Marvel Comics — or rather, the Roxxon Energy Corporation — has announced Roxxon Presents: Thor #1, a meta new one-shot spinning out of writer Al Ewing‘s Immortal Thor run.
Yes, in a shocking turn of events, Roxxon has apparently acquired Marvel outright — and the villainous energy company is wasting no time in giving the God of Thunder a corporate makeover. Written by Ewing and illustrated by Greg Land, April’s Roxxon Presents: Thor #1 will introduce readers to “Roxxin’ Thor” — a marketable hero who will always “be there to defend big business and the sanctity of shareholder value” whenever “[s]aving the Earth is taken too far.”
Per Marvel.com, Ewing was forced to say the following: “Roxxon’s hostile takeover of Marvel Comics is the worse thing to happen to the industry in decades just what comic books needed! I was horrified jazzed beyond words when I saw how the so-called Roxxon Entertainment Standards Committee had gutted improved my work, methodically stripping away every iota of poetry, symbolism and metaphor junk no one cares about. The result is a comic that can best be described as an act of unforgivable violence against the medium I love a rollicking good time for the whole family! May God forgive Roxxon, for I never shall! Make Mine Roxxon!”
In all seriousness, Marvel has shared the official cover art and synopses for both Immortal Thor #9 by Ewing and Ibraim Roberson, and the aforementioned Roxxon Presents: Thor #1 by Ewing and Land. Check all that out below:
Immortal Thor #9
- Written by AL EWING
- Art by IBRAIM ROBERSON
- Cover by ALEX ROSS
- On Sale 4/3
- Over in IMMORTAL THOR #9, Ewing will continue his work with artist Ibraim Roberson as they bring in THE ENCHANTRESS! The Son of Odin goes to the corporate headquarters of Roxxon—to make war for the sake of the Earth herself. But his enemies are waiting to steal from him the one thing that was Thor’s alone… and they have crafted the foulest of weapons to do it. This is the story of THE IMMORTAL THOR… and of the trap he cannot escape. And if you didn’t follow any of that, just check out the glorious cover by Alex Ross now!
ROXXON PRESENTS: THOR #1
- Written by AL EWING
- Art and Cover by GREG LAND
- On Sale 4/17
- Meanwhile, in the OFFICIAL Thor title presented by Roxxon, meet the Roxxin’ Thor! In his secret identity as A.I. spokesguru Chad Hammer, the son of Odin knows Mama Gaea is a TOP PRIORITY for heroes AND for business! But when a group of insane environmental activists take “saving the Earth” TOO FAR, it’s time to show them the wisdom on both sides—as Thor! But which God of Evil is prompting the kids to rebel? Could it be…LOKI, GOD OF EVIL??? Featuring an all-star cast of heroes! MINOTAUR! EXECUTIONER! ENCHANTRESS! And the THOR-TRUCK! This is the story of THE ROXXIN’ THOR… and it’s a VITAL part of the “ABSOLUTE ABSOLUTION” MEGA-EVENT!
How did Roxxon take over Marvel Comics?
Marvel explains that Roxxon’s takeover “should come as no surprise to those who have been reading Ewing’s IMMORTAL THOR run. Recent issues have shown Roxxon CEO Dario Agger, a.k.a. the Minotaur, orchestrate a bold plan to bring Thor down by warping the public’s perception of him. And how better to do that than by owning the rights to his hit 616 comic book series and showing the world what a buffoon he is!”
Under Roxxon, Marvel fans will get the Thor they “truly know and love: no thoughts, just muscles, a hammer, and zero hesitation to bring them both down on the most one-dimensional villains ever seen in a comic book — along with anyone that gets in Roxxon’s way!”
Immortal Thor #9 goes on sale Wednesday, April 3 from Marvel Comics. Roxxon Presents; Thor #1 follows suit on Wednesday, April 17.
