DeFalco/Frenz Retrospective: Thunderstrike #1


 

Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciler: Ron Frenz

Synopsis: Eric adopts a new look and a new name. 

Comments: Eric goes out still in his Thor costume. His tackling of the two bad guys with open arms reminds me of Captain America doing it to Zemo's goons in Tales of Suspense #60. While saving the victim, he still ends up totaling the car. 



Eric recaps the events of his time when he met Thor and even became the new Thor. Frenz's panels here seem bigger, more confident.  It's still his style though, which I like. 



We meet Carjack. He's not going to go on to be a major player. The dreadlocks are part of his disguise. His mask makes him look like a cut-rate Dr. Doom. He seems pretty strong to lift that guy with one hand. 



Bobby gets carjacked, which is going to set up some potential red herrings with him and Ed Marrero possibly being Bloodaxe. 






Eric not staying with Jackie may have consequences....



Bloodaxe attacks a police station and kills members of Carjack's gang. Stone even points out that this is similar to The Terminator, which I think Tom and Ron really enjoy. But it's a movie that lot of people, including me, enjoy. The panel with Rigger running is another example of the bigger, more unconventional panels Frenz uses in this issue. 




Eric battles Bloodaxe and his inexperience with the mace, leads to his defeat. This is similar to his first fight with Ulik in Thor #433. 







Eric realizes that clothes make the man and decides to change his look like he did in Thor #433. 





Eric comes back in a new costume and defeats Bloodaxe like he did with Ulik in Thor #433. Although he is able to get Bloodaxe's weapon (also called Bloodaxe), Bloodaxe still manages to escape. When called "Thor" by the police, Eric blurts out his weapon's name as his new codename: Thunderstrike. 










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