This morning on The View, Marvel made a THUNDERous announcement.

Well, we figured it would be Thor-related, and prayed it wasn't Thunderstrike. But most people also figured that if it was on The View, it would also be about their latest and greatest female superhero -- and I don't make that hype lightly; offhand, Ms. Marvel, Captain Marvel and She-Hulk are (and should be) at the top of my reading pile.

Recent events in Original Sin have led us to understand that Angela -- she who has crossed universes and, even more difficult, copyright ownership -- was actually the lost sister of Thor and Loki. So it was also possible that the announcement would be about her.

Maybe.

It turns out that in October we get an all-new Thor book, featuring a woman named Thor.

Who is under that helm? Long-time Marvel fans would have to put money on Angela, though that isn't necessarily a sure thing. In favor OF it being Angela is outside of comics fans, her name really doesn't mean anything, so makng her Thor will truly put her in the public consciousness.

Against? If you're a long-time Marvel fan, it's almost too obvious and it feels like a stunt. Marvel has done a pretty good job of developing new characters with old names -- Ultimate Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel being two -- so it could be someone we've never seen before.

Either way, yes, Marvel, I agree that it's great that you are aiming books squarely at female readers without alienating male readers. But really -- let's get that Black Widow movie going (unless you count Lucy) or even better, Captain Marvel. (My focus on Guardians of the Galaxy has been Rocket, but after seeing more footage I suspect that Gamora is going to hit BIG.)

From Marvel:

Marvel is excited to announce an all-new era for the God of Thunder in brand new series, THOR, written by Jason Aaron (Thor: God of Thunder, Original Sin) complimented with art from Russell Dauterman (Cyclops).

This October, Marvel Comics evolves once again in one of the most shocking and exciting changes ever to shake one of Marvel’s “big three” – Captain American, Iron Man and Thor – Marvel Comics will be introducing an all-new THOR, GOD OF THUNDER. No longer is the classic male hero able to hold the mighty hammer, Mjölnir, a brand new female hero will emerge who will be worthy of the name THOR. Who is she? Where did she come from and what is her connection to Asgard and the Marvel Universe?

“The inscription on Thor's hammer reads ‘Whosoever holds this hammer, if HE be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.’ Well it's time to update that inscription,” says Marvel editor Wil Moss. “The new Thor continues Marvel's proud tradition of strong female characters like Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow and more. And this new Thor isn't a temporary female substitute - she's now the one and only Thor, and she is worthy!”

Series writer Jason Aaron emphasizes, “This is not She-Thor. This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is THOR. This is the THOR of the Marvel Universe. But it’s unlike any Thor we’ve ever seen before.”

THOR is the latest in the ever-growing and long list of female-centric titles that continues to invite new readers into the Marvel Universe. This female THOR is the 8th title to feature a lead female protagonist and aims to speak directly to an audience that long was not the target for Super Hero comic books in America: women and girls.

Post-script: This isn't actually the first time that Thor has been a woman -- in the '70s, Marvel did have a What If -- ? issue that asked "What if Jane Foster found the hammer of Thor?" That character, dubbed Thordis, has popped up in cosplay at conventions for years. So wait -- let's throw Jane Foster's helm in the ring for being the new Thor! (I'm still betting Angela.)

Derek McCaw