Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Jan Bazaldua
Color Artist: Matt Hollingsworth
Cover Artist: Alex Ross
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
The Utgard gods have thrown down the gauntlet, in the form of a beaten Toranos nailed to his own giant wheel. And Thor chooses to answer their call for battle and prepares his weapons and resolve. But as he journeys to the foreboding realm of the elder gods, he is barred by Skurge the Executioner, and Thanos who lurks behind the gates of Utgard. Read Immortal Thor #21 to see Thor challenged by two foes on two fronts.
Review:
Alright, before Thor can actually enter Utgard, he must deal with Skurge the Executioner who desires his ultimate end. All while Thanos stands behind the very gate of Utgard. There will be SPOILERS in this review.
One thing this comic dos well is establish why Skurge really desires to steal Thor’s “death”. It’s because he’s desired a warrior’s glorious death since the first time he died in battle. But he’s been back and forth between life and death that it’s gnawing on his psyche. He truly just wants to reclaim his lost glory and the end he was promised. But this only makes Thor’s conflict even harder because he swore not to drag his friends and allies’s lives into his battles, he doesn’t want anyone to die for him, and on top of that, he just doesn’t want to fight let alone kill Skurge.
All the while “Thanos” stands behind the gates to Utgard and taunts, jabs, and psychologically attacks Thor’s will and reason for trying to enter Utgard, trying to save humanity, and just throwing his life at every danger. The fight and the mental conflict wear down Thor, but he doesn’t relent. He doesn’t quit and makes his resolve known to Skurge and “Thanos” in epic fashion. Despite my criticisms of this series, Al Ewing knows how to write Thor at his most heroic. We even get a surprise development where Thor enlists Skurge to join him on his quest into confronting the gods of Utgard. But as they venture in, it quickly becomes apartment that they’ve been caught in a deadly trap.
Now, let’s get it out of the way: That’s not really Thanos standing behind the gate. The comic doesn’t outright say it, but it’s clear that it’s someone posing as Thanos since that’s who represents Death to Thor right now. There are two candidates: Mistress Death and Utgard-Loki. It could be the former since Mistress Death showed up way back in the sixth or seventh issue in the flashback to Thor’s first journey into Utgard. So, it could be her again but taking Thanos’ form to taunt and mentally break Thor. Or it could be Utgard-Loki just measuring up Thor and messing with him.
Final Thoughts:
Immortal Thor #21 shows Thor challenged both physically and mentally as he faces two opponents on two fronts. Skurge faces him in mortal combat, while “Thanos” attempts to attack Thor’s resolve and will. But what the comic does best is demonstrate why Skurge wants to take “Thor’s death” so badly, and showing Thor’s heroic conviction to protect others. Of course, he finally does enter Utgard and already things are not as they seem, setting things up for a great confrontation between Thor and Utgard-Loki.