Thor (Marvel Comics)

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Thor
Thor-272.jpg
Thor appears in the cover of Thor #272 (June 1978).
Art by John Buscema & Tom Palmer
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962)
Created by Stan Lee
Larry Lieber
Jack Kirby
Based on the mythological character
In-story information
Full name Thor Odinson
Species Asgardian
Place of origin Asgard
Team affiliations Asgard
Avengers
Warriors Three
Thor Corps
Notable aliases Siegmund, Siegfried, Dr. Donald Blake, Jake Olson, Sigurd Jarlson, Eric Masterson
Abilities Superhuman strength, speed, durability and longevity (via the golden apples of Idunn)

Abilities via Mjolnir:

Current wielder of the Odin Force

Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962) and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby.

Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books, the character is based on the Thor of Norse mythology. Thor has starred in several ongoing series; several limited series and has been a perennial member of the superhero team the Avengers, appearing in each of the three titles. The character has also appeared in associated Marvel merchandise including animated television series; clothing; toys; trading cards and video games.

Contents

[edit] Publication history

Writer-editor Stan Lee described Thor's genesis, in the context of having been after the creation of the Hulk:

[H]ow do you make someone stronger than the strongest person? 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.  ...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. ...and it was only natural for me to assign the penciling to Jack Kirby....[1]

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. 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).

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.

Thor debuts on the cover of Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962). Cover art by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott.

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; during this period Thomas integrated many elements of traditional Norse mythology into the title, with specific stories translated into comics form.[2] Following Thomas's tenure, for several years The Mighty Thor had a changing creative team.

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). Simonson was responsible for introducing the character Beta Ray Bill, in what was regarded as a popular and critically acclaimed 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 mainstream Marvel continuity and, with many other Marvel characters, re-imagined in an alternate universe for one year. The Thor title reverted to Journey into Mystery with issue #503 (Nov. 1996), and ran four different, sequential features ("The Lost Gods", "Master of Kung Fu", "Black Widow", and "Hannibal King") before ceasing publication with #521 (June 1998).

When Thor and the other heroes returned to the Marvel Universe, the 85-issue Thor vol. 2 was launched, premiering with #1 (July 1998). This series began using dual numbering to reflect the original Thor series, with issue #36 / #538 (June 2001). Dan Jurgens was writer for a majority of this series' run, leaving with issue #79 (July 2004). Scot G. Eaton joined him, as penciller, on #68-79. They were followed by co-writers Daniel Berman and Michael Avon Oeming and penciller-inker Andrea Di Vito for the "Avengers Disassembled" crossover storyline through the final issue #85 / #587 (Dec. 2004)

A third volume titled Thor premiered with a first issue cover-dated September 2007, written by J. Michael Straczynski and penciled by Olivier Coipel. In January 2009, the third volume reverted to issue #600 (replacing issue #13), reflecting the total number of Thor-centric books, between Journey into Mystery and Thor/Mighty Thor.[5][6]

Writer Brian Michael Bendis said in October 2009, that Thor, along with Captain America and Iron Man, will rejoin the Avengers in the miniseries Siege.[7]

[edit] Fictional biography

Thor's father Odin decides his son needs to be taught humility and consequently places Thor (without memories of godhood) into the body and memories of an existing, partially disabled human medical student, Donald Blake. After becoming a doctor and thoroughly believing himself to be the young surgeon Blake, he later discovers Thor's disguised hammer and learns to change back and forth into the Thunder God. The real Blake's persona remains elsewhere until many years later, after Odin becomes satisfied of Thor's humility and lifts the spell, thereby removing the need for a mortal alter ego.

[edit] Protector of Midgard

Thor battles Hercules on the cover of Thor #126 (March 1966), the first self-titled issue. 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. Thor's time on Earth is marked by battles against supervillains, monsters, cosmic beings, and even other gods.

Thor's principal foe is his adopted brother Loki, who has hated Thor since childhood. Although a master of magic, Loki usually avoids direct confrontations for fear of angering Odin. He is discreetly responsible for the creation and awakening of three of Thor's principal foes: the Absorbing Man;[8] the Wrecker,[9] and the Destroyer.[10] On one noteworthy occasion, Loki's tactics are accidentally beneficial - although successful in using the Hulk to draw Thor into battle, it results in the formation of the superhero team the Avengers, of which Thor is a founding and longstanding member.[11]

When Thor intervenes in the affairs of Earth, it has major repercussions.[12] After reluctantly assuming the throne of Asgard, 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. Wracked with guilt, 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.

