The Mortal Thor #1 featured image

THE MORTAL THOR #1 Review

  • Written by: Al Ewing
  • Art by: Pasqual Ferry
  • Colors by: Matt Hollingsworth
  • Letters by: VC’s Joe Sabino
  • Cover art by: Alex Ross (cover A)
  • Cover price: $4.99
  • Release date: August 27, 2025

The Mortal Thor #1, by Marvel in 8/27/25, kicks off with New York, a mysterious blonde man, and a thunderous lesson on what it means to be a hero in a world that’s forgotten its gods.


First Impressions

Marvel’s latest Thor reboot trades cosmic might for Manhattan grit, giving us an amnesiac with a hammer and a heart. The story launches with swift pacing, honest dialogue, and a zinger or two about labor and memory. It’s sharply drawn, sharply written, and delivers the punch of myth into the alleyways of modern life.

Recap

The background from page 26 reveals that this story comes in the wake of The Immortal Thor #26, where Thor died at Loki’s hand and the gods are cut off from mortals. Asgard’s survivors linger in nine realms, severed from Midgard, prompting new stories and uncertainty. This issue marks both a literal and a metaphorical return, aiming to redefine Thor’s journey through the eyes of Sigurd Jarlson, a man with no powers or lineage, just a hammer, a city, and an honest need to do right.

Plot Analysis

Sigurd Jarlson (Thor without memory) wakes up in New York City, struggling to recall more than his name, his foreign origins, and his fondness for the city. His encounter with neighbor Kris—and the luck of a found apartment key—sets the tone for Sigurd’s new life: lost but curious, determined to be good while grasping for clues about his past. When financial strain hits, Sigurd answers a construction job ad, joining a crowd of desperate workers in a warehouse and naively trusting the process. Soon enough, the truth surfaces: they’re hired to break a strike for Roxxon Construction, facing down union picket lines in the name of corporate “public service.”

Sigurd’s moral compass kicks in quickly. When challenged by Roxxon’s foreman and their security muscle, he refuses to undermine the striking workers, rejecting the easy cash and the role as “replacement.” He delivers a brief, impassioned speech for dignity and decency, pushing his fellow day laborers to question the work they’re being asked to do. Instead of a brawl, there’s a standoff and a tense exit, as Roxxon’s security grumbles about keeping the “Swedish fish” (as they call him) quiet. Sigurd leaves with at least one other doubting worker, but the threat from Roxxon’s hired muscle lingers as they plot to silence him.

Later, Sigurd is confronted and ambushed in a city alley by Roxxon’s heavies. They insult his principles, invoke the wrath of Thor, and try to beat him down. Sigurd’s instincts erupt: he crushes his attackers with ease, his fighting skills and latent power surfacing in spectacular fashion. The final message is clear—Thor may be lost, but something within Sigurd is returning, and the city’s villains have reason to fear the man with hammer in hand.

When the dust settles, Sigurd issues a warning to his enemies and anyone who doubts his resolve: “Thor is coming.” With gods absent from the world, a man with a hammer and principles may be the most dangerous thing in New York. The comic ends with the promise of more ruthless, righteous action from a hero whose name and legacy are still up for grabs.

Detailed Review

Writing

Al Ewing’s script puts character front and center. Sigurd’s dialogue is crisp, honest, and brimming with wistful displacement. The story blends street-level realism—money problems, labor disputes—with mythic undertones to satisfying effect. The pacing builds slowly from philosophical discussion to action, without much in between. The central conflict appears to be between a bike gang and Roxxon Construction, though the specifics are light.

Art

Pasqual Ferry’s art is dynamic and expressive. The city feels lived-in, dirty but alive, and Sigurd’s hefty form dominates every scene. Facial expressions carry emotion and dramatic tension without need for narration, especially in the stand-off and alley brawl. The action is easy to follow, and character designs—the smug enforcers, the earnest workers—stand out visually. Matt Hollingsworth’s colors add weight where needed, giving heat to sunlit rooftops and chill to shadowed alleys.

Characters

Sigurd Jarlson is the anchor—confused, earnest, but never passive. Supporting cast members, from Kris to Roxxon’s managers and muscle, get just enough lines and visual touches to make them memorable in few pages. The Roxxon Construction guards are presented as antagonists, largely anonymous and serving as obstacles for the gang. Professor Eric Teller acts as an expository device, explaining the concept of “gods” to the audience through his television appearance.

Positives

The standout aspect here is the fusion of mythic grandeur and blue-collar grit. Sigurd’s rejection of dirty work for easy money is a heroic beat rooted in real-life struggle, not fantasy. Smart dialogue, seamless pacing, and evocative art combine for a comic that starts slow but improves as it progresses. Every panel contributes to character and atmosphere, and the alley fight shows Ferry’s knack for visceral, readable action.

Negatives

The narrative clarity suffers significantly from an abundance of unexplained elements. The plot progression feels disjointed, with a jarring shift from philosophical discussion to immediate gang conflict. This creates confusion, as the story relies heavily on exposition without organically integrating the “who, what, and why” of the central conflict.


About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter


Final Thoughts

The Mortal Thor #1 lumbers along, showcasing some impressive art but tripping over its own feet with a muddled plot. While the visuals deliver a powerful punch, the story’s overall impact is about as subtle as a brick through a window, leaving too many questions unanswered.

6/10


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