Review — ‘Immortal Thor’ #3 Riddles It Out

Thor’s greatest enemy and ally has long been his sibling, Loki. Immortal Thor #3 embraces that, and shows the depth of what Loki truly can be alongside their brother. 

Al Ewing, Martin Coccolo, Matthew Wilson and Joe Sabino explore a riddle that could save Thor’s entire destiny.

Loki has trapped Thor… somewhere. He doesn’t know where, he doesn’t know when. All he knows is that Loki has given him everything he needs to escape, and everything he learns will only help him in the war that lies ahead.

Ewing is playing the long game here, but he makes that clear while telling a satisfying single issue story. The entire issue I was trying to figure out what Loki was up to and what direction it was leading the plot. It was an action heavy story as well without involving any punching at all- it was almost entirely Thor up against the elements and his own wits. It even ends with giving Thor a new Uru weapon.

In the background, he also takes the time explore Loki’s new status. After staring this run by confirming Loki’s genderfluid/non-binary status, he also shows that fluidity isn’t limited to their gender. It’s also their purpose and alignment. Depending on what they need to do, and who they need to be, for their own ends and Thor’s. It’s a fascinating new status for one of the best characters in Marvel’s pantheon.

Coccolo’s line work is getting better with each issue. He creates a fascinating landscape for Thor to struggle through. He tells the story as Thor wrestles with Loki’s riddle, showing him thoughtful and introspective on one page, while he leaps into the action the rest. The layouts keep it engaging no matter what happens. There’s a great economy in the storytelling as no panel is wasted or decompressed- whether it’s advancing plot or character.

Wilson’s colors are incredible. He makes the world feel truly alien, but not so much though that it becomes disorienting. He makes Thor himself incredibly engaging, using the color art to make him pop against everything else on the page. Sabino’s letters relay tons of information, while varying through caption style and font as different bits of dialogue and narration happen.

Immortal Thor #3 is available now from Marvel Comics.