Marvel makes surprise switch for its next Thor artist

What If? Thor #1
Art from What If? Thor #1 (Image credit: Michele Bandini/Matt Milla/Joe Sabino (Marvel Comics))

Marvel Comics has taken its upcoming Thor series artist Alessandro Vitti off the title, and pushed back the release of the next issue which will give his replacement more time to draw it.

(Image credit: Olivier Coipel (Marvel Comics))

The publisher has informed retailers that Michele Bandini is replacing Vitti on Thor #15, with the release date moving from June 23 to July 14. Bandini drew the 2018 one-shot What If? Thor, and previously shared his affinity for the current Thor run - and particularly that of original series artist Nic Klein.

Thor #15 is the beginning of a new four-part arc titled 'Revelations', with the absent All-Father Odin returning from the shadows after Thor has become King of Asgard and well… bad things have happened.

"The wounds of Donald Blake have not yet healed, and new Hel is afoot!" reads Marve's description of Thor #15. "With all inhabitants back in Asgard, and Odin's presence returned after being away so long, an air of tension now sits upon the throne! Father and son. All-Father and All-Father. Odin and Thor. Is this relationship forever doomed, and what does it mean for the Ten Realms?"

(Image credit: Nic Klein (Marvel Comics))

Marvel hasn't specified if Bandini will draw the entire arc the way Vitti was planned to, nor the reason for Vitti's departure. Unfortunately, this is the second time this has happened recently, as nine months ago Vitti was removed from Boom! Studios' high-profile Keanu Reeves book Brzrkr, with Ron Garney brought in as a replacement.

Original Thor series artist Nic Klein is currently working ahead on the series, with a plan to return this winter beginning with Thor #19.

Not to jinx it, but here's the best Thor stories of all time.

Chris Arrant

Chris Arrant covered comic book news for Newsarama from 2003 to 2022 (and as editor/senior editor from 2015 to 2022) and has also written for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, Marvel Entertainment, TOKYOPOP, AdHouse Books, Cartoon Brew, Bleeding Cool, Comic Shop News, and CBR. He is the author of the book Modern: Masters Cliff Chiang, co-authored Art of Spider-Man Classic, and contributed to Dark Horse/Bedside Press' anthology Pros and (Comic) Cons. He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards, and the Stan Lee Awards. Chris is a member of the American Library Association's Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table. (He/him)