The Good
Instead of teasing the next big story, Jason Aaron uses this issue to tell a self-contained tale about young Thor and a drunk dragon. There's some trolls thrown in there, too. If that doesn't have your attention, then I just don't know what will and clearly this issue isn't meant for you. For everyone else: yes, it's pretty much as glorious as it sounds.
Aaron's given this book quite an epic scope, but this issue is used to give a far more character-driven story about younger Thor and present what is absolutely a watershed event in his life. Aaron's script has an abundance of charm and fun, presenting us with this more carefree and brash version of Thor. Despite his attitude, there's still a great sense of honor and it definitely shows in one scene. The story is lighthearted and beyond fun, but it's not long before we're hit with a fair amount of drama and the intensity is really turned up. We never technically witness the big brawl between these two, but to be overly disappointed by that would be missing the point. It's not about the fight itself, but what it means to Thor and Aaron does a fine job illustrating that. Although, I think it's safe to say none of us would mind an issue dedicate to Thor brawling with a giant dragon. Just saying.
Dan Pastoras' artwork can be a real pleasure to gaze at. The character work can be a bit inconsistent at times, but the sheer amount of detail and coloring thrown into some of these panels most definitely deserves a slow clap. Thor and the Dragon taking on the Trolls? The few moments in Asgard? Some of the powerful scenery? Absolutely gorgeous and immersive.
The Bad
While a lot of the art impresses, there's some facial work that feels a bit off. The style's rough around the edges, and while that works for a majoity of the issue, there's some key instances where this lead to colors meshing and odd facial features/expressions. There's no easy way to say this, so I'll just be blunt: there's one panel where Thor looks like he has an overbite and is overweight. This is obviously outweighed by all of the impressive visuals, but it's worth pointing out.
The Verdict
Jason Aaron's THOR: GOD OF THUNDER has been... well, magical. This is a standalone adventure, so there's no valid reason you could possibly have for not reading it. I won't lie to you, I've never even considered myself a big Thor fan or a fan of the fantasy genre in general, but Aaron turns the Son of Odin's life into something wonderful. It's an honestly enthralling read that's full of laughs and is sure to have you hooked. Throw in some legitimately gorgeous (albeit inconsistent) visuals and you have an issue that I absolutely recommend.