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Thor by Walter Simonson
The Mighty Thor by Walter Simonson, Vol. 2
Few people have ever left their mark on one character quite the way Walter Simonson has. His work on the Mighty Thor swept the Norse God of Thunder to heights never before seen and rarely achieved in his wake. Spanning epic tales of heroism and treachery, love and war, Simonson's work is often considered the definitive Thor. From the majesty and mystery of fabled Asgard to the gritty streets of New York City, Thor was never the same. That is the mark of a true visionary. This second volume continues the collection of Simonson's epic run. COLLECTING: Thor 346-355
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
About the author
Walter Simonson
1,306 books179 followersWalt Simonson is an American comic book writer and artist, best known for a run on Marvel Comics' Thor from 1983 to 1987, during which he created the character Beta Ray Bill. He is also known for the creator-owned work Star Slammers, which he inaugurated in 1972 as a Rhode Island School of Design thesis. He has also worked on other Marvel titles such as X-Factor and Fantastic Four, on DC Comics books including Detective Comics, Manhunter, Metal Men and Orion, and on licensed properties such as Star Wars, Alien, Battlestar Galactica and Robocop vs. Terminator.
He is married to comics writer Louise Simonson, with whom he collaborated as penciller on X-Factor from 1988 to 1989, and with whom he made a cameo appearance in the 2011 Thor feature film.
He is married to comics writer Louise Simonson, with whom he collaborated as penciller on X-Factor from 1988 to 1989, and with whom he made a cameo appearance in the 2011 Thor feature film.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 20, 2019
A dark elf named Malekith seeks The Casket of Ancient Winters, which is in the hands of a mortal named Eric Willis. Can Thor prevent Malekith from getting the Casket and releasing his master, Surtur, on Midgard?
Thor by Walter Simonson, Volume 2 contains issues 346 to 355 of Simonson's revered run on Thor. And it's pretty spectacular.
I'll get my one gripe out of the way first: this book is stuffed to the gills with long-winded Asgardian dialogue.
Now that that's out of the way, this was, as I said, pretty spectacular. Simonson manages to convey an epic scope without using tons of full page spreads and his art is more heavily detailed from other comics of the same time period. AND he managed to make the deadlines every month despite being the writer AND the artist. You can feel his love for Norse sagas and comics in general on every page.
The story is much bigger than my teaser conveys. Malekith wants to free Surtur so Surtur will set the Nine Worlds ablaze. Once the Casket of Ancient Winters is open, it's all Thor, Beta Ray Bill, and the assembled might of Asgard and the Avengers to stop Surtur and his numberless horde. It's an epic battle between good and evil that rivals old Norse sagas and it is not without consequences.
Lots of stuff from the Thor movies was pinched from Simonson's run, like Malekith and Surtur. It could even be argued that parts were used to craft the template that a lot of Marvel's bigger movies use: hordes of disposable foot soldiers for one group of heroes to grapple with while Thor goes after the big guns. Odin and his sons facing down Surtur with the rainbow bridge destroyed and Earth being overrun by Surtur's minions is one of my favorite moments in the run so far.
Walter Simonson's Thor run is one of the best runs of the 1980s and this volume is a prime example. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Thor by Walter Simonson, Volume 2 contains issues 346 to 355 of Simonson's revered run on Thor. And it's pretty spectacular.
I'll get my one gripe out of the way first: this book is stuffed to the gills with long-winded Asgardian dialogue.
Now that that's out of the way, this was, as I said, pretty spectacular. Simonson manages to convey an epic scope without using tons of full page spreads and his art is more heavily detailed from other comics of the same time period. AND he managed to make the deadlines every month despite being the writer AND the artist. You can feel his love for Norse sagas and comics in general on every page.
The story is much bigger than my teaser conveys. Malekith wants to free Surtur so Surtur will set the Nine Worlds ablaze. Once the Casket of Ancient Winters is open, it's all Thor, Beta Ray Bill, and the assembled might of Asgard and the Avengers to stop Surtur and his numberless horde. It's an epic battle between good and evil that rivals old Norse sagas and it is not without consequences.
