Secret Invasion: Thor

Secret Invasion: Thor #1-3

by Matt Fraction, Doug Braithwaite (Illustrator)

The Skrulls, in an attempt to take over Earth, attack the gods' realm of Asgard, and Thor must team with Beta Ray Bill to protect the city.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Comic Book, Superheroes, Science Fiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 2009

About the author

"How he got started in comics: In 1983, when Fraction was 7 years old and growing up in Kansas City, Mo., he became fascinated by the U.S. invasion of Grenada and created his own newspaper to explain the event. "I've always been story-driven, telling stories with pictures and words," he said.

Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.

"My mother was not happy about that," he said.

But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."

Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.

Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.

Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."

Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.

- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.

Reviews

[Adam Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sleepy Secret Invasion tie-in. Asgard is targeted by the Skrulls. The people of a neighboring city rush to put out its flames. Thor and Beta Ray Bill must fight together to overcome the invasion.

It's not very exciting, and has a quazillion more narration boxes than are necessary for the story. It was essentially one mediocre issue of Thor extended into three agonizingly slow-paced issues.

I don't recommend it.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 2 out of 5]

"From the immortal Asgard he hails--the mightiest warrior of all mythology! Wielder of the mystic Uru Hammer, Mjolnir, he is the Norse God of Thunder, master of the lightning and the storm."
I have enjoyed the pencil style drawings in this, it was a nice change from the over digital looking art in the previous Secret Invasion tie-in comics, 2 🌟
I have never been a fan of the Thor comics, I'm not really into magic and fantasy but I really enjoyed this comic, its hard to give it a high star ranking as it was only a few issues and I felt it was just a refreshing change from all the crazy, hecticness of the other comics, it had a simple premise and was executed simply, and SI needs that, and the tie-in to the bigger picture felt natural so...3 🌟
Relevance to SI, 2 🌟 So overall for this TPB 2 1/2 🌟

[M. David Loyal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thor: Secret Invasion is one of the tie-ins for the over-arching mini-series Secret Invasion. I had read Secret Invasion, and Thor, as one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel universe, was instrumental in rallying the heroes of Earth to fight off the invading aliens the Skrulls. I was looking forward to having Thor’s story of how he got to the fight. Instead, what I got was a story of what was happening in Asgard. Don’t get me wrong; I love the tales of Asgard and Thor’s supporting cast. This was a story about Thor’s alien ally, Beta Ray Bill. Beta Ray Bill is one of the few beings in the galaxy who can wield Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, and he was given a hammer Stormbreaker which is the equal of Mjolnir. This makes Bill one of the mightiest beings in the Marvel universe. According to the story, Bill was captured, which I can accept, and then his powers genetically duplicated, which follows the rest of the Secret Invasion story, so I can accept. One of the things I can’t accept is that the Skrulls had the know-how to cut Stormbreaker in two, have it continue to work, and then give the hammer with its worthiness enchantment to a Skrull warrior known as the Godkiller, who is able to lift it. The Godkiller has Bill’s genetic signature, but certainly not the worthiness to lift the hammer. All in all, I found Thor: Secret Invasion disappointing and rushed. It did have some wonderful character moments, in particular for Thor’s alter-ego Don Blake, but it did not make up for my disappointment. I give Thor: Secret Invasion a C-.

[J'aime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been disappointed in the Secret Invasion tie-ins, mainly because they have so much filler unrelated to the event. Thor is an exception, but just barely.

Nearly all of this trade comprises a story directly related to the crossover event. In the main event, Thor takes part in the world-wide battle against the Skrulls. This story is set slightly before that and reveals that the Skrulls had a plan for Asgard as well - to wipe it out! Though this is not much more than an extended battle sequence, intercut with scenes in Broxton, I enjoyed it because of a couple of key factors. First, Beta Ray Bill returns and the two heroes kick a@@ together. Second, Lady Loki appears, albeit briefly, to make some mischief in a way that perfectly suited the story and character.

The book closes with a very brief story from the 60's of Thor's first confrontation with a Superskrull. I'm not a fan of the pre-2000's artwork, but the inclusion of Loki and the brevity made this one interesting. Overall, this tie-in is not essential to the event but was a quick, satisfying read. Recommended.

