The Best Run on Thor: Walt Simonson

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 1 лип 2024
  • / comictropes
    Walt Simonson wrote and illustrated a nearly 4-year run on Thor that holds up as one of the best runs for Marvel and the best for Thor. This video breaks down what was done right. Beta Ray Bill, Surtur, Skurge, Hela and more.
  • Розваги

КОМЕНТАРІ • 194

  • @Valandar2
    @Valandar2 5 років тому +104

    There was no better redemptive death in Marvel than Skurge's. "And they shall say, 'He stood alone at Gjallerbru, and that is answer enough.' " That line always gets me.

    • @IncredibleMD
      @IncredibleMD 2 роки тому +4

      And then Thor: Ragnarok turned Skurge and his M-16s into a gag.

    • @Valandar2
      @Valandar2 2 роки тому +5

      @@IncredibleMD Yes. And all because they turned him into a "Joke" character. In the MCU he had none of the intimidating reputation in Asgard that Comics Skurge had, and none of the actual dignity he had (despite his fawning after Enchantress).

    • @roymakescomics
      @roymakescomics 2 роки тому +1

      @@IncredibleMD yes and no, the character still redeems himself through sacrifice.. that part was not made out to be a gag.. if you can get over the small joke..it was still good.. and to be fair it should be joked about..an Asgardian using an M16 is nucking futz.

    • @antona.1327
      @antona.1327 2 роки тому +1

      @@roymakescomics the character has no backbone of the original character, so his sacrifice is boring and useless. That part was a gag, and was terrible all around. And Thor Ragnarok didn't have one bad joke. It was all bad jokes.

    • @richardfairlamb9728
      @richardfairlamb9728 6 місяців тому

      Agreed. Truly awful. Everything is trivialised and one big joke. I never cared about any of the characters in the movies, yet I always did in Walt’s run. The sign of a great writer who cares.

  • @marqosmarqos1201
    @marqosmarqos1201 4 роки тому +48

    Walt Simonson's run was pure genius. I compare it to Frank Miller's daredevil and Claremont and byrne's X-Men.

    • @sbyrstall
      @sbyrstall 4 роки тому +7

      Don't forget Peter David's run on "Hulk".

  • @chrisdragnet722
    @chrisdragnet722 6 років тому +112

    That was an incredible run. I was kinda disappointed that the films never introduced Balder The Brave.

    • @56postoffice
      @56postoffice 5 років тому +9

      Thank you. Same thing I said. How can Marvel leave out a major Thor character like Balder?

    • @captainjakemerica4579
      @captainjakemerica4579 4 роки тому +5

      @Django Fett Well the final act was in Asgard in Thor Ragnarok and it was anything but boring

    • @justingoers
      @justingoers 2 роки тому

      I’m hoping they introduce him and that he gets his own movie. This run made Blader in to one of my very favorite Marvel characters.

    • @antona.1327
      @antona.1327 2 роки тому +1

      @@captainjakemerica4579 indeed, not boring. Horribly shot, underwhelming, poorly written, but not boring

    • @CabezasDePescado
      @CabezasDePescado Рік тому

      The mcu is mostly garbage made by and for people who dont like Marvel comic books so dont invite artistic tragedy

  • @DJJunkfoodJay
    @DJJunkfoodJay 6 років тому +77

    That last page of 349 with Beta Ray being summoned by Odin was a moment as a kid I'll never forget. I remember eating Burger King for dinner and opening a couple of Fleer baseball card packs, then reading 349. I definitely wasn't gonna miss 350, or else I'd regret it the rest of my life, haha!

    • @justinz1619
      @justinz1619 6 років тому +3

      Nah dude, you're thinking of David Michelinie's Iron Man #249 that you read as a kid while eating burger king.

    • @paulpeartsmith
      @paulpeartsmith 5 років тому

      FATHER!!!

    • @roymakescomics
      @roymakescomics 2 роки тому

      @@justinz1619 ?

  • @benb3316
    @benb3316 5 років тому +27

    That was a defining moment - Simonson both grew and truly matured as an artist and Thor got taken to his mythic roots. He was like Frank Miller to Daredevil.

