Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Vol. 2

Thor: The Mighty Avenger #5-8

by Roger Langridge, Chris Samnee (Illustrator), Matt Wilson (Illustrator)

He's banished, he's mad, and he wants to fight. ROGER LANGRIDGE (Muppet Show, Eisner and Harvey Award nominee) and CHRIS SAMNEE (SIEGE: EMBEDDED, The Mighty) re-imagine the God of Thunder in THOR THE MIGHTY AVENGER! THRILL as he battles robots the size of cities! GASP as he tames the mightiest sea creatures! SWOON as he rescues damsels from the vilest villains! COLLECTING: Thor the Mighty Avenger #5-8, Journey Into Mystery #85-86

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Superheroes, Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2011

About the author

Roger Langridge has been producing comics for over twenty years. Most recently, he has attracted critical attention for his work on the Harvey Award-winning Muppet Show Comic Book (Boom! Studios) and Thor: The Mighty Avenger (Marvel Comics); other works of note include Marvel's Fin Fang Four, Fantagraphics' Zoot! and Art d'Ecco (in collaboration with his brother Andrew), and the NCS, Ignatz, Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated comic book Fred the Clown. He currently lives in London with his wife Sylvie, their two children and a box of his own hair.

Reviews

[Nicole Chiodo Soares · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mistakenly read the second volume first due to the lack of any visible numbering on the library copy I checked out (perhaps there's a volume number under the spine label). It is easy to pick up the plot without having read the first volume if you at least have a passing familiarity with the character (though I hadn't previously read any comics with Thor as a solo hero, I've seen both the Thor movie, as well as The Avengers movie, and I watched almost all of the animated Avengers series). The reimagined story of Thor is a fun little trip that is both modern and harkens back to "old-school" comics. It's definitely a fun read for even casual Thor fans (like me) who mostly know the character from his recent film appearances.

[Mark Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad that this series only lasted 8 issues. Absolutely brilliant. You've gotta love a series that manages to incorporate homages to Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew from The Muppets.

[Misbah · Rating 3 out of 5]

We see the first time Thor meets Loki.
Also how Thor is banished on earth by Odin. He tries to get back but isn't able to. He rides a chariot and shows Jane different wonders of the world. He fights some sea monsters on the way.
In one of older issues included in this book, Thor time travels to the future to bring back a stolen bomb.
Does Thor really lose his powers if Mjolnir is gone for longer than a minute?

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I finally got around to reading a Thor book! The highlight is definitely the romance with Jane Foster. Other than that, it's pretty typical "Thor is a spoiled prince who needs to learn a lesson about morality" storyline that unfortunately gets cut short. Heimdell turning into a dragon was dope tho

[Doctor Doom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fresh take on Thor so not in the main continuity [which the way the main continuity has been going these last few years is actually a good thing]. A fish out of water tale with great cameos [Namor and Iron Man] and heart. Much heart. Sorry to say this is the last volume. I enjoyed the first one and put this one on my list for Father's Day and lo, and behold, I got it! Thanks family!

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

i assume this was written for younger readers, based primarily on the reprint size of the book, and am v. uncomfortable w/Thor and Jane in bed, especially for that age.

[Shay Vande · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3 <3 <3

I'm going to buy this

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite comic I've read this year. Great Thor and I LOVE the art style.

[Burton Olivier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a shame that we didn't get more of this series. It's so nice, it has so much heart.

[Nate Rebelheart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whole arc of Thor the Mighty Avenger proves that even Gods can learn something from a museum coordinator.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful continuation of the Langridge/Samnee series that was so unwisely cancelled. With this volume we get giant sea monsters, battling robots, and an appearance from that always irritating Loki, all to give us more hints as to why Thor was kicked out of Asgard to begin with. The volume opens with a wonderful appearance from Namor/Submariner; Langrige really manages to nail a very complicated character in a short space that is so often simplified and demonized. Really wonderful stuff here and very appropriate for tweens, teens and up.

[Mza · Rating 3 out of 5]

... a tall and fairly effeminate Thor, written in a lighthearted Whedonesque style (minus Whedon's sexual politics) ...

This version of Jane Foster is an archaeologist who works in a museum and dresses in earth tones. She's pretty much a flawless execution of a nerd's idea of a desirable long-term girlfriend. If the series hadn't been cancelled suddenly she might have had a chance to become interesting.

Chris Samnee is a pleasant cross between Mike Mignola and Jeff Smith -- uncluttered, kinetic, chiaroscuro, cute ......

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second volume in Thor the Mighty Avenger. It's more of Thor's tale of being on Earth. There are cameos from many people that will end up in the Avengers with Thor. I love watching his relationship with Jane Foster develop. The big mystery of what happens to Thor's memory is sort of solved but I feel like there is more that I want to know and the way the graphic novel ended it implied that there will not be more which makes me very sad.

