The Mighty Thor Vol. 5: The Death of The Mighty Thor

by Jason Aaron

[Quirky Cat]

Man, I knew this day was coming, yet I’m still not ready for it. This is the final volume in the Mighty Thor run, and the name leaves very little for the imagination, doesn’t it? I’ve been both looking forward to and dreading this volume for months. But in truth I knew it was going to have to end the moment that I heard that the Marvel Universe was doing a soft reboot. It was bound to happen – they were ready to go back to Thor, and by that I mean Odinson Thor.
The good news is that Jason Aaron has stayed on to write the new Thor series as well, so I know it’ll be good. I also know that it means that the plots started in this series, with Malekith and the wars, will not be suddenly dropped. We’ll likely get a conclusion to everything that’s been begun, even if it doesn’t happen right away.



Wow. Honestly, I have to start this review out just by simply saying that. This was an emotionally moving volume, to say the least. I’ll confess that I had read Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla first (I grabbed it when it came out in issue format), so I had a tiny (read: huge) spoiler for how things ended up. And I was still shocked and crying and experiencing whole litany of emotions by the time this was said and done.
First let’s talk about the artwork in this series. It’s absolutely phenomenal. Especially the covers. I’m not going to lie, I already have a print of one of the covers, but I’m sorely tempted to get another one. Or two. I wouldn’t mind finding a print copy of the cover for this volume, for example.
I think the Mighty Thor series deserves a lot of respect, and possibly more than it’s currently getting. I know the hate it gets online is probably from vocal minority, so I’m going to try and not think about that too much. I will say that Mighty Thor did what a lot of other series (in any publishing company – no intentional digs meant here) are too afraid to do these days. It took risks. The character herself was a risk, as was the main plot itself. Everywhere we look there’s a risk being taken, and it blows my mind. I won’t say that every risk paid off, but honestly, enough of them did where you’re not going to find me complaining about that. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that this was one of my favorite series in a lot time.
I will say that there are a couple things I would have changed, given the chance, but then again I’ve come to respect Jason Aaron and his work. This is what he wanted, and I respect that. I would be curious to know if he got in as many issues as he wanted, or if he was rushed a little bit towards the end. The introduction of the final enemy at the end felt a little rushed for his style, especially compared to the God Killer plot.
I’m so very sad that this series has finished its run. However, I am finding solace in the fact that Aaron stayed on board for the Thor series. Honestly, before he came along I was always interested in Thor, but never enough to be faithfully following (and buying) each issue/volume as it came out. I can promise you I’ll continue reading any Thor series by him, as well as taking a look at anything else he writes.
One final point, before I go. Make sure to read the letters at the end. Especially the one from Jason Aaron. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find it to be incredibly bitter sweet. Seeing him talk about the emotional toll this series took on him is just…words aren’t enough in this case. Just trust me and read it.


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