Warning! Spoilers ahead for Jay & Silent Bob: Jays of Future Past!
Kevin Smith is back with a new Marvel Comics crossover starring his iconic duo, Jay and Silent Bob. And the big takeaway from their adventure with the Avengers? Well, not that true View Askewniverse fans had any doubt, but now it has been made official: Bob is worthy of Thor’s hammer.
That’s right, Silent Bob can lift Mjölnir, a feat that stuns the God of Thunder and the rest of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but not Jay. And it doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows the beloved character’s reputation for having a heart of gold, and a good head on his shoulders.
Still, it’s one of many great punchlines in Jay & Silent Bob: Jays of Future Past, the new one-shot comic written by Kevin Smith, and illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli. The creative team packs every page with comedic riffs and plenty of callbacks to both Marvel lore and Smith’s filmography.
Step Aside, Thor; Silent Bob Proves He’s Worthy Of Wielding The Mythical Mjölnir
Kevin Smith’s Return To The Marvel Universe Is A Classic Jay & Silent Bob Caper
Without spoiling too much about Jay and Bob’s antics in Jays of Future Past, let’s just say that the comic brings the madcap energy fans of Kevin Smith movies associate with the pair. Anyone who has seen Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, in particular, know these are already cartoon characters, even in live-action. That’s very much the comedic vibe of their new Marvel Universe appearance.
Silent Bob casually lifting Mjolnir is a perfect example. The Avengers turn around and he’s just meekly standing there, holding the hammer. Artist Giuseppe Camuncoli expertly captures Smith’s likeness as Bob, in his signature green trench coat and backward ballcap, as he holds the hammer in his palm by the heavy part.
The real funny part, though, is Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ reaction. They look at him wide-eyed, before Jay chimes in with a PG callback to a vulgar, hard-R quote from Strike Back, which causes the Avengers to side-eye him.
Silent Bob Lowkey Embodies The Strengths That Make Thor A Legendary Hero
Hear Us Out: Bob Lifting Mjölnir Isn’t As Absurd As It Sounds
Kevin Smith knows Marvel Comics, and it shows in Jay & Silent Bob: Jays of Future Past. His deep-cut Marvel knowledge and love of the publisher’s roster of heroes and villains is the engine that drives the comic. The issue doesn’t reinvent the wheel; it’s a typical Jay and Silent Bob adventure, in all of its glory. It’s full of love for Marvel canon, but also not afraid to get a laugh at its expense.
As for Thor’s hammer, Silent Bob isn’t the most surprising non-superpowered character to pick it up lately. A Marvel x Magic: The Gathering collaboration just confirmed Aunt May’s worthiness of Mjölnir too. What this says about Bob, and May, is that they exhibit core heroic virtues that are also essential to Thor as a hero. Of all the mayhem, mischief, and campy comedy in Jays of Future past, Bob lifting Mjölnir is actually, probably, the least outrageous thing in the issue.
Silent Bob’s worthiness is funny, but it’s not absurd. That’s what makes it the most effective moment in Kevin Smith’s new Marvel Comics story, as the beloved comedy figure becomes the latest name on the list of people who can wield Thor’s hammer.
Jay & Silent Bob: Jays of Future Past is available now from Marvel Comics.
What do you think of Silent Bob being worthy of Thor’s hammer, readers?
- Release Date
-
August 24, 2001
- Runtime
-
104 minutes