DC Comics’ New 52 Edges Towards Landmark 52nd Cancellation.

Gail Simone is giving a speech about LGBTQ and PWD characters at the White House Thursday: [link]

Which is awesome.

I’m on a whale.

Oh, Namor.

Thor will now be a woman.

This October, Marvel Comics evolves once again in one of the most shocking and exciting changes ever to shake one of Marvel’s “big three” – Captain America, Iron Man and Thor – Marvel Comics will be introducing an all-new THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. No longer is the classic male hero able to hold the mighty hammer, Mjölnir, a brand new female hero will emerge who will be worthy of the name THOR. Who is she? Where did she come from and what is her connection to Asgard and the Marvel Universe?

“The inscription on Thor's hammer reads ‘Whosoever holds this hammer, if HE be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.’ Well it's time to update that inscription,” says Marvel editor Wil Moss. “The new Thor continues Marvel's proud tradition of strong female characters like Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow and more. And this new Thor isn't a temporary female substitute - she's now the one and only Thor, and she is worthy!”

Series writer Jason Aaron emphasizes, “This is not She-Thor. This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is THOR. This is the THOR of the Marvel Universe. But it’s unlike any Thor we’ve ever seen before.”

I don't see why she couldn't be Thorita.

I'm not sure Thor counts as one of Marvel's "Big Three", nor Iron Man, for that matter. (Unless we're talking about the MCU.)

That said, it's an interesting change, though I liked the big lug.

I'd be more interested if they had announced a Black Widow or Captain Marvel movie.

Maybe that's the big SDCC announcement.

Thor's always been one of the big three in the Avengers (along with the other two named), though for overall Marvel iconic status through the decades I'd say it's Cap, Spider-Man, and the Hulk.

From the article it sounds like an entirely new person stepping into Thor's role as a legacy character rather than actually being Thor but now female due to someone besides Don Blake picking up the hammer. I wonder if it's Tarene since she already has the powers and is Thor's #1 fangirl?

Marvel Comics Writers Explain Why They’re Making Thor a Woman.

We can’t give away all the story details now obviously, but once the story is out there, it becomes clear why there’s a new female Thor. It’s not about filling a certain quota. It’s about providing a shot in the arm to the Thor titles definitely, but it’s something that’s a natural part of where this story and the Thor title is going.

So they don't really explain why they're making Thor a woman. Good headline, Time.

She wields the hammer because Thor can’t. This is different because for reasons we can’t disclose quite yet, Thor is unable to pick up the hammer. There are a number of women in Thor’s life, and we’re going to tease out for quite awhile the identity of who this woman is. But one of the women in Thor’s life picks up the hammer. She is in fact worthy. And she becomes Thor.

Maybe you're right, Matt! It wasn't clear from the announcement whether it would be a completely new character or someone already in the comics.

We see fans of all shapes and sizes and genders in comic stores and at conventions. And we perceived there to be a real thirst for characters that reflect what we see in the mirror. From Miles Morales, the African-American Spider-Man, to the new female Thor, our goal is to make our characters reflect the outside world.

Right now we have eight titles that are anchored by female leads where it’s that character’s name on the masthead. We’re definitely committed to growing that audience.

Good!