Donny Cates begins his role as Thor in a volume published by Panini Comics in the Marvel Deluxe line that will lead the king of Asgard to face the Black Winter

It’s been a while since then Jason Aaron He was the only one to cut the cod Marvel Comics in what God of Thunder refers to that wonderful saga of The Butcher of the Gods. But the time had come for the Alabama screenwriter to pass the baton, and to his friend Donny Cates He seemed like the right person to take charge of the character during a new phase that should have been glorious, if we pay attention to the work he left behind. The beginning of this new era brings him now Panini Comics in a volume entitled Marvel Deluxe. Thor by Donny Cates 1 – The Devourer King.

New Times for Asgard

When Aaron leaves the series we reach a point of closure where Thor is the new king. Asgard replace the pensioner (ahem, ahem) Father of all. It’s not exactly a completely new approach, never seen before, but on this occasion it seemed solid and grounded enough to really witness a change that would last more than a handful of issues.

We also had Loki as the new king of Jottunhein after the death of Laufeybut this character has taken so many turns (both morally and physically) in recent years that it’s difficult to keep track of his changes in status.

After achieving numerous successes both inside and outside The House of Ideashopes were high that Cates would become a man for the future of the series. Now we know that, due to a fateful accident that stopped his professional career, this was not the case. And it’s a shame, because what we see in this volume really does suggest a very promising future for the son of Odin. And it does so not by continuing with the tone of its predecessor, but by breaking with it completely and looking for something new…

The Black Winter

As a starting point to trigger action we have a new threat known as Black Wintera legendary entity that, according to the stories, has the potential to destroy Asgard and the entire universe if not stopped. Faced with this imminent danger, the king of Asgard decides to delegate his leadership and embark on a new adventure.

To face this catastrophe, our protagonist teams up with the most unlikely of companions. Galactosewhich in turn makes him his new herald, which involves a shocking wardrobe change. And that’s when we undoubtedly begin to recognize this Cates who has entertained us so much, for example with his My Friend Thanos and his Cosmic Ghost Knight. With these new powers, Thor prepares to face an unprecedented threat.

Furthermore, Cates reintroduces Donald BlakeThor’s sometimes forgotten alter ego. Here Cates will give the character a twist, radically changing the concept that readers can have of him and transforming him into a powerful enemy for the Asgardian. But Blake will be just one of many familiar characters who will grace these pages, a list that will include guests from Bill Beta Rays Until Shit in passing Tony Stark…

In the graphics section here we mainly have a Nick Klein The job fits him like a glove. He can be very spectacular when he acts, and with Cates in the script that tends to happen quite often. Klein is asked to bring energetic action, disturbing settings, coolness and grandeur to his characters, and Klein delivers with flying colors.

An infinite beginning

The best thing about this volume is practically everything we can find inside it. Graphically here we find pajama material of excellent quality, and for the rest we see from the first page a story that proceeds at full speed, a all inside of a screenwriter who arrives eager to leave his name written in fire right there Mjolnir and it also does so by offering something new for readers who love the character.

The worst is what we don’t see. No matter how beautiful the pages collected here are, it is inevitable to think that we will not end up seeing Cates’ future ideas captured in ink in subsequent volumes. And it is precisely this that leaves a bittersweet taste when we reach the end of this volume…

Him Volume published by Panini Comics The hardcover contains 336 color pages with a format of 17 x 26 cm. and includes the translation of the American edition of the first 14 issues of the regular series Thor, In addition to all the covers of the included issues, an introduction written by Nacho Teso and a section with extra material at the end. The suggested retail price is €42 and it was released in July 2024.

Marvel Deluxe. Thor by Donny Cates 1 – The Devourer King

A new creative team leads Thor to new realms of glory. Donny Cates, the writer who reinvented Thanos and Venom, conquers the halls of Asgard alongside Nic Klein (Massacre) and Aaron Kuder (Guardians of the Galaxy). The Prince is now king. All Asgard rests upon the God of Thunder.

Peace has come, but it usually doesn’t last in the Eternal Kingdom. The Black Winter is approaching. And Thor can’t do anything about it.

Authors: Aaron Kuder, Donny Cates and Nic Klein