The Last Days of Midgard

This ended the "Thor: God of Thunder " series quite well, leading us into the much beloved "The Mighty Thor Series" (where we see Jane Foster taking up Mjolnir). This was much better than Vol.3 which I found to be a little bit boring and to be lacking substance. In Vol.4, Thor is totally committed to safeguarding the Earth. This is the Thor I find most endearing.

In this collected story arc from “Thor God of Thunder,” readers slip from current times to the distant future in “The Last Days of Midgard.”In current times, Thor and SHIELD battle a corporate CEO with mystical powers who wishes to make a buck at the expense of the environment (I loved the political critique here). Writer Jason Aaron and a team of artists make the contemporary story fairly compelling. But it is the integration of the tale from the future where Aaron and the artists sing. The future, as grim as it is for the world, makes the entire collected storyline a joy. In the far-flung future, Earth is a barren ball orbiting the sun but old Thor, now a maimed old grandfather, cannot let the planet go. This is heartbreaking stuff. He is sworn to protect Earth even when its people, animals and plant-life are gone. But it still has its resources, which attract the starving devourer of worlds, Galactus. Yes, old Thor battles an emaciated Galactus for the fate of battered Midgard and in the end, Thor wins, only to rename parts of the Earth after close friends (such as "Steve" as in Captain America). I found vol. 4 to be emotionally resonant, action packed, funny, and touching, especially Thor's love for earth.

If only we mere mortals loved our planet the way some Gods do. ( )

1717 ( )

Four stars verging on five. The art is back to being near perfect, and as crazy as the main plot line is, the ending is surprisingly moving and makes me curious about what's next for the cast. Not including the story where Thor actually loses Mjolnir is kind of a lame move though, Marvel. ( )

An emotional climax with a villain that could be developed a little more. ( )