Thor: Balder the Brave

In this 2009 Marvel one-shot, Walter Simonson returns to the Asgardian realm he helped define, focusing on Balder the Brave in a standalone adventure. As the series' sole artist and a defining creative voice, Simonson crafts a self-contained tale that deepens the noble warrior's character away from Thor's shadow. Though brief, the issue stands as a warm, visually distinctive spotlight on a beloved supporting figure, offering longtime fans a focused character study from one of the franchise's most celebrated talents.