When the timeline is reset, Loki revives Surtur, who forges new uru hammers for Loki's Storm Giant followers and begins Ragnarök, "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 stasis, sleeping "the sleep of the gods." With his fate unknown to the Avengers, he is believed to be missing in action.[13]

Thor's hammer Mjolnir is found on Earth and put under U.S. Army protection. Sometime later, the supervillain Doctor Doom is escaping from Hell as Mjolnir falls through that dimensional plane, and tries unsuccessfully to claim the hammer, which eventually comes into the possession of a man carrying a bag with the initials "D.B".[14]

The cover of Thor vol.3, #1 (Sep. 2007). Art by Olivier Coipel.

Donald Blake, upon touching the hammer Mjolnir, is transported to the void of non-existence in which Thor now resides. Blake explains that when Odin originally removed the Blake persona from Thor,[15] Blake was consigned to the void that Thor now inhabits. When Thor entered that void, Blake was suddenly restored to being, in New York City. Blake convinces Thor to wield Mjolnir once more, return to Earth, and renew the dual identity with Blake. Blake also reveals that Thor's fellow Asgardians are actually not dead but hidden on Earth.[16]

Thor rebuilds Asgard in Oklahoma (paying for the land with Asgardian treasure)[17], learns of the events of the Civil War[18] and is angered that Tony Stark and others used his DNA to create a Thor clone (which subsequently kills Bill Foster in a battle between pro and anti-registration heroes).[19] Thor accepts an offer by Stark for Asgard to be considered a foreign embassy, with diplomatic immunity granted to its inhabitants. Thor searches for his fellow Asgardians,[20] and restores each with the exception of Sif, who is trapped in an old woman's body and escapes Thor's notice. The Thunder God eventually searches for his father, and locates Odin in Valhalla, waging constant battle with the fire demon Surtur. Odin advises his son that Thor must lead the Asgardians.[21]

In the limited series Secret Invasion, the character rescues and heals ally Beta Ray Bill, who after being temporarily given Mjolnir, aids Thor in a battle against an invading force of alien Skrulls.[22] Thor also participates in the final battle against the Skrull forces, and is forced to sacrifice Avenger ally the Wasp.[23]

Due to a deception by Loki, Thor battles and kills his grandfather Bor, and is banished from Asgard. With Thor gone, Loki convinces his fellow Asgardians to transport Asgard to Latveria, the home of Doctor Doom.[24] As Mjolnir is damaged in battle with Bor, Thor seeks out Doctor Strange, who is only able to repair the hammer by transferring the Odinforce from the Thunder God to the hammer directly. The process binds the two in a symbiotic relationship. With the repaired hammer Thor is able to draw out the imprisoned Sif.[25]

[edit] Powers and abilities

Like all Asgardians, Thor is not truly immortal but relies upon periodic consumption of the Golden Apples of Idunn to sustain his lifespan, which to date has lasted many millennia. Being the son of Odin and the elder goddess Gaea, the character is physically the strongest of the Norse gods, and has performed such feats as almost lifting the entire World Serpent[26] (stated to encircle the Earth),[27] and hurling the Odinsword, an enormous mystical blade of incalculable weight, through a Celestial.[28] If pressed in battle, Thor is also capable of entering into a state known as the "Warrior's Madness" ("berserksgangr" in Norse), which will temporarily increase his strength tenfold.[29] The character also possesses virtually inexhaustible godly stamina, high resistance to physical injury such as rocket fire[30] and falls from orbital heights[31] and superhuman speed, agility and reflexes. As the Norse god of Thunder, Thor can summon the elements of the storm (lightning; rain; wind; snow) and uses Mjolnir as a tool to focus this ability.

The character is a superb hand-to-hand combatant, and also skilled in armed combat, excelling in the use of the war hammer, sword and mace. Thor possesses two items which assist him in combat: the enchanted Belt of Strength, and his mystical hammer Mjolnir. The first item doubles Thor's strength and endurance[32] while the second is used to control his weather abilities; flight,[33] energy projection and absorption; dimensional apertures; matter manipulation and the most powerful of his offensives, the God Blast[34] and the Anti-Force.[35]

After Odin's death, Thor inherited his father's power, the Odinforce. Thor becomes capable of feats such as reconstructing the Earth's Moon,[36] willing the Asgardian monster Mangog into nothingness[37] and, by focusing his entire power into a hammer throw, decapitating a Desak-occupied Destroyer.[38] Thor also acquires mastery of the Runes, and a level of enlightenment that allows him to free Asgard from the eternal cycle of Ragnarok.[39]

As Donald Blake he is a highly trained and licensed physician and surgeon.

When Mjolnir is damaged, the Odinforce is transferred by Doctor Strange from Thor to the hammer, as the power is required to restore it.[40]

[edit] Supporting Characters

[edit] Other versions

[edit] In mainstream comic continuity

[edit] Ragnarok

This character first appeared as a clone of Thor during the events of Civil War[41] and is revived by the alien Skrull Criti Noll (a Skrull who impersonated hero Henry Pym) to battle Earth's heroes.[42]

[edit] Other versions

[edit] Earth X

In the alternate universe limited series Earth X, Thor and the other Asgardians are members of a shapeshifting alien race, with forms and identities determined by the imagination of "Odin", a human Norse storyteller. Due to Loki's trickery, Thor is female in this universe.[43]

[edit] MC2

In this universe, Thor is the King of Asgard, while Eric Masterson's son Kevin is a member of A-Next, a next-generation version of the Avengers.[44]

[edit] Marvel 1602

In a medieval past, a version of Thor appears with an alter ego of an elderly Christian monk named Donal — an allusion to Thor's original secret identity Donald Blake. Donal fears and despises his alter-ego, believing that summoning a non-Christian deity will damn him.

[edit] 2099

Set in a possible future year 2099, the role of Thor is taken by Cecil MacAdam, who belongs to a class of priests known as "Thorites" who worship the original version of Thor.[45]

[edit] Age of Apocalypse

In the fictional crossover event "Age of Apocalypse", Donald Blake never discovers 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.[46]

[edit] Dargo Ktor

Dargo Ktor is the host of a 26th-century version of Thor, who is empowered when holding Mjolnir, a subject of worship in that century.[47]

[edit] Marvel Mangaverse

A version of Thor appears briefly and aids the heroes against an other-world version of the villain Dormammu.[48]

[edit] Marvel Zombies

In the 2006 miniseries Marvel Zombies, Thor appears as a cannibalistic zombie wielding a makeshift version of a hammer composed of a concrete block and pipe as he is no longer worthy to wield Mjolnir.[49]

[edit] Spider-Ham

In the 1986 series Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham, Thor appears as a dog called Thrr, Dog of Thunder.[50]

[edit] Ultimate Marvel

Thor is a member of the superhero team the Ultimates in the Ultimate Universe.[51] Despite his claims to be a Norse god, he is regarded by many to be a delusional former mental patient. When Thor summons an army of Asgardian warriors to fend off an attack by demonic forces commanded by Loki, the Ultimates realize he truly is a god.[52]

[edit] In other media

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Main series

  • Journey Into Mystery #83-125   (Aug. 1962 - Feb. 1966)
  • Thor (a.k.a. The Mighty Thor) #126-502   (March 1966 - Sept. 1996) #600- (January 2009 - )
  • Thor (a.k.a. The Mighty Thor) vol. 2 #1-85 '#503-587'   (July 1998 - Oct. 2004)
    • Cover-titled The Mighty Thor: Lord of Asgard from #45-67; The Mighty Thor: Lord of Earth from #68-#79
  • Thor vol. 3 #1-12 '#588-599'   (July 2007 - December 2008)
  • Thor #600-present (January 2009 - present)

[edit] Annuals

  • Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 (1966)
  • Thor (a.k.a. The Mighty Thor) Annual #2-19   (1966-1994)
  • Silver Surfer/Thor Annual '98 (1998)
  • Thor Annual '99; 2000; and 2001  (1999-2001)
  • Thor Annual #1-present (2009-present)

