Multiversity: Thunderworld #1 
by Joe Iconic, Reporter
“The fifth chapter of the greatest adventure in DC Comics history is here!
Acclaimed for their collaborations on BATMAN AND ROBIN, SEAGUY and SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY: THE MANHATTAN GUARDIAN, superstar writer Grant Morrison and renowned artist Cameron Stewart deliver some magic to THE MULTIVERSITY with a breathtaking journey to Earth-5 – A.K.A. Thunderworld!”
This chapter of the Multiversity project provides a pitch-perfect homage to the Fawcett Universe, and is a must-read for fans of Captain Marvel of the days of old. The elephant in the room is dispensed with immediately; the hero is called Captain Marvel, and not Shazam or anything else. Perhaps Earth 5 has better lawyers. Although this issue has a lighter tone than the previous chapters of Multiversity, Thunderworld continues the theme of showing the depth and breadth of what is possible in the comic book medium.
This issue serves as a counterpoint in more than one way; Grant Morrison’s Final Crisis included a dark, gritty, punk Mary Marvel. This issue should redeem Morrison in the eyes of the fans of the classic/classy Mary Marvel.
Similarly, Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart portray the strength of the source material over the grittiness prevalent in modern comics. They flip the paradigm of the crossover by making the multiverse and its intrusion into Thunderworld play by the rules of that universe, instead of the other way around. For example, the current Spiderverse operates on opposite premises. The antagonist violates the rules of more innocent universes, slaughtering the characters of the early 1980’s cartoons in graphic fashion. Instead of perverting older versions of beloved stories to shock or fit the new paradigm, Thunderworld perfectly demonstrates that these beloved stories still have meaning and resonance, and still a viable vehicle for larger messages in their narratives. Hopefully, this theme will continue in DC’s upcoming Convergence event.
The modern improvements to this universe are subtle but well-crafted. The Disney-like depiction of the Seven Deadly Sins in the Rock of Eternity sets a simpler, lighter tone, which the Wizard Shazam immediately reinforces by making fun of himself practicing his narrator’s tone.
The Sivanas from other dimensions are awesome, but also serve as a warning to the reader of how horrible things could have been. The Hannibal Lector Sivana states he killed his Captain Marvel, and demonstrates an unhealthy interest in Mary Marvel, but stays on his monitor and in his own universe.
While the previous (heavy but fascinating) chapters provide commentary on reality television and how to build a better Watchmen, the commentary within Thunderworld is lighter, but still present.
The spoiled children of Silvana represent opposites to the Marvel Family, continuing one of the Multiversity themes of the story potential of legacy heroes. When Captain Marvel Jr. tricks the temptress of the trio, he demonstrates the inherit strength in staying true to the values of the story, an alternative to character deconstruction.
Like all of Morrison’s stories, Thunderworld could be the subject of a college lesson, but is accessible to any reader. The only risk of reading this issue is that one might find oneself lurking on Captain Marvel fansites like Facebook’s Fawcett Universe to share in the joy that is classic Captain Marvel.
Rating: 
I give Multiversity Thunderworld 5 out of 5 Lieutenant Marvels
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