DeFalco/Frenz Retrospective: Thunderstrike #2


 

Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciler: Ron Frenz

Synopsis: While trying to meet up with his family, Thunderstrike runs into the Juggernaut. 

Comments: Eek, the jackets! It was the 90s, I guess. I even found an article about it. I have no idea how the Sersi/Crystal/Dane plotline panned out. That could almost be anyone in the window, since just a silhouette was drawn. While the Bloodaxe weapon shouldn't be left with the police, it would probably be safer with the Avengers. Eric probably wants to return it to Asgard. The possession and extra power reminds me of the Venom symbiote from Spider-Man, which was one of the first story arcs DeFalco and Frenz worked on together. 



Eric thinking about how his other body works reminds me of a later issue of Thor #39 where Jane questioned Thor on how his body transforms. 





Bobby becomes angry that Eric is spending time with Kevin and strikes Marcy and ends up driving Kevin to his grandparents himself. 








The full page spread of Juggernaut gives him a greater sense of scale and power than how Frenz drew him in Thor. 




The company, Genetech, reminds of the company on Gargoyles, Gen-U-Tech. 




I like how Juggernaut stomps Thunderstrike. So cartoonish, but since Thunderstrike is already fairly invulnerable and can heal himself, I guess it works. 




Thunderstrike gets possessed by the Bloodaxe but is able to restrain himself to just cutting off Juggernaut's head. To prevent more destruction, Thunderstrike decides to give Juggernaut what he wants and Juggernaut pays for the damages. The judgement calls Thunderstrike makes are criticized by other heroes, but I think he's quite pragmatic in finding a way to end a fight rather than prolonging it and risking lives and property damage.  It's funny how their sons, Zane and Kevin, would become such great friends in the MC2. 




We finally meet Eric's parents. Get a good look, you won't see them again. It's too bad they weren't given further development or showed up in the new Thunderstrike series or the MC2. 



Then Sif shows up in barely Comics Code approved outfit. 



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