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Thor (Marvel Comics)

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Thor
The Mighty Thor.
Art by Steve McNiven.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceJourney into Mystery vol. 1, #83
(Aug. 1962)
Created byStan Lee
Larry Lieber
Jack Kirby
Based on the mythological character
In-story information
Full nameThor Odinson
SpeciesAsgardian
Place of originAsgard
Team affiliationsAsgard
Avengers
Warriors Three
Thor Corps
Notable aliasesDr. Donald Blake, Jake Olson, Sigurd Jarlson, Eric Masterson
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength, stamina, durability, speed and reflexes,
Extended lifespan,
Weather control
Via Mjolnir:
Flight
Energy projection and absorption
Dimensional travel
Matter manipulation
Force blast

Thor (often called The Mighty Thor) is a fictional character and a superhero appearing in the Marvel Universe. Based on the god of the same name from Nordic mythology and created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Journey into Mystery vol. 1, #83 (Aug. 1962). The uncredited initial inker was Joe Sinnott.[1]

Publication history

Writer-editor Stan Lee described Thor's genesis as following the creation of the Hulk: "I thought it would be fun to invent someone as powerful as, or perhaps even more powerful than, the Incredible Hulk. But how do you make someone stronger than the strongest human? It finally came to me: Don't make him human — make him a god."[2]

Following Thor's debut in the science fiction/fantasy anthology title Journey into Mystery, the 13-page feature "The Mighty Thor" continued to be plotted by Lee but scripted by Lee's brother Larry Lieber or Robert Bernstein (working under the pseudonym "R. Berns"). Penciling was by either Jack Kirby, Joe Sinnott, Don Heck, or, for a single issue, Al Hartley. Then with Journey into Mystery #101 (Feb. 1964), the series began a long and definitive run by Lee and Kirby that lasted until the by-then-retitled The Mighty Thor #179 (Aug. 1970).

In subsequent confrontations with the Hulk, there was never a clear winner in battles between the two.

The five-page featurette "Tales of Asgard" was added in Journey into Mystery # 97 (Oct. 1963) followed by "The Mighty Thor" becoming the dominant cover logo with issue #104 (May 1964). The feature itself expanded to 18 pages in #105, which eliminated the remaining anthological story from each issue; it was reduced to 16 pages five issues later.

Journey into Mystery was retitled The Mighty Thor with issue #126 (March 1966). "Tales of Asgard" was replaced by a five-page featurette starring the "The Inhumans", from #146–152 (Nov. 1967 – May 1968), after which featurettes were dropped and the Thor stories reverted to Marvel's then-standard 20-page length.

Once Kirby left the book, John Buscema and Neal Adams each drew a few issues. Buscema became the regular artist with issue #182 (Nov. 1970) and continued to draw the book almost without interruption until #278 (Dec. 1978).

Lee stopped scripting soon after Kirby left, and during Buscema's long stint on the book, the stories were mostly written by Gerry Conway, Len Wein or Roy Thomas. Thomas continued to write the book after Buscema's departure, working much of the time with the artist Keith Pollard, but for several years The Mighty Thor had a changing creative team.

Journey into Mystery (vol. 1) #83 (Aug. 1962): Thor's debut. Cover art by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott.

Walt Simonson took over both writing and art as of #337 (Nov. 1983). Simonson's run as writer-artist lasted until #367 (May 1986), although he continued to write – and occasionally draw – the book until issue #382 (Aug. 1987). He introduced many popular characters, such as Beta Ray Bill, and dealt with Ragnarok, the end of the world prophesied in Norse mythology, as brought on by the fire demon Surtur. Simonson's run was popular and critically acclaimed, and is often considered to be the modern definitive take on the character since the original Lee-Kirby run.[3][4]

After Simonson's departure, Marvel's editor-in-chief at the time, Tom DeFalco, became the writer. Working primarily with artist Ron Frenz, DeFalco stayed on the book until #459 (Feb. 1993).

