Marvel’s New Thor Has His Own Batmobile

Contains Spoilers for Immortal Thor #6!Out of the pages of the current Immortal Thor series, Marvel is creating a new corporate-sponsored version of the Thunder God, and he’s getting his own Batmobile-esque truck to boot. The global conglomerate Roxxon’s Thor will promote the values of “both sides” thinking and be shill for energy companies, and how better to do that than with a big truck? It’s Chad Hammer’s time to shine as Roxxon’s takeover of Marvel Comics commences.

In Roxxon Presents: Thor #1, written by Al Ewing and drawn by Greg Land, Marvel’s newly-introduced new Thor, aka Chad Hammer, will be coming with his own super-vehicle, the Thor-Truck!

Roxxon Presents: Thor #1 (2024)
Release Date:	April 3, 2024
Writer:	Al Ewing
Artist:	Greg Land
Cover Artist:	Greg Land
Variant Cover:	Adi Granov
From the pages of IMMORTAL THOR – the ROXXON AGE OF COMIXX BEGINS! In his secret identity as A.I. spokesguru CHAD HAMMER, the son of Odin knows Mama Gaea is a TOP PRIORITY for heroes AND for business! But when a group of insane environmental activists take “saving the Earth” TOO FAR, it’s time to show them the wisdom on BOTH sides – AS THOR! But WHICH God of Evil is prompting the kids to rebel? Could it be…LOKI, GOD OF EVIL??? Featuring an all-star cast of heroes! MINOTAUR! EXECUTIONER! ENCHANTRESS! And the THOR-TRUCK! This is the story of THE ROXXIN’ THOR… and it’s a VITAL part of the “ABSOLUTE ABSOLUTION” MEGA-EVENT!

Within the Marvel Universe, the evil energy conglomerate Roxxon has bought Marvel Comics. Under the leadership of literal minotaur Dario Agger, the company will be creating its own corporate answer to Thor, complete with his own secret identity, supporting cast, and special vehicle. This one-shot spins out of Al Ewing’s Immortal Thor in which Agger has been slowly assembling a group of villains for Roxxon’s corporate takeover.

Roxxon’s Thor is a Magical, Corporate Nightmare of Marketing

How Roxxon is actually making its own Thor is mysterious, but Immortal Thor’s use of magic and divinity offers some hints. The comic has focused on “stories” as the bedrock of divinity, with the story-changing “skald-magic” of Loki being highlighted in the recently released Immortal Thor #6, written by Ewing, drawn by MartÍn Cóccolo, colored by Matthew Wilson and lettered by VC’s Joe Sabino. Agger has his own magic-user on hand in the form of classic Thor villain, the Enchantress, so it’s possible she’ll use story-magic herself to literally rewrite a version of Thor into “Chad Hammer.”

Roxxon’s Thor is obviously a satirical meta-commentary on the hackiest corporate instincts of the superhero genre. The Thor-Truck in particular brings to mind the deluge of new Batmobiles and other hero vehicles like the Spider-Mobile, designed primarily to sell toys rather than as a genuine part of a story. Since it’s Roxxon “making” the comic, don’t be shocked if the comic itself attempts to blatantly peddle the Thor-Truck in its pages. If story powers divinity, then maybe Roxxon is using that same type of magic for the purposes of advertising.

Thor’s Latest Enemies Personify Corporate Stagnation

Both the name “Chad Hammer” and the idea of even having a “Thor-truck” also speak to a stereotypically masculine reimagining of Thor, which is likely deliberate on Roxxon’s part. This is in stark contrast to the regular Thor who, in Immortal Thor, has shown much more restraint and wisdom than in past stories. The “Roxxon” announcement of the new Thor reads:

It’s the Thor fans truly know and love—no thoughts, just muscles, a hammer, and zero hesitation to bring them both down on the most one-dimensional villains ever seen in a comic book.

This is backed up by the issue’s solicit, which promises to take on “insane environmental activists” and promote “both sides” thinking. It’s status quo-reaffirming corporate conservatism all the way down, all crafted by Roxxon to fit an agenda of profit and social stagnation.

Roxxon’s in-universe acquisition of Marvel Comics also gives Ewing the chance to poke fun at Marvel’s own corporate instincts. The solicit for Roxxon Thor #1 promises that this issue is “a vital part of the ‘ABSOLUTE ABSOLUTION’ Mega-Event,” a clear riff on Marvel’s tendency towards bloated annual events, each packed with superfluous tie-ins. Like the Thor-Truck, it’s a satirical riff on real comics ideas. It’ll be fun to see if Ewing, himself a consummate master of the actually good tie-in, will craft a fake event or whether this is just a joke for the solicit when Roxxon’s Thor and the Thor-Truck storm onto readers’ pages this spring.