The Heavy Metal Saga of THOR: THE GOD BUTCHER

Spoilers! An in-depth look at the heavy metal style and atheistic subversion of Jason Aaron's 11-issue saga of "The God Butcher" and "Godbomb" in THOR: GOD OF THUNDER.
PATREON - / mattdraper
TWITTER - / mattdraperyt
#Thor
#MCU
#MarvelComics
Music:
Sword of Truth, Infinite, In the Face of Evil, and Journey's End by Magic Sword
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"Vampires" by The Midnight
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[@vicenteortegarubilar9418]

Heavy metal feels so right for the character of Thor, I can easily imagine the Nordic Legends like an 80's comic while the sounds of a metal guitar solo plays from the sky.

[@hunterchamberlain6738]

I honestly thought I was the only one who was thinking of that during the video lol.

[@haloplayer9855]

That's why I was so hyped for Ragnarok and was so disappointed with what we got

[@hunterchamberlain6738]

@@haloplayer9855 Same. But it's ok, I got all of those things in that Nic Cage movie Mandy. Which Matt Draper also made a video about, check it out if you haven't already, it's amazing!

[@exarkun3263]

Totally. I usually never listen to music when I'm reading comics but I read this story with some Lunar Shadow, Visigoth and Eternal Champion in the background and it was incredible.

[@elbraymundo]

This is why I wish the theme/needle-drop from Thor Ragnarok was Twilight of the Thunder God rather than Immigrant Song. I love me some Zepp, but hoooooooly shit how good would that have been?

[@Pablo-ze6un]

With the whole "Unworthy" thing and Donny Cates's retcon in his Venom run, Gorr's arc becomes much more brutal and soul-devastating. I really love what Jason Aaron has done with Thor and this video is an excellent analysis and summary of what made that first saga so great to begin with.

[@DzustComics]

If you ask me that was one of the best retcons in comic history. It just tied multiple threads together so elegantly by just building on the mystery of certain characters!

[@Pablo-ze6un]

@@DzustComics Definitely. I don't know if it is a hot take, but I think Cates is the best writer regarding retcons or connections, because he uses continuity in his favour, not ignoring one bit but instead embracing it, resulting in a much more epic and big story.

[@MrJole777]

Apart from the female thor shit it's actually an ok story ngl.

[@hopebringer2348]

What retcon?

[@na.meless]

@@Pablo-ze6un tbh Ewing is better at retcons

[@comixproviderftw_02]

*Reads Jason Aaron’s Thor run while listening to God of War (2018) soundtrack*

[@ftwnoobbuster]

It would be awesome if Marvel wanted to make a 4th Thor movie and they adapt Jason Aaron's God Butcher story. It would be amazing!

[@thefancasthub6862]

@Onyx Boy, do I have good news for you.

[@camdenmarr1783]

Christian Bale has been confirmed to play Gorr in "Love and Thunder" which is going to be awesome

[@spondonkashyap3949]

You prophet

[@uncannydcmarvelous5732]

@@camdenmarr1783 and the first merch/promo art of him as Gorr is out and is... a bald Christian Bale on white/grey paint xD

[@cavc94]

So far, this comment has aged very well.

[@Brun07578]

I just finished Godbomb after reading God Butcher about a year ago. The whole story is amazing. It's like the perfect mix of Tolkien Medieval Fantasy and Metal Sci-Fi. Thanks for another great vid!

[@DiegoReviews]

That was such an epic story. I never read any Thor comic books but this so different from typical Marvel capes and tights. This is a great video Matt! You’re editing keeps getting better and better.

[@MattDraper]

Thanks as always! This is a perfect first Thor comic. I also recommend JMS’s run to start with if you want to get into Thor comics.

[@johnnieriot13]

The most consistent channel on KZbin by far. When I say consistent I mean consistently great videos.

[@Sparkman003]

“God of Thunder” got me into Thor, and now he’s one of my favourite Marvel heroes! Great video, was actually hoping you’d cover God Butcher/Godbomb!

