This is long but bear with it.
Let me start out by saying that I like Thor but Im not a huge fan. Out of over 14,000 comics I own, maybe 100 are Thor comics. I know him more from his time in the Avengers than anything else. That being said, I think I have a good grasp of the character and the world he populates but I dont claim to be an expert. So some ideas that I say are new might really not be, it may just be Ive never read them. Not that it matters or anything since this is a restart.
Heres what I suggest as a restart to Thor.
This is possibly the best comic for a nearly complete restart. Plain and simple. The world was destroyed and has to be rebuilt. So some changes are to be expected and in this case would be acceptable (I think).
My main goal was to integrate real world Norse Myth with the history from the comics. Change the settings and histories a bit but still pay close attention to what has come before. I also want the stories to follow the myths some more. Many of the stories would parallel the ancient myths with out actually following them exactly. Also, I want to give respect to the history that is already established in Marvel's Thor. I'm not saying everything else didn't happen, I'm just saying everything from now on will be different and new. All the previous stories happened, but since everyone will be reborn, their histories will affect them differently.
Some of the main things I want to do are:
1) Keep the stories away from Earth. While Thor obviously will go to Earth at some point, Ive always enjoyed his adventures in Asgard the most.
2) Bring back Odin and the dead Asgardians. This is the perfect point to bring them back because its expected and acceptable.
3) With Odin back, knock Thor back down a level. I enjoyed King Thor but I enjoyed him as simply Thor better.
So here goes my idea.
Title
Im going to suggest returning to the title, Journey into Mystery (unfortunately Volume 3 since Marvel is a restart-****e) for several reasons.
First, this allows the title to expand beyond being Thor-centric. While Thor will still be the main character, the rich tapestry that is the Asgardian world can be explored without ignoring a title character. The Asgardian dimension is called The Nine Worlds for a reason. THERE ARE NINE ENTIRE WORLDS. Mostly in the past, the only exploration was in two of the worlds, Asgard and Midgard, with the occasional foray into Muspelheim or Jotunheim. Entire races live in the other worlds of the Asgardian Dimension that have barely been heard from. Having said all of that, the focus will always be on the Asgardians themselves, and specifically Thor, but we will see the other worlds through the eyes of the Asgardians.
Second, the word Journey in the title tells us the path the stories will follow. Well be on a voyage of learning. As the Asgardian Dimension is recreated, things will be slightly different, characters will have to relearn things, relationships will be reestablished or left behind, new people will be introduced, new conflicts discovered. The readers will be coming along with the characters on a journey of discover and creation, being a witness as The Nine Worlds are set into motion again.
Third, the word Mystery tells what the stories are about. But to understand it you have to look past the common usage of the word mystery. Mystery has come to mean a story that needs to be solved or a secret that only a few know but it means so much more than that. Mystery in its more traditional sense speaks of religion and secret sects, methods of worship, mysticism, and ways of life unknown to the world at large. Mystery literal means in this case an unknown place, a place where magic happens, a place where the common man is astounded and cant fully understand. A place where a person can change his shape (Loki), where another calls lightning from the sky (Thor), where another knows you are coming when your first step is taken (Heimdall), where a one-eyed man sees all (Odin). A world whose inhabitants were objects of worship for hundreds of years and may again become that hundreds of years from now.
Fourth, and possibly the one that holds up the least, this is a new beginning for characters and worlds that have been firmly established for decades. Harkening back to their beginning only seems fitting when we are again building the world from the ground up.
Themes
Obviously, as stated in the Title section, two of the themes are going to be The Journey, and The Mystery. Two other themes round out the basis for the stories; The Duality and The Conflict.
Well look at the Duality of Thor as God and man. Ive always thought Thor worked best as a man of two worlds. The two sides of Thor, god and man, were what set him apart from many other heroes and what set him apart from his fellow Asgardians. This dichotomy of character is so important to him that it became a major focus of his storylines as we came to the end of his most recent series. Only Thor could stop the cycle of death and rebirth because of his dual nature. Odin had set out a plan that he knew only his son could complete, with nothing but the hope that Thor would realize his true potential. I see Thor as the beloved son of the king, but also a bit of an outsider because much of his life is grounded away from Asgard. But Thors character is not the only example of The Duality that will be part of the stories.
Well look at the dual nature of Loki, god and giant, which I think has never been played to its full potential and how it contrasts with Thors duality as god and man. Thors humanity has always been a driving force behind his character and personality but Loki has no humanity. He is not a son of Gaea as Thor is. He is entirely foreign to Earth and to Asgard. A Giant by nature, a god by nurture. Remembering that Odin adopted Loki, the fact that Loki is the heir to the giants throne, as well as second in line for the throne of the Asgardians should be addressed. An interesting point would also be how Odin views his adopted son. Because we need to remember that Odin himself is the son of giants who became a god.
Another area to be explored is Odins duality as All-Father and father. How can one rule a world and still live in his household. This story is old as time, the stories of fathers and sons and the things that keep them apart and bring them together. Mirrored in a hundred other tales, real and fictional, of Kings and their children.
With The Duality comes, of course, The Conflict. Conflict is the driving force behind almost all stories. Whether it be on a personal level in relationships or on a grand scale in battles, conflict is what takes a character from one point to another. How will they react to it? Will they overcome it? How will the be changed by it?
Conflict as it takes form in Journey into Mystery will come on all levels. Traditional conflicts between Loki and Thor will be evident as will conflict between the Giants and the Gods. Personal conflicts will arise as characters reestablish themselves and relationships reform or split apart. And a new conflict will be created that will be a driving force within many stories. The conflict between the Aesir and the Vanir.
The Aesir are the race we commonly refer to as the Asgardians. These are Odin and Thors people, including Balder, Heimdall, Sif, etc. The Vanir are another race, similar to the Aesir, dwelling in the same world of Asgard. From my experience, all of the peoples of Asgard have been grouped into one category within the comics (though I could be off here because Ive read only about a hundred Thor comics). Traditional Norse myth separates the two and speaks of them battling for many years until a truce is reached between the two peoples. Establishing the Vanir as a competing people adds another layer of conflict to the mix, creating multiple fronts which Odin and his people must fight on. But the battles with the Vanir will not necessarily be the same as the conflicts with Giants. The Vanir are the same as the Aesir essentially. Think of them more as a rival political faction, a nation seeking to take over, working from the inside and out to sway the Aesir to their cause. While the Vanir and Aesir share a border they are not in direct warfare with each other but rather are fighting a psychological, ideological war.
Most of the heroic characters that we know of , Odin, Thor, Balder, Heimdall, etc., will be part of the Aesir. The Vanir will consist of some established characters, Frey, Sigyn, Freya, Agnar, and some new characters.
Stories
I see the stories taking place in 3 issue story arcs because I feel three issues is about the longest a story needs to go on and Marvel would still be able to produce it as a trade by collecting to arcs at a time.
The first year of story arcs would be named:
1. Mystery and Monsters
The first arc, as an homage to the original premises of Journey into Mystery, will focus on mystery and monsters. It would lead us from shortly after Disassembled up to the recreation of the Nine Worlds. It would very closely mirror the Norse creation myth using metaphor, misdirection and modern parallels. Expect a lot of hidden meanings and multiple levels of understanding.
2. Resurrection and Rebirth
The second arc begins with the reestablishment of the Nine Worlds (eight technically since Midgard never left). It would set up our basic history and ongoing stories, introduce the major cast (Thor, Loki, Odin, etc.). The first World to be created would be Asgard and the story arc would be told through the eyes of an Asgardian (probably Thor) as he rediscovers his place in it all. Id also like to see a detailed map of the worlds in this arc, similar to what could be found in the old Official Handbooks.
3. Kings and Kingdoms
The third arc takes us through the two large conflicts that will always be going on; Aesir vs. Giants and Aesir vs. Vanir. Well look at the battles and conflicts through the eyes of the kings of these three kingdoms, Aesir Odin, Vanir Frey, Giants Utgard-loki. This arc would be especially Thor-centric because Odin, the All-Seeing, does not usually take an active hand in the politics and war. Hes much more likely to send Thor and his warriors where needed and make sure all the pieces in place. Utgard-loki revels in battle and leads from the front lines. He wants to see his enemies die and take an active role. Frey, king of the Vanir, is much more subtle. He likes to use assassinations, politics, and espionage to accomplish his goals.
4. Midgard and Marvels
The fourth arc is the one everyones been waiting for, Thor returns to Earth. A crisis has arisen requiring Thor to return to Earth and take an active role. It would deal with the strain Thors absence has caused, Thor grieving over lost friends he hadnt known were gone, trying to reconnect with those he loves and above all, some knock-down, drag-out, old-school super heroics and fighting.
Ive actually got most of the first issue written, in comic script form, and have plotted the entire first year. Thats why I didnt give more info on the stories, I plan on writing them out. Ill probably have the first issue written in the next couple days. Ill post it when I do.
So.
Thats my pitch. Im guessing if you made it this far you liked the idea. What do you think?
