Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor (Marvel Masterworks - the Mighty Thor, 14) Hardcover – July 28, 2015

Great book ... John Buscema is the best at drawing thor!!!

Collects Thor 229-241 (covering Nov 1974 to Nov 1975) and Marvel Premiere #26 featuring Hercules. Extras include an introduction by Gerry Conway where he adds flavor about his professional life coinciding with this run. I think this might be his best intro to date. Extras also include the cover to Giant-Size Thor #1, cover original art for #237 (Gil Kane, Al Milgrtom and John Romita) and #241 (Jack Kirby and Frank Giacoia) and creative talent bios.This collection is a mixed bag, similar to Vol 13. Conway's writing has sequences of powerful prose here, matching the grandeur of his art team. I agree with him that this is his best moments on the title yet. He also has moments of over-the-top melodrama (such as the Fear story that opens the volume) and, similar to last volume, I'm jarred by some of the out of character dialog that is sprinkled throughout, such as Ulik saying to Thor "Well done, Asgardian! Never have I seen such form -- such fighting bravery!" or "Thunder God, you are amazing! I forgive you for beating me before -- in fact, you've won my admiration!"If you can put these few moments aside, he then throws in epic lines, such as "The Asgardian Pantheon isn't exactly according to Hoyle. What I mean is -- nobody in my department ever even heard of Volstagg -- or Hogun the Grim..." That's awesome! I liked the introduction to Kamo Tharn in #235. In my opinion, this was his best appearance., even if it led to a dangling plotline that took 100 issues to resolve. I actually really enjoyed the "Odin Amnesia" plotline and the character of Judith had a lot of potential, especially as drawn by John Buscema.Rich Buckler starts off pencilling duties with the first two issues (229-230, in the Fear story). The first issue inked by Chic Stone seems rushed. It's odd because Buckler did the last two issues in vol 13 and, in comparison, they were quite good. The next issue, inked by Joe Sinnott, looks much more polished. Both covers are quite good. The story has its moments, though it tends to be too melodramatic, even for Thor. It had the makings of a cool story, if the ending was more solid. It seems that the two issues are just a plot device to bring Jane Foster back into Thor's life. It would've been more effective if the adversary was Mephisto or Jane became imperiled by Ulik or Loki. Hercules guest-stars and has some excellent moments. Also #229 has the first appearance of Sgt Blumkenn.Issue 231, "A Specter from the Past", features art by John Buscema and Dick Giordano. Thor and Hercules take on Armak the first man. I'm not sure why he was as powerful as a god or what the mythos surrounding him was supposed to be. There were interesting moments and great fight scenes, but I would rather see Armak be an alien, extra-dimensional demon or something from mythology.Issue 232 has art by John Buscema and Dick Giordano again. Firelord guest-stars but they appear to be using a different technique to show his fiery form, but it looks unfinished to me. A mysterious figure in green intercepts the former herald of Galactus and has a mission for him. Sif and Hercules are sent on a journey to the realm of Kamo Tharnn to help save Jane Foster.Issue 233 is the best issue yet, "Midgard Aflame" with art by John Buscema. Thor faces Loki and an army of Asgardians, who has stolen additional power from Dormammu while all the heroes are imprisoned behind mystic forcefields.Issue 234 has an awesome cover by Gil Kane, I believe. It's one of my favorite Gil Kane Thor covers. "O Bitter Victory" has some great moments and the best art yet in this collection (John Buscema and Joe Sinnott). Page 95 has the absurd scene of two special forces guys taking out an Asgardian. Well, this was before the Marvel Handbook so maybe the average deity's strength wasn't well-established?? Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I really liked the Orrin and Judith scenes. They provide some really humanizing moments for Odin, while still maintaining his regal persona. I love seeing him in purple overalls and pipe. Kudos to Petra Goldberg for this singular moment in Marvel history! I only wish Gerry offered up a plausible reason for omnipotent Odin's cosmic amnesia. Firelord, Iron Man, Hercules, Krista, and Sif all guest-star. The ending was rushed and the last panel comes off as silly after a very good story.#235 introduces Kamo Tharnn and his runestaff as Hercules and Sif battle one of the elders of the universe. Meanwhile Thor tackles Crusher Creel, the Absorbing Man. Buscema and Sinnott give us some epic fight sequences in this one and continuing through 236. Creel has always been a favorite Thor villain of mine and this two-parter delivers one of the better post-Kirby Creel-Thor fights. "One Life to Give" is a poignant story.#237- 238 "Ulik Unchained" and "Night of the Troll" offer up a twist on the long-standing feud between Ulik and Thor: Ulik tires of banishment, comes across a long-lost Troll colony in the depths of the Earth and needs Thor's help in waging a Troll civil War. I like the new take on Jane Foster. They could've done more with this over the long run. Maybe Conway wanted to develop this more "exciting" Jane, as Thor says.#239 is interesting. The next issue blurb had said 239 would be "Odinsong", the cover says "Star-quake" and the inside splash says "Time Quake". Ulik, Hercules, Orrin/Odin, and debuts Horus, Osiris and Isis. Great Buscema artwork!#240 "When the Gods Make War" features little brother Sal Buscema on pencils and Klaus Janson inking with the Egyptian gods.#241 "The Death-ship Sails the Stars" has John Buscema and Joe Sinnott back on art. Thor must face Odin, Set and an army of the unliving.The Hercules story from Marvel Premiere was a nice inclusion. Written by the underrated Bill Mantlo and penciled by George Tuska, with Vince Colletta on inks, Hercules must face Typhon and Cylla.Anyone who enjoyed the last volume would likely enjoy this one. Volumes 13 and 14 had some inconsistent moments, but overall, these are very good bronze age Thor stories with great guest-stars, awesome art, amazing action and a variety of vicious villains!

I always welcome the arrival of these volumes, as it allows me to read and re-read all the stories without having to worry about handling the high grade issues I have in my personal collection. I'm very partial to anything drawn by "Big" John Buscema, but all in all, this was an above average run on Thor.

Great master works again at a good price I just wish all the speculated folks would stop buying these book