[@colinmurphy5508]

I met Jason Aaron through a mutual friend in 2012 or 2013, and we joked around for about five minutes in total before he had to do something. He had a long beard at the time and I asked him if anyone ever mistakes him for Alan Moore. He immediately started laughing and said without a hint of sarcasm that no one had ever asked that before, "maybe because I don't wear a ton of rings." A month later, he did a TV interview where he made a joke about everybody always mistaking him for Alan Moore and I was like, "hmm?"

[@imjmar]

Jason Aaron’s run on Thor has been soooo good

[@tayojones9460]

Until he turn Jane into Thor and took the original Thor's hammer from him.

[@AlessandroAltosoleChannel]

with jane it becomes even better.

[@NickyAztec]

"heavy metal" are exactly the words I've used to describe this story arc

[@hunterchamberlain6738]

Really awesome video. This one hit close to me for two reasons. I too was raised and live in the south, and was raised in a religious community. It was rare to find a person who would openly refer to themselves as an athiest. As a child I was told that you believe in God, do good things for others, and pray regularly, and you will go to heaven. But when I would ask why, I was told that I wasn't allowed to wonder why and that I should put all my focus into those practices. Being told versions of that answer up into my adult years had slowly wore me down and while I never considered myself a religious person to begin with, I became curious as to what it means to be a god, and how that influences multiple cultures and societal issues. I don't consider myself to be an athiest because denying divine existence just because I can't see it just seems silly, so I find myself falling into the agnostic category. I feel that based on multiple interpretations of a "God" throughout religion, that we should do good things because it's a good thing to do and not because we will get some divine reward. But that's just my opinion. It's brilliant to think that Thor, a literal god, had the existential question of "Is there a purpose to my existence?". I have struggled with that question for a good chunk of my life, and I think that, we should all strive to put purpose into our lives, and not wait to be told what our purpose is. Also, I dug the Heavy Metal vibes! I gotta check this series out! Thanks for the great video and I can't wait to see what's next!

[@WilliamTarver848]

My favorite run on Thor. I love the blend of medieval/epic fantasy, sci-fi, and dystopia. I'm digging the heavy metal vibes.

[@antona.1327]

I've been a fan of Esad Ribic's artwork since I saw those beautiful covers from him for the early 2000s Wolverine run by Greg Rucka. The man is a master. But I didn't get the full view of his talent until The God of Thunder. That's easily one of my all-time favorite comic book runs on the basis of the artwork itself. I've been a fan of Thor my entire life. The first two comics I bought as a kid were Legends of the Dark Knight #122 and Thor #500. I was very glad that Aaron delved into the epic nature of Thor's history instead of trying to minimize it and make it smaller in scope and stakes just to make it more comprehensible for the reader. Epic and big - that's how I like my Thor stories.

[@elviskleber10]

Incredible video, definitely the best YT comic channel. I like how you make a fine tune into your style to fit the selected topic of the video, you make editing and sound fitting to the comic in question. Is more like a tematic video or something like that.

[@Deadwolf27]

I just wanted to say this video had a serious effect on me. I never had an appreciation for comic book Thor, I always thought he was a very boring character and I had only read stories where he was stuck with characters I liked more at the time. But this comic, this art, this story. Everything about it is so awesome. I still think about Old King Thor, hoping it's something that does come to pass and isn't something that might come to pass. In short, this video made me appreciate comic book Thor, a character I thought I would never like, so thank you for showing me what I have been missing out on.

[@himathegreat2987]

Same man, me too

[@MrSecretSentai]

The time travel is my favorite part of the story cause at first the way the story is told it makes you think Gor won’t be stopped until Thor is old and then nope time travel 3 Thors are working together.

[@NEON-XMV]

This is why I loved Thor: Ragnarok, it was a mix of Jack Kirby's sci-fi and heavy metal fantasy, which was just my cup of tea

[@mayotango1317]

What? That movie is a joke. A Adam Sandler movie.

[@mickjameson4384]

That piece of shit has nothing in common with this brilliant story.

[@somanshudev]

Yes! Also Thor disassembled Ragnarok storyline is badass..