  • @socialmedia4637
    @socialmedia4637 5 років тому +15

    Ah, the Simonson years, also known as the KRAAAAKAAADOOOOM era

  • @chechokiko7904
    @chechokiko7904 2 роки тому +4

    That was a good era. You had Simonson on Thor, Zeck on Cap, Byrne on FF, Paul Smith on Dr. Strange, and Romita Jr/Frenz on Spider Man

  • @ericferguson6099
    @ericferguson6099 4 роки тому +3

    His run was an instant classic. 337 sold out immediately. I'll never forget finding the last issue that someone had tucked away in the book store. Thanks for putting this together

  • @llongone2
    @llongone2 4 роки тому +7

    It was my favorite run in comics ever. Never better, IMO.

  • @jarkoer
    @jarkoer 4 роки тому +3

    I was spoiled. I literally started reading Thor just an issue or two before Simonson took over. I joined the military several years later, and stopped reading comics for a while. But Simonson became the standard that I kept expecting from Thor. And while everybody loved the movie, "Thor Ragnarok", it was such a slap-stick tonal shift for me that I wasn't too comfortable with a number of things in it. To me, Thor will always be EPIC in every sense of the word.

  • @Quiro26
    @Quiro26 6 років тому +27

    Walt Simonson is a great artist and a good writer. For me one the best comic book run of the 80's. I also think he's one of artist that has that Jack Kirby vibe style.

  • @odinson99m
    @odinson99m 5 років тому +7

    Without a doubt, Simonson's run Top 5 run of All_Time! I am called the Odinson to this day because of that run.

  • @scottanderson8167
    @scottanderson8167 5 років тому +7

    Simonson is a genius. You will enjoy literally anything he’s done. Look for Iron Man and Fantastic Four as well.

  • @oliverortiz8507
    @oliverortiz8507 4 роки тому +3

    Pure pleasure when I read Simonson's run when it first came out.

  • @revolutionarycinemaproduct6612
    @revolutionarycinemaproduct6612 2 роки тому +2

    These i think are my favorite types of comic tropes episodes. Where chris just sort of shows us why he believes something is really good and worthy of praise (lol no worthy pun intended i swear) as well as the real world history behind alot of these stories are some of my favorite episodes as well. Of course i love the standard tropes episodes where chris shows us tropes but still. Great channel, if i can afford it il try to support chris because he makes some good shit and he seems a cool dude.

  • @kyleeartist2829
    @kyleeartist2829 5 років тому +3

    Sumonson’s run in Thor was totally classic. I’m also a huge fan of his Fantastic Four from the late 80’s/ early 90’s

  • @jamesalexhowlett
    @jamesalexhowlett 4 роки тому +7

    Dude, this hyped me up on Thor, I’ve not read any Thor before, but this video helped to peak my interest.

  • @antoniocdechavez4409
    @antoniocdechavez4409 5 років тому +8

    My favorite comic run ever! I got the omnibus, and I consider it a treasure.

  • @Rafferty1968
    @Rafferty1968 4 роки тому +2

    I think this might be my favourite run ever. Reading the issue were he fought Jormungand, my jaw never left the floor. It was so stunning. Magnificent story telling from start to finish.

  • @bigneon_glitter
    @bigneon_glitter 4 роки тому +2

    Always thought of Simonson's style as "Celtic Manga". And that Midgard Serpent issue was EPIC.

  • @dugonman8360
    @dugonman8360 5 років тому +41

    The proper answer to "whats the best run on a marvel title?" Is always "start with the 80s"

    • @TheNickcone
      @TheNickcone 4 роки тому +7

      It was truly a great era for comics.

