Thor Epic Collection: The Fall of Asgard

A coleção Epic é para fãs de longa data. Certamente não é endereçada aos adolescentes de hoje, que provavelmente não gostarão tanto, ou se envolverão com essas histórias. Eram feitas com outro ritmo e muitos diálogos, muitos até desnecessários, mas era assim que Stan lee e os autores da época faziam. Mas, para quem aprecia, estas compilações são SENSACIONAIS. Porque além de trazerem histórias importantes da cronologia do personagem, traz de volta aquela sensação de nostalgia. Aqui, ainda há um épico de Kirby, duas histórias de Neal Adams e o restante com o sempre competente John Buscema.

One major reason for buying this book was Jack Kirby's final work with The Mighty Thor before moving on to DC. A second reason was to witness Neal Adam's work on Thor. I was not disappointed in either aspect. Adams does leave his imprint on The Mighty Thor and it is a pity that he doesn't stay longer. However, John Buscema takes over and he can live up to Kirby's magic. Readers may miss the unique Kirby touch, with those one-page surrealistic panels that often mixed art with photography, but Buscema can illustrate with the same skill the technological gimmicks so characteristic of his predecessor. Art-wise, The Mighty Thor is still a success during this early period of the 1970s. Plot-wise, the stories are still enthralling. The Mighty Thor saga continues mostly out of the realm of Earth, continuing the soap opera style that readers can also enjoy in other Marvel Comics. Asgard is often the center of these tales: Thor is often at war against his half-brother Loki, Lady Sif and his friends accompany him in his many adventures, and the all-mighty Odin is always in constant watch in these affairs. Silver Surfer also makes an appearance. Stan Lee continues writing during this stage although he is succeeded by Conway in the latter issues. Thus, during this post-Kirby stage The Mighty Thor still holds up its narrative charm of the previous decade.The Epic Collection does not disappoint, always delivering every single issue in chronological order.

Its Thor, Its fantastic

Volume 5 of the Thor Epics (volumes 1 to 4 are also available, plus several later volumes thanks to the non-chronological releases of the Epics) collects issues from 1970-1971, and you would be forgiven for thinking that the loss of artistic genius Jack Kirby, who departs after the first few issues, would be a terrible blow to the title. Instead, the adventures of everyone's favourite Asgardian just go from strength to strength.The volume is heavily packed with Loki stories, as Thor's evil brother launches ever more ferocious schemes in an attempt to wrest control of the Shining Realm. And this is probably the most Asgard-based volume yet, with much more time spent in the mythical realm then back on Earth. With this comes an increased focus on the godly supporting cast - Thor's lady-love Sif, his brother in arms Balder the Brave, the staunch Warriors Three and especially on his grim, demanding father Odin.In many writers' hands, the cod-Shakespearean dialogue that fills these pages would come across as ridiculous and overwrought, but somehow Stan Lee manages to give it a heft and grandeur that elevates these adventures to something glorious and operatic. He is joined, post-Kirby, by the fantastically talented Neal Adams and John Buscema, who both conjure vistas of fabulous and thrilling cosmic power, especially in the magnificent (and very long for its time, at five issues) Infinity Saga.Extras include the covers for the (reprint-only) third and fourth annuals, three pages of original Kirby art, three house ads, and five pages of original Buscema art. It's an excellent wrap-up to a truly wonderful volume.

Thor! What's not to like about this guy? This volume contains the last stories drawn by Jack Kirby. Most are drawn by other artists. All of them are great, though. You can't miss if you buy this one.