REVIEW: Thor Goes Through A Trial By Story In ‘Immortal Thor’ #24
- Sarah Angelo-Haight
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers for ‘Immortal Thor’ #24.
The end is nigh! We are on the penultimate issue of Immortal Thor, and the stakes are higher than ever. After defeating Kemur, the god of rule, in issue #23, Thor and his companions find themselves finally able to escape the metaphysical clutches of Utgard, and the “unforgiving city” of NRGL (aka, land of the missing vowels). The city and the realm will not give them up so easily, however. Utgard-Loki is still a powerful foe and stands between Thor and escape.
In true Thor fashion, he chooses to send his companions ahead. Fearing for the wellbeing of the injured Heimdall, and determined to defeat Utgard-Loki once and for all, Thor sends Hermod, Heimdall, and Skurge ahead to the Black Bridge, a back door into Asgard. Luckily, in Asgard itself, Gatekeeper Sif has sensed the shifts and is ready to usher them back into the Realm Eternal.
In the last issue, Loki Laufeyson appeared just in time to defeat Kemur. Here, he disappears just before Thor finds himself facing Utgard-Loki and Mejed alone. Like previous issues, it seems as though Loki is providing the narration, but his motives are becoming particularly suspect, especially when Utgard-Loki demands adherence to the oldest rule of storytelling: “Thor must pass his trial.”
Throughout the Immortal Thor run, Loki the story-god has been challenging Thor and setting up trials for him to pass. Early on, he asked Thor to trust him, even if he acted as Thor’s enemy. Now, the trials are becoming more difficult, by orders of magnitude. By leaving Thor alone to fight Utgard-Loki, Laufeyson’s role of a shifty ally is once again in question.
The visual imagery and emotional core of Thor choosing to sacrifice himself to save his friends are reminiscent of the scene in Avengers Infinity War when Thor holds the forge open, taking the full blast of a dying star. He knows he is outmatched, knows he will likely die, and knows he was foolish to take on the burden alone. Still, Thor will always be Thor and will always be the one to sacrifice himself for the greater good.
He fights against Mejed, “god of ghosts and mysteries”, sent by Utgard-Loki and the city of NRGL itself. Mejed represents those things that are difficult for Thor: the unknown, and the mysterious. Still, Thor fights back with everything at his disposal; he may have sent his companions to safety, but he still has the power of the storm. It is always thrilling when Thor brings the full brunt of his powers to bear on his enemies, especially when he has clearly been either purposely holding back or has been reserved with his power because of his own self-doubt.
His battle with Mejed is visually delightful. The art by Jan Bazaldua and coloring by Matt Hollingsworth looks fantastic in the high-stakes fight, making Thor appear somehow both vulnerable and unstoppable as he demonstrates the full might of his powers. The mirroring of his expression and Sif’s when it becomes clear the battle has been won is a great palate cleanser for what happens next.
In the very last panel, of the second-to-last issue, Thor is murdered by the very same spear that defeated Kemur, wielded by the same trickster god. If Loki’s motives were suspect before, they’re incomprehensible now. This isn’t like the 2018 Thor comic run where Thor purposefully gets Loki to kill him in order to lead the Valkyries against the daughter of Surtur. This is an action Loki has, seemingly, taken solely on his own and for his own reasons.
I trust Al Ewing to steer away from Loki making a full return to villain-hood. After all, he is the author of the popular Loki: Agent of Asgard series, which is where Loki obtained the moniker of “God of Stories” in the first place. Thus, whatever the scheme, it seems likely that Loki’s actions are part of a larger plot. What that plot is, and what it means for Thor, will hopefully be explained as Immortal Thor draws to a close.
Rating: ★★★★☆
About Immortal Thor #24
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Written by: Al Ewing
Art by: Jan Bazaldua
Cover by: Alex Ross
Page Count: 23 Pages
Synopsis: THE LAST STAND! The omens could no longer be denied. The prophecy could no longer be delayed. The hour had come. Now the Odinson stood between the Gods of Utgard and all they would break asunder...and he stood alone. This is the story of the IMMORTAL THOR...and how he faced his end.
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