Beta Ray Bill: 10 Best Moments From The 2021 Comic Series

There have been many fan-favorite characters that have sprung from the pages of Thor, but maybe none were as captivating and strange as the Korbinite guardian, Beta Ray Bill. The alien hero made his first appearance in Thor #337 in 1983 and was created by the legendary writer and artist Walt Simonson. Bill was chosen to be radically altered to protect his remaining people after their planet was destroyed, which first brought him into conflict with Thor Odinson.

This amazing 2021 series Beta Ray Bill was produced by the unique artist and writer Daniel Warren Johnson, who had previously published such work as Murder Falcon and Wonder Woman: Dead Earth. The series follows Bill as he searches for a new powerful weapon to replace his old hammer, which leads him to experience a variety of memorable moments that promise to change his character forever.

10 Fin Fang Foom

Daniel Warren Johnson wasted no time to toss his readers into a high-energy story, with a perfect balance of heart and action. In this first issue, Bill provides a powerful speech to the soldiers of Asgard right before the great alien Fin Fang Foom, one of Iron Man’s best villains, comes knocking at the door. This leads to a gritty battle between the black dragon and the Asgardians.

Fin Fang Foom made his first appearance in Strange Tales #89 from 1961, and was created by none other than the legendary duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. A popular monster in Marvel, Foom has appeared in many forms of media like the Iron Man animated series and the video game, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. His appearance here immediately raises the stakes and sets the breathless tone of the series. There’s no rest for Bill as he has to begin battling an imposing opponent that has defeated the likes of Iron Man and Thor in the past.

9 The Fight At Don’s Bar And Grille

During his search for Thor and Loki’s father, Odin with his spaceship Skuttlebutt, Beta Ray Bill first found the half-giant, Skurge the Executioner, a popular character that even appeared in Thor: Ragnarok. The Executioner leads Bill to Odin’s hiding place, where they quickly make enemies and gain assistance from their old friend, Pip the Troll.

The scene is filled with fantastic action, with a highlight being Johnson’s illustrations of Skurge’s hilarious intensity during the battle with the gang. An additional memorable moment is when the all-father Odin shut everything down as he entered with a keg of beer slumped over his back.

8 Skuttlebutt’s New Form

In another great moment from issue two, the newly formed group of explorers go to use a portal they heard about from Odin so they can arrive in the Surtur’s Realm of Fire and retrieve the Twilight, Surtur’s Blade. It is while they are on this dangerous path does Skuttlebutt experience this bizarre change, making the loyal ship turn into another robotic entity with a more human form.

Not only is the design of this new Skuttlebutt a great look, but the function of the character now becomes even better. Skuttlebutt is able to change the ship at will, shielding the ship and crew from the lava that surrounds them.

7 Bill’s Ping Pong Match

There are brief moments during this series when we don’t find Bill fighting in his life-or-death search. But Johnson even manages to make something as normal as ping pong look intense. With Skuttlebutt in a new form, Bill no longer has to play solo and together the two square off as they speak about Skuttlebutt’s change. Skuttlebutt has been with Bill for many years, and now to see it in a more “human” shape brings some awkward feelings up between the two.

6 Skuttlebutt’s Axe

The real fantastic moment of issue three, however, comes from Skuttlebutt providing Bill with a new weapon to assist him in his quest. It’s not what Bill truly needs, and unfortunately, he will not realize this till later, but it at least provides him with the confidence he might desire at that moment.

This can even be perceived as just an attempt to keep Bill from his mission, but it is still impressive to see him do battle with this new blade. Johnson’s design of the weapon is truly a science fiction and fantasy masterpiece that could qualify as one of the most powerful weapons in Marvel Comics. And the blue flame that spills from its sides looks great as Bill slices apart opposing demons.

5 Bill’s Past Fight With Thor

Issue four of this Beta Ray Bill series allowed a small look into Bill’s past, something that was a welcome addition for both old and new readers. While their ship is held by a large squid-like demon, Bill is distracted as the creature projects painful visions of his past to him.

In this story so far, readers have seen Bill in many forms and outfits. They’ve seen him as a child, an Asgardian warrior, and now in his original suit from Bill’s first appearance in Thor comics in the 1980s. And though it may not be what fans are used to, it is actually a great reminder that Bill has always been cool and tough as steel as he battles with the God of Thunder.

4 Bill’s Memory Of His Mother

If seeing Bill’s first fight with Thor was fun, Bill watching his last words with his mother was heartbreaking. After being shown the surgery that turned him into the beast he is today, Bill was then subjected to watch the last words his mother ever said to him before Surtur came to destroy his planet.

Having been chosen to defend his people and undergo this life-changing alteration, Bill’s mother is happy to see him as a strong warrior and is proud of her son. But she sees through it all and tells her son, “I can also see your broken heart, and my heart breaks with yours as well.” This scene shows the cost of Bill’s sacrifice; while he gained massive power, he lost the one person he loved the most.

3 Pip’s Sacrifice

With the team having reached their destination, Bill finally confronts one of Marvel’s most powerful demons, Surtur, and an intense match between the two begins. But even with Surtur shrunk down to his level, Bill finds himself in over his head and his friends must step in to help defeat his powerful opponent.

Pip has connected with Bill over their shared unhappiness with their physical appearance, making it all the more devastating when Pip confronts Surtur to save his friend. Pip is brutally struck by the demon, but the troll leaves behind a stealthily placed bomb, which heavily damages Surtur. Pip’s death shows that Johnson can create something so rough and beautiful at the same time. While graphic, the hero’s demise also reveals the depths of his bond with Bill. Pip was willing to give his life for his friend, an act that few beings would perform for the superhero.

2 Surtur Skewered

Because of Pip’s heroic sacrifice, Beta Ray Bill is able to get the jump on the demon, resulting in Johnson showing his audience the best attack of the mini-series so far. Taking Surtur in his hands, Bill jumps off a large cliff and thrusts Surtur’s body into a sharp roof.

Johnson is a master at presenting wrestling-inspired moves into his artwork. Many times during Bill’s adventure, the reader has been able to see multiple slams alongside the typical weapon-wielding fighting that fans of Asgardian adventures have come to know and love. Though this may not be what stopped Surtur, it was definitely the most exciting attack that Bill is involved in.

1 Skutt-Gun

In the final issue of Beta Ray Bill every character finally comes together like one delightful puzzle. Knowing Skurge’s love of guns, Skuttlebutt takes advantage of her new powers and forms into a large weapon, that can almost be said to be more tank than gun. Doing what he loves, Skurge takes aim and takes down Surtur just in time to save his friend.

Besides being an amazingly drawn visual and action-packed moment, this was also powerful proof that Skuttlebutt has been there for Bill since the very beginning of his strange and heartbreaking journey. And as the reader can see at the series’ conclusion, Skuttlebutt always will be by Bill’s side. It’s a surprisingly touching ending to an often violent story, but one that is characteristic of Johnson’s signature blend of harsh imagery and emotional narratives.

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