Thor has one of the most colorful, grandiose supporting casts in the Marvel Universe and several fan-favorite figures from the God of Thunder's host of friends and allies are spotlighted in the new oversized special Thor: The Worthy #1. The issue features a whole host of superstar comic book creators returning to craft new adventures for characters they earned particular acclaim with in the past. As a result, each of the creative teams settle into the three respective stories for an unabashed, concentrated dose of Asgardian fun and nostalgia as if no time had passed at all.

Landmark comic creator Walter Simonson teams with Mike Hawthorne on a story about Beta Ray Bill and Lady Sif taking on a mythical villain from Thor's childhood. It's a tale that leans into the fantasy potential of the characters. Hawthorne is joined by inker Sal Buscema and colorist Tamra Bonvillain. Bonvillain especially imbues the story's visuals with psychedelic sensibilities, creating sequences that practically evoke Led Zeppelin and other fantasy rock bands and really elevate the proceedings. Simonson is Beta Ray Bill's creator and has years of experience working with the characters, so his return to Asgard is like an old virtuoso coming back. And he delivers another fun story starring the Norse duo.

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Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz reunite for their own cult addition to the Thor mythos, Thunderstrike. Just as the '90s had Ben Reilly's Scarlet Spider temporarily replace Peter Parker's Spider-Man, the decade also saw Eric Masterson's Thunderstrike temporarily replace Donald Blake's Thor Odinson. This story has perhaps the most unapologetically pronounced throwback feel in the book, likely due to the relatively brief period Thunderstrike was active in the Marvel Universe. Joined by inker Keith Williams and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, the art feels straight out of the '90s as Thunderstrike battles against the Grey Gargoyle across town.

The third and final story in the issue has Kathryn Immonen and Tom Reilly return to craft a team-up between Lady Sif and Jane Foster's Thor in an adventure that has the Goddess of Thunder once again showcase her worthiness. Immonen helmed the acclaimed adventures of Sif in the pages of Journey into Mystery years before Jane would wield Mjolnir and assume the mantle of Thor, and this story offers a tantalizing glimpse at what could have been had Immonen's run continued a few years longer. Reilly is joined by colorist Chris O'Halloran to deliver an epic team-up that sees the two women long associated with the Odinson forge their own path -- with thunderous results.

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For those largely unfamiliar with the wider Thor comic book mythos, this special may not be especially accessible, though the entire issue isn't necessarily designed for new readers. Rather it's a celebration of decades of the superhero's history and extensive supporting cast. Similarly, the artwork never feels glaringly dated but also leans heavily into the eras from which each creative team left their own respective mark on the characters.

Thor: The Worthy features the return of several of the greatest comic creators ever to craft stories for Thor and his mythical friends, and this special is a genuine treat for anyone who has loved their prior work with the characters. While the tales within are not particularly consequential, they were never really intended to be; This book is just a group of accomplished comic creators doing what they do best with the characters they know perhaps better than anyone else. And that alone is worth the price of admission for any longtime Thor fan.

Thor: The Worthy #1 is available now.

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