I did skip the vintage Thor at the end but that's mainly b/c I have read it before.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The comic finds its stride in this volume, right before it's called to a premature conclusion. Strife on Asgard is balanced with troubles on earth, and the Sub Mariner and Iron Man make excellent guest appearances.

The art is wonderful, blocking out the characters in bulky, but fluid, linework that gives them weight and grace. One flaw is that Thor's appeal isn't as apparent to the reader as it is his love interest. The story admits he's self-centered and babyish, but we don't see enough to fully counter that. But it seemed to be going places, only to be cut off before it was finished.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-paced series with snappy writing; clean, simplified inking and a bright colour palette. It's a lot of fun to read through.

The other Marvel heroes who are featured in this issue are well-written and true-to-form, and I think I actually enjoyed Namor and Tony Stark's roles more than Thor and Jane's.

This is one of my favourite Thor series in a while, a great read for old fans as well as a fantastic introductory series for new fans. It's just a shame it got cancelled before a lot of the plot could actually be resolved.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd been forewarned that the series was canceled smack in the middle of plot, but there's a difference between being told that and getting to the end of the book and going "...wait, but what's next?!" This is especially frustrating because it ends by dangling a reference to the cause of Thor's lost memories.

This isn't the fault of the story, though, but of whoever decided to cancel the series. The story is great! Jane and Thor are just as delightful here as before, and this volume brings Tony Stark in, who's also pretty entertaining. It's a shame there's not more.

[ribbonknight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall this series was a good jumping in point for someone with zero context for Thor aside from his appearance in the Avengers movie. This art style was refreshingly consistent for a Western comic. I was pretty bored to the point of feeling insulted by Jane Foster. The creators' feelings were confirmed when I got to the end and saw her cup size listed on her initial sketch page. Appalling.
Grateful that Thir's first appearance was included in the could one time - nice to see at least two origin stories.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these comics. I get easily bored with many superhero comic books, but I find Thor's storylines very appealing, most likely because of the mythology aspect of them. This volume was fun, but I am not quite sure why it was not published in one book set with the first volume. I enjoyed seeing the early Thor comics (which were pretty bad), to see how the characters have evolved. I only wish there were more of these.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was the last volume. There were only two volumes (8 issues) of this series. Perhaps it's because the art was more unique than the usual "comic book" art style. This is more of a playful Thor, but it is a bit disappointing that there's no resolution. Still, worth a read.

Also, the art at the end described Jane Foster as more (someone whose name I forget) than "Natalie Portman." Huh. Funny.

[Des Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

My opinion of Mighty Avenger didn't change much between volumes. This was fun, with great art, cute, and all-ages appropriate. It's a very good read, that fails to be more due to context. This was movie-goer friendly, kidsy, easy reading. The digest size makes it feel at home in the back of Disney Adventures magazine. Take it or leave it. I would have enjoyed it more if I were more of a Thor fan, I'm sure.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing I really love about the 'Thor: Mighty Avenger' run is that the utterly wholesome, old-school feel to it's storytelling. Somehow Langridge managed to tap right into my nostalgia about comics when I was younger. Samnee's art is amazing too. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this comic except that it ended too soon.

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

More great comics! This is a fun book that continues the stories from volume 1. We have a few more super heroes show up as well as a mystery villain and giant robots! The problem is that there is no volume 3 to continue the story. The art is fantastic and the writing is superb. It's disappointing they stopped making these comics.

[Keith Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Jane Foster of this series is for all intents and purposes a brand new character. The only similarities between her and the old Jane Foster is her name and a connection to Thor. Jane reminds me of Sue Dibney in the way she becomes a full partner with her superhero boy friend; so in a way I'm glad Thor: the Mighty Avenger was cancelled at issue 8 before something horrible happened to her.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good like the first collection of this too short series. The stories are all episodic, but do a good job of exploring Thor in his isolation and confusion about being banished to Earth and slowly finding things to like about it. The characterization of Namor seemed off (this may be the only time he doesn't come off as the bitter and arrogant loner that he usually is).

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series continues to impress sadly it ends here. Clearly not designed to be a limited series as questions are left unanswered. The series is still so much fun. Young Thor not knowing the hows and whys but still trying to prove himself is fantastic. Chris Samnee does an admirable job with the art chores and makes the characters his own. Overall, a very fun read that ended too soon.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The issues in this volume were just as good, if not better, as those in volume one. It's too bad this series ended as I would have definitely been interested in reading more. Best part of this volume: Iron Man makes an appearance!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Episodes 5-8 of Thor The Mighty Avenger and the conclusion of this storyline. Thor meets a couple more superheroes and manages to get back to Asguard with some trickery from Loki although he obediently returns to earth when Jane is threatened if he doesn't. I was a bit sorry to see it end.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, I got no love for this series after the fact. This second volume is about Thor battling random monsters of the week and bonking Jane.

I did like the Muppet rip-off mad scientists. That's about it.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with Vol. 1, an excellent introduction to Thor, one that's also quite kid-friendly.