Since its initial announcement on "The View" last July, Marvel Comics has kept the identity of the new female Thor a closely guarded secret. Series writer Jason Aaron has also played up the mystery surrounding the character's identity since the new series' launch in October, spreading the questions, candidates and red herrings across the volume's first seven issues. Now, a day before the character's identity is revealed in "Thor" #8, the new Thunder God's alter ego has been exposed via the New York Times' Arts Beat blog.
The New York Times article reveals that Mjolnir's new wielder is -- SPOILER ALERT -- Dr. Jane Foster, a character that has been depicted as battling breast cancer since Aaron took over the "Thor" series.
"Jane Foster has been part of the Thor comics and the Thor mythology from almost the very beginning," Aaron told the New York Times. "The very act of picking up this hammer, of becoming Thor, is killing her. Where we go from here is the real story."
Aaron continued, noting that "most of the new readers seem to be women and young girls, which is great. You're seeing more and more comics that appeal to that audience." Aaron also noted that the attention surrounding Thor's latest adventures have increased his own notoriety. "Usually when I say I write comics for a living, I kind of get blank stares," said Aaron. "Now, when I say I write Thor, they say, 'You're the lady Thor guy?' Yup. That's me."
"Thor" #8 arrives in stores tomorrow.