Lots of stuff from the Thor movies was pinched from Simonson's run, like Malekith and Surtur. It could even be argued that parts were used to craft the template that a lot of Marvel's bigger movies use: hordes of disposable foot soldiers for one group of heroes to grapple with while Thor goes after the big guns. Odin and his sons facing down Surtur with the rainbow bridge destroyed and Earth being overrun by Surtur's minions is one of my favorite moments in the run so far.
Walter Simonson's Thor run is one of the best runs of the 1980s and this volume is a prime example. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
September 6, 2016
To κόμικ αυτό το ανοίγεις και από μέσα από τις σελίδες ξεχύνεται epic metal μουσική. Και όταν λέω epic metal, δεν εννοώ Europower φλωριές αλλά τουλάχιστον Manowar.
Συνεχίζει από εκε΄΄ι που τελειώνει ο πρώτος τόμος με το Ragnarok & Roll όπου οι θεοί της Aasgard πολεμούν τις ορδές του δαίμονα της φωτιάς Surtur. Επική ιστορία, πολύ μακριά από τα συνηθισμένα υπερηρωικά κολάν (θυμίζει βέβαια τα πιο κοσμικά κόμιξ του Jack Kirby) γεμάτη με συναισθήματα, αλλά και με όλα εκείνα τα απαρχαιωμένα gimick (πχ χαρακτήρες που προλογίζουν κάθε τους ενέργεια όσο πολεμούν) που όμως εδώ δε μοιάζουν παλιά, απλά νοσταλγικά και ταιράζουν με τον επικό χαρακτήρα της ιστορίας.
Αν ποτέ θελήσετε να διαβάσετε Thor οι πέντε τόμοι με τις ιστορίες του Simonson είναι αυτές που πρέπει να πάρετε.
Συνεχίζει από εκε΄΄ι που τελειώνει ο πρώτος τόμος με το Ragnarok & Roll όπου οι θεοί της Aasgard πολεμούν τις ορδές του δαίμονα της φωτιάς Surtur. Επική ιστορία, πολύ μακριά από τα συνηθισμένα υπερηρωικά κολάν (θυμίζει βέβαια τα πιο κοσμικά κόμιξ του Jack Kirby) γεμάτη με συναισθήματα, αλλά και με όλα εκείνα τα απαρχαιωμένα gimick (πχ χαρακτήρες που προλογίζουν κάθε τους ενέργεια όσο πολεμούν) που όμως εδώ δε μοιάζουν παλιά, απλά νοσταλγικά και ταιράζουν με τον επικό χαρακτήρα της ιστορίας.
Αν ποτέ θελήσετε να διαβάσετε Thor οι πέντε τόμοι με τις ιστορίες του Simonson είναι αυτές που πρέπει να πάρετε.
April 11, 2022
Now this is how you tell an event story. Walter Simonson continues to knock it out of the park with his amazing Thor run. The multiple moving pieces set up in the last volume all come together in this one into a fantastic epic story. This run continues to deliver on the hype. Some of the best comic book storytelling of all time. A must-read for comic fans.
May 26, 2018
This trade starts with a war between Asgardians Surtur. After that war ends then some smaller scale stories begin. Personally I enjoyed the smaller scale stuff much more than the Surtur material. For some reason I got bored of the underdrawn and overdone demonic army, and the whole war just dragged on. I hate to call it Simonson's worst material, but it was the least entertaining. Luckily after that ends, some great great material follows.
If I were to Grade Plotlines:
Surtur Vs. Asgard & Earth- C-
Thor and Tiwaz- A+
Thor Vs Seduction- B+
If I were to Grade Plotlines:
Surtur Vs. Asgard & Earth- C-
Thor and Tiwaz- A+
Thor Vs Seduction- B+
May 16, 2023
Simonson's art seems a little more rushed in this run, and I think he may have been struggling with the deadlines, judging from the odd guest inker and, in the case of the last issue, guest penciller.
