Have to admit, I didn't enjoy this collection anywhere near as much as the previous ones. Feels like Simonson's tank was running dry.

First, we're treated to only a few issues of Simonson's art, then it switches over to the competent, but nowhere near as wondrous art of Sal Buscema (also known as "the artist that can get it drawn in time if the book's running late" artist). He does all right, but every panel screams "what would Walt have drawn?"

And the storylines? They're uncharacteristically dull. Simonson needs sprawling epics. As soon as he centres on the mundane villain of the week stuff, it becomes weak stuff. Thug. Justice Peace. Zaniac. Frog Thor. All rather anticlimactic after the wonders of the first three volumes.

In fact, if I had to choose my favourite storyline here, it'd likely be Simonson's reinvention of Volstagg from fat, cowardly eating and drinking machine to caring father with hidden depths of love and empathy that Simonson has carefully built over multiple storylines.

To be honest, with fare like this, I'm kind of glad there's only one more set to go. ( )

Access a version of the below that includes illustrations on my blog.

Like vol. 3, this volume of The Mighty Thor is a mixed bag. Were vols. 1-2 Walter Simonson's peak? I only have one volume to go, so I guess I'll see. But this has some good stuff and some dull stuff. Definitely the highlight is the storyline where Loki turns Thor into a frog, and frog Thor then has an adventure in Central Park, rescuing a group of frogs from evil rats. It's pure comedic genius in some ways; Frog Thor's first line is "Ribbit!! Ribbit*!!", with the footnote explaining this means, "A frog! I've become a frog!**", and then the footnote being footnoted to assure you this is "translated from the vernacular into English for the benefit of those to whom the language of the beasts is a closed book."

But it succeeds in its playing of the peril as completely straight. These are beings in trouble on Midgard,* and Thor will defend them, as is his duty. Even as a frog, Thor gives the best pretentious speeches. And then, once he's able to lift Mjolnir, he goes from being a strong and large frog to being... THOR FROG! It's a masterful example of things you can do in the goofy-but-epic medium of the long-form superhero comic. I can only hope that we get to hear Chris Hemsworth voice this storyline on screen in Thor 4.

Other than that, Thor having to rescue Balder from evil crones in disguise is classic fairy tale stuff, and pretty enjoyable, and I also liked Thor returning to his "human" life on Midgard and befriending the very large family of his Italian foreman.

But some stuff was less interesting: Malekith and Kurse aren't really good villains, so stuff revolving around them kind of bored me, and whatever was going on with mutants in the tunnels of New York was okay. And there's this weird story where a Judge Dredd rip-off comes from the future. It would work if it was completely goofy, but it gets pretty dark, and unlike with the frogs, the balance isn't quite hit right.

Still, the volume was fun enough, and better than the third, I think. I just hope Simonson ends his acclaimed run on a high note.

* Earth.