As a consequence of the "Heroes Reborn" crossover event of the 1990s, Thor was removed from Earth-616 and revamped in a new universe. The title reverted to Journey into Mystery with issue #503 (Nov. 1996).

When Thor and the other heroes eventually returned to the Earth-616 Marvel Universe, a new Thor title (Thor vol. 2) was launched, which received dual numbering halfway through the run. This second Thor series ran 85 issues (July 1998–Dec 2004), with dual numbering beginning as of vol. 2, #36, with the final issue in the old numbering being #587. (At the time, the Marvel Comics series begun in the 1960s were given dual numbering on the front cover, bearing the present-day volume numbering along with numbering from the original series.)

Dan Jurgens was writer for a majority of this series' entire run, leaving with issue #79, prior to the Avengers Disassembled crossover storyline in Thor #80-85 by writer Mike Avon Oeming and artist Andrea Divito.

Marvel announced in 2006 that Thor will receive a new solo title, to be written by J. Michael Straczynski, in 2007.[5]The first issue of the new Thor series was relased on the week of July 4th, 2007.

Fictional character biography

The Marvel version of Thor is noble and very self-assured, sometimes to the point of arrogance. After Thor's arrogance caused him to violate a truce between the Asgard and the Frost Giants, Odin decided that his son needed to be taught humility and consequently placed Thor (without memories of godhood) into the body and memories of an existing, partially disabled human medical student, Donald Blake. Thoroughly believing himself to be the young surgeon Blake, the now-mrotal Thor thus walked among the sick and weak, learning to care for them despite their limitations,w ile his own weakness taught him Some time later, Blake discovered Thor's hammer- initially disguised as a walking stick- and learned to change back and forth into the Thunder God by simply stamping it against the ground.

For a long time, Thor remains ignorant of this origin until many years later, after Odin becomes satisfied of Thor's humility following his initial confrontation with the Wrecker- despite having recently had most of his powers taken from him- and lifts the spell that blocked Thor's memories of his immediate past prior to becoming Blake. The mortal experience, however, shapes Thor into an honorable and courteous individual, who is loyal to all comrades.

Protector of Midgard

Thor (vol. 1) #126 (March 1966). The premiere, after the retitling of Journey into Mystery.
Cover art by Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta.

Being the son of the Elder Goddess Gaea, Thor has a natural affinity for Earth and feels obliged to protect the mortals that occupy it, both as Thor and as Doctor Donald Blake. Thor's time on Earth is marked by battles against supervillains, monsters, cosmic beings and even other gods. During his early days, Thor is romantically interested in Donald Blake's nurse, Jane Foster, but, with Jane unable to accept his godhood, the two eventually part ways and Thor reunites with Sif.

Thor's principal foe is his adopted brother Loki, who has hated Thor since childhood. While a master of magic with power that dwarfs even that of Earth's Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Strange,[6] Loki prefers to employ the use of minions in his battle against Thor. Ever the schemer, Loki is cautious not to be seen to be directly involved for fear of angering Odin. To that end, Loki creates two ubiquitous foes of Thor — the Absorbing Man and the Wrecker (Although the last was by accident). Loki also tricks others into fighting on his behalf, such as the giant Asgardian troll Ulik, the dragon Fafnir and the Silver Surfer.

Sometimes, however, Loki overreaches himself and faces disaster. Guiding a mortal to the shrine of the Asgardian Destroyer — which then absorbs the mortal's essence and battles Thor — almost proves fatal for Loki, as Odin became aware of the conflict and promises that should Thor perish, the trickster god would quickly follow. On another occasion, Loki uses the Hulk as a lure to draw Thor out; while this proved successful, it resulted in the formation of the superhero team the Avengers, of which Thor is a founding and longstanding member.[7]

Thor had mortal foes such as the Grey Gargoyle, but among his most powerful enemies are such Asgardian monsters as Mangog, the Frost Giants, the Enchanters Three, the Executioner, Malekith the Accursed, the Midgard Serpent and the fire-demon Surtur. Thor's gallery of mystical/cosmic rogues extends to Mephisto, Thanos, the God Eater, the Dark Gods, the Shi'ar Praetor Gladiator, and the god-slayer Desak. Thor has even fought against the combined might of the Celestials, when their Fourth Host arrived to judge Earth.[8]

Thor eventually sacrificed his identity as Donald Blake when Odin transferred the enchantment enabling Thor to change into mortal form and back from Thor's hammer to that of his new ally and alien counterpart, Beta Ray Bill. With the aid of Nick Fury, Thor adopted the 'new' secret identity of construction worker Sigurd Jarlson (Although this 'disguise' simply featured him dressing in civilian clothes rather than actually transforming).

Eric Masterson

File:Thor-433.jpg
Eric Masterson as the new Thor

During his time as Sigurd Jarlson, Thor befriended fellow construction worker Eric Masterson, who briefly became a 'replacement' for Donald Blake, with Thor and him exchanging places in a similar manner. When Thor apparently killed Loki in a rage following the God of Evil's attempt to kill Susan Austin, the woman who cared for Eric's son, Thor was exiled from Earth and Eric was entrusted with his power and position as protector of Migard. Eventually, it was revealed that Loki had simply faked his death, and Eric was able to restore Thor to the world. Having proven himself as a hero, Eric was rewarded with the enchanted mace Thunderstrike by Odin himself, fighting as a hero on Earth for some time until he was slain by Seth, the Egyptian death god. Thor grieved for Eric, who had been the closes friend he had made among humanity.

Onslaught

In an attempt to thwart Ragnarok, Odin attempted to convince the world-ash tree Yggdrasil that Ragnarok had already happened, transforming the Asgardians into mortals so that they wouldn't be recognised as gods. The intention was that Thor would reactivate the Asgardians, but this plan was complicated both by the actions of Seth and the coming of Onslaught, whose defeat resulted in Thor and other heroes being sent to Counter-Earth by Franklin Richards. After his return, Thor learned that the Asgardians had been captured by the Dark Gods, old enemies of Asgard who he had helped Odin defeat when he was an infant. Initially, Thor was practically powerless against them- one of them even managed to damage Mjolnir- but after he defeated Tokkots, one of the Dark Gods, with the aid of Spider-Man, Thor regrouped and was able to save his fellow Asgardians with the aid of Hercules and the Destroyer armour.

Jake Olson

After a paramedic named Jake Olson was slain during a battle between the Avengers and the Destroyer, Marnot, a servant of Odin, gave Thor Olson's form as a new identity. Although Thor could assume Olson's form- much as he had once assumed the form of Donald Blake-, he had none of Olson's memories and thus found this identity to be troublesome for him. He also re-encountered Jane Foster while in this identity, and brief sparks were rekindled between them. Odin finally separated Olson from Thor, and Olson was allowed to return to his own life.

The Reigning

File:Thor55.jpg
The Reigning: Thor (vol. 2) #55. Cover art by Tom Raney.

Much of the second volume of the title deals with the consequences of Thor's decision to intervene in the affairs of Earth.[9] After reluctantly assuming the throne of Asgard following Odin's death at the hands of Surtur the Fire Demon, Thor sees mortals at their worst and reshapes the world in his image.

A nightmarish future follows as Thor and the Asgardians conquer Earth and slay or imprison those who oppose them, including a young religious mutant called Davis; Zarrko the Tomorrow Man; Perrikus of the Dark Gods; the U.S. Government, and even his fellow Avengers. He marries Amora, the Enchantress, and has a son, Magni. Eventually realising that he has done wrong, and wracked with guilt over his actions, Thor is eventually drawn into a final battle with Tarene and a Desak-occupied Destroyer in a time-travel bid to undo what he has done, re-merging his younger self with Jake Olson so that Olson's humanity will prevent him from repeating his actions all over again.

As soon as the timeline is reset, Loki revives Surtur, who forges new uru hammers for Loki's Storm Giant followers and begins Ragnarok, a.k.a. Götterdämmerung or "the twilight of the gods". Thor learns that the Ragnarok cycle is the result of self-styled "gods to the gods" known as Those Who Sit Above in Shadow, who feed on the cycle. Thor confronts the Norns (Fates), breaking the Ragnarok cycle, and then enters a self-induced state of non-existence, sleeping "the sleep of the gods." With his fate unknown to the Avengers, he was believed to be missing in action.[10]

Civil War

Two years later and just prior to the events of Civil War, Thor's hammer Mjolnir is found on Earth and put under U.S. Army protection. Six months later, Doctor Doom - who escapes from Hell as Mjolnir falls through that dimensional plane - tries unsuccessfully to claim the hammer. The hammer is later claimed by a mysterious man carrying a bag with the initials "D.B".[11] During a battle between the two Civil War superhero factions, "Thor" appears and kills Goliath.[12] This version of Thor is later revealed to be a fusion of cloning technology and cybernetics created by Reed Richards and Henry Pym. Enraged by the clone's mockery of his old friend and comrade, anti-registration hero Hercules destroys the clone in a final battle between the factions, proclaiming "Thou are no THOR!" as he shatters the clone's head with its own hammer. [13] The remains of the clone are currently stored in the laboratories at Camp Hammond.[14]

Thor's Resurrection

The return of Thor begins with the return of Donald Blake. When Blake touches the hammer, the lighting bolt sends him to meet Thor at the void where the god has been since the end of the previous volume. It turns out that when Odin removed the Donald Blake persona from Thor, it did not really erase him from existence, and Blake had simply been living in the same void that Thor was currently in. It was not until Thor's breaking the Ragnarok cycle that the magic that kept Blake confined disappeared, and the doctor re-appeared in New York city. After a brief exchange of words, Blake convinces Thor to pick up the hammer and come back to life. Thor returns to earth, and the dual identity of Donald Blake is restored. Blake has mentioned that Thor's fellow gods are really hidden around the world, and it is up to him to find them and wake them up.

Powers and abilities

Thor is the Norse god of thunder and lightning. Like all Asgardians, Thor is not truly immortal but relies upon periodic consumption of the Golden Apples of Idun to sustain his lifespan, which to date has lasted many millennia.

The strongest of the Norse gods, Thor has performed feats such as lifting a segment of the World Serpent's mass, lifting and hurling the Odinsword, an extra-dimensional object of incredible power, through a Celestial.[15] He is also capable of matching other Marvel powerhouses such as the Hulk, [16] Hercules, [17] and Gladiator. [18] He also possesses godly stamina, is highly resistant to physical injury and possesses superior speed and reflexes. If pressed in battle, Thor is capable of entering into a state known as the "Warrior's Madness", which will temporarily increase his strength tenfold.[19]

Thor is also a superb hand-to-hand combatant and has mastered a number of weapons such as the war hammer, sword, and mace. Thor is also very cunning and intuitive in battle, with many centuries of experience. Thor possesses two items that assist him in combat: the Belt of Strength and his mystical hammer Mjolnir. The first item doubles Thor's strength,[20] while the second is used for flight; weather control; energy projection and absorption; dimensional control; matter manipulation and the most powerful of Thor's offensives, the God Blast[21] and the Anti-Force.[22] Thor also possesses a pair of gauntlets which enable him to wield Mjolnir when using these latter offensives.[23]

Thor eventually inherits the Odinforce, and becomes as powerful as his father, Odin. In this form, Thor is capable of manipulating vast amounts of energy for a variety of purposes including temporary augmentation of physical attributes, energy projection, matter manipulation and interdimensional teleportation. While in possession of the Odinforce, Thor is capable of decapitating a Desak-occupied Destroyer with one hammer throw. Thor later acquired the knowledge of the Runes and a level of enlightenment that allowed him to free Asgard from the eternal cycle of Ragnarok. Leaving Asgard to become "Endgame Thor" and a cosmic deity, he entered into hibernation in an unknown location in space[24]. Although he has recently awoken from this coma, it remains to be seen how his powers have been affected by this latest transition.

Other versions

1602

In the miniseries Marvel 1602 #1-8 (Nov. 2003 - June 2004), Thor appears with an alter ego of an elderly Christian priest named Donal — an allusion to Thor's original secret identity Donald Blake. Donal fears and despises his alter-ego, believing that hosting it will damn him to hell. Despite this, he summons Thor when needed.

2099

In the Marvel 2099 line of comics, set in the year 2099, the role of Thor is taken by a man named Cecil MacAdam, who belongs to a class of priests known as "Thorites." [25]

Age of Apocalypse

In the 1995-1996 fictional crossover event "Age of Apocalypse", published in X-Men and related titles and taking place in an alternate universe, Donald Blake never discovers that he is the reincarnation of Thor, and is instead an agent of the Human High Council and a doctor, traveling with Gwen Stacy to provide aid in human refugee camps. [26]

Eric Masterson

Eric Masterson is initially bonded with Thor after Thor is punished for apparently killing Loki. Thor is eventually freed and in gratitude Odin provides Masterson with an enchanted mace, which he uses under the alias of Thunderstrike.[27]

Marvel Zombies

In the alternate-universe miniseries Marvel Zombies #1-5 (Feb.-June 2006), Thor appears as a cannibalistic zombie wielding a makeshift version of a hammer composed of a concrete block and pipe, presumably because he is no longer worthy to wield Mjolnir in his cannibalistic state. In Dead Days, he was one of the last heroes trying to fight off the other zombie heroes before being infected.

Spider-Ham

In the 1985-1987 alternate-universe series Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham' from Marvel's children's line, Star Comics, Thor made at least one appearance as a dog called Thrr Dog of Thunder.[28]

Thor Corps

In the miniseries Thor Corps #1-4 (Sept.-Dec. 1993), Dargo Ktor is the host of a 26th-century version of Thor. [29]

Ultimate Marvel

Main article: Ultimate Thor

Thor is a member of the superhero team the Ultimates in the Ultimate Marvel Universe. Although believing himself to be a Norse god, he is regarded by many to be delusional. [30]

In other media

Television

File:MSH-Thor 1966TVtoon.jpg
A "Mighty Thor" title card from segment The Marvel Superheroes

Video games

Film

Toys

  • In the 1970s, Mego released a Thor action figure, one of many Marvel characters released by them. This figure is one of the primary characters used by Toyfare: The Toy Magazine for their comic strip Twisted ToyFare Theater.
  • A Thor action figure was released by Toy Biz in the early 1990s as part of their Marvel Superheroes toyline.
  • Toy Biz released a Thor action figure as part of a box set of the Original Avengers. This set also included action figures of the Giant-Man, Hulk and Iron Man as well as miniature figures of Ant-Man and Wasp.
  • A short-lived Avengers toyline was produced by Toy Biz which included both Thor and his half-brother Loki.
  • Thor has appeared twice in the Toy Biz's Marvel Legends toy line.
  • He also has seen once release thus far in Hasbro's Marvel Legends toy line.

Bibliography

Main series

  • Journey into Mystery #83-125   (Aug. 1962 - Feb. 1966)
  • Thor (a.k.a. The Mighty Thor) #126-502   (March 1966 - Sept. 1996)
  • Thor Corps #1-4   (Sept.-Dec. 1993)
  • Thor (a.k.a. The Mighty Thor; #1-85   (July 1998 - Oct. 2004)
    • Cover-titled The Mighty Thor: Lord of Asgard from #45-67; The Mighty Thor: Lord of Earth from #68-#79

Annuals

  • Journey into Mystery Annual #1 (1966)
  • Thor (a.k.a. The Mighty Thor) Annual #2-19   (1966 - 1994)
  • Thor Annual '98; '99; 2000; and 2001  (1998-2001)

One-shots and limited series

  • Thor - I, Whom The Gods Would Destroy (1988: Marvel Graphic Novel #33)
  • Thor: Rough Cut #1 (Sept. 1998; pencil-only reprint of Thor vol. 2, #1)
  • Thor: Godstorm #1-3 (Nov. 2001 - Jan. 2002)
  • Thor: Vikings #1-5 (2004)
  • Thor: Son of Asgard #1-12 (May 2004 - Jan. 2005)
  • Thor: Blood Oath #1-6 (Nov. 2005- Feb. 2006)

See also

References

  1. ^ Per The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators, "On the letter page of Thor (I) #433, Ron Frenz claims that this story was inked by Joe Sinnott; confirmed by [Sinnot's son,] Mark Sinnott".
  2. ^ In his autobiography Excelsior!: The Amazing Life of Stan Lee (Fireside, 2002; ISBN 0-684-87305-2), by Lee and George Mair, Lee gave his perspective of Thor's genesis:

    I wanted to come up with something totally different. I thought it would fun to invent someone as powerful as, or perhaps even more powerful than, the Incredible Hulk. But how do you make someone stronger than the strongest human? It finally came to me: Don't make him human — make him a god. I decided readers were already pretty familiar with the Greek and Roman gods. It might be fun to delve into the old Norse legends.... Besides, I pictured Norse gods looking like Vikings of old, with the flowing beards, horned helmets, and battle clubs. I liked imagery.
    One of our established titles, Journey into Mystery, needed a shot in the arm, so I picked Thor ... to headline the book. After writing an outline depicting the story and the characters I had in mind, I asked my brother, Larry, to write the script because I didn't have time. ...[A]nd it was only natural for me to assign the penciling to Jack Kirby, who drew it as though he had spent his whole life in Asgard, the home of the gods.
  3. ^ Review of a trade paperback collecting some of Simonson's run at PopImage.com
  4. ^ Essay on what makes certain stories definitive at Silver bullet Comics.
  5. ^ "Marvel's Big Plans Revealed at Baltimore Retailer Conference"
  6. ^ Strange Tales #123 (Aug. 1964)
  7. ^ Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963)
  8. ^ Thor #300 (Oct. 1980)
  9. ^ Thor vol. 2, #41 - 85
  10. ^ Thor # 85
  11. ^ Fantastic Four # 536
  12. ^ Civil War #4 (October 2006)
  13. ^ Civil War #7 (2007)
  14. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #2
  15. ^ Thor vol. 1, #300
  16. ^ Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #118
  17. ^ Thor Annual #1 (1965)
  18. ^ Thor vol. 2, #35
  19. ^ Thor vol. 1, #502
  20. ^ First mentioned in Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #91
  21. ^ Thor vol. 2, #12
  22. ^ Thor vol. 2, #25
  23. ^ Thor vol.1, #381
  24. ^ Thor vol. 2, #85
  25. ^ Spider-Man 2099 #15
  26. ^ Age of Apocalypse 1995 - 1996
  27. ^ Thor vol. 1, #391
  28. ^ "Tails of Arfgard" backup feature in Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #5 (Jan. (1986)
  29. ^ Thor Corps #1-4 (1993).
  30. ^ Ultimates #1-13 (March 2002 - April 2004), Ultimates 2 (Feb. 2005 - Feb. 2007), Ultimates Annual #1 & 2 (Oct. 2005 & Oct. 2006)
  31. ^ IMDb listing for 2004 TV special The Best TV Shows That Never Were
  32. ^ Marvel Studios Analyst Day Webcast (Aug. 10, 2006) PDF
  33. ^ Jay A. Fernandez (2007-06-13). "Next 'Silver Surfer': Make it gnarly". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-06-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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