JULY 18, 2014 4:59PM
I Am Woman, Hear Me THOR!
From a Marvel Entertainment press release:
Marvel is excited to announce an all-new era for
the God of Thunder in brand new series, THOR, written by Jason Aaron
complimented with art from Russell Dauterman.
This October, Marvel Comics evolves
once again in one of the most shocking and exciting changes ever to
shake one of the “big three” of Captain America, Iron Man and Thor. No
longer is the classic Thunder God able to hold the mighty hammer,
Mjölnir, and a brand new female hero will emerge worthy of the name
THOR.
Who is she? Where did she come from and what is her connection to Asgard and the Marvel Universe?
“The inscription on Thor's hammer reads ‘Whosoever
holds this hammer, if HE be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.’
Well it's time to update that inscription,” says Marvel editor Wil Moss.
“The new Thor continues Marvel's proud tradition of strong female
characters like Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow and more. And this
new Thor isn't a temporary female substitute - she's now the one and
only Thor, and she is worthy!”
Series writer Jason Aaron emphasizes, “This is not
She-Thor. This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is THOR.
This is the THOR of the Marvel Universe. But it’s unlike any Thor we’ve
ever seen before.”
THOR is the latest in the ever-growing
and long list of female-centric titles that continues to invite new
readers into the Marvel Universe. THOR will be the 8th title to feature a
lead female protagonist and aims to speak directly to an audience that
long was not the target for super hero comic books in America: women and
girls.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this is that it was announced on "The View." This is very bizarre to me. I couldn't imagine that those women, or people who watch "The View," have picked up a Marvel comic in their life and/or would truly care.
There has of course been the expected nerd rage. "Thor's not a woman! They're just doing this for money! Political correctness has gone too far! Waaah waah!"
A collection of Tweets about this would be a worthy project, but one I unfortunately don't have time for. Luckily, we have Buffy mastermind Joss Whedon to remind us that a female iteration of an established character ain't no fail:
Meh. Fanboy whining can turn egregiously unpleasant and misogynistic. And they're misplacing their rage. It's happened before in various ways and plots:
(Beta Ray Bill, an alien horse)
(The X-Men's Storm with the power of Thor)
(A dude named Eric Masterson who took over as Thor for a bit)
(Thor Frog!)
(Wonder Thor - DC/Marvel crossover)
I applaud both the effort and sentiment behind this move. But this latest gender-bender doesn't change the status quo of Thor in the slightest.
A woman is given the power and title of Thor. Meanwhile the "real Thor" is still going to be superheroing around with less power and a big fucking axe. When Marvel's done squeezing what money they can out of this storyline, they'll restore everything as it was.
I wish they had made Thor a trans woman. Neo-nazi's heads exploded over black Heimdall (I miss Bob Calhoun on OS!) in the Thor films; think of the burst blood vessels a trans-Thor would have inspired?
Oh wait - it DID happen (although in an alternate universe tale):
Finally, there will be some silly Norse mythology purists arguing that Thor wasn't a woman in the myths, so it's disrespectful blablabla. Whelp, he also wasn't blond, he wasn't a superhero and he didn't live in New York City disguised as a doctor.
And if Thor the norse deity wasn't a woman, he was up to a drag performance here or there...
In conclusion, this:
will become this:
until it doesn't anymore. It's all gonna be okay!
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Comments
Nice! This is a fascinating development. I never read comics as a kid, bit maybe I should start.
I understand that Archie is going to be killed in an upcoming edition while trying to defend a gay friend. Things are really changing in interesting ways in this artform. Thanks for bringing this to light.
I understand that Archie is going to be killed in an upcoming edition while trying to defend a gay friend. Things are really changing in interesting ways in this artform. Thanks for bringing this to light.
But wouldn't she by definition be a goddess?? R&R ;-)
Sure she'd be a goddess. Why not?
NOOOOOO!!! THOR IS NOT A WOMAN!!!! GRRRRR!! :D
Thanks, Bill.
Regarding Archie, the series where that happens has its own continuity
free of the regular kid friendly Archie fare. I don't know that that
sort of heavy handed drama really fits well with those characters. But
it is selling well.
@jmac, sure. But I also hear "actor" used for what I used to call an actress. So female Thor can be a "god", I guess?
@kosher - God, goddess, golden calf, deity, superhero/superheroine, just take your pick.
Hey Tink - do angry hammer wielding thunder-cats in viking helmets exist? Because I can see them....
@keiko - right. He
took one look at that shabby island and said NOT COLD ENOUGH! GO NORTH
LEIF ERICSSON! And this new female Thor isn't trans. But the Loki of
both myth and of Marvel comics has switched genders.
If she'th thor I'd probably recommend a hot bath and thome bed retht.
And then there is
Thorazine... the heroine of those unmoved by such gender dalliances in
the comic universe as long as they have perfect backstory and the memory
of He-Thor makes at least one muscular appearance. (What's good for the
goose...)
I think this is an interesting way for comics to continue to explore modern issues. But like many enduring themes, it may take time and distance to appreciate the risk-taking involved here. Meanwhile, I vote we step away from the hammer and wait and see...
I think this is an interesting way for comics to continue to explore modern issues. But like many enduring themes, it may take time and distance to appreciate the risk-taking involved here. Meanwhile, I vote we step away from the hammer and wait and see...
Great post. Yes, I
wish Thor was transgender. That makes more sense. I watch the View for
Whoopi. She is me. I am Thor. At least they are not calling her
Thorina.
The first thing I
thought when reading this was that they would make Thor a trans female
but I guess not. Even better would be the original male Thor lip
syncing to "You & Me Against the World" (which superhero would mouth
to the voice of Helen Reddy's unctuous child at the end?)
Hmm, good question VA. Perhaps The Hulk?
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