But his writing remains on point. And he's got a lot of stuff going on here. Simonson doesn't write a simple one and done issue, or even a two or three issue arc. He writes epics that span multiple issues, while also setting up what's to come after this epic ends.
Honestly, his storytelling is so refreshing, both from a character standpoint, as well as from his avoidance of the "villain of the issue" plotlines. He sees that the pantheon of characters in this series is a rich vein to be mined. Sif, in particular went from "But Thor! You must let me come on the adventure! I'm a warrior too, remember?" to "Screw you. I'll do my own thing, and show you all what a real warrior looks like."
But he's reinventing all the characters. There's noticeable changes to Odin, to Loki, to Balder, to Volstagg, to Sif, and...yes, to Thor himself.
I only hope the quality of the writing continues.
But his writing remains on point. And he's got a lot of stuff going on here. Simonson doesn't write a simple one and done issue, or even a two or three issue arc. He writes epics that span multiple issues, while also setting up what's to come after this epic ends.
Honestly, his storytelling is so refreshing, both from a character standpoint, as well as from his avoidance of the "villain of the issue" plotlines. He sees that the pantheon of characters in this series is a rich vein to be mined. Sif, in particular went from "But Thor! You must let me come on the adventure! I'm a warrior too, remember?" to "Screw you. I'll do my own thing, and show you all what a real warrior looks like."
But he's reinventing all the characters. There's noticeable changes to Odin, to Loki, to Balder, to Volstagg, to Sif, and...yes, to Thor himself.
I only hope the quality of the writing continues.
August 27, 2018
The first time I've read the Surtur Saga, and I really enjoyed it. The build up and ultimate confrontations reminded me of the American Gothic story arc in the Swamp Thing.
Certainly seems that some of Simonson's content here effected the recent Thor: Raganarok movie.
Certainly seems that some of Simonson's content here effected the recent Thor: Raganarok movie.
November 27, 2013
I'm not even at the halfway point of Simonson's run on Thor, and it already feels like an epic. I'm especially enjoying Beta Ray Bill's first adventures, a character I've loved since I first discovered him in the 90's Silver Surfer series.
I left the most recent Thor film disappointed that they still have yet to introduce Balder The Brave into the movie universe, and these two volumes have made me miss his presence even more. I suppose adding a third sibling to the mix of Thor and Loki may make things more confusing for he average movie goer.
I left the most recent Thor film disappointed that they still have yet to introduce Balder The Brave into the movie universe, and these two volumes have made me miss his presence even more. I suppose adding a third sibling to the mix of Thor and Loki may make things more confusing for he average movie goer.
October 16, 2013
Top drawer Thor done-in a bit my stiff dialog and is slightly emotionless. Great art though. And LOVE the new computerized color job. Wish Marvel would do that with all their reprints!
February 17, 2021
The second collected volume of Walter Simonson's work on Thor is probably the best. This edition sees the culmination of numerous stories that Simonson had been building to, most prominently the attack on Asgard by Surtur.
The resulting battle highlights Simonson's strengths in writing Thor. Seeing Thor take up arms with against a calamitous threat is one of my favorite moments in the character's history, and that's a credit to Simonson's build and execution.
Early events in the book can be a bit slower in their unfolding. Simonson's dialogue and characterizations may not leave much room for subtlety, but he knows how to pack some real punch onto a page, and that's perfect for Thor. He's also able to have fun with Asgardian prose without making it overly dense or cumbersome, which some writers struggle with.
And while it's the big scenes that are the main attraction here, we do get a nice epilogue of sorts with the final included issue, one that speaks to Thor's humanity and briefly introduces a fun new character.
The new coloring in these volume releases is a great credit to Simonson's original artwork as well.
This is the peak output of a writer who really understood his character and what made it work, and anyone who enjoys Thor as a character should absolutely pick this up, as well as the prior volume that builds up to it.
The resulting battle highlights Simonson's strengths in writing Thor. Seeing Thor take up arms with against a calamitous threat is one of my favorite moments in the character's history, and that's a credit to Simonson's build and execution.