[@WhiteWoolf-07]

@@mayotango1317 Maybe he meant the comic

[@NEON-XMV]

@@WhiteWoolf-07 Yes

[@captainjakemerica4579]

Damn I want to read this comic now wow Thor absorbing the necrosword reminds me of when Thor took a supernova to the chest in Avengers Infinity War

[@mrboerger1620]

He died but he took it

[@Isai314]

Yeah

[@AuntPetuniasEverLovingNephew86]

Jason Aaron's run on Thor is my Thor like readers from the 80s has Walt Simonson's Thor for them!

[@mcurran6505]

From a heavy metal fan all I can about this video is one word, Beautiful.

[@SnapperChannel]

This for me is the peak of Jason Aaron’s amazing run on Thor. While the rest of Aaron’s run is pretty great, nothing for me topped this arc and the one shot that followed. Can’t wait to read War of the Realms! Will Jason Aaron’s Thor run be another video series like your Swamp Thing and Hellboy videoes?

[@MattDraper]

I think I’d like to do a loose series on it. Probably Jane Thor’s story and then the final Thor series and War, if I find a take on it.

[@DzustComics]

Amazing video on an amazing book. It's depth like this, that makes comics such a fascinating medium! It also confirms my suspension, that Jason Aaron and I have a lot in common in terms of faith and you just might be the first youtuber to pronounce Assad Ribic correctly!

[@fernandoluna6589]

awesome work matt, as always

[@seamuslikesmovies8748]

Love the use of Magic Sword in the opening! It fits perfectly!

[@norbnar7197]

By Odins gleaming nipples, regardless of many others criticisms of Aarons run on Thor, the God Butcher storyline has so MANY brilliant aspects and is one of the BEST Thor storylines EVER. The artwork is brain-meltingly amazing. It explores Thor psychologically in ways not seen before. Like fear. Thor essentially has ptsd from Gorr. Like some prisoner of war years later from torture. And that short bit right before entering the cave again where he muses on the long memory of a god and how after a millenia you obviously forget important things. How his thoughts conclude on it are simply brilliant.

[@jarjarmarklar7519]

Wonderful videos! But there hasn't been a new one for three weeks. I'm worried. Please keep up the good work!!

[@coloradoavocado6632]

Matt, I love the work you do, especially your comic videos & I'd like to recommend a comic that could be worth your time. It's called Mr X, I've never actually read the comics but it's very obscure & I believe nobody has gone over it. Love the video & keep up the good work!

[@SoulCastleFilms]

I really love your videos and wish that I had the time and equipment to make what you make. I understand that you must have a LOT of recommendations from fellow subscribers such as myself on what your next videos should focus on, but I have some ideas: Eric Powell's The Goon or Hillbilly My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Scott McCloud's Zot! or The Sculptor Gerard Way's Young Animal or Umbrella Academy Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol or Animal Man Young Animal's Milk Wars Cave Carson Brian K. Vaughan's Saga or Y: The Last Man Jeff Smith's Bone Scott Pilgrim Just some ideas that I think would make great content for your channel! Love your stuff! Keep it up, dude!

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! I have some video ideas for several of these already. Waiting on Vol 2 of My Favorite Thing until I make a video. Appreciate it!

[@MrPink-qf1xi]

I think this is my favorite comic book story in 2010s this made me fan of Thor, made me follow a run from start to finish for the first time, and made me question Gods, Beliefs, Change and being worthy.

[@ellisowens5189]

I remember reading this many summers ago...its so interesting to be reading the Thor comics now and see how some ideas from this story have developed over the past 5+ years. Wild. p.s. have you read Karnak by Warren Ellis? great little 6-issue run

[@MattDraper]

I’ve heard great things about Karnak, but I haven’t read it. I’m actually reading Black Bolt by Ahmed right now and it’s really incredible!

[@ellisowens5189]

@@MattDraper I've also heard great things about his run on Black Bolt. If you aren't reading it already, his current run on Miles Morales is 5 pretty solid issues so far.

[@anthonyhudak9363]

This arc is epic. Can you cover Donny Cates Venom run (mainly Absolute Carnage or King in Black) or his first Thor arc, The Devourer King?

[@pjtiger10]

This is a fantastic video! (I always thought if I made a comic channel the first thing I’d do was make a video about The God Butcher😂) Liked Subbed and Shared👌🏾😭🔥

[@LION0410]

13:14 *Bill And Ted Guitar Riff*

[@user-mj6zg8hh9h]

Your channel is amazing.

