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Mighty Thor Website
The Lee/Kirby Thor Era JiM #101-125, Thor #136-177 Character
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Lee
and Kirby returned to the title and would embark on an impressive creative
run that would bring Marvel's version of the Norse myths to life.
Blake fell in love with his nurse, Jane Foster, but Thor's responsibilities prevent him from telling her how he feels. Little time is spent on Blake's character development and a later story line would explain that he was artificially created by Odin and therefor had no past. Blake was key to the story, however, in that he added a vulnerability to this formidable character. Blake's love for Jane soon become overpowering, but Odin forbid Thor from marrying a mortal woman. Thor challenges Odin over the right to love Jane and Odin exiles him from Asgard. The pinnacle of the Lee/Kirby run were issues #101-116 with creative plots by Lee combined with stunning artwork by Kirby and Chic Stone. Zarrko the Tomorrow Man, the Enchantress and the Executioner, Surtur, Odin, Cobra and Mr. Hyde, Grey Gargoyle, Loki, Dr. Strange, Magneto, Incredible Hulk and the Avengers, the Absorbing Man!! 'Nuff Said! Journey into Mystery #112 is one of my all-time favorites featuring an all-out slugfest between Thor and Hulk that took during the events of Avengers # 3. Chic Stone was replaced by Vince Colletta and I just couldn't appreciate his inking. It detracted from Kirby's penciled art rather than highlighting it. The title had a name change with issue #125. Journey Into Mystery became The Mighty Thor. The next couple of years would mark the pinnacle for this series. This Lee and Kirby run introduced Hercules and the Greco-Roman Pantheon, and the High Evolutionary and his New Men; add a sci-fi/cosmic feel and put Thor into deep space where he learns Galactus' origins, meets Galactus, Ego, the Colonizers, and the Recorder; explore a variety of other Norse Myths introducing Geirrodur, Ulik, Karnilla with Balder and Sif taking on a more prominent role. The next year, The Mighty Thor #170-181, was also fantastic with Bill Everett replacing Vince Colletta as inker for a few issues. This run highlight a lot of great stories by Stan Lee: the rampaging Wrecker, Krash the Mindslave, Ulik and the Circus of Crime, the carnage of Crypto- Man, and Loki's boldest plot to seize power in Asgard. Neal Adams would pencils issues 179-181 as Loki swaps minds with Thor as his body is sent to Mephisto realm. These issues focus on Thor's supporting cast, Balder, Sif, and the Warriors Three. |