The second issue of Cates’ Thor series fires some flashy action that doesn’t amount to much (Galactus heals from his wounds almost instantly off panel) leading to an extremely exciting cliffhanger. I like the refugees in Asgard angle but we already did that in JMS’ run AND Jason Aaron’s so it feels a bit contrived, in terms of execution alone in reality I like it and love seeing Thori and Volstagg talk.

I also had a little trouble with Thor being herald of Galactus in general but then it’s suddenly yanked away very early in the issue which feels weak unfortunately. Not to mention unless I misunderstand something this is the fifth planet of five planets we needed to find with the rest happening off panel? I’m no lover of easter egg hunts but I feel like a lot of this story is happening behind the scenes which is a double edged sword. For now I’ll take on faith that Cates has a plan he’s definitely earned the benefit of a doubt and then some these last couple years.

The opening of this issue is already making the rounds due to showing the Justice League being overcome by the Black Winter. I love the feeling of interconnectivity this provides I wish we saw more like this. It reminds me of a simpler time in a way, back when Clark Kent could cameo in a Thor issue. Very cool move and a good way of establishing the terror of the Black Winter.

All in all I just don’t have much to go by in this issue we’re a little closer to understanding what the Black Winter is and Galactus seems to have gained the requisite power to stop it so we’d be headed into endgame if it weren’t for that cliffhanger…

The art by Nic Klein is excellent, I LOVE the quick fight between Thor and Galactus which is just a little gory and brutal. The aliens are really cool looking I don’t recognize them so I assume he maybe designed them but possibly not, either way they look great. There was a panel here and there I didn’t like but nothing worth really getting into. Matt Wilson really outdoes himself on colors especially in the scenes where Thor’s emblem is glowing that’s a hard effect to pull off without being jarring and he nails it. I also love a similar effect used when Galactus is powered up, looks awesome. Also worth mentioning the stellar work on the art teams part in the scene on Asgard Volstagg looks GREAT haha.

I’m not sure if the sound effect lettering is Klein or Joe Sabino (probably Klein the way it’s integrated into the art) but I love the way the sound effects are displayed and built into the sets it feels very Steranko. Super cool. That said I do have one minor lettering complaint I don’t like the font used in the black narration boxes and it’s too small making it a bit hard to read, by no means a dealbreaker just something I noticed.