The mystery of the new Thor continues. The first few pages give us an origin for Dario Agger, the being that’s been a foe of the current Thor and the original over the past year or so. While he’s an interesting character, I keep feeling like they just tried too hard to get his name be D.Agger. 

As in the past few issues, Thor Odinson is trying to learn who the woman is who currently has his hammer. He’s convinced she’s worthy, but still wants to know who she is, and I don’t blame  him. I’m curious myself. He strikes at least one more name off his list, and the whole thing made me realize something about Marvel vs DC comics.

I could rattle off half a dozen, if not more, detectives in DC, Batman being the most famous example. But people really known for that skill in Marvel? Very few. I guess maybe Daredevil is one of the better ones, and he’s got the edge of superhuman senses. But it’s interesting that this is an area Marvel hasn’t really ever played up as much as DC.  Odinson’s quest takes him to such varied people as Jane Foster, Phil Coulson, and Heimdall. So far, he doesn’t have any answers.

Meanwhile, the new Thor has gone to confront Agger about his dealings with Malekith. Those two have been conspiring a lot lately, and nothing good can come of it. But, in the middle of trying to get to them, Thor gets a surprise. Odin has been acting like a bad movie villain for some time now (I suspect we’ll eventually find out he’s a fake, possessed, or under someone’s control), and he’s really pissed off about this woman wielding Mjolnir. So now he’s taken a really extreme step to deal with it. Thor’s going to have a hell of a challenge next issue.

Plot: I’ve been loving Aaron’s work on Thor, both this run and the last one. This is a good issue filled with some interesting developments. I don’t really care that much about Agger’s past, but it was done well. I’ll give this a 4 out of 5.

Art: This artwork has been great. The cosmic level of Thor’s power can be hard to draw well, and Dauterman does it. The last page is full of menace, too. I’ll give the art a 4 out of 5.

Positives: Great writing and art, a good story, and some well done characters. I like Odinson’s quest, Heimdall’s scene, and Freya’s reactions to Odin’s choices.

Negatives: A while back, John Byrne was able to explain Namor’s swings from villain to hero and back again in a way that made sense. I’m kind of hoping someone can do that someday for Odin. Right now, he seems like he’d be at home with Lex Luthor and Dr. Doom.

This is a great time to read Thor. Aaron does some great work on this book. I’m looking forward to the coming issues where we learn who the new Thor is, and the all-Mjolnir issue I’ve heard about.

Thor #6

Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Russell Dauterman
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Cover: Russell Dauterman and Matthew Wilson