    • @captainjakemerica4579
      @captainjakemerica4579 4 роки тому +5

      True though I'd argue Iron Man had great runs in the 70s and 2000s and his comics in the 90s were good for the most part minus the artwork and Rob Liefield's run

    • @ronfisher5259
      @ronfisher5259 4 роки тому +4

      Lee, Kirby and Ditko did amazing work in the mid 60s: FF 44 thru 52 and Spidy 30-33 were high points on both titles and ran at the end of’64

    • @bobbyhulll8737
      @bobbyhulll8737 3 роки тому

      @@ronfisher5259 it was a great platform and starting point, but too silly now when I look back

    • @yasutorasado6971
      @yasutorasado6971 3 роки тому

      Yea reminds me of John Sterns Goblin

  • @cruddddddddddddddd
    @cruddddddddddddddd 4 роки тому +3

    I read Simonson’s Ragnarok book. It’s a different, darker take on the Norse tales. I found it highly entertaining

  • @WalterLiddy
    @WalterLiddy 4 роки тому +1

    I loved Simonson's Thor. Not just better than other writers on the title, and not just because he brought in so much of the mythos twisted to his own fun purposes, but also because I felt that his artwork had the best-suited tone and style for the title. I can spend hours just looking at his art.

  • @danielboone8435
    @danielboone8435 2 роки тому +1

    "can we get security to hardware? there's a man picking up hammers and talking to himself."

  • @deannorman1349
    @deannorman1349 2 роки тому +1

    The best run in any comic ever and saved Thor from cancellation.

  • @Braktooth
    @Braktooth 4 роки тому +4

    Well done. Very well explained and yeah, this might be the best run of anything, ever.

  • @justingoers
    @justingoers 2 роки тому +2

    Hey Chris. I’m so glad I saw this video. I ended up tracking down all the Marvel Visionaries collections that contain Simonson’s full Thor run. I just love it. The scope and world building are so awesome. And it’s just damn fun. The consistency of having Simonson write and draw each issue is so satisfying. Thank you for shining a light on this for me.

  • @mdigitalman
    @mdigitalman 4 роки тому +2

    Thank you Chris for your contribution to the comics world.

  • @spiderphil
    @spiderphil Рік тому +1

    I just noticed the John Workman's lettering in X-Factor from re-reading the Fall of the Mutants lettering 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @morriscolautti9822
    @morriscolautti9822 5 років тому

    Great episode again. Well done.

  • @jayupstateny13650
    @jayupstateny13650 2 роки тому +1

    That was an excellent video, thanks. Some of the elements of Simonson's writing reminds me of the original Conan stories by Robert E Howard. Maybe Simonson read them as a kid like I did.

  • @T-RavisComics
    @T-RavisComics 6 років тому +5

    One of my favorite all time run on any comic

  • @thewoollyviking5928
    @thewoollyviking5928 5 років тому +6

    I love the beard and battle armor for Thor, there really needs to be a Marvel select figure for it!

  • @aldi404
    @aldi404 6 років тому +2

    Great video, now I'm all hyped up for the new movie :)

  • @IncredibleMD
    @IncredibleMD 2 роки тому +1

    The depiction of Asgard created by Simonson will always remain, in my mind, a far more epic and compelling conception of a modern mythology than EITHER of Jack Kirby's. He turned Cosmic Marvel into a true mythological space.

  • @smallman3381
    @smallman3381 6 років тому +4

    I really appreciate you making this. and the puns.

    • @ComicTropes
      @ComicTropes  6 років тому

      Loki Lyesmith I’m no hero. Well, maybe a little.

  • @nivekian
    @nivekian 4 роки тому +2

    His recent comic called Ragnarok is pretty sweet too. It's Thor and viking myth, just a whole different take. "The Stone God"

  • @bluscout2992
    @bluscout2992 4 роки тому +12

    So uh, one question that seems to be bothering me that no one is asking. Was the part where he was kicked out of the store scripted or real?

  • @StraboSE
    @StraboSE 6 років тому +20

    You are my new favorite youtuber. By the way what is your opinion of DC Rebirth when compared to the current state of marvel? Also what is your opinion of star wars runs marvel is currently doing? Thank you for keeping up comic tropes as it and comics in general has been a good escape since Ive been in medical isolation all fall with a "super bug" in my gut. After watching your Valerian and Laureline episode Imediately sent my sister to pick up the collected volumes. Anyway, I can see great things ahead for your channel.

  • @SM80FG
    @SM80FG 5 років тому +2

    AMAZING. Love Walt Simonson's work, especially on Thor. My brother has all these Thor comics (he collected Avengers, I collected X-men). Always loved Walt's work, on X-Factor, too. Though Thor is the perfect match. I was really hoping MCU's Malekith would match Walt's version as closely as the MCU captured Hela's comic book look.

