On October 1, Thor #1 by Jason Aaron and artist Russell Dauterman hit comic book shelves. A lot of hype surrounded this release, as Thor is now a woman. Yet Thor #1 only glimpses who the female Thor might be and what this could mean for the future of superheroes.
Thor #1 begins with Thor unable to wield Mjolnir, having been deemed unworthy due to some secret whisper from Agent Fury. Mjolnir now lies on the moon, while Thor’s weakened state has encouraged the enemies of Asgard – notably the frost giants – to begin invading Earth. The story focuses mostly on this invasion, but we do get glimpses into how the new Thor comics are going to explore the female comic characters.
Freyja, having been removed from power upon Odin’s return to Asgard, is more willing to question Odin’s motives and make her own commands. Asgard has remained intact during her rule, despite Odin’s implication that Freyja’s place remains strictly in the realm of women as “coddlers.” She even hints that, in the future, she’ll be acting against Odin’s orders.
The last scene of Thor #1 shows a woman picking up Mjolnir. Is this Freyja, since we last saw her on the moon? Or was someone else there as well? Writer Jason Aaron hinted in this interview that the female Thor could be any of the supporting characters, ranging from Thor’s love interests to the Girls of Thunder.
Whoever it is, it’s apparent that the female Thor may subtly explore women’s place in the realms of Nordic myth. Aaron has also revealed that the main story will be more about what makes someone worthy to wield Mjolnir – and what happens when one is deemed unworthy, as Thor has been.
Ultimately, this new Thor may be just what the comic book world needs: A strong female character that questions the place of Nordic women while also implying that it isn’t gender that makes one worthy or unworthy. Rather, a person’s character – irrespective of gender or any other culturally assigned denominator – is what makes one worthy to wield the weapon of the just and good.
-Tiffany Rhoades
Junior Girl
Girl Museum Inc.