AceShowbiz -

Thor is no longer identified as the son of Odin with beards and masculine muscles. On Tuesday, July 15, Marvel announced on "The View" that they're changing the sex of the hammer-wielding superhero into female and revealed her first image.

A new "Thor" series written by Jason Aaron features an artwork by Russell Dauterman. The new Thor is portrayed as a blond woman with a silver outfit carrying the superhero's signature hammer. "The inscription on Thor's hammer reads, 'Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.' Well, it's time to update that inscription," Marvel editor Wil Moss said.

He continued, "The new Thor continues Marvel's proud tradition of strong female characters like Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow and more. And this new Thor isn't a temporary female substitute - she's now the one and only Thor, and she is worthy!"

Aaron provided more explanation, saying, "This is not She-Thor. This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is THOR. This is the THOR of the Marvel universe. But it's unlike any Thor we've ever seen before." One of the "most shocking and exciting changes ever" made in the Marvel universe, the female Thor is their eighth title to feature a lead female character.

The change "aims to speak directly to an audience that long was not the target for superhero comic books in America - women and girls". The new comic book series will launch in October.