Marvel have announced that from this October, Thor will be changing in a big way. A new Thor series is soon to be released, written by Jason Aaron (Wolverine, Ghostrider) with accompanying art from Russel Dauterman. According to Marvel, Thor will be changing as a new female hero is set to take up the mighty hammer. Editor Wil Moss saw this as a continuation of Marvel's ever-growing list of superheroes as she joins the ranks of Captain Marvel, Black Widow, Storm and many other amazing female characters that Marvel have brought to life. He also explained that the new Thor is no temporary substitute; “she's now the one and only Thor, and she is worthy!”
October is shaping up to be a great month for female superheroes as Thor will also be accompanied by a shiny new reboot of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl from DC who released ideas as to what her new costume will look like. Illustrator, Babs Tarr and writer, Brenden Fletcher are opting for a much more modern and less stereotypically skimpy outfit, focusing primarily on practicality and utility rather than perpetuating the age-old semi-naked outfits that so many female superheroes have adorned before. They have even clearly indicated that Barbara's costume will feature NO SPANDEX.
Despite the reaction from some Marvel fans being heavily against the company's move towards endorsing non-white/non-male super hero, Ms. Marvel, the reactions for a female Thor hasn't been all too negative. Both the industry and fans seem more than in favour to support Thor's reincarnation. Even going as far to begin deciding who would suitably play her in her hypothetical film début.
One reason as to why this was such a great move on Marvel's part is because Thor is so stereotypically male; he is all brute force with his rippling Norse muscles and humongous phallic hammer. He is undeniably the pinnacle of masculinity in a traditional, stereotypical sense. It's so obvious that it's almost boring and that's pretty much always been my problem with Thor. I think he's out dated and completely one dimensional.
