Five Thor comics worth your time

Julia Alexander
Published Nov 07, 2013  •  Last updated Nov 10, 2013  •  1 minute read
  1. Five Thor comics worth your time_1
  2. BONUS - Loki A quick bonus treat! If you're a fan of the Marvel movies in particular and aren't quite sold on Thor but really digging Loki, there's a series just for you. Loki has become one of the new favourite villains in the modern age of comic book fandom thanks to Tom Hiddleston's snarky portrayal of the Norse god's younger brother. For a short period, Loki had his own four part mini series in 2004. Written by Rob Rodi, the four part series defines Loki's origin and how he came to hate his father and brother. One of the saddest series produced by Marvel, both Thor and Loki fans alike will love the in-depth look at Loki and his fascinating past. This may be the way you learn about Loki being a woman before being changed into a man by Marvel as the Thor comics progressed through time.
    BONUS - Loki A quick bonus treat! If you're a fan of the Marvel movies in particular and aren't quite sold on Thor but really digging Loki, there's a series just for you. Loki has become one of the new favourite villains in the modern age of comic book fandom thanks to Tom Hiddleston's snarky portrayal of the Norse god's younger brother. For a short period, Loki had his own four part mini series in 2004. Written by Rob Rodi, the four part series defines Loki's origin and how he came to hate his father and brother. One of the saddest series produced by Marvel, both Thor and Loki fans alike will love the in-depth look at Loki and his fascinating past. This may be the way you learn about Loki being a woman before being changed into a man by Marvel as the Thor comics progressed through time.
  3. Thor: God of Thunder It was inevitable that Thor would get a bit of a relaunch following the humongous success of the films, and as far as cash grabs can go, this is one of the best. Written by Jason Aaron and launched as part of the Marvel NOW! series (their rebuttal to DC's "New 52"), God of Thunder can be read in three separate trades, although none register more with the reader as the second volume, Godbomb. In the series, Thor must follow a trial of blood through a variety of different time frames to stop the Godbutcher. Thor must confront his past, future, and present dilemma to solve the mystery and save the future of his people and his own self. One of the best parts to diving into Aaron's Thor series is that it's still ongoing. There's nothing quite like heading down to your local comic book shop on Wednesdays to pick up the latest installment of your favourite series. With Thor: The Dark World coming out on Friday, treat yourself to volume one of this series and make it a special Thor day to celebrate.
    Thor: God of Thunder It was inevitable that Thor would get a bit of a relaunch following the humongous success of the films, and as far as cash grabs can go, this is one of the best. Written by Jason Aaron and launched as part of the Marvel NOW! series (their rebuttal to DC's "New 52"), God of Thunder can be read in three separate trades, although none register more with the reader as the second volume, Godbomb. In the series, Thor must follow a trial of blood through a variety of different time frames to stop the Godbutcher. Thor must confront his past, future, and present dilemma to solve the mystery and save the future of his people and his own self. One of the best parts to diving into Aaron's Thor series is that it's still ongoing. There's nothing quite like heading down to your local comic book shop on Wednesdays to pick up the latest installment of your favourite series. With Thor: The Dark World coming out on Friday, treat yourself to volume one of this series and make it a special Thor day to celebrate.
  4. Thor: World Engine Chances are if you're a fan of the Iron Man movies and a portion of the Iron Man comics, this is the best Thor trade to pick up. Written by one of the greatest comic book/graphic novel writers of all time, Warren Ellis' look at a non-god Thor is the refreshing taste in your mouth you weren't even aware you were looking for. Ellis takes Thor out of his safe haven, Asgard and the outer space skies, and drops him into Ellis' favourite playing area, London. Although the comic does go back and forth between this world and the one above the clouds, reading a Thor who doesn't speak in Shakespearean English is fantastic. Ellis also introduces the idea of the Norse gods being considered aliens to Earthlings, a concept many people have likened to the new Thor movie, The Dark World. If that is true, it wouldn't be the first Marvel movie to be based slightly off of his work. Iron Man 3 played heavily on the Extremis comic that both Ellis and Fraction worked on.
    Thor: World Engine Chances are if you're a fan of the Iron Man movies and a portion of the Iron Man comics, this is the best Thor trade to pick up. Written by one of the greatest comic book/graphic novel writers of all time, Warren Ellis' look at a non-god Thor is the refreshing taste in your mouth you weren't even aware you were looking for. Ellis takes Thor out of his safe haven, Asgard and the outer space skies, and drops him into Ellis' favourite playing area, London. Although the comic does go back and forth between this world and the one above the clouds, reading a Thor who doesn't speak in Shakespearean English is fantastic. Ellis also introduces the idea of the Norse gods being considered aliens to Earthlings, a concept many people have likened to the new Thor movie, The Dark World. If that is true, it wouldn't be the first Marvel movie to be based slightly off of his work. Iron Man 3 played heavily on the Extremis comic that both Ellis and Fraction worked on.
  5. Thor: Disassembled Thor: Disassembled or the Ragnarok series as many fans refer to it as, was the last piece of great Thor literature available to fans before Thor disappeared for a bit. Released in 2007, Thor: Disassembled was a spin off of the largely successful series, Avengers Disassembled. Under the direction of comic book giant Brian Bendis, the Avengers Disassembled arc was created by Marvel in an attempt to revamp the look and feel of the Avengers comics at the time. There were individual spin offs for most of the major Avengers characters (including Iron Man and Captain America), but the Thor spin off was considered to be the the best individual outcome of the giant revamp. Within the Thor issues, Thor must defeat Ragnarok, the cycle of death and rebirth that was set off by his pesky brother Loki. Without giving away too many spoilers, this series saw the brief period of hibernation for Thor's character within the Avengers series. The Norse demi-god wouldn't return until 2010 as part of the "New Avengers." Although the entire Disassembled series is worth a read, if you only have time to pick one of the series, Thor is your best bet.
