Marvel's Definitive Version of Thor Is Officially Returning (Exclusive)

Few creators had an impact on Thor as much as Walt Simonson, and a new collection is giving his epic its due.

Marvel’s definitive Thor creator is officially returning soon, and ScreenRant is pleased to bring readers a first look. As previously announced here on ScreenRant, Clover Press will soon launch a Kickstarter campaign that revives the venerable Marvel Masterworks line with four exciting new entries, including one featuring the return of legendary Thor artist Walt Simonson.

Considered by many to be the best Thor artist of all time, Walter Simonson’s career in comics began in the early 1970s, while still in art school. After breaking into the industry, Simonson hit the ground running, penciling an acclaimed Manhunter story written by Archie Goodwin. This led to a number of awards and high profile assignments at both Marvel and DC, and in 1983, Simonson began writing and drawing The Mighty Thor with issue #337. Simonson would stay on the book for four years, producing a run that is still fondly remembered to this day.

Simonson’s run on The Mighty Thor was transformative for the character. The first issue of his tenure introduced Beta Ray Bill, an alien warrior able to lift Mjölnir. Simonson also introduced a frog variant of Thor, as well as leaned more into the character’s Norse mythology background than previous creators. Simonson’s art was dynamic as well, and honored the spirit of Thor’s co-creator Jack Kirby. Now, Marvel Masterworks is bringing more of Simonson’s run back into print, with a new introduction by the man himself.

Walt Simonson Introduces Marvel Masterworks Thor

Marvel Masterworks: Thor Reprints Key Moments In The Thunder God's Career

Today, Clover Press will launch a Kickstarter campaign for four new volumes in the Marvel Masterworks series. Clover first announced the line’s return here on ScreenRant, offering an overview of the books, including a look at the variant covers. The first four offerings include Tomb of Dracula, X-Men and Super-Villain Team Up, as well as The Mighty Thor.

Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Volume 25 catches the Thunder God at a peak moment in his career. The book collects not only The Mighty Thor #360-369, but also the Balder the Brave miniseries from 1985. A press release from Clover briefly detailed the restoration process that went into crafting this volume, saying that over 200 pages had been restored using Simonson’s own scans, and some of these pages are shared here, courtesy Clover Press. Finally, the book comes with a brand-new foreword by Simonson.

Clover Press is going all-out for its new Marvel Masterworks Kickstarter. The publisher will offer three variant covers for each volume, including an all-new “poppy” style sure to catch readers’ attention. Clover also has a number of cool rewards lined up for those who pledge, including a premium collector box, replica Mighty Marvel Marching Society membership cards and other goodies as well.

Some of Marvel's Best Creators Have Taken On Thor, But Walt Simonson Remains Untouched

Since Thor’s introduction in the Silver Age of Comics, some of the best writers and artists have taken a crack at bringing the Odinson’s grand adventures to life, honoring the tradition Stan Lee and Jack Kirby established in Journey Into Mystery #83. Writers such as Tom DeFalco, Roy Thomas, Jason Aaron and Matt Fraction have penned some of Thor’s best adventures, while artists like Herb Trimpe and Sal Buscema illustrated them. Thor’s adventures demand a visual language beyond regular superhero comics, making it a continuing challenge to come up with new stories that engage readers.

And Walt Simonson is, in many ways, the yardstick by which other Thor creators are judged. By taking Mjölnir out of the Odinson’s hands, and giving it to Beta Ray Bill, Simonson shook up a tried and true formula, and breathed new life into Thor. Bill did not keep Mjölnir long, but it was enough to show fans Simonson’s tenure was going to be anything but ordinary. Clover’s new Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Volume 25 takes fans back to a high point in the character’s career, giving it the love and attention it deserves.