    • @IncredibleMD
      @IncredibleMD 2 роки тому

      Reducing RAGNAROK to a one-scene gag in Thor: Planet Hulk was criminal. How do you hand THOR, one of the most epic-in-tone characters in all of the Marvel Universe, to a comedian obsessed with how "witty" and "clever" he can be? Ragnarok could've formed an entire arc of movies, but they'd never do it, because Thor 1 and 2 were such clunkers... because the people involved in writing them didn't seem to want to use any of Thor's lore (perhaps in fear of stepping on the upcoming Infinity War story).

  • @adamstriebich530
    @adamstriebich530 4 роки тому +1

    That lettering cut scene was awesome

  • @Maryland_Kulak
    @Maryland_Kulak 5 років тому +5

    Do a video on Walt Simonson’s Manhunter, please.

  • @rogerengland2821
    @rogerengland2821 2 роки тому +1

    The Simonson run made me a lifelong fan of Thor.

  • @jonathanplooij3666
    @jonathanplooij3666 Рік тому

    thanks for the video

  • @theunironicboomerang
    @theunironicboomerang 2 роки тому +2

    His art was so awesome.

  • @NWKBricks1
    @NWKBricks1 2 роки тому

    Good video. Simonson's run on Thor has always been my favorite. I have met him a few times at conventions. He and Louise were always very nice .
    You left out a very great issue though. Thor 355.

  • @philbuttler3427
    @philbuttler3427 Рік тому

    Jason Aaron's run on Ghost Rider I still argue should be included in the pantheon of definitive runs. The mix of freah ideas and loving the mythology of the character always reminded me of Simonson's Thor run ... which might explain why Jason Aaron went on to do his own run on Thor. Albeit they're fundamentally very different characters but idk I just always got the vibe Simonson's Thor run was an inspiration.

  • @richardfairlamb9728
    @richardfairlamb9728 8 місяців тому

    The greatest comics run ever for me. Walt Simonson can do no wrong.

  • @brettbunke9096
    @brettbunke9096 10 місяців тому

    Walt’s rut was legendary!

  • @paulpeartsmith
    @paulpeartsmith 5 років тому +2

    Legendary

  • @hsinlau8803
    @hsinlau8803 4 роки тому

    Really enjoying your videos during shelter in place. Thanks! BTW, will you be doing a video on possible definitive runs for Dr. Strange? I never read Dr. Strange, but if there's a good run that's worth reading, I'd be interested.

  • @gr8fullysaved129
    @gr8fullysaved129 5 років тому

    So this is pretty cool last week I was at a goodwill and I found a bunch of comics for .50€ each so I grabbed the whole box it was about 60 comics most of them are this run of Thor I got issue 341-382 and you are so flipping right it is such a grate run the art and story definitely hold up still
    But the moral of this is there are always good comic scores at goodwills lol
    Keep the tropes coming

  • @Thor13332
    @Thor13332 5 років тому +3

    This is by far my favorite era of Thor. By btw Balder didn't know that Thor is his half brother until much later. Just a nit pick.

  • @evangriffith7234
    @evangriffith7234 5 років тому +1

    I wish that Walt Simonson would come back to Marvel to draw and write a series like Spiderman, the Avengers or the X-Men;working on the Star Wars comics again would be great also.

  • @zoso73
    @zoso73 4 роки тому +2

    Miller Daredevil. Byrne X-Men + Fantastic Four. Perez Titans. Simonson Thor. Yeah, I was pretty lucky to have lived through this zenith in comics story-telling as a teenager in the early 80s.

  • @stardust_memories2260
    @stardust_memories2260 Рік тому

    Happy 76th birthday Walt ✨

  • @prodigal1970
    @prodigal1970 4 роки тому +2

    The VERY best run on Thor period. Many of the younger readers may not agree or understand but..we know, and that is answer enough. :D

  • @Rockjesu
    @Rockjesu 8 місяців тому

    I want to say that Kirby and Lee run for Thor it's really amazing too.