    Thor: Disassembled Thor: Disassembled or the Ragnarok series as many fans refer to it as, was the last piece of great Thor literature available to fans before Thor disappeared for a bit. Released in 2007, Thor: Disassembled was a spin off of the largely successful series, Avengers Disassembled. Under the direction of comic book giant Brian Bendis, the Avengers Disassembled arc was created by Marvel in an attempt to revamp the look and feel of the Avengers comics at the time. There were individual spin offs for most of the major Avengers characters (including Iron Man and Captain America), but the Thor spin off was considered to be the the best individual outcome of the giant revamp. Within the Thor issues, Thor must defeat Ragnarok, the cycle of death and rebirth that was set off by his pesky brother Loki. Without giving away too many spoilers, this series saw the brief period of hibernation for Thor's character within the Avengers series. The Norse demi-god wouldn't return until 2010 as part of the "New Avengers." Although the entire Disassembled series is worth a read, if you only have time to pick one of the series, Thor is your best bet.
  6. Thor Visionaries: Walter Simpson The collected works of Walter Simpson in one trade book is too good to pass up. The "godfather" of the Thor series, Simpson has widely been regarded as being the only writer to best Jack Kirby and Stan Lee on their original Thor storyline in 1962's "Journey Into Mystery" issue 83. Simpson brought the Norse god to the streets of New York City, while re imagining the galactic world Asgard sat in. The mythology cultivated by Simpson during his run on the Thor comics at Marvel inspired the next batch of Marvel writers, although most couldn't come close to the mythical world Simpson dreamed up. Simpson also wrote some of the most complex story lines, and illustrated the titanic wars that seemed to big for a small weekly issue. Many of the fight sequences seen in the new Thor comics and within the movie franchise as well. One of the most popular trades, this shouldn't be too difficult to find at your local comic book store.
    Thor Visionaries: Walter Simpson The collected works of Walter Simpson in one trade book is too good to pass up. The "godfather" of the Thor series, Simpson has widely been regarded as being the only writer to best Jack Kirby and Stan Lee on their original Thor storyline in 1962's "Journey Into Mystery" issue 83. Simpson brought the Norse god to the streets of New York City, while re imagining the galactic world Asgard sat in. The mythology cultivated by Simpson during his run on the Thor comics at Marvel inspired the next batch of Marvel writers, although most couldn't come close to the mythical world Simpson dreamed up. Simpson also wrote some of the most complex story lines, and illustrated the titanic wars that seemed to big for a small weekly issue. Many of the fight sequences seen in the new Thor comics and within the movie franchise as well. One of the most popular trades, this shouldn't be too difficult to find at your local comic book store.
  7. Thor: Ages of Thunder Ages of Thunder is without a doubt one of the freshest, maturest Thor series to come out in a while. Due to the fantastical nature Thor comics are prone too, the series can be difficult to dive into seriously as an adult. Thanks to Matt Fraction's deliciously devious mind, Ages of Thunder carries an edgier tone. Ages of Thunder places the Norse god in Asgard through different points in time, and acts as a collected one shots as opposed to a serialized book. Fraction shows a more ancient Thor, quite different from the Disnified version movie fans will be accustomed too. Another one of the great aspects to Ages of Thunder is the lack of singular focus on Thor. The trade puts just as much emphasis on Loki and Enchantress as it does on the son of Odin. Whether you're a newcomer to the series, a long time Thor reader, or a Matt Fraction fanboy or girl, this is one trade you can't miss out on.
    Thor: Ages of Thunder Ages of Thunder is without a doubt one of the freshest, maturest Thor series to come out in a while. Due to the fantastical nature Thor comics are prone too, the series can be difficult to dive into seriously as an adult. Thanks to Matt Fraction's deliciously devious mind, Ages of Thunder carries an edgier tone. Ages of Thunder places the Norse god in Asgard through different points in time, and acts as a collected one shots as opposed to a serialized book. Fraction shows a more ancient Thor, quite different from the Disnified version movie fans will be accustomed too. Another one of the great aspects to Ages of Thunder is the lack of singular focus on Thor. The trade puts just as much emphasis on Loki and Enchantress as it does on the son of Odin. Whether you're a newcomer to the series, a long time Thor reader, or a Matt Fraction fanboy or girl, this is one trade you can't miss out on.

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If you're gearing up to watch 'Thor: The Dark World' this weekend, there's a good chance you're into comic books.

The problem with trying to pick a good comic to read, especially in the ever expanding Marvel and DC universes is knowing where to start with the complex, and often times intertwining story lines.

Thor is no exception to the rule. Being put into hibernation by some Marvel writers only to be taken out and thrust into the Marvel universe once again can cause headaches for both new and veteran readers alike.

We've compiled a list of five must read Thor comics for both folks just getting started and devoted comic book fans looking to find a refreshing read this Thor weekend.

Collecting some of the best work from some of the best writers, including Marvel's golden boy Matt Fraction and the kind of comics himself Warren Ellis, these are five titles definitely worthy of your time.

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