Thor, Vol. 6 (2020 - 2023)

Thor, Vol. 6 marks one of the most dramatic modern chapters in the history of the God of Thunder. Published by Marvel Comics from 2020 to 2023, this volume consists of 35 regular issues and begins after the events of Jason Aaron's long-running Thor saga and King Thor. The series places Thor in a new and heavier role: no longer only the prince of Asgard or a wandering Avenger, but the All-Father and King of Asgard.

The run is most closely associated with writer Donny Cates and artist Nic Klein, whose opening storyline immediately gives Thor a powerful new visual identity. Thor becomes the Herald of Galactus, gains the Power Cosmic, and faces the universe-ending threat known as the Black Winter. This opening arc, often referred to as The Devourer King, repositions Thor as a cosmic-scale figure while still grounding him in the burdens of kingship and destiny.

The Devourer King / Black Winter: The first six issues establish the tone of the series. Thor is crowned King of Asgard, but his reign begins with a prophecy of doom. Galactus arrives wounded and terrified, warning of the Black Winter, a cosmic force that consumes entire realities. Thor agrees to become Galactus' herald in order to confront this threat, creating one of the most striking modern Thor status quos: the God of Thunder wielding both Mjolnir and the Power Cosmic. This arc also contains one of the most memorable modern Thor issues, Thor #6, where Thor confronts the Black Winter and receives a terrifying vision of his possible death.

Hammerfall and Prey: After the cosmic opening, the series turns inward. Thor begins to struggle with his connection to Mjolnir, finding that the hammer no longer responds to him as it once did. This creates a personal crisis for Thor: even as King of Asgard, even after defeating cosmic threats, his worthiness and identity remain uncertain. The Prey storyline brings back Donald Blake in a darker and more dangerous form, revisiting one of the oldest parts of Thor's mythology and turning it into a brutal confrontation with Thor's own past.

Revelations and God of Hammers: The middle of the run continues Thor's troubled relationship with Mjolnir. The hammer grows increasingly unstable, and the mystery eventually explodes into the God of Hammers storyline. This arc explores Mjolnir not merely as a weapon, but as a force with its own legacy, anger, and destructive potential. It also reinforces one of the central themes of the entire volume: Thor is powerful enough to rule Asgard and battle cosmic gods, but he is still haunted by the question of whether he truly controls his own destiny.

• Banner of War: Issues around the mid-to-late part of the run connect Thor with Hulk in the crossover event Banner of War. This story celebrates the long rivalry between two of Marvel's strongest heroes and places Thor against the Hulk in a high-impact, destructive battle. While the crossover is more action-focused than the surrounding Thor arcs, it fits the volume's larger theme of power becoming unstable, dangerous, and difficult to contain.

The Legacy of Thanos and Blood of the Fathers: The final stretch of Thor, Vol. 6 expands the scope again, bringing in the shadow of Thanos, the history of Asgard, and a major conflict involving Doctor Doom. The closing arc centers on the broken gates of Valhalla, missing souls, Doom's schemes, and secrets buried deep in Asgard's past.

Overall, Thor, Vol. 6 is a modern Thor run about kingship, prophecy, worthiness, legacy, and the cost of power. It begins with Thor as a cosmic herald facing the end of all things, then gradually turns that same cosmic pressure inward: toward Mjolnir, Donald Blake, Odin's legacy, Asgard's past, and Thor's future. It is visually defined by Nic Klein's bold and mythic artwork, especially in the early issues, and narratively defined by the idea that becoming king does not free Thor from doubt - it only makes the burden heavier.

This collection contains the complete 35-issue core run of Thor, Vol. 6 (2020 - 2023), making it one of the most complete modern Thor sets in my collection. It captures Thor at a major turning point: after the age of Jane Foster as Thor, after the War of the Realms, and before the relaunch into The Immortal Thor.

My Personal Top 3 Covers are: