Spec Alert: War of the Realms: Omega #1

BY MATT TUCK

Jane Foster could follow her comic roots and become the MCU’s new Valkyrie and even set the stage for an official Asgardians of the Galaxy. That will make it a seller’s market for War of the Realms: Omega #1 and Asgardians of the Galaxy #1.

Nearly two years ago, in the summer of 2019, Marvel Studios set the collecting world on fire when it announced plans for its fourth Thor movie, Love and Thunder. What really got the wheels turning was the announcement that Natalie Portman would not only return as Jane Foster, but that she would wield Mjolnir.

As more details about the movie emerge, it appears that the inspiration for the plot is coming from Jason Aaron’s Thor run from 2012-2019. Not only do we have Lady Thor taking the lead, but Christian Bale has been confirmed as Aaron’s creation, Gorr the God Butcher. 

If Love and Thunder follows Aaron’s Thor comics, then Jane Foster will undergo more than one heroic change in the course of the film. By the end of the movie, she may put down Mjolnir and take up the sword of Valkyrie.

WAR OF THE REALMS: OMEGA #1

By most intents and purposes, War of the Realms was not a major success. The massive crossover had so many tie-ins that it was nearly impossible for readers to keep up with anything outside the core story. 

If you gave up on War of the Realms, you will want to track down a copy of Omega #1. As the crossover wrapped up, Jane Foster was given her second superhero alter ego, this time taking up arms as Valkyrie. 

In the MCU, Tessa Thompson serves as Valkyrie. The last we saw of her in Endgame, Thor passed her the reins of leadership for the new Asgard while Thor hitched a ride with the Guardians of the Galaxy. As Valkyrie takes charge of the Earthly remnants of Asgard, this could establish the premise for her to surrender her role as Valkyrie. That would leave the door open for Jane Foster to pass Mjolnir back to Thor, and that could help set the stage for Beta Ray Bill to enter the MCU and claim Stormbreaker.

I may not be the only person who sees this as a possibility. On March 19, a standard cover graded at a 9.8 brought $108. Before that, there was no record of a 9.8 ever having been sold online. Also selling this month was a 9.8 Ron Garney variant, which brought a respectable $100 on March 19. 

The more popular edition has traditionally been the David Yardin variant edition. Back in 2019, two 9.8s averaged $65. Toward the end of last year, the market began to turn. In December, the record high was set and quickly broken after a $120 sale on the 10th was surpassed by a $190 sale just eight days later.

ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1

With the Guardians of the Galaxy set to appear in the movie, we can assume that much of Thor 4 will be filled with interstellar hijinks. That could pave the way for an official Asgardians of the Galaxy to start their own MCU franchise.

Yes, Thor did reference his involvement with the GOTG and dubbed them “the Asgardians of the Galaxy.” We can assume that was merely a joke to establish Thor and Starlord’s animosity for one another. By the end of Love and Thunder, however, we could see an official unit using that moniker.

In this team’s first appearance in their self-titled kickoff, the team features Angela, Valkyrie, Thunderstrike (although Kevin Masterston, the son of the original Thunderstrike, Eric Masterson), the Destroyer, Throg, and Skurge. While I do not anticipate we will see Angela quite yet, Thunderstrike is a real possibility for Love and Thunder, and we have already seen the Destroyer and Skurge in the MCU. Given the Loki Disney+ series is all about time travel, this could be an opportunity to resurrect Skurge and possibly the Destroyer. For that matter, Throg was alluded to in Ragnarok during the “play within a play.” 

If Jane does switch gears and becomes the MCU’s next Valkyrie, then the team could become a reality. That would give Asgardians of the Galaxy #1 a quick boost in fair market value.

Although the first issue warranted three covers, the standard edition has proven to be the most valuable so far. At a 9.8, it has been steadily rising for the past couple of years. Since 2018 and throughout 2020, it was basically a $30 comic on average. In February, a copy sold for a record-high $55. That has been the only sale this year, but that could change if Marvel gives any kind of hint at the Asgardians of the Galaxy becoming part of the MCU.

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE

There are so many unknowns and variables with Love and Thunder, but that is what makes it fun. Over the years, Jason Aaron has given Marvel Studios plenty of source material to farm for ideas, and his different takes on Jane Foster could keep the franchise fresh for years to come.

Matt Tuck is the author of the novel, Lost Bones of the Dead. He is also a teacher, freelance writer, comic collector, and an international man of mystery. You can follow him on his Facebook page, The Comic Blog.