titles at once. In fact, the current Thor title will be reverting back to the old 'Journey into Mystery' title, but keeping its current numbering. Journey Into Mystery will be written by Kieron Gillen (who preceded Fraction on Thor), accompanied by Doug Braithwaite on art duty.

'Journey Into Mystery' is summarized as follows:

Loki vs. Fear Itself! This April, the blockbuster Thor creative team of Kieron Gillen and Doug Braithwaite return to Asgard with Journey Into Mystery #622! Prepare for a blood and thunder fueled epic that pits the malevolent mind of Thor’s brother against an evil more twisted and far blacker than his own. Can the eternal trickster and the Mighty Avenger work together to fight back this fearsome foe? And, in the face of Fear Itself, can he be trusted with the lives of those he has betrayed so many times before? Unlock the armory and man the parapets because, this April, the World Tree’s final fate lies in the hands of Marvel’s master manipulator as the Thor ongoing series becomes Journey Into Mystery!

Stephanie Hans 'Journey Into Mystery' #622 cover

Gillen has this to say about 'Journey Into Mystery,' which will also be starting in April:

The one-line to take away from this interview: If MIGHTY THOR is AVENGERS then JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY is SECRET AVENGERS. MIGHTY THOR storms the gates of Hell. JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY sneaks in the back door and ends the threat with a single strike. MIGHTY THOR doesn't know that JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY exists, despite Thor being in it. It's a mythological black-ops comic, with a rotating team organized by the most Machiavellian figure in the whole Norse pantheon.

Arthur Adams 'Journey Into Mystery' #622 variant cover

So, there are some big changes to Thor's comic world coming soon in April. Part of this is to provide a nice new jumping off point for readers in 'The Mighty Thor' #1, hitting shelves a month before the 'Thor' movie is released. What do you think of these changes? Are you excited about Olivier Coipel on Thor again? How does Journey Into Mystery sound to you? Leave your thoughts below.

[Morpheus]

Sounds neat. Especially with Gillen back on Thor and Coipel handling the artwork.

Got to admit, though, I can't stand anymore Galactus/Surfer jobbing.

[ckal]

Jan 17, 2011 19:30:09 GMT -5 Morpheus said:

Sounds neat. Especially with Gillen back on Thor and Coipel handling the artwork.

Got to admit, though, I can't stand anymore Galactus/Surfer jobbing.

Agreed.

Yeah, Marvel needs to have Big G be a complete bad ass who doesn't take no shit! ...and doesn't job. But not against Thor or Asgard... ;D Let him smash someone else.

By the way, I updated the article with the JIM summary, you may have missed it while I was editing.

[Morpheus]

At least Thor will tackle cosmic threats now. Makes greater sense than fighting people beneath his level.

Just read the update. I like the idea, a lot.

[ckal]

Hey man, I've been saying that for a while now, I completely agree. Thor on earth can be boring and frustrating. Thor on a cosmic level is where things get really interesting and he can showcase his power. I seriously hope Asgard leaves earth very soon, because it is dragging on wayyyy too long. Damn Bendis with his damn Siege...

[NexusOfLight]

Gotta say, I've thoroughly enjoyed the time Asgard's been on Earth. That Thor Spin-Off from Secret Invasion, that time spent gathering the gods from their slumber, the Warriors Three on Earth, Bill, them goin' to Hell, yeah--alla that was some good readin' right there. It was nice to take a break from fighting Frost Giants and Trolls every which way, but at the same time, I think I'm good an' ready for a change of scenery, and Galactus is the exact typa change that I'd need. I'm wondering if this'll take place before or after Chaos War. With the way things're goin', it would kinda seem like Chaos War is taking place a little after where Thor's at right now.

[ckal]

@nexus- Oh, I agree that Thor on earth has been a very enjoyable time, and it is nice to see him interact with mortals for a bit. I just feel it is dragging on now and like you said, a change of scenery is needed. Enter cosmic Thor action. Thor is good on earth up until a point IMO, and that point is when it gets a little boring to me and when Thor should be dealing with some larger issues.

Well, Chaos War ends next week, and this new series starts in March, so it technically should be taking place after Chaos War. Why do you feel the events in Chaos War are happening ahead of Thor's time line right now?

[NexusOfLight]

I don't really know. I guess after Siege happened, it seemed that everything involving Asgard was the rebuilding, and the rest of the world sorta passed on without it. I guess it just seems like since that's the case, Chaos War, and the other events are taking place ahead of Thor's main stuff.

[Dane]

Looks fantastic ckal. I'd love to see Fraction's take on Thor.

[ckal]

He's actually been writing the main Thor title for about 5 months now. I think he started on issue #615 and #620 is coming out next. The story has been a bit slow, but it is coming to a head right now. It has been good overall so far, except the issues are extremely short. Like 16 pages type short.

[Erik-El]

Last time I read something about Galactus coming to Asgard, it was a What If and Thor became a herald.

[ckal]

Feb 6, 2011 23:15:26 GMT -5 Erik-El said:

Last time I read something about Galactus coming to Asgard, it was a What If and Thor became a herald.

Sweet. I think I have that What If? actually.