Warning: contains spoilers for Immortal Thor #3!After years battling with his iconic hammer Mjolnir, Thor just forged a new legendary weapon. The ax – named Tormod the Keen Edge – is one of the sharpest blades in Marvel lore, with Marvel promising it will soon be joined by two more new weapons in this epic series which is redefining Asgardian lore with every issue.
In Immortal Thor #3 (from Al Ewing, Martin Coccolo, Matthew Wilson, Joe Sabino, and Alex Ross), Thor finds himself stranded on a desolate planet by Loki, in their ultimate form as the Teller of Tales. Loki has used rune magic to trap Thor on this world, while the Elder God Toranos is left to wreak destruction on the universe. Planning to create his own runic staff to escape, Thor realizes he needs a cutting edge, and forges a new ax out of his iconic helmet, which is made of Asgardian steel.
However, Tormod isn’t just an ax. Thor is currently flexing his powers as the All-Father, and forges the ax with ancient magic, naming it and imbuing it with immense power. The blade is sharper than thought itself and returns to his hand on command like Mjolnir before it.
Thor’s New Ax Tormod Is a True Legendary Weapon
The First of Three!
In the MCU, Thor famously wields the ax Stormbreaker, but this weapon doesn’t exist in the comics. His brother in arms Beta Ray Bill wields a hammer of that name, and Thor has used the ax Jarnbjorn in the past, but Tormod appears to be the true canonical answer to his movie weapon. While Loki is once again Thor’s enemy, they are clearly trying to help him in the grand scheme. The emergence of the Utgard-Gods has posed Thor and Loki with an unprecedented threat, and Loki appears to be preparing Thor to fight back – including forging this new weapon.
Thor’s New Weapon Is Tied to the All-Power
‘Tormod’ Means ‘the Mind of Thor’
Tormod’s name is particularly important, and roughly translates to ‘the mind of Thor.’ This is deliberate on Thor’s part, as he knows he’ll need to think his way out of Loki’s trap, not just bludgeon his way free with Mjolnir. In Norse mythology, there’s a long history of objects also embodying larger concepts – it’s possible that with this name, Thor really has bound the ax to his immense personal wisdom (the All-Knowledge is the source of his power as Odin’s successor.) Created from his iconic helm, beaten into shape against Mjolnir, and forged using the All-Power, Tormod is a weapon fit for a god, with the issue teasing it as “the first of three” that Thor will gain on his journey.
Immortal Thor has already hinted that it’s a comic about names and how they dictate the purpose of a person or object in the world. Thor’s new weapon represents his wisdom as the ruler of Asgard and embodies his ability to think his way out of trouble – something that Mjolnir, while powerful, has never stood for. While Tormod’s initial purpose is to carve a runic staff that allows Thor to escape and chase down Toranos, fans can rest assured that this new weapon will have huge importance as Immortal Thor continues its fascinating run.
Immortal Thor #3 is available from Marvel Comics now.
