Recently, Marvel Comics has begun a new run, beginning with issue #1, of expanding on the legend that is Beta Ray Bill. Daniel Warren Johnson is tasked as the writer and artist of what begins as a five-part story entitled "Argent Star." Johnson also assists VC's Joe Sabino with the lettering, which at times made me think it was designed for the elderly because of its size, even though it is rated as Teen +. Mike Spicer adds some very vibrant colors to the artwork, except for the cover where he is assisted by Johnson.
Beta Ray Bill is our favorite cyborg with horse-like features. He wasn't always this way but was changed into this strange looking cyborg to protect the Korbinites on Asgard. Bill shocked everyone by being able to pick up Mjolnir. Because of this, Odin made Bill his own hammer known as Stormbreaker. Stormbreaker enabled Bill to change back into his humanoid form by striking the hammer onto the ground. When Thor replaced Odin as All-Father of Asgard, Bill and Thor had a falling out which led to Thor destroying Stormbreaker. This also leaves Bill to live the rest of his life in his cyborg state.
No longer feuding with Thor, Bill's inability to revert back to his original state causes complications between him and Lady Sif. It does, however, help him with his role as Asgard's "Master Of War." While Thor is on Earth battling the King in Black and his army powered by symbiotes, Bill knew it would only be a matter of time until the battle made its way to Asgard. No sooner than one could think of the possibility, the King in Black summoned his beast Foom to attack Asgard.
Thor ends up arriving in Asgard to assist in the fight with Foom. However, Bill feels that Thor is taking credit for his successes. And there is still some resentment in the air about the destruction of Stormbreaker, especially after Lady Sif rejects his advances after being unable to revert back to his original form. Skuttlebutt is summoned by Bill to take him away to find Odin. Can another hammer be made for him? Can he be able to be looked at with love again and not with disgust? Only the future issues will tell!