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reprints Secret Invasion: Thor #1-3 and Thor #142. Thor tries to fend off the Skrull invasion and deliver a baby. This series is as ridiculous as it sounds. The only positive out of it was the return of Beta Ray Bill and that was weak. The story is underdeveloped (one fight over three issues and the fighting seems minimal. Blake gives up defending the Earth to deliver a baby, not because it is a dangerous birth and the mother is in peril, but because he said he would. I understand that Marvel is trying to humanize a god, but even this goes beyond the unrealistic plot of the Thor series.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wish I could say I understand what Fraction is trying to accomplish by taking on this side job - maybe he had an extra car payment to make? Perhaps he felt like writing in the voice of 70s comic writers? Dunno, but while the art was interesting (if a little washed out), the story didn't do the readers any favours. Or rather, didn't tell us anything we hadn't already heard a hundred times before.

[Ray Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thor: Secret Invasion
Issue #1:
A man faces unimaginable agony as he barrels toward earth in a ball of raging fire. Marie, not with her regular OB/GYN is getting close to having her child. The doctor assures her that the baby sounds fine and there is no need to worry. He tells her to relax in Braxton until it’s time. Suddenly there’s a massive explosion. The doctor is Blake. He knows what’s wrong Asgard is burning. He tells Marie to stay and suddenly her water breaks. He waits with her until a nurse arrives and then runs to summon Thor. Thor comes down and asks Balder what happened. Something came from the sky so fast not even Heimdall was prepared. Thor sees it’s not an enemy, it’s Beta Ray Bill. He landed in Asgard he thinks it’s hell. He reveals they are coming, the skrulls. They want to destroy earth. Bill goes to rest but tells Thor they have Stormbreaker. Thor knows problems are coming and warns asgardians to prepare for war. He must protect the civilians of earth since he brought them so close. Thor creates massive storms in Braxton, triggering the news station to get everyone to shelter in place. Lady Loki begins convincing people that anyone could be a skrull. This makes word spread that Bill may be a skrull. Loki laughs at the mischief she’s created. The people of Asgard go after bill. Thor steps in and scolds everyone. He throws him mjolnir to prove he’s worthy and the man he says he is. Beta Ray Bill lives again. He sends Balder and Bill to lead. He sends Blake to Broxton. Hell is coming. He reunites with Marie and prepares to have the baby. However, there’s a massive explosion.

Issue #2:
The skrulls have arrived. However, they are not normal skrulls. They could shift their form from the basic genetic level. They were godkillers. Asgardians were not going to back down. They were at a disadvantage. Thor was not there so Balder and Beta Ray Bill are leading the charge. In Broxton, Marie is in labor. The local volunteer fire department realizes that Asgard is in trouble and they get ready to go help them out. Blake advises against it but they are adamant on helping their neighbors. The fight continues. The firefighters arrive but can’t do anything about these raging fires. A super skrull comes reigning down. Genetically modified and mixed to mimic thundra, Titania, volcana and battleaxe. She wields stormbreaker, infuriating Bill. The firemen retreat as they realize they can’t do anything. They go back to tell of what they witnessed. The storm doesn’t move and there is no wind. Marie begins to give birth. The super skrull and bill fight. Marie gives birth to a baby girl named Faith. Now that Marie and the baby are resting Blake goes back to Asgard to finish as Thor. The super skrull attacks bill injuring him badly. He gets back up but is stopped. Blake tells him to stand down.

Issue #3:
The Super Skrull wonders if Blake is truly telling the truth, bill laughs as he knows the answer. Not so far away, Volstagg noticed this showdown and realized he shall join in to save Asgard. He attacks the skrull to create a distraction but is hurt. Blake summons Thor amidst the distraction. He arrives, catching the skrull off guard and attacking her with his hammer. He tells her to stay off earth. Bill tells Thor to get her to drop stormbreaker. The skrull unleashes relentless fire at Thor. They attack her with a blade and injure her but she hurls stormbreaker toward Broxton. Thor realizes he must go after it to save them. He barely gets it before it destroys the town. Asgardians begin to attack the skrull. Thor returns with stormbreaker and tells the skrull to stand down. He tosses Bill stormbreaker and they ready to fight together. Thor tells him to fall. Asgard fell to the stun of the gods above and those people of Broxton below. However, thor and bill use their power to rise Asgard back. Everyone was once again stunned. The super skrull was dead. Everyone begins to help each other clean up. Bill and Thor talk about what’s next and how everyone will need them. However, Bill says he has answers beyond the stars. He understands and they part.
8/10 don’t understand the low rating for this run, I enjoyed it

[Terry Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow start in the first issue that quickly finds its footing. Fraction's narration is a perfect complement to the action and a nice change of pace from the norm. Whereas most titles would have the heroes and villains speaking endlessly as they exert themselves past the point of belief, all while sustaining an ongoing dialogue, Fraction keeps his storytelling to the squares rather than the ovals. The pencils are absolutely gorgeous, and while the story is by no means revolutionary, it is a nice complement to the overall Secret Invasion saga.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up I always thought Thor was kind of corny, but over the last year or two I've been liking him more and more. It's probably because I'm a huge fantasy fan and the plot lines tend to include magic and magical creatures. Anyway, this was decent, not great, definitely not as good as some of the Journey into Mystery stuff, but it's still cool to see Thor take a beating and then just keep fighting. They didn't play the "who's the skrull" plot in this one, so it definitely felt different than the other Secret Invasion spin offs.