Early events in the book can be a bit slower in their unfolding. Simonson's dialogue and characterizations may not leave much room for subtlety, but he knows how to pack some real punch onto a page, and that's perfect for Thor. He's also able to have fun with Asgardian prose without making it overly dense or cumbersome, which some writers struggle with.
And while it's the big scenes that are the main attraction here, we do get a nice epilogue of sorts with the final included issue, one that speaks to Thor's humanity and briefly introduces a fun new character.
The new coloring in these volume releases is a great credit to Simonson's original artwork as well.
This is the peak output of a writer who really understood his character and what made it work, and anyone who enjoys Thor as a character should absolutely pick this up, as well as the prior volume that builds up to it.
September 30, 2026
The issues #346-352 were such a hard read, very boring, that’s why the rating is low. I did enjoy the ending though.
— issue #353: The plot with Surtur was dragging these past few issues and I wasn’t much interested but it paid off so well in this issue. Seeing Thor and Loki fight side by side with Odin was SO PEAK! I especially loved how Odin said he was ready to die in battle because he had his sons by his side, and told them how proud he was of them when they struck Surtur together. He loves his sons and it shows! It made me happy.
Thor also battling Surtur on his own when Odin and Loki got knocked out, thinking how he couldn’t let his father and sibling be killed by that monster, HE LOVES THEM SO MUCH :(
It got me laughing how Odin and Thor yelled “for Asgard!” and “for Midgard!” as they raced into battle, and then you get Loki saying “for myself!” HE’S SO UNSERIOUS LMAO I love her. Oh but he’s not fooling me, she was clearly worried when Odin… died?! I’m not sure what happened.
— issue #355: This was a very beautiful story focused on Thor’s grief over his father’s death. We have some deep insightful discussions about life and death, honor and family. I really enjoyed it.
— issue #353: The plot with Surtur was dragging these past few issues and I wasn’t much interested but it paid off so well in this issue. Seeing Thor and Loki fight side by side with Odin was SO PEAK! I especially loved how Odin said he was ready to die in battle because he had his sons by his side, and told them how proud he was of them when they struck Surtur together. He loves his sons and it shows! It made me happy.
Thor also battling Surtur on his own when Odin and Loki got knocked out, thinking how he couldn’t let his father and sibling be killed by that monster, HE LOVES THEM SO MUCH :(
It got me laughing how Odin and Thor yelled “for Asgard!” and “for Midgard!” as they raced into battle, and then you get Loki saying “for myself!” HE’S SO UNSERIOUS LMAO I love her. Oh but he’s not fooling me, she was clearly worried when Odin… died?! I’m not sure what happened.
— issue #355: This was a very beautiful story focused on Thor’s grief over his father’s death. We have some deep insightful discussions about life and death, honor and family. I really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2021
Probably the best mix of mythology and comics in the entirety of Thor's history. Walter Simonson is a mythology nerd - it takes one to know one - and he blended wonderfully with the superhero-side of things. The style is that of an epic (and dare I say even theatrical, with characters describing what happens on page with too much emphase to pretend to be anything than larger-than-life?) The characterization is perfect, Thor being less of an oaf as people tend to think when they think of the character, there's a slyness in Odin that sets him apart from "just another Zeus-like father figure" and Loki's perfect, his motivations oscillating between "for the lulz" and "for the evulz". And that's without mentioning Balder, the Warriors Three, Beta Ray Bill, etc. I'm just a tad disappointed by the 'remastered colouring', as the 80s colours had their charm. But that's just nitpicking.
A must-read, I say!
A must-read, I say!
May 10, 2026
Very well written and epic in scope, and yet at the same time It’s not really for me.
My favorite part was actually Thor tangling with Malekith. It involved him navigating the streets of New York City in an attempt to keep a civilian alive and an ancient weapon from Malekith’s hands. I really liked this because it felt grounded, Roger Willis is capable in his own right and though Thor acts as a guardian he does not take Roger’s responsibility upon himself.
Once the book goes full asgardian I found my interest ebbing away. This combined with Simonson’s well written but dense storytelling it made it hard to get through.
I liked it, I don’t regret reading it but this will not be a story I’ll be coming back to reread.
