Origin of the God Butcher

Thor: God of Thunder #6

Writer: Jason Aaron
Penciler: Butch Guice
Inker: Tom Palmer
Colorist: Ive Svorcina
Letterer: Joe Sabino
Published by Marvel Comics, 2013

What the Gods have Wrought

After five outstanding issues, the first story arc of Thor: God of Thunder finished off, but we still did not know how Gorr became the God Butcher. In this 6th issue, we finally get a glimpse of the Butcher’s origins and why he has such a hatred of gods.

It started thousands of years ago on a nameless planet where Gorr’s mother was slaughtered shortly after praying at her god’s altar. That single event could have kicked everything in motion, but Gorr kept up his faith.

Years later, his wife was killed with his unborn child as she sat next to cave paintings of their trusted gods; and later still, Gorr is forced to bury his last child as his tribe begs their gods for food and water, but are provide none for years.

His entire life, Gorr believed in the gods. Sacrificed to his gods, but never did they answer. All he received was suffering and loss. Until, as he wandered as an outcast from his tribe, he saw a pair of gods fall from the sky. They had clearly been fighting, and the surviving diety begged for help.

Gorr killed him.

In the panels, it looks like the blood of the two gods intermingled to form the weapon Gorr uses to kill, but even that much is uncertain.

In any case, we find out he is telling this tale to Volstagg the Valiant, Lion of Asgard, and he is relaying the story just before he crucifies Thor’s friend.

But it may be Volstagg who has the last laugh as he points out that this God Butcher has become the very thing he hates most, a god, and that to reach the nirvana Gorr is working towards, he will have to kill himself as well.

Verdict

Finally, we get a peek at how Gorr developed his hatred of gods. We’re still a bit in the dark as to where his weapon came from, but regardless, he has it, and he learned to use it to dramatic effect in the first arc in this series. With this origin, we kick off the second arc, and I’m wondering how Thor will be able to take down this murderous beast.
As with the previous issues, I rate this issue a definite Must Read strongly encourage you to give it a read if you’re at all interested in a good Thor story.

This comic can be found on Comixology, on Marvel Unlimited, or at your local comic book shop.

Comic Corner | Reading Recommendation of Thor: God of Thunder #6