Interview: Jason Aaron Teases Major Changes In Thor #700

The stakes couldn’t be higher in The Mighty Thor #700, and ComicBook.com had the chance to chat with writer Jason Aaron about the anticipated issue.

The Thor universe has witnessed its fair share of change over the last few years, including the much-publicised switch to Jane Foster from Odinson. With the tease of “the death of Thor”, many assumptions can be drawn, but if this is the end of Jane’s time as Thor, Aaron would be satisfied with her time in the role.

“Jane has done what a Thor is supposed to do,” Aaron said. “She’s gone toe to toe with Frost Giants and trolls and the Destroyer and even All-Father Odin himself. She’s faced off with mad space gods, the earth’s wildest super villains and the fiery cosmos-burning Phoenix Force. She’s learned more about the secrets of Mjolnir itself and developed a relationship with the hammer that seems to go beyond even the connection it had with the Odinson.”

All those pale a bit though when compared to what Jane has accomplished in her human form. “I think her most significant achievement is that she’s done all that while also battling metastatic cancer,” Aaron said. “And that’s the one enemy that seems to be finally catching up to her. Though if that’s not enough, there’s also the god-hating monster known as the Mangog, who is coming to destroy Asgardia with the strength of an entire murdered race.”

Yeah, that last one was definitely not on the Asgardian paradise brochure.

While the issue is being teased more for its relation to death, Marvel’s Legacy initiative is more about rebirth. In fact, Legacy has been an important part of the Thor books ever since Aaron took over, and it plays just as important a role going forward.

“Legacy for me is about honoring the rich history of Marvel, the amazing cast of characters who call the Marvel U home and the legendary creators who’ve reached down from the heavens like Celestials over the last 50+ years to give those characters life. And the only way I know to honor that rich, imaginative history is to try and take these characters somewhere they’ve never been before. To give them new challenges and new epics, new triumphs and tragedies. With Thor, that’s what I’ve been trying to do ever since THOR GOD OF THUNDER #1 back in 2012. And the next big chapter of that ongoing quest kicks off in THOR #700, which is a god-sized celebration of all things Thunder God,” Aaron said.

There’s plenty to be excited about in Thor #700, but there is one aspect of it that Aaron has been dying to get to for some time now.

“I’ve been waiting to write the Mangog for a very long time,” Aaron said. “He’s my favorite of the original Lee/Kirby Thor villains. You can see hints and teases related to the coming of the Mangog all throughout my run. I’ve also known for a long time that this particular chapter of Jane Foster’s story was waiting on the horizon. This was always where her story was headed. And I’m excited and saddened and frightened and proud to finally be writing it.”

Fans of Aaron’s run have also had the chance to see a new side of the Odinson, though it hasn’t exactly been his best side. It’s been quite the journey for Odinson, who as you can see in the gallery does have a part to play in #700. Still, one relationship has suffered more the most throughout this latest chapter.

“The most significant change? He cut his hair, I guess. And found a shirt,” Aaron said. “But he’s still unworthy, as far as we know. Still riddled with doubts. Still angry. His relationship with Mjolnir isn’t exactly at its best, especially now that he sees the effect that being Thor is having on Jane, that it’s killing her. Right now, Odinson would probably rather kick the hammer’s ass than fly around with it like in the old days.”

Aaron can’t wait for fans to see what comes next for the Thor Universe, and for #700 he managed to bring along a slew of talented artists for the ride.

“I’m looking forward to people seeing the ridiculous wealth of artists we’ve lined up for this issue,” Aaron teased. “Walt Simonson. Olivier Coipel. Russell Dauterman. Becky Cloonan. James Harren. Chris Burnham. Das Pastoras. Mike del Mundo. Jill Thompson. Daniel Acuna. Andrew MacLean. Matt Wilson. Dave Stewart. I mean, holy crap. How insane is that? That’s like our very own pantheon of artistic gods and goddesses. I can think of no better way to celebrate 55 years and 700 issues of Thor than with these fine folks.”

Fans can get an exclusive preview of the upcoming issue in the gallery, and check out the full issue when it hits stores on October 18.

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