My favorite part was actually Thor tangling with Malekith. It involved him navigating the streets of New York City in an attempt to keep a civilian alive and an ancient weapon from Malekith’s hands. I really liked this because it felt grounded, Roger Willis is capable in his own right and though Thor acts as a guardian he does not take Roger’s responsibility upon himself.
Once the book goes full asgardian I found my interest ebbing away. This combined with Simonson’s well written but dense storytelling it made it hard to get through.
I liked it, I don’t regret reading it but this will not be a story I’ll be coming back to reread.
December 29, 2019
Never been a huge Thor fan, but these stories are mostly excellent. The Malekith arc wasn't the most exciting, but once Surtur finally took the stage, everything was incredibly exciting until the end. It's easy to see after reading these why the run is so revered as Simonson's writing and art work so well for making Thor interesting and engaging. The recoloring in these books is also acceptable, I'm not sure why so many trades need to be recolored by Marvel and DC but it isn't jarring to look at or doing a disservice to the original art.
May 5, 2020
I must say this was pretty epic. All those storylines I was kind of complaining about in the previous collection now come together and make sense. I can see something like this being the inspiration for Kevin Feige to bring these stories to life.
The ancient fire god Sutur has an axe to grind with Odin. The battlefield is Earth. Everyone is called in to help: Beta Ray Bill, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, even villains who realize they are in danger as well if they don't help defeat the giant demon with the conveniently placed flames around his hips.
The ancient fire god Sutur has an axe to grind with Odin. The battlefield is Earth. Everyone is called in to help: Beta Ray Bill, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, even villains who realize they are in danger as well if they don't help defeat the giant demon with the conveniently placed flames around his hips.
April 11, 2022
Ok, this is were this run get serious and it's amazing.
Before Simonson, the only mythological stuff that on Thor's comics on locations and his villains. On this one, we see the real thing. We see the legend coming through the pages. It's really good.
Still "wordy" as hell, but this run is really the most important on the God of Thunder's history. Jane is still in my heart for her Jason Aaron's run, but you can't turn your face for this one. On to the next one!
Before Simonson, the only mythological stuff that on Thor's comics on locations and his villains. On this one, we see the real thing. We see the legend coming through the pages. It's really good.
Still "wordy" as hell, but this run is really the most important on the God of Thunder's history. Jane is still in my heart for her Jason Aaron's run, but you can't turn your face for this one. On to the next one!
February 7, 2021
DOOOM! This volume features more Beta Ray Bill, always welcomed, and Surtur's attack on Asgard in an effort to ignite his sword Twilight with the Eternal Flame. The flame has been housed in the city to prevent just such a thing. Lots of enjoyably dramatic splash pages.
This may be a COVID lockdown-influenced nostalgia read, but I'm really okay with that.
This may be a COVID lockdown-influenced nostalgia read, but I'm really okay with that.
March 25, 2021
Artwork: impressive, Story: Great. First, I've lost this trade paperback currently. I've read it and enjoyed it a great deal. Surter and devil at least one of many is involved in a war with Asguard and he has the power to conqueror it. This trade was phenomenal and I miss it. It will turn up someday.
August 17, 2022
This volume got off to a slow start, but once it gets going, it's a masterpiece. Simonson brings together story elements from the start of his run for a saga that carries the scope of a crossover. He manages a number of storylines and a large cast with great skill, and fits in character work alongside the big action and adventure sequences.
April 10, 2018
To get around my vow not to buy any books in 2018, I cunningly bought this copy as a gift for a friend and read it very carefully to keep it as pristine as possible. It is as good as volume one; I’m loving this run on Thor.
June 4, 2018
Perfectly fine. It seems like this must be a crazy big story in the history of Thor, but it also seems like a story that recurs.
There isn't that much charge to the whole thing, except in the epilogue
There isn't that much charge to the whole thing, except in the epilogue
May 31, 2022
An epic example of what comics can do! Simonson shows why he is the GOAT and why his run on Thor is THE definitive story. An epic story of Ragnarok full of thrills, twists, and epic moments, a must read for any comics fans.