  • @marklawrence2772
    @marklawrence2772 6 років тому

    i liked his 70 DC Manhunter work as well, but this is off course where it all comes together nicely,

  • @MrPonytron
    @MrPonytron 6 років тому +38

    I don't think Hela's name is pronounced the way you're saying it in this video. I'm sure it's pronounced
    "hel-luh" and not "hee-luh." Other than that, I enjoyed the video :)

    • @ComicTropes
      @ComicTropes  6 років тому +19

      MrPonytron You are correct. That was a remnant from me reading a name back in the 80s and making an assumption on how it was pronounced and then forgetting I made that assumption. It happens every once in a while in my videos for either a character or creator name but I try to think ahead about it more and more.

  • @rockmanx6857
    @rockmanx6857 2 роки тому +1

    Makes me want to go hunt down some back issues ASAP 🤠👍

  • @antonydrossos5719
    @antonydrossos5719 5 років тому

    Seeing you holding a hammer instantly made me think of the sequel to "Marvels", the alt-reality story, "Ruins"

  • @pencilpauli9442
    @pencilpauli9442 Рік тому

    I liked the scene with the spirit level @10:55
    Stan Lee was in the background.

  • @genghisdon1
    @genghisdon1 4 роки тому +1

    it RULES

  • @vincentfranklin17
    @vincentfranklin17 5 років тому +1

    Thor battling the Midgard Serpent... EPIC!!!

  • @jamescole7930
    @jamescole7930 Рік тому

    I agree that Walt’s run was an amazing adventure. But no one, NO ONE did it better than Jack Kirby and lesser Stan lee. Jack’s artwork was so big and dynamic that is set the foundation for anything too come after.
    And as far as longevity, Jack ran from 83 in 1963 to 188 a near nine year run. Jack established the very fabric of the entire Thor and Asgard mythology. Yes Walt had an overwhelming popular run and added to the incredible story of Thor. But too be better than Jack, if you ask Walt himself he would argue that statement. But Walt is a very respectful and modest man.

  • @langreeves6419
    @langreeves6419 3 роки тому +1

    The development of Volstagg is genius

  • @camaradiop3731
    @camaradiop3731 9 місяців тому

    4:02
    I wish I still possessed that issue!!!!

  • @chechokiko7904
    @chechokiko7904 2 роки тому

    Lmao at the ending!

  • @crashingatom6755
    @crashingatom6755 6 місяців тому

    Kurse was another high point of the Simonson era.

  • @SciFiFan2012
    @SciFiFan2012 6 років тому +2

    Beta Ray Bill and Thor need to have the fight in a film before Hemsworth stops being Thor.

  • @Myrdden71
    @Myrdden71 2 роки тому

    This time in Thor made it one of my two favorite comics, along with Dr. Strange and The Uncanny X-Men.

  • @Infamous41
    @Infamous41 4 роки тому +2

    Its hard to be low key around loki!

  • @solonsaturngaming3727
    @solonsaturngaming3727 2 роки тому

    Oh Hi You caught me trying to find Mjolnir at my local hardware store... Lol

  • @dfcsons
    @dfcsons 5 років тому

    Ditto Simonson's Orion, which very much did the same for that character too

  • @jerkfudgewater147
    @jerkfudgewater147 4 роки тому +1

    You should post those live streams, also “you gotta get the fuck outta here”

  • @leonardsamson1225
    @leonardsamson1225 3 роки тому

    The Donny cates run is quickly becoming a contender

  • @TheVetoSkreeemer
    @TheVetoSkreeemer 6 років тому +1

    Actually Red Norvell was the first to take Mjolnir from Thor and gain his powers. That happend on t 70 while Roy Thomas wrote Thor.

  • @bobbyhulll8737
    @bobbyhulll8737 3 роки тому

    Frank Millers Daredevil is up there too, but yeah this run was close to perfect

  • @sleepyreader666
    @sleepyreader666 6 років тому +3

    I would not say this run Tops the best of the Kirby Lee run...but it does by far the best job of adding to that original run's greatness...and certainly hasn't been matched since.

  • @bipolarewok
    @bipolarewok 4 роки тому +1

    0:24 goddammit rob, how many muscles do you think one arm can have?

