Thor is now the Goddess of Thunder – as Marvel Comics announced Tuesday the hammer-wielding Norse superhero will be a woman in upcoming comic book issues.

The publisher says it hopes to attract more girls and women to comic books with this change, which is one of the most shocking to hit the “big three” of Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor.

Marvel was thin on details about the switch – but said in a press release that “no longer is the classic male hero able to hold the mighty hammer.”

The power falls to the new female Thor, who is also a blonde, clad in red-caped armor, as shown in new artwork from illustrator Russell Dauterman.

Thor will join Marvel’s other strong female characters including Captain Marvel, Storm, and Black Widow, and head the 8th title to feature a leading female protagonist.

 

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Image via Marvel