What If…? Thor Got Spider-Man’s Symbiote Suit? #1 Is Way More Fun Than It Has Any Right to Be (Review)

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For years, What If…? has been a classic part of Marvel Comics. When I first got into comics, it was a monthly series and I absolutely loved it. It was a great way to learn about Marvel’s past back in the early ’90s—which wasn’t easy at the time! My local library had tons of What If…?, old Avengers issues, and New Universe comics (though one of those was definitely different). The stories were always entertaining, often surprisingly dark. Recently, What If…? has become popular again with the MCU, but the comic books haven’t been very good – especially the recent X-Men run; honestly, Gerry Duggan shouldn’t be allowed near that team! Sometimes they were just weak, other times unnecessarily grim. So I was hesitant to start this new series. Thankfully, my hesitation turned out to be completely unfounded.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one-shot comic! Thor’s been doing well in recent stories, but combining him with the symbiotes seemed like an odd choice. However, Torunn Gronbek and Sergio Davila really delivered. They cleverly used the ‘What If…?’ format to create a genuinely fantastic story that goes beyond simply making Thor more powerful – it’s something truly special.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Gronbekk is able to tell an amazing Thor story using the symbiote, making a better version of King in Black in one issue
Davila’s art is perfect for this story; his consistently detailed panels and character acting are outstanding
It makes fun of Knull and I will always be there for Knull slander

Grobekk Nails the Thor of It All While Giving Readers the Best Kind of Symbiote Story

A common criticism of the recent X-Men What If…? issue was that it relied too heavily on captions. While What If…? stories usually feature narration from the Watcher, this one felt excessive. However, writer Al Ewing clearly understands how to use the conventions of the series to create a compelling narrative. Having previously written Thor – and being Norwegian, with ancestors who worshipped the god – she has a strong grasp of the character, which shines through in this issue. Though her Thor run wasn’t universally acclaimed, she’s a talented writer.

This comic storyline begins in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, with an interesting twist: Thor, not Spider-Man, is the one who initially bonds with the symbiote. There’s some fun humor surrounding Thor’s new black costume. The story gradually builds towards a confrontation on Earth with Knull, the being who sent the symbiote to capture Thor. While Knull’s popularity with Marvel remains a mystery, the writer playfully acknowledges the villain’s somewhat silly nature (his name even has a funny meaning!). Loki adds a lot of entertainment, teasing his brother and showing curiosity about the symbiote, which becomes important later. The writer also does a fantastic job developing the symbiote itself – it’s a subtle process, but it’s very effective and leads to a satisfying conclusion. Overall, this is a fast-paced, action-filled, and consistently engaging comic that kept me smiling from beginning to end.

Davila’s Art Brings the Goods

As a big Marvel fan, I’ve noticed their artwork hasn’t been as strong lately, and honestly, it often feels like they don’t want to spend the money to get top-tier artists. Usually, the ‘What If…?’ titles don’t get the big names anyway, so I wasn’t expecting much going into this one – it’s a ‘What If…?’ book and not a flagship title, after all. But wow, was I surprised! Davila, along with inker Aure Jimenez and colorist Bryan Valenza, completely blew me away with their work. They really delivered something special, despite my low expectations.

The artwork is consistently excellent, with strong lines, impressive detail, and dynamic action. The artists effectively convey emotion, which enhances the humor, and the page design creates a wonderful sense of rhythm. While superhero art seems straightforward in concept, it’s actually incredibly challenging to execute well. Davila, Jimenez, and Valenza have taken a good story and made it truly special. I enjoy both the epic fight sequences – like Symbiote Thor battling trolls – and the more intimate moments, because the art team clearly understood what the story needed.

I rarely give books a perfect five-star rating. This isn’t a groundbreaking story or a future classic, it’s simply a well-made comic book. But this one is so expertly crafted that it deserves the highest score. Marvel’s What If…? comics are often disappointing, but this one is a complete success. My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer and explored what happened next – that’s how you know a What If…? comic is truly excellent.

What If… Thor Got Spider-Man’s Symbiote Suit? #1 is on sale now.

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2026-06-17 16:11