3 Years On, I Still Can’t Believe Thor’s Best Ever Era Was Tragically Cut Short

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Thor is considered one of the most iconic superheroes in comic book history. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby brilliantly took the concept of a god, made him relatable, and blended mythology with science fiction. Since then, there have been many memorable runs featuring Thor, each building on the original ideas and exploring new directions. Naturally, fans have different preferences regarding which era is the best. Some prefer the original work by Stan and Jack (with Jack Kirby arguably having a stronger influence on the character’s early stories), while others favor the Walt Simonson era, which amplified the foundation laid by Lee and Kirby. Many also appreciate the runs by Straczynski or Aaron. However, one period often overlooked is the brief but impactful run by Donny Cates.

We’re currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity for Thor. Immortal Thor is reminding everyone how awesome Thor can be, and Mortal Thor feels like it’s exploring exciting new possibilities for the character. But the work Don Cates did with Thor was crucial in setting the stage for what we’re seeing now. Some consider Cates’ run to be the peak of Thor’s power levels, but it offered much more than just that. He took older Thor concepts and reimagined them, bringing back classic ideas we hadn’t seen in a while and giving them new meaning. There have been countless versions of Thor over the years, but I will always champion Cates’s run, even though it was cut short. It’s still disappointing that we didn’t get to see his planned ending due to real-life circumstances.

Donny Cates Set Up an Amazing Tale for Thor

From the very beginning, Donny Cates demonstrated a strong understanding of the epic scale required for a Thor story. In his initial arc, “Herald of None”, Cates introduced a significant new threat to the Marvel Universe – the Black Winter (and even destroyed the DC Multiverse!) – and saw Thor team up with Galactus to acquire the necessary power to succeed. The arc also hinted at future events, showing Thanos poised and waiting, possessing Mjolnir, the Infinity Stones, and a mysterious black gauntlet. The story began with Thor already at a peak of his power.

After Odin passed away and entered Valhalla, Thor became King of Asgard and gained the Odinforce. But even with all that power, he couldn’t overcome the Black Winter, so he sought out Galactus, adding the Power Cosmic to his abilities. In the story “Herald of None”, Thor even managed to defeat Galactus-something no one had ever done before. This was an incredibly powerful portrayal of Thor, and the first story in the run is truly exceptional. However, I believe what truly sets Donny Cates’s run apart is the following story, “Prey.” “Prey” took the narrative in a completely unexpected direction and has had a significant impact on the events leading to the conclusion of Immortal Thor.

Donald Blake played a significant role in the stories surrounding Thor. Odin sent Thor to Earth and linked him with Blake to help Thor learn humility. Later, Blake and Thor became separate entities, and the character vanished for a while, reappearing briefly during the Straczynski storyline before disappearing again. However, writer Don Cates reimagined the concept of Donald Blake. He proposed that Blake wasn’t a pre-existing human, but rather a body specifically created by Odin for Thor to inhabit.

Blake eventually discovered the truth and was driven to insanity, focusing his rage on Thor and Asgard because of his own origins. “Prey” is the defining story of Cates’s work on the series, and it really made me look forward to what would happen next. “Prey” felt different from any Thor comic I had previously read, and it still stands out as quite unique within the world of Thor comics. Blake essentially became Thor’s evil counterpart, even gaining his own hammer, and is now known as the Asgardian God of Lies, playing a crucial role in Thor’s return to life during Immortal Thor. Beyond all of that, the book features some truly memorable character interactions, including one of the best Iron Man/Thor scenes in recent memory. Cates was willing to explore new avenues with the Thor mythology, and that potential is what I loved most about this run. Unfortunately, that potential was never fully realized, as Cates wasn’t able to complete his planned story arc for Thor.

Cates’ Thor Was Cut Short and We Lost Everything It Could Have Been

When Donny Cates was quickly becoming a standout writer for Marvel, a serious car accident abruptly halted his momentum. He suffered significant injuries, including memory loss, which unfortunately cut his work on Thor short. This meant he couldn’t reach the planned climax involving Thanos, a loss for both the writer and Marvel fans. I believe this is a major reason why Cates’s Thor run doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves. We enjoyed a series of compelling stories that hinted at a larger narrative, but we never got to see that complete story unfold.

I believe the unfinished nature of Cates’ story is a big reason why I enjoy it so much. Endings are often difficult for writers, and Cates didn’t always quite deliver a satisfying conclusion. His storyline had the potential to go in many directions, some of which might not have been as good. We’re left with only the positive memories, avoiding any potential disappointment that an ending might have brought. Cates was creating something truly special, and we’ll never know its full potential. Thankfully, we still received some fantastic Thor stories and moments from his work.

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2025-10-05 02:11