Thursday, August 19, 2010

HYPE OF THUNDER

Comic Book Resources, Newsarama and the Marvel Comics website all have articles about my upcoming Thor gig.  It's a delight, and an honor, finally getting a chance to play with this classic character (one of the few Marvel icons I've never written).  I grew up on the 60's era Lee-Kirby Thor stories which, for my money, are among the most magical, majestic, mind-bending epics in the history of comics.  To prove my point:  Here's Jack Kirby at his mythological best...


 
Chaos War:  Thor #1 will be out in November.  If the good time I'm having writing this story translates to the printed page, it should be a fun—and suitably cosmic!—read.

10 comments:

  1. I really need to read those Lee/Kirby Thor stories! Maybe when I do I'll post on my blog. What's your opinion of Walt Simonson's run?

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  2. I have incredible respect for Walt -- he's a massive talent -- but I wasn't a regular THOR reader back when he was writing the book. (Truth is, I don't think I ever followed the book with much regularity after Stan left...and that's a long time ago!) That said, I do remember that my old pal Sal Buscema was doing some extraordinary work in collaboration with Walt; and I know that most folks who followed Walt's version of the thunder god, and there were many of them!, consider it one of the high-water marks of the series.

    Yes, David, you really should read those Lee-Kirby stories. If you're looking for twelve absolutely perfect issues, start with JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #124 (the introduction of the Marvel version of Hercules) and then prepare to be mind-blown by Greek gods, alien colonizers, Ego the Living Planet and the High Evolutionary -- all climaxing with Jane Foster's visit to Asgard in JIM #136. There were amazing issues before and after, but this particular run of stories is my all-time favorite.

    What's even more extraordinary is that Stan and Jack were simultaneously crafting the greatest FANTASTIC FOUR stories ever told, creating -- in these two series -- comic book epics utterly unlike any that had come before. When those two guys were in the zone, there was nobody better.

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  3. Will do, JMD! I'll check back in when I'm finished. Thanks for the recommendations.

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  4. Here's a thought: Giffen/Dematteis Warriors Three (think how they'd look under the pencil of Maguire; I'm still basking in joy from re-reading JLI)!

    Looking forward to seeing your take on Thor. My favorite aspects of your writing are the introspection, sentiment and silliness. Underneath all of these is a sense of wonder and grandeur, which I expect will be brought more to the surface with this project. I'm sure you'll surprise me as well!

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  5. Thanks, Jeff. Not much room for silliness in this story, but I'm doing my best to bring that wonder, grandeur, introspection and sentiment. (Sounds like a cosmic law firm: Wonder, Grandeur, Introspection & Sentiment LLP.)

    Warriors Three with Giffen and Maguire is a fun idea. Maybe one day: right now Keith's under exclusive contract at DC.

    If you're enjoying a re-read of JLI, I hope you're getting a kick out of the current BOOSTER GOLD issues featuring Booster, Beetle, Mr. Miracle and Big Barda. Next month, Ted gets turned into a chipmunk. No kidding!

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  6. I've always liked the Thor character, but have had mixed reactions to the Thor comics I've read over the last couple of decades.

    But I am thrilled to hear you will be trying your hand on the character, I will definitely be picking this series up!

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  7. Thanks, Rob: much appreciated. (Now here's hoping you enjoy the story!)

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  8. exciting news! and that Kirby cover is pure magic.

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  9. Kirby produced some of the greatest covers of the 60's, Mike. "Pure magic" indeed.

    I know that there was a period when Marie Severin would actually do the basic layouts for the covers and then Kirby would bring them to life in his unique and powerful way, but I don't know what year that started. I'd love to know how that all worked. If anyone out there has info about the Severin-Kirby connection, please post and let us know.

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