Richard Gratton's Fantastic Reads 4 U

Mighty Thor #9
Release Date: 07/27/2016

What a great comic book! There is so much going on in this book and Jason Aaron has the gas pedal pushed to the floor. Russell Dauterman is easily one of the finest artists working in comics today. In order to find a flaw, I would really have to search this issue and nitpick, which I don't want to do. This comic is a fantastic read and nothing should be said to take away from what the creative team is doing here – which is in stark contrast to what was done in the Strongest Viking There Is, two-part storyline.

What a fantastic, whirlwind of a story! Jason Aaron never lets up in this issue. He starts us off with Freyja in critical condition and Odin giving her a blood transfusion to sustain her frail hold on what life she may have left. Meanwhile, Loki sits on her bedside confessing that he tried to kill her in order to save her life. He's the god of lies, is he for real? Are we to believe him, or is he the homicidal maniac he has been made out to be? We aren't really given time to decide, because the story takes off from there.

We are barely given time to breathe between Thor working with S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Solomon, as they try to find Dario Agger. There is a great battle with the Silver Samaria, which features one of the best one-liners Jane Foster's Thor has delivered thus far. Oubliette Midas tortures Dario Agger in a semi-sociopathic manner. There isn't a wasted moment in this book and there is tremendous promise for what is yet to come, as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents close in on the identity of Thor.

Aside from the two-part Strongest Viking There Is debacle, this book is the most beautiful book Marvel produces. I don't believe there are enough adjectives to describe just how amazing Russell Dauterman's art is, especially when enhanced by Matthew Wilson's colors. Occasionally in comics, an artist is paired with a writer and the duo produce something magical – or trio, in this case, because Wilson's colors are a huge asset to the success of this comic's visual appeal. Aaron, Dauterman, and Wilson produce fantastic stories together. If the powers that be at Marvel are wise, they will keep this team working together for as long as possible.

Mighty Thor #9 is an all-out action packed comic – and it is a fantastic read. I couldn't ask for more – unless it is a shorter wait to read issue #10. The book has a creative team that digs its claws into you and drags you along for a ride through one impossible situation after another. The story is great and the art is stunning; anyone not reading this title is missing out. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Scale of Awesomeness: 10 out of 10