[@jackelproductions7035]

Gorr, is by far the best Thor villain, I loved the run on Thor, great stuff.

[@andrewpoirier9153]

This is one of my favorite Marvel runs. I wish the movie had been more faithful to the source material

[@BenjiDWJ]

One of my favourite stories and runs in comics from The House of Ideas in the past few years.

[@agentofxehanort]

Once again, you've given me another Thor run to check out.

[@CesarIsaacPerez]

Dude, I love your channel! Subscribed.

[@austinmj64]

The irony that out of Jason Aaron's run on Thor his first 2 arcs were the best is perplexing. Looking at his later works with Avengers I feel like he struck a perfect medium with what he's best at with Gorr then went topsy turvy afterwards with Jane having high highs and very low lows and Thor Odinson upon return the War of the Realms being underwhelming

[@logandotson5600]

So quick to click play when I saw you had a new upload

[@ChuckD008]

Kirby, Simonson, & Ribic are easily the three best Thor artists (I mean, these are 3 great artists alone) Aaron's whole run was essentially about believing in one's self

[@padguznikiwashington2323]

yess these videos are acctual god bombs i mean underrated would be a understaitment

[@dawwe8869]

Great video as usual!

[@FreedominPA]

good story. thanks for posting! i enjoyed your narrative.

[@Avocado11]

Starting with a 3 Thor epic and I have a feeling Aaron is gonna end his run with another 3 Thor epic. I love this run, Ribic being one of my favorites being a major reason. I have big posters from 3 of the different covers: the 3 Thors (10:28), Thor charging up (6:27) and King Thor vs Galactus.

[@spike-kc8be]

Jaason aarons thor, and donny cates venom put together are akin to listening to master of puppets and reign in blood back to back. Metal AF.

[@samuelraji8343]

Stop making me interested in Marvel. Love Your Videos

[@DrStrange1963]

Thor is my favorite Marvel character ever! 2. Doctor Strange 3. The Thing (Fantastic Four) 4. Mister Fantastic (Fantastic Four) 5. The Human Torch (Fantastic Four) 6. The Invisible Woman (Fantastic Four) 7. Spider-Man 8. Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)

[@angeryfluuf6514]

Thor is just a big cinnamon bun and I love it

[@marioramunno4180]

Great as always my dude. Now when are you gonna do one of Donny Cates books? God Country maybe?

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! I haven’t actually read God Country, but I’ll add it to my To Read list!

[@marioramunno4180]

@@MattDraper based off the books you've done videos on I really think you'll like it

[@reddryuk7008]

This is my fave thor story

[@OomaGooma]

Good video. I didn’t care much for Jason Aaron’s Thor run. The art was exceptionally nice though.

[@Rapscallion2871]

I'm now more excited for Thor Love and Thunder.

[@rainspectre3153]

Will you do an essay on Aaron's full run someday?

[@Vanghool87]

3:49 it’s Arnold!

[@mrawesome669]

Incredible story, Thor's a great character to explore mythos wise.

[@bluemindstudios3256]

Mcu: let's make him a joke

[@mrawesome669]

@@bluemindstudios3256 truly awful, Hollywood's in the gutter creatively these days.

[@Xehanort10]

I like how older Thor looks like his dad Odin.

[@louisconstantine8578]

I wanna see you do a video of Constantine or Swamp Thing

[@uncannydcmarvelous5732]

He has few videos on Moore's Swamp Thing run.

[@tommyvasquez2708]

would’ve been cool if Gorr had an encounter with the guy who made his Necrosword, but sadly he’s dead

[@smashmaster521]

Venom: Hold my beer

[@cptsteele91]

I'd say they should do a movie of this but they'd just fuck it up

[@Nexion3653]

YES!

[@MattDraper]

🤘🤘🤘

[@liverusrock6789]

First Thor story I read, being following it since then. Not related but thoughts on Zdarsky's DD so far?

[@MattDraper]

I haven’t read it yet, waiting on the first TPB to come out.

[@liverusrock6789]

@@MattDraper You in for a ride man, the first arc is vídeo worthy

[@sdlstr91]

Good job, Matt! Are you gonna do a video for Batman’s 80th?