  • @captainjakemerica4579
    @captainjakemerica4579 5 років тому +1

    Gosh I need to find these comic somewhere!!!!

    • @sgreen4865
      @sgreen4865 5 років тому

      You should be able to find them on amazon just search

    • @captainjakemerica4579
      @captainjakemerica4579 5 років тому

      Well I found one at my comic book store there might be more. Where do I look?

  • @marcusjavier8901
    @marcusjavier8901 4 роки тому +1

    0:24 to1:03 when it started i know this will be epic!

  • @joeblaster8770
    @joeblaster8770 4 роки тому +1

    Metal.

  • @TheeGrumpy
    @TheeGrumpy Рік тому

    "Stubby Clawhammer" is my pro wrestling name.

  • @stevenlennon12
    @stevenlennon12 3 роки тому

    heard about this run for years and have wanted to read it. never see it in trade form. hate omnibus because of size isues

  • @batman-gu7pm
    @batman-gu7pm 5 років тому +4

    So when you see a hammer you think of a guy named Walt?

  • @tinfoilmaester4810
    @tinfoilmaester4810 2 роки тому

    Jello Thor makes leobowski look ripped

  • @DasKame
    @DasKame 5 років тому

    I remember Wonder Woman coult take Thors Hammer in the Crossocer DC vs. Marvel ^^

  • @marcusjavier8901
    @marcusjavier8901 4 роки тому +3

    My favorite runs on thor is by
    Thor by Walt Simonson
    Thor by jms
    Thor by jason aaron
    And upcoming thor run By donny cates

  • @josephcusumano2885
    @josephcusumano2885 4 роки тому +1

    Beta Ray Bill!!!

  • @kathythompson5737
    @kathythompson5737 4 роки тому +1

    By far ........thee best run for Thor.

  • @scottbennie8299
    @scottbennie8299 4 роки тому

    The all-too-short Paul Smith run on Strange.

  • @spoonsharkart4550
    @spoonsharkart4550 6 років тому +10

    Anyone know the best way to get a collection of his run, without the recoloring please

  • @jordanlee5445
    @jordanlee5445 5 років тому +1

    I hope they introduce Beta Ray Bill in Thor 4.

  • @vincentfranklin17
    @vincentfranklin17 5 років тому

    That run on Thor was nothing short of spectacular!!!

  • @metal87power
    @metal87power 5 років тому

    Why that clerk asked you to "fuck out of there"?

  • @kellenorourke2155
    @kellenorourke2155 Місяць тому

    I know you'll probably never see this but were you really asked to leave the hardware store or was it part of the skit?

  • @markclark7178
    @markclark7178 4 роки тому

    Kirbys run !

  • @MachineFuckingHate
    @MachineFuckingHate 6 років тому +10

    People who made all of the Thor movies should've read some of these comics first. They for sure did not bring character to his full potential.

    • @ComicTropes
      @ComicTropes  6 років тому +7

      EgocentricHead I thought Ragnarok was a blast.

    • @SciFiFan2012
      @SciFiFan2012 6 років тому +4

      Drunken Mr. Fixit the film was good, but Simonson's run was amazing! I've got the originals and the trades, and I usually read the trades every six months or so.

    • @SciFiFan2012
      @SciFiFan2012 5 років тому +1

      Always watching problem was, it didn't need to go all in like that, similar to BvS cramming Doomsday/Death of Superman, Dark Knight Returns and the beginning of the JL in one film.
      BvS could have easily been a trilogy - Death of Superman, the four 'Supermen', Rebirth of Superman and the JL film.
      Thor Ragnarok could have just adapted Simonson's run very well and still have been an entertaining film, or two.

    • @jasonsabourin2275
      @jasonsabourin2275 2 роки тому

      @@SciFiFan2012 Very true, it almost leads me to believe they didn't believe in the stories having "Enough" to carry some of these movies, which i guess is somewhat understandable after some Comic movies still failed even with a can't miss Characters story's, now they just burned up a bunch of great stories, which as Hollywood knows as much as anyone, are not easy to come by.
      A sad waste..... But, then again they can always make NEW Ones, Hollywood keeps reinventing Batman, Superman, Spider-man, etc every couple of years, and the robots keep eating it up.