[Andrew Garvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A three issue story that sees Donald Blake delivering a baby in a storm shelter and his Asgardian mates battling to fend off a a very large female (for some reason) Super Skrull until of course, Thor also gets involved, this short story tries to cover far too much ground but it's simple message of ordinary, every day (and also a more superpowered) heroism at least gets through. Rounding out the collection is issue 142 of the Mighty Thor, from 1967. It's a fun, goofy and extremely of its time tale about Thor's first ever scrap with the original Super Skrull.

[Jennifer Juffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read.
I've caught a few comics with Thor.
I never understood the Skrulls.
It makes a little more sense now.

Delving into a superhero Marvel comic is a little like going to someone's family reunion and meeting everyone. You're never going to remember every name, face or history.
However the more times you meet them, the more familiar they become.

Reading this comic reminds me of going to a reunion. I'm getting better at remembering "who's WHO".

[mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uhm, ¿tal vez los cómics de Thor no son lo mío? Aunque siendo sincera tal vez sea porque ver a el doc Blake como Thor se me hace raro, a pesar de que no debería ser así porque es el original… y es que ya me acostumbré al Thor de las películas, lo cual me lleva a pensar en Love and Thunder que fue un desastre lol

[Kyle Berk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable if short collection. It has the problem of Marvel putting in back issues to fill space.

But the Fraction penned Secret Invasion tie in is well written. It’s gripping and makes you care about characters. It doesn’t feel like it’s there to waste time.

3 stars.

[Jaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should have been subtitled an ode to Beta Ray Bill.

[ila · Rating 3 out of 5]

"it feels like a millenium ago, but once upon a time, thor's father odin linked the petulant thunder god with the life of a mortal man, so he could remain connected to his humanity. in spite of the years that have passed, every now and again, humanity still finds a way to surprise and delight him"
:')

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

THOR! God of Thunder! He fights skrulls.

Look, I have been trying to write like the wind this month, I haven't done a NaNoWriMo novel in a few years, and man, I've been doing my best, but man, it's tough. I've been on the verge of giving up since a week in. I still managed to write though, still, a day before the end, I'll have to set some personal bests to finish and meet my goals.

Sigh.

Anyway, I've missed reading. It's weird that I can't seem to find the time to write and read, but I know that there are others out there that say they can't do them together. I'm glad I'm not alone in my struggles.

So, I've snuck and read this Graphic Novel, which is another of those $5 ones from Books-A-Million. It's only barely worth it to me for this one though, as it only collects three issues (still had a retail price of $15, which is ridiculous) and an old Thor story from way back in the Jack Kirby days.

But, good news is that I loved this one. It's all about Thor smashing bad guys and delivering babies. The two things he's best at! It has Asgard and Beta Ray Bill and Oklahoma small town folks. Yes, this one has it all.

Loved it.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this three-issue Secret invasion tie-in, Beta Ray Bill returns to earth and helps Balder and the rest of the Aesir repel a massive Skrull attack on Asgard, which is currently floating several feet above the ground in Broxton, Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Thor's human vessel, Dr. Donald Blake, helps deliver a baby to a Broxton woman who's hunkered down with the rest of the town's residents as the battle (and storms created by Thor) rage outside. By the end, Thor and Bill team up to defeat the big mama Super Skrull. Nothing special, but entertaining enough.

To pad the length, an issue of Thor from 1967 in which Thor battles the original Super Skrull (the one with all the powers of the Fantastic Four) is also included. It's by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, which means the story is heavy on exposition and Thor's "oldie timey" dialogue is even more ridiculous than it is in the current series. But it's not without its turgid charm.

[Holden Attradies · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Thor, I really do, but for some reason I just never seem to enjoy his comics very much. Maybe I just keep hitting low points...

