The Mighty Thor #12 Review – History Lesson
It’s the untold story of Mjolnir! The one no one really asked for, and yet, it’s pretty damn entertaining. After we learned last month that the hammer is, well, sentient, we all probably need to know how that is possible and why Mjolnir never revealed itself to original Thor. It also explains a bit about how the hammer chooses who is worthy. I’m kind of glad to hear that Odin has so little to do with dropping that spell of worthiness on the weapon. He’s kind of a selfish jerk and doesn’t take not being in charge of everything very well, as has been quite evident since his son lost Mjolnir.
We all know the tale that Odin ordered the Dwarves of Nidavellir to forge him a great hammer, and he reportedly cast a spell that only those who are worthy can wield it. Apparently that’s not so true. He might have whispered those words and gave Mjolnir that idea, but Odin mistakenly believed that his feelings on who was worthy would be the deciding factor. For someone who is a god, he certainly doesn’t understand the act of hubris.
The hammer’s forging is actually quite an interesting tale. Odin didn’t suddenly get this idea for a grand weapon to forge. He actually got in a yelling match with a storm and then smacked the storm with a rock. No really, that’s exactly what he did. He then took that rock, which now contained the storm, and told the Dwarves to forge the hammer. He didn’t even ask nicely, if you can believe that.
What was most entertaining about the tale was not the fact that Odin hit the storm with a rock, but how Odin receive the rock in the first place. It was a gift from the Dwarves as a thanks for saving them from the Rock Trolls. Odin was less than appreciative of the gift.
As small and utterly useless as it was, it trapped a crazy cosmic storm. After accepting the gift with such grace, he then demanded a hammer be made out of it. You just can’t keep this guy happy. It’s rather amusing how tyrannical and childish Odin is painted in this comic series.
And speaking of painting, the art depicting this history lesson is absolutely stunning. The team brought in Frazer Irving for the past artwork, and I can’t say enough raving things about it. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ll let Irving’s art fill in the words for me.
Each panel looks to be an old photograph. I know such techniques are a little easier to produce with digital art, but the consistency with the brush strokes is unparalleled to anything I’ve seen in recent comics.
Come to this comic for the hilarity in Odin’s speech. Stay for the incredible art. Also, it’s kind of hilarious how Mjolnir is flying Thor all over the universe without Thor’s permission or control.
Author: Jason Aaron
Artists: Russell Dauterman, Matthew Wilson, Frazer Irving
Publisher: Marvel
Publish Date: 10/19/2016
Acquired via Purchase
