Marvel has made the bold decision to change the sex of one of their most established characters. Thor is no longer a guy; he’s a girl. Or she’s a girl. Forgive us while we acclimatise ourselves.

ThorChris Hemsworth as Thor - We'll be seeing a female actor take this role soon enough

Thor, who is based on the god of thunder of Norse myth, will be a female lead when the new series of comics (written by Jason Aaron with art by Russell Dauterman) hits in October. This, according to Marvel, is "one of the most shocking and exciting changes ever to shake one of the 'big three' of Captain America, Iron Man and Thor".

This is obviously a monumental move for the role of women in comic books and pop culture generally. But it does have some serious ramifications for the lore ‘o’ Thor, too. "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," said Marvel editor Wil Moss in a statement.

More: Marvel Announces New Comic With Female Thor. #NerdRage Ensues.

"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!" Well, perhaps those ramifications aren’t so big after all; you just change the inscription on the hammer, there, and we’re golden!

"This is not She-Thor. This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is THOR,” said writer Jason Aaron of the change. “This is the THOR of the Marvel Universe. But it’s unlike any Thor we’ve ever seen before." What do you think of the change up? Are we heralding a truly equal place for men and women to be whatever they want to be? Or are we messing with some seriously complicated back story? Let us know your thoughts in the poll below.