THUNDERCATS #10, by Dynamite Comics on 11/20/24, explores the tragic event in Lord Slithe’s past that drove him to hunt the remaining Thunderians across the galaxy.
Credits:
- Writer: Declan Shalvey
- Artist: Joe Mulvey
- Colorist: Simona Guida, Chiara Di Francia, Andrea Izzo
- Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover Artist: David Nakayama (cover A)
- Publisher: Dynamite Comics
- Release Date: November 20, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 24
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of THUNDERCATS #10:
First Impressions:
This is fine. Writer Declan Shalvey pauses the aftermath of the first big battle between the Thundercats and the Mu’Tants to explain how a new character came on the scene and why Lord Slithe hates the Thundercats more than he already did. On the one hand, Shalvey gives Lord Slithe a decent bit of character work, but the net value of this chapter won’t move the needle if you’re on the fence about this series.
Plot Analysis:
When last we left the Thunderian refugees in Thundercats #9, the Mu’Tant army assembled to attack the Cats’ Lair for an action-heavy issue. The Thundercats eventually held their own, but the still-under-construction Cat’s Lair was destroyed.
In Thundercats #10, get ready for the long-awaited origin story of Lord Slithe’s hatred towards the Thundercats… sorta. As the smoke begins to clear in the aftermath of the Mu’tant attack against the Cat’s Lair, Lord Slithe recalls previous battles against the population of Thundera, beginning with Lord Slithe’s decision to leave his wife and child for the chance to destroy the Thunderians for the glory of Plun’Darr.
Declan Shalvey begins the issue with flip-flopping panels that recall Slithe’s perception of the smoke of battle in the past and the present. The choice to have Slithe leave his wife and son for the glory of battle gives the Reptilian a quasi-Viking/Klingon vibe that attributes more depth to his character than we’ve seen previously.
In the past, Lord Slithe and his Mu’Tants lost the battle. When he returned home, his wife and son were gone, presumed killed in a sneak attack while Mu’Tant forces waged war on Thundera. The loss of his family drove Lord Slithe to up his drive for genocide against Thuderians everywhere.
The pain of loss and grief can be a powerful motivator, even for the ruler of the Reptilians. That said, Shalvey neglects to delve into why the Mu’Tants were attacking Thundera in the first place, muting the drive behind Slithe’s motivations. He wanted to destroy the Thunderians in the beginning, but now, he really, really wants to destroy the Thunderians? The backstory doesn’t really change his character or reveal something new.
Now, Lord Slithe limps off the battlefield, obscured by the smoke and debris caused by the collapse of the Cat’s Lair. A young Reptilian wearing a facemask emerges from the smoke to prop Slithe up. As the two talk about getting Slithe to safety, especially now that Slithe learned he wields the Sword of Plun’Darr, Slithe recognizes something familiar about this young Reptilian.
The issue concludes with a Monkian underestimating the power of loyalty and the reveal of a familiar yet older face.
Overall, Thundercats #10 puts in extra effort to explain Lord Slithe’s motivations and backstory. That said, the amount of depth added to Slithe by the backstory is marginal, and the main plot takes a momentum-killing pause in exchange.
Artwork and Presentation:
Thundercats #10 is our first exposure to Joe Mulvey’s artwork at Dynamite, and the results are fairly strong. Generally, Mulvey has a solid eye for competition and battle action, so readers concerned about yet another guest artist stepping in for Drew Moss won’t have anything to worry about in this issue.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Longtime Thundercats fans picking up this issue as their first exposure to the series may rightly wonder where it fits in Thundercats’ continuity. It doesn’t. This series is loosely similar to the original but still a reboot.
Final Thoughts:
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THUNDERCATS #10 pauses the main plot for a flashback story that explains one of the reasons Lord Slithe hates the Thundercats. Declan Shalvey gives Slithe more character depth, and the outcome has potential. Plus, guest artist Joe Mulvey’s visuals look great. That said, the new information about Lord Slithe’s past doesn’t change how you look at the character one bit.
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