King Thor #3 // Review
King Thor #3 is the penultimate chapter of writer Jason Aaron’s tale of the God of Thunder, with Esad Ribic on art, Ive Svorcina on colors, and Das Pastoras on color and art for pages 5-9, and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down. Previously, King Thor existed in the final days of the universe, with his granddaughters and the few remaining human beings of planet Earth. He desperately sought a way to save what little that was left but discovered Loki instead. Loki, still alive, sought to end everything, including his brother and himself, using the All-Black power. In his all-consuming need for death, he summoned Gorr the God Butcher back from beyond the grave to do what he was never capable of. Gorr wasted no time taking the All-Black for himself and drowning Thor and Loki in a Necro Sea of darkness. Now, it’s up to Thor’s Granddaughters to save their family and the entire universe.
Aaron certainly knows how to tell an epic story. In many ways, his entire, multi-titled run on Thor has been one giant tale of the heroic legend of the God of Thunder. He has told every sort of Thor story possible, from his youngest days as a brash, unworthy warrior, to his days as one of Midgard’s mightiest Avengers, and finally as the last hero in the universe in King Thor. This is his story nearing its end, and it is served well this issue, as we see Thor’s legacy bear fruit when it counts the most. If there was ever any doubt of Odinson’s worthiness, this issue proves that he is, perhaps, the most worthy in all of time and space.
As with its main character, the theme of gods being worthy of their godhood has weighed heavy in Aaron’s run. The very idea of gods not being deserving of their status, and the prayers people heap upon them, is what caused Thor to lose Mjolnir in the first place, so it’s only proper that that idea comes into play again in these final issues. This time, we see that maybe Gorr was wrong in his harsh assessment of the gods and that there are heroes in all walks of life. Aaron has used his theme well and seems intent on visiting it one last time to end his master arc.
The arts from Ribic and Pastoras, though noticeably different from each other, adds to the grandiose feel of this final Thor story. Divided wisely, Pastoras’ section of the book is a chapter unto itself, so as not to feel too jarring. The only unevenness is in the colors themselves, as Svorcina’s masterful work in the central part of the book is darker and richer in tone than Pastoras’ five pages. Either way, the artists here are turning in great work, and should all be proud.
In the end, this is yet another great chapter in the endgame of Aaron’s work. There is a visible end looming over the horizon, and it doesn’t necessarily promise to be a happy one. After all, when someone sets out to tell the final adventure of Thor at the end of the universe, it’s not likely you’re going to end on anything but a bittersweet note. If you’re not picking up this miniseries, you might just be missing out on one of the most essential Thor stories of all time.