[@MattDraper]

Thanks! I don’t have plans. I’m sure I’ll get around to another Batman video soon, but not sure about the timing.

[@ChristianThorne]

Anyone watch with subtitles? “Ribbit Jizz” lol

[@werecam56]

Anyone else coming to this vid in preparation for Thor: Love and Thunder?

[@uncannydcmarvelous5732]

Oh boy, the big contrasts...

[@adamosborne685]

Hoho *YES*

[@MattDraper]

🤘🤘🤘

[@manofaction2896]

Becoming more fascinated with faith after he lost his... mmm sure

[@quintuslentulusbatiatus8844]

2:55 weight a minute aaron said thor is immortal isn't he just long-lived

[@AlessandroAltosoleChannel]

it's still immortality because you don't die of age

[@KotoCrash]

*tips fedora*

[@TheAyman1825]

Honestly, am not fan of Marvel's Thor, I always saw him as childish interpretation of Norse Mythology, But damn that art style is really tempting. Am wondering if I could jump into this comic with the knowledge that I only watched the first Thor movie? Also I think it's time that Matt should receive sales commission from Marvel and DC, the dude really knows how to get you into comics.

[@MattDraper]

I agree about the sales commission. I would very much like a little money. You can jump right into this without needing to read anything beforehand! Aaron’s comics that come after start to require more backstory, but God Butcher/Godbomb is very self-contained.

[@smashmaster521]

Jason Aaron's Thor is incredibly newcomer friendly, and is in fact the reason I'm a fan of the character.

[@thewoollyviking5928]

80’s heavy metal fantasy fits like a glove for Thor. Shame that Jason Aaron’s Thor run nosedived after Jane Foster took over...

[@OomaGooma]

Josey Kaiser - I stopped buying Thor a few issues into that series. The revelation of Jane Foster as Thor was my last issue.

[@28maitreyagupta21]

Christian Bale will rock this role. Cant wait to see him as Gor the God Butcherm

[@charliecoke7396]

will you ever do a video on Neil Gaiman's Sandman?

[@MattDraper]

Yes, it’s not on the schedule right now but I’d like to eventually.

[@charliecoke7396]

@@MattDraper Awesome!

[@emmanuelmondesir1314]

TWO HAMMERS

[@MattDraper]

🤘🤘🤘🔨🔨

[@Nic_03_21]

To me, it’s just “Kratos” vs Thor.

[@ogashion]

Heavy Metal? Not Power Metal? Well I'm Dissaponited

[@ThatOneGuy7550]

HEAVY METAL INDEED

[@MattDraper]

🤘🤘🤘

[@ThatOneGuy7550]

@@MattDraper the video was amazing, Matt! Also loved that Scott shouted you out in the most recent episode of NerdSync, major props

[@Avocado11]

7:00 God bless those pagans.

[@AlejandroSilva-mr7yy]

As interesting as this all seems, I don't think I'll be able to look past all the *_edge_*

[@smashmaster521]

What edge? This story is wholesome and pure.

[@elviskleber10]

Take a look at Black Bolt (written by Saladin Ahmed), it is a great comic winner of an Eisner for best new series. It focus on the socialization problems that black bolt suffers from being incapable of speaking. Is a very emotional based comic that also have great sci-fi and space opera elements that it is pretty impressive ( especially if you remember that it is Ahmed first comic). Pay attention to issue #7 that I consider the best issue from 2017, it's really great.

[@mrboerger1620]

God butchering must be a hard job this guy probably gets paided too salary

[@ΑλκιβιάδηςΚαζαμίας]

I always hated Thor until I read this story

[@smashmaster521]

May I ask why? Just curious.

[@jonryder7269]

Oe does not mean O its an Ö like a grown

[@evilgamemichaelsperling8736]

in my mind worshipped and religion not really need this days only yourself believe

[@MutantsInDisguise]

At least your postmodern mind, lol.

[@bigboydookie]

Thor had been my favorite character since I was 9 yrs old. I bought this entire series from my LCS. It's one of the absolute best, most captivating comics I've ever read. nd this is an excellent analysis.

[@manofaction2896]

Becoming more fascinated with faith after he lost his... mmm sure