THOR: AGES OF THUNDER #1

[MattBrady]

<a href="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/ThorAgesOfThunderCover.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/t_ThorAgesOfThunderCover.jpg" border="0" align="right"></a><i>Press Release</i>

As Thor continues to deal with an uncertain future after the return of the missing Asgardians, readers can now look to the past and examine the long, arduous road that brought him here! Thor: Ages Of Thunder, a double-sized special from red-hot scribe Matt Fraction (Immortal Iron Fist, upcoming Uncanny X-Men) and fan favorite artist Patrick Zircher (Thunderbolts) explore the events leading to the mighty Thor’s bonding with the human Donald Blake as he wages war with the terrifying Frost Giants. But just how does a tragic tale of the Enchantress and the legendary villainy of the trickster Loki play into all this?

With Loki’s involvement in the critically-acclaimed Thor, this issue is perfect for fans looking to learn more about the Marvel Universe’s greatest deceiver…and just what makes Thor the man he is today! Don’t miss the double-sized Thor: Ages Of Thunder!

THOR: AGES OF THUNDER (FEB082257)
Written by MATT FRACTION
Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER & KHARI EVANS
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—4/10/08, FOC—4/30/08

<center><a href="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/ThorAgesOfThunderPreview1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/t_ThorAgesOfThunderPreview1.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/ThorAgesOfThunderPreview2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/t_ThorAgesOfThunderPreview2.jpg" hspace="3" border="0"></a><a href="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/ThorAgesOfThunderPreview3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/t_ThorAgesOfThunderPreview3.jpg" border="0"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/ThorAgesOfThunderPreview4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/t_ThorAgesOfThunderPreview4.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/ThorAgesOfThunderPreview5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/t_ThorAgesOfThunderPreview5.jpg" hspace="3" border="0"></a></center>

[SpaceButler]

Looks beautiful! :D

[Kevinjt4]

Wow! I just might have to pick this up...

[Ravager]

That is some amazing art.

[FANBOY4LIFE]

Looks awesome! I've loved every issue of the new Thor series and this looks just as good! Can't wait!

[nemler]

It looks like Thor is taking a page out of Clor's book...blasting a hole thru the chest of a giant!
And retreiving his hammer THRU the head of a frost giant...!!!! If this was 1986 I would say that was rad.

[LaughingJak]

My god that's pretty.

[ejulp]

who in the world is coloring that...that looks amazing!

[LazarusMan]

Why this isn't the writing and art team on the regular book is beyond me.

Maybe they're grooming Fraction to replace JMS once he decides to leave Marvel behind for DC completely. I can only hope so.

And Zircher, Patrick Zircher, is one of the best talents working at Marvel. Get him another exclusive contract and a monthly book.

[Predabot1]

Goddamn... this Thor is almost a bit TOO hardcore! :eek:

Dragging the heads of Frost Giants trough the streets...

Interestingly enough, there's no problem with this, since the Ages of Ragnarok makes it all possible. :)

[Kinnelon]

Glorious, Glorious Art.

I can see why Marvel didn't realease the usual huge image previews and why their copyright is featured so prominently. In this age of digital photo printing, it'd be tempting make wall posters out of the art if the images were larger. ;)

[Blackbeard]

Sold, sold, SOLD! Really looking forward to this. :)

[Ironhorse]

Fraction + Zircher + Thor = Totally awesome. If Marvel put this team in the ongoing in the near future, I'll will be pleased. Peace.

[J. Dincauze]

Glorious, Glorious Art.

I can see why Marvel didn't realease the usual huge image previews and why their copyright is featured so prominently. In this age of digital photo printing, it'd be tempting make wall posters out of the art if the images were larger. ;)

Yeah, Zircher stuff is definitely wall hanging quality... I fell in love with his stuff on Terror Inc, and this looks like another great example of his talents.

[mister_e]

Hardcore, man... the way Thor ought to be!

[johnny.blaze]

Will this book be read "wide screen" ie pages are flipped up and down and not left and right?

[ALIEN_freak_jimbo]

HOLY CRAP, THAT LOOKS AWESOME!!!!

[newfoundma]

I've always liked Zircher's art, but this is some of the best art I've ever seen in a comic!
Fraction is just zany enough to take full advantage of the concept of Thor, instead of making him just another super hero.
And I love Enchantress. Good to see her.

[beta-ray]

You know, if they ever have future "God Squad" adventures, I wouldn't mind seeing this team on that. Especially exploring their backstories (to show more mythological environments)...

[EmeraldGuy32]

This looks amazing!!

[raven1979]

Amazing , makes the ongoing look bad (and the ongoing has been good).

When does this comes out.

[coldwarmyth]

in collected form.

The art is very interesting, but Thor dragging a Frost giant's head through the streets?

Works for me.

The trade it'll be. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I'll finally understand and enjoy a Matt Fraction book.

[Mike]

"Matt Fraction (Immortal Iron Fist, upcoming Uncanny X-Men) and fan favorite artist Patrick Zircher (Thunderbolts) explore the events leading to the mighty Thor’s bonding with the human Donald Blake as he wages war with the terrifying Frost Giants."

I'm going to guess from the amount of gore on these sample pages, that the story here is that THOR was too bloodthirsty, and was bonded with Don Blake so he could learn a little humanity.

[SpaceButler]

"Matt Fraction (Immortal Iron Fist, upcoming Uncanny X-Men) and fan favorite artist Patrick Zircher (Thunderbolts) explore the events leading to the mighty Thor’s bonding with the human Donald Blake as he wages war with the terrifying Frost Giants."

I'm going to guess from the amount of gore on these sample pages, that the story here is that THOR was too bloodthirsty, and was bonded with Don Blake so he could learn a little humanity.

I believe Fraction said something to that effect in his last Word Balloon interview, but I am not 100% on that.

[Mike]

I believe Fraction said something to that effect in his last Word Balloon interview, but I am not 100% on that.

Didn't read that interview, but I have been reading a lot of old issues, and that's the motivation Stan Lee gave to Odin when he and Kirby finally addressed Don Blake's origin sometime in the 1960's.
So I expect this story will be kind of an embellishment / updating of what's already been established.

Those old issues are really fantastic. My favorite Lee/Kirby stuff.

[FIG]

Titles like these make me come back to comics.

[drizpiece]

oh wow, oh friggen wow!

[DaVeO]

I'll be waiting for hard cover treatment with this, I mean, how can you not?

[Mrsupertight]

they should put Zircher on the main book to ensure that the title comes out monthly

[registers]

When does this come out?

[ArchonComics]

By Ymir's beard that's a nice looking book. That's how a Viking God should roll ... like a bad a$$!

[Drcharles]

http://i.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Thor/Ages/01/ThorAgesOfThunderPreview5.jpg

Just look at that art,.........:eek:

with Thor back in the Marvel Uni it makes me feel everso safe.
(Superman eat your art out,)