The Mightly Thor in The Ballad of Beta Ray Bill [Paperback]

Walter Simonson (Author), Mark Gruenwald (Editor), Gruenwald. Mark (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Marvel Enterprises (May 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871356147
• ISBN-13: 978-0871356147
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #936,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simonson is the Real Thundergod!, January 18, 2000

By 

Christopher Metzen (Irvine, California USA!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mightly Thor in The Ballad of Beta Ray Bill (Paperback)

In the mid eighties, Walt Simonson redefined the mythos of one of marvel's greatest heroes: the mighty Thor. Revamping the flagging series with not only exceptional artwork and dynamic frame-sets, Simonson brought Thor back to the roots of Norse mythology and legend. Simonson's epic storyline concludes with a fantastic spin on Ragnarok (the final battle of the gods)and ties up every loose end since the beginning of the series' run. The Ballad of Beta Ray Bill collects the first few issues of this amazing moment in comics' history. It is well worth reading for any serious comics fan, fantasy/sci-fi artist or mythological affectionado.

Bill's tragic, yet mighty Ballad is one the coolest stories I've ever read. It's been 14 years since I read it and it still inspires my own work in the computer game field. Thanks Walt. You're the man!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story that makes you care about Thor: Wow!, May 12, 2008

By 

Mel Zorro - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mightly Thor in The Ballad of Beta Ray Bill (Paperback)

This collection of stories involving the introduction of Beta Ray Bill achieves a truly godly feat, it actually makes Thor entertaining!

I've never been able to get into a Thor story, a little too mythical for my tastes, but this TPB is like watching a Norse mythology sci-fi movie! It's got it all, Cyborg robots, talking spaceships and alien invaders.

But most of all the story really fleshes out each character perfectly, making them seem like more than just omnipotent deities in the clouds.
Each character has their moment to shine in a meaningful way.

The basic plot involves S.H.I.E.L.D. intercepting photos of an alien invasion, Thor investigating and in the process losing his hammer to an alien creature. That's right, another was worthy to wield Mjolnir. The creature is transported to Asgard and will not give up the power because he won it in a "fair" fight and needs it to rescue his people.

The story goes on from their, but their are major plot changes in the world of Thor by the end of the story and even a happy ending.

This is definitely one of the best comic stories I have read in a long time and encourage anyone who finds a copy to buy it!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Graphic SF Reader, September 2, 2007

By 

Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" (Legion clubhouse) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mightly Thor in The Ballad of Beta Ray Bill (Paperback)

Who would have thought that a funny looking big orange alien guy would have made a good Thor analogue. Only Walter Simonson, it would seem, and when he came up with this, he came up with one of the best Thor stories Marvel had ever done.

Bill showed Thor what it meant to be a hero, and proved himself again and again.