April 28, 2020
Awesome artwork and great story.
November 23, 2020
3.5 stars
May 2, 2022
I do admit that this is a well crafted epic and art to back the story up, but to me these stories digging up from god mythology are just stupid.
February 12, 2024
Again, the "remastered coloring" here is like what that Italian lady did to the Ecce Homo.
April 17, 2025
Quasi-interesting Norse superheroics hampered by obtuse artwork and unremarkable dialogue.
July 6, 2014
The best Thor stories are always more focused around Asgard then Earth. Simonson does a marvel here with the climax of the Surtur story that he'd been building from the first page of his run. The movement off Earth and into the Science-Fiction/Fantasy realms of Faerie, Asgard, and Muspelheim, the use of a wonderful combination of what Simonson himself terms Marvel and Norse Mythology--and ooooohhhhh that art! I remember seeing Simonson books when I was first collecting almost thirty years ago and It's the look I remember, one of the best Thor's seen, and there have been some very good pencilers since.
Part of what I loved about this first long arc was Simonson's wonderful use of other Asgardians the stories/plotlines focused on Odin and on Balder the Brave in particular. Fascinating stuff, and Balder's wrestle with what's happened to him is one of those stories that legitimately goes deeper than just "see bad guy, punch bad guy" which can be fun but is the stuff of mundane rather than great comics. There is nothing mundane about the work Simonson does here.
Part of what I loved about this first long arc was Simonson's wonderful use of other Asgardians the stories/plotlines focused on Odin and on Balder the Brave in particular. Fascinating stuff, and Balder's wrestle with what's happened to him is one of those stories that legitimately goes deeper than just "see bad guy, punch bad guy" which can be fun but is the stuff of mundane rather than great comics. There is nothing mundane about the work Simonson does here.
August 29, 2019
Epic stuff. This volume is split between two arcs: Thor’s battle with Malekith over the Casket of Ancient Winters, and an all hands on deck clash with Surtur and his demons as he attempts to bring forth Ragnarok. This latter is a fantastic, sprawling five issues that bounces from Asgard to New York to the Sahara Desert. There’s some awesome moments and lines of dialogue here; how cool is it when Odin, Thor, and Loki face down Surtur on the rainbow bridge? And then, Simonson caps it off with a touching epilogue that’s the best single issue of his run so far. Up until this point, Thor has been a likable but bland hero. This issue (355) gives him more dimensions and sets up what I think is a wonderful character arc for him.
Oh, and Simonson’s art looks great. He sure can draw!
Oh, and Simonson’s art looks great. He sure can draw!
October 14, 2015
Fun, dramatic, full of great characters and great character moments and truly outstanding art, sound effects and lettering. Issue #355 with Thor and his great grandfather was moving. The whole
Battle with Surtur is a climax to a story building since we first met Beta Ray Bill. the hordes of
Demons, stories from Odin (about basically
Merging into a mech with his brothers!!!), Sif
And Beta Ray Bill returning, a resolution to Donald Blake, the avenging trio of Loki, Odin and Thor five these stories a meld of high fantasy drama, Marvel style humor, jaunty adventures and strong character development. Ps- volstagg and hogun in Macy's. Yes. ✌
Battle with Surtur is a climax to a story building since we first met Beta Ray Bill. the hordes of
Demons, stories from Odin (about basically
Merging into a mech with his brothers!!!), Sif
And Beta Ray Bill returning, a resolution to Donald Blake, the avenging trio of Loki, Odin and Thor five these stories a meld of high fantasy drama, Marvel style humor, jaunty adventures and strong character development. Ps- volstagg and hogun in Macy's. Yes. ✌
Read
January 1, 2014Wonderful fun, interspersed with moments of genuine pathos, from the era when superhero comics were just starting to become readable (though traces of the bad old days of exposition and recap remain). I wish the recent film, in using Dark Elf monarch and prick Malekith, had also retained the idea here that his base is in that mystical realm, "the Cotswolds of England". They were filming in Britain anyway, after all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews