Thor #1
Donny Cates (w), Nic Klein (a)
Marvel Comics

Liz says: Given the unenviable task of following Jason Aaron’s well-loved seven-year run on Thor, Donny Cates nonetheless smashes it with his first issue, seamlessly transitioning from Aaron’s story into his own. The issue picks up a short time after the aftermath of the War of the Realms, with the Thunder God on the throne of Asgard. But heavy is the head that wears the crown – although, in Thor’s case, it’s his hammer Mjolnir that’s weighing unusually heavy. Thor still isn’t entirely at ease in the role of All-Father, and conversations with his brother Loki and the Lady Sif (now the All-Seer) bring out the cracks in his façade of confidence. So it comes as no surprise that when disaster strikes, Thor seemingly jumps at the chance to gallivant off to protect the realms. What is surprising however is the transformation that takes place to put him on his quest. Donny Cates and Nic Klein have done a masterful job of easing readers in with a first issue that reflects on the previous run, but storms off in its own unique direction by the end – a perfect beginning to a new era for the God of Thunder.