“Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.”

Those are the words inscribed on the fabled hammer, Mjolnir – chosen weapon of the Thunder God, Thor. Over the years, there have been a few who’ve been found worthy to hold that hammer – Beta Ray Bill, Captain America, Storm – and usually during a period where its rightful owner is found unworthy.

This October, Thor will again be found unworthy of Mjolnir’s might and the hammer will pass to another – a woman! Announced on The View, Marvel Comics is beginning a new chapter in the history of Mjolnir when in Thor #1 a woman will wield the hammer and the incredible powers that come with it.

This new Thor series will be written by Jason Aaron (Thor: God of Thunder, Original Sin) with art by Russell Dauterman (Cyclops). It will replace the current run of Thor: God of Thunder, ending in September.

And this mystery woman won’t simply be Lady Thor or Thorette or whatever, this woman will be the God of Thunder, Thor, the one and only. As Marvel editor Wil Moss puts it:

“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. 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!”

Aaron adds:

“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.”

In the official press release for the new book (below), Marvel states Thor will be their eighth title with a lead female protagonist and that the purpose of the series is, “speak directly to an audience that long was not the target for Super Hero comic books in America: women and girls.”

To hear Marvel is making strides to reach the underutilized and untapped market of women and girls who read comics is inspiring news. We can only hope Marvel will continue leading the charge when it comes to female representation in superhero comics, and the move to have a woman assume the mantle of Thor is an excellent start.

Check out first images of Marvel’s new Thor below, and let us know what you think of a woman wielding Mjolnir and becoming the next Thor? And who is she!?

MARVEL PROUDLY PRESENTS THOR

New York, NY – July 15th, 2014 – Marvel is excited to announce an all-new era for the God of Thunder in brand new series, THOR, written by Jason Aaron (Thor: God of Thunder, Original Sin) complimented with art from Russell Dauterman (Cyclops).

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 American, 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.”

THOR is the latest in the ever-growing and long list of female-centric titles that continues to invite new readers into the Marvel Universe. This female THOR is the 8th title to feature a lead female protagonist and aims to speak directly to an audience that long was not the target for Super Hero comic books in America: women and girls.

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