Anyways, of all the Secret Invasion tie in's this was probably the weakest I've read. The story that brought the Asgardians and the Skrulls to blows felt really forced, as did Beta Ray Bills involvement. The art though, was by far the worst aspect of it. the art it's self was very sub-par as far as comics go. It comes off as not being finished, like there was no inking, just sketching and half coloring. Perhaps this wouldn't have seemed so out of place in a superhero comic, but the lettering was so normal that it made the art style stand out even more. And even though the lettering was very traditional, it also was sub-par, ESPECIALLY the narration.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this for what it is: The Skrulls invading Asgard and there being a big battle. But because of what it is (The Skrulls invading Asgard and there being a big battle) I cant really give it more than 3 stars. But for me the simple plot was executed well.

Fraction does a bit more with it by having Donald Blake deliver a baby in Broxton whilst the invasion is happening, which is a way of Marvel reminding us that Donald Blake still exists. Loki also tries to trick the Asgardians into thinking that Beta Ray Bill may be a Skrull. One of the big concepts of the Secret Invasion was the "who do you trust?" but in this title it doesn't really work or go anywhere. It's more they needed to fit Loki in it somehow so this is what they did.

It's better than some of Fractions later Thor work.

[Lynn Sheridan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Asgard is being attacked as part of the Skrull’s invasion. Thor is determined not to let that happen.

I found this story to be boring, which is a huge shame because I love Thor. There just doesn’t seem to actually be any threat. At no point did I think, oh no this is going to go very bad for anyone other than the Skrull.

On top of the boring story, I really didn’t like the artwork. It wasn’t bad, but I didn’t enjoy the style.

I feel like this was a real missed opportunity and should have warranted a much bigger story. I mean, come on, the gods of Asgard against Super-Skulls. This deserved so much more that it got.

Not nearly exciting enough. Possibly the worst in the story arc.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy Secret Invasion Thor, because the entire time I was reading it I just missed the classic Thor comic feel. It also seemed that what the way Thor said the dialogue wasn't right since it was rather colloquial instead of Shakespearean.

Saying that, I really loved seeing the lame Dr. Don Blake in the classic Thor #142 The Scourge of the Super Skrull that's at the end of this graphic novel. I've been reading Essential Thor, which isn't in color, so it was refreshing to see a Thor comic in color for once.

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume was interesting because of how much it showcased Donald Blake, and not just Thor. As a Secret Invasion tie-in, this features Asgardians and Beta Ray Bill fighting Skrulls, which is an epic battle, but the action featuring Donald Blake features him as a doctor helping a woman to deliver a baby. The two stories are interspersed artfully, and once the baby is delivered, Thor comes to help finish off the battle. It isn't terribly long, even with a vintage issue featuring Thor fighting the Super Skrull, but it was moving in the ways that Thor comics do best.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

+
Great action, sleekly bringing in current Thor continuity and elements of the Secret Invasion crossover without being overbearing;
The labour aspect is extraordinarily authentic;
Doug Braithwaite's art, in terms of pure visuals and storytelling, has never been better;
Brilliant cliffhangers.

-
Some of the narration is a bit overwrought, although I would say in its defence that fits the faux-Shakespearean nature of Thor;
The 1967 backup is not at all to my taste.

[Sean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here is the classic case of a book being thrown together just to flood the market with more parts of a crossover or company event. The series adds almost nothing to any of the characters and the villains are not taken as seriously as they are in other books. Braithwaite's art, which was much sketchier than I remember, didn't do this book any favors as it was wrong for the title. This should be skipped.

[Mela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books seems to have some pretty lousy reviews, and I don't really understand why. While it is true that it is a very loose tie in to Secret Invasion, it provides an interesting story of it's own, and does so quickly and effectively. True, I would have liked to see a little more of Thor's return to the battle on earth (where we see him briefly in Secret Invasion), but this provided an interesting and enjoyable story.

[Safraz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty fun story of Asgard under siege by Skrulls, marred only slightly by how cavalierly Fraction mangles continuity. Beta Ray Bill shows up and his hammer Stormbreaker--allegedly Mjolnir's equal in every way--is cut in half and wielded by the Skrulls with no mention of worthiness or anything. But, despite that, it's still a pretty good read. Braithwaite's art is gorgeous to me, but others may find his uninked style a bit too sketchy.

[Sylvester · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Thor side story was better than the average tie ins, Skrulls also invaded Asgard and Thor had to stop them. Though it was really bizarre that the whole of Asgard couldn't defeat 1 little Skrull, it was still fun to read.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

Matt Fraction is a really talented writer who has been doing some great things in the Marvel Universe. He just didn't happen to showcase any of that here.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, so short, but it's good to see Thor again.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different artwork. Nice to see Beta Ray Bill back covering for Thor while dr blake delivers a baby. Could have been better.