Thor #2

Thor #2
I really wasn't expecting much from this series, so the first issue pleasantly surprised me, and this latest installment has taken my surprise to entirely new heights. It's good! It's very VERY GOOD. It's got shades of Thor: Lord of Asgard, what with the giant monolith of Asgard floating above the Oklahoma desert, but that's where the comparisons end. After all, it's only floating there because the cops told him it couldn't be on the ground! And he pays for the land! Nicely done. I wonder if we're about to enter into Sandman territory here with his search for his friends, the lost gods of Asgard. Is he going to go metaphysical on us searching for them in the collective unconscious? Or perhaps he'll take it more literally and look for them at the local library or university classics department. Or perhaps he'll go figurative and find his friends by searching for places and items which they represent?
But why would he ever want to bring back Loki? And if Odin returns, does that mean that Thor will be beholden to him once more, or will this incarnation present them on equal footing?
Regardless of where JMS takes this story, I'd venture to say that we're in for quite a ride.

And it's got great dialogue too!

Next issue features the obligatory confrontation between Thor - an unregistered superhuman - and the fascist dick who used to be Iron Man. At least, I think so. Maybe it'd be best to skip it? Maybe it'll be as good as Nova's similar story was? We'll see. For now, I'm enjoying this series, and will continue reading it.

Nova #1 - #3

Nova #1 - #3
Wow. These first three issues have been really good. Perhaps not Excellent, but nearly so. What makes them so incredible is, among other things, Nova's reaction to the aftermath of Civil War. As someone who's been off-world since before any of the Civil War stupidity began, he's shocked to discover the degree of importance which those he encounters ascribe to what, in the cosmic scale of things, amounts to not much more than a minor scuffle. While he was out saving the Galaxy, these small-minded individuals were ignoring anything beyond their petty disputes, elevating their small conflict to a disproportionate scale of import. And Rich recognizes this fact. And he tries to impress it upon those he speaks with - his parents, cops, Stark, the Thunderbolts, and - the stupidest evolution of a character in the history of the Marvel universe - "Penance". Nova BEGS Robbie not to get caught up in the petty dramas of self-important individuals. And then he just can't stand it anymore and takes off.

The best part of the third issue occurs following the Thunderbolts' confrontation with Nova where they put civilians in massive jeopardy, blow up entire buildings, and all because Richard isn't registered? Sure he is! He's a registered member of the Nova Corps! And if S.H.I.E.L.D. and the CSA (still the Confederate States of America to me) are unable to recognize the authority of any law force stationed in another country, let alone another world or part of the galaxy, well, then, there's something incredibly wrong with them.
At least Tony Stark takes them to task for having put civilians in danger for such a spurious goal as apprehending NOVA! He promises consequences, but I doubt that these will be forthcoming in any other book. Seriously, most of the writers on Civil War aftermath books seem to think that it was a terrific plot device, and the greatest thing since the New X-Men! This book shows it for what it is. Stupid. And, unfortunately, something that must now be dealt with. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - this is what happens when you make a penciller your editor-in-chief.
VERY GOOD.

Also, it's quite refreshing to actually have a book bannered as an Initiative crossover which has something to do with the Initiative, unlike most books bannered thusly, which often don't even pay it lip service!