In the wake of their recent acquisition by Roxxon, Marvel Comics have created their own new Thor, guaranteed to satisfy modern readers’ sensibilities. The publisher has announced a new series, Roxxon Presents: Thor, in which the powerful corporation is set to create its own “Thor,” along with a team of “heroes” to accompany him.
Written by Al Ewing, and penciled by Greg Land, Roxxon Presents: Thor will spin out of the current Immortal Thor series – written by Ewing, with art by MartÍn Cóccolo – while promising a quick, exciting crossover between the two.
 | |
Release Date: | April 17, 2024 |
Writer | Al Ewing |
Artist: | Greg Land |
Cover Artist: | Greg Land |
“From the pages of IMMORTAL THOR – the ROXXON AGE OF COMIXX BEGINS! In his secret identity as A.I. spokesguru CHAD HAMMER, the son of Odin knows Mama Gaea is a TOP PRIORITY for heroes AND for business! But when a group of insane environmental activists take “saving the Earth” TOO FAR, it’s time to show them the wisdom on BOTH sides – AS THOR! But WHICH God of Evil is prompting the kids to rebel? Could it be…LOKI, GOD OF EVIL??? Featuring an all-star cast of heroes! MINOTAUR! EXECUTIONER! ENCHANTRESS! And the THOR-TRUCK! This is the story of THE ROXXIN’ THOR… and it’s a VITAL part of the “ABSOLUTE ABSOLUTION” MEGA-EVENT!” | |
Marvel’s teaser image features Immortal Thor’s heroes facing off against Roxxon’s versions of the characters. The solicitation also suggests that this other team might include disguised villains like Skurge the Executioner, and the Enchantress, both of whom have recently appeared in Immortal Thor, plotting with Roxxon.
Controlling the Narrative
Energy conglomerate Roxxon, Marvel’s premiere evil corporation, has antagonized Thor in the past. Since Immortal Thor #4, at the end of each issue of the series – by the creative team of Ewing, Cóccolo, Wilson and Sabino – readers have been privy to new Roxxon CEO Dario Agger’s plot to take control of Thor’s legacy via merchandising, including the literal Marvel comics that Thor appears in. Agger has roped in Enchantress and Skurge to help him, and it looks as though his all his plans will pay off, with Roxxon acquiring in-universe control of Marvel itself.
Immortal Thor’s most important theme so far has been the power of stories, with Ewing emphasizing from Immortal Thor #1 that “Gods are creatures of story.” In Immortal Thor #6, Dario Agger and Enchantress read part of the issue itself as a comic, promising that they too can “change the story as it’s read.” If Agger and Roxxon Corp. can control comic book stories about Thor, it gives them the ability to rewrite Thor’s narrative entirely. It appears this will result in the creation of “the Roxxin’ Thor,” a God of Thunder that does the corporation’s bidding.
You are not Immune to Propaganda
The upcoming Roxxon Presents story will be extremely mexatextual. The comic itself has become part of the story. It is part of Roxxon’s propaganda; in a fascinating move, author Al Ewing is using the form of the comic to comment on its content. The in-universe divine power of story reflects how Roxxon has gained the ability to manipulate reality by taking control of the comic book medium itself. It also cheekily mirrors how Marvel Comics themselves, are only a small part of a giant conglomerate, another way Al Ewing’s Thor has proven to be a daring creative endeavor for Marvel.
Roxxon Presents: Thor (2024) #1 will be released April 17, 2024 by Marvel Comics (a subsidiary of Roxxon.)
