Writer: Jason Aaron and Kev Walker
Cover Artist: Ed McGuinness
Colors: David Curiel
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 17, 2022
Reviewer: Carl Bryan

“He was the best of men…May they all grow up to be as he was.” – Phoenix upon Black Panther’s demise.

Synopsis:
The Secret Origin of Thor – Revealed.
They are the defenders of the dawn of time. Marvel’s first and mightiest legacy heroes. But their greatest secrets have never been revealed. Until Now… Witness the dark events that shatter their ranks. See how their lives come to shape the entire future of the Marvel Universe and be here for the monumental event that reunites them one last time: The True Story of Thor’s Birth!

Positives:
Jason Aaron and Kev Walker take us back to almost the beginning of time with an origin story that is arguably one of the oldest in Marvel lore. We glimpse the Avengers before Nick Fury even deemed them the Avengers. Odin, The Starbrand (looking ever so Red Hulkish), The Sorcerer Supreme, The Black Panther, Ghost Rider, Iron Fist, and The Phoenix…an eclectic bunch of heroes thrown together to protect this world and many others from threat. The entire storyline is very Shakespearean in that there is a love story where Laufey of the Frost Giants and Hyve, the bearer of infestation, consummate their love but, in doing so, create a threat to humanity just as its getting started. To thwart that union, the Avengers unite to save humanity and make an enemy out of Laufey. Aaron and Walker weave the tale of revenge, love, a bizarre love triangle, and ultimately the birth of Thor.

Positives 2.0
While the art is not as sharp as I have seen, the colors explode everywhere as this is Asgard, this is battle, and these are primal creatures! This is not a dinosaur-laden issue as much as a realm of Gods, Creatures, Sorcery, legends, and Myths, all operating simultaneously. Would I have liked sharper images given the slate of heroes? Yes! However, seeing an “in control” Phoenix and a Red Hulk Star Brand is excellent!

Negatives
Artwork withstanding, the story is pretty intriguing and has a lot of avenues to explore. But, again, the recent time-traveling exploits of the Avengers can also give way to eroding current timeline exploits of storylines.
It’s a great trick by writers to “control alt delete” some things that get in the way when different writers take on various books. This particular issue has a lot of potential. However, I am intrigued about how the transformations are passed on to the current generation of heroes, so no pun intended, but …give it some time!

Final Thoughts:

I want sharper art..sharper lines, but I am a McFarlane Marvel fan and want to see intricate lighting and artistic webbing no matter the book. This was a great seed planted, and I am a sucker for a #1 issue under any heading, no matter the publisher! Plus, I want to see Red Hulk Star Brand take on Bruce Banner’s great-great-great-great-great grandfather. Hey, it could happen!

7/10