[edit] One-shots and limited series

  • Thor - I, Whom The Gods Would Destroy (1987; Marvel Graphic Novel #33)
  • Thor Corps #1-4 (Sept.-Dec. 1993)
  • 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 (Sept. 2003 - Jan. 2004)
  • Thor: Son of Asgard #1-12 (May 2004 - Jan. 2005)
  • Thor: Blood Oath #1-6 (Nov. 2005- Feb. 2006)
  • Thor: Ages of Thunder #1 (June 2008)
  • Thor: Reign of Blood #1 (Aug. 2008)
  • Thor: The Truth of History #1 (Oct. 2008)
  • Thor: Man of War #1 (Nov. 2008)
  • Thor: God-Sized Special #1 (Dec. 2008)

[edit] Collected editions

  • Essential Thor Vol. 1 (Journey into Mystery #83-112)
  • Essential Thor Vol. 2 (Journey into Mystery #113-125, Thor Vol. 1 #126-136, Annual #1-2)
  • Essential Thor Vol. 3 (Thor Vol. 1 #137-166)
  • Essential Thor Vol. 4 (Thor Vol. 1 #167-195)
  • Thor: The Eternals Saga Vol. 1 (Thor Vol. 1 Annual #7 and Thor #283-291)
  • Thor: The Eternals Saga Vol. 2 (Thor #292-301)
  • THOR VISIONARIES: WALTER SIMONSON VOL. 1 (Thor Vol. 1 #337-348)
  • THOR VISIONARIES: WALTER SIMONSON VOL. 2 (Thor Vol. 1 #349-355, #357-359)
  • THOR VISIONARIES: WALTER SIMONSON VOL. 3 (Thor Vol. 1 #360-369)
  • THOR VISIONARIES: WALTER SIMONSON VOL. 4 (Thor Vol. 1 #371-374)
  • THOR VISIONARIES: WALTER SIMONSON VOL. 5 (Thor Vol. 1 #375-382)
  • Thor: Alone Against the Celestials (Thor Vol. 1 #387-389)
  • Thor: World Engine (Thor Vol. 1 #491-494)
  • THOR VISIONARIES: Mike Deodato Jr. (Thor Vol. 1 #491-494, 498-500)
  • Thor: Resurrection (Thor Vol. 2 #1-2)
  • Thor by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr. Volume 1 (Thor Vol. 2 #1-8 and Peter Parker: Spider-Man #2)
  • Thor: The Dark Gods (Thor Vol. 2 #9-13)
  • Thor: Across All Worlds (Thor Vol. 2 #28-35)
  • Thor Vol. 1: Death of Odin (Thor Vol. 2 #36-44)
  • Thor Vol. 2: Lord of Asgard (Thor Vol. 2 #45-50)
  • Thor Vol. 3: Gods On Earth (Thor Vol. 2 #51-58)
  • Thor Vol. 4: Spiral (Thor Vol. 2 #60-67)
  • Thor Vol. 5: The Reigning (Thor Vol. 2 #68-74)
  • Thor Vol. 6: Gods and Men (Thor Vol. 2 #75-79)
  • AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED: THOR (Thor Vol. 2 #80-85)
  • Thor by J. Michael Straczynski Vol. 1 (Thor Vol. 3 #1-6)
  • Thor by J. Michael Straczynski Vol. 2 (Thor Vol. 3 #7-12, #600)

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Excelsior!: The Amazing Life of Stan Lee (Fireside, 2002; ISBN 0-684-87305-2), by Lee and George Mair}
  2. ^ Such as the Ring of Nibelung saga, in The Mighty Thor issues #293–297 (cover dated March – July 1980).
  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. ^ Debuting Thor #600, IGN
  6. ^ Holding the Hammer: JMS Talks Thor, Newsarama, October 17, 2008
  7. ^ "Fresh Ink Online Presents: Brian Michael Bendis Interview", G4TV.com, posted October 6, 2009 (n.d.; when accessed October 10, 2009, posting given as "4 days ago")
  8. ^ First appears Journey Into Mystery #114 (March 1965)
  9. ^ First appears Thor #148 (Jan. 1968)
  10. ^ First appears Journey Into Mystery #118 (July 1965)
  11. ^ The Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963)
  12. ^ Thor vol. 2, #41-85 (Nov. 2001 - Dec. 2004)
  13. ^ Thor vol. 2, #85 (Dec. 2004)
  14. ^ Fantastic Four #536 (May 2006)
  15. ^ Thor #340 (Feb. 1984)
  16. ^ Thor vol. 3, #1 (Sep. 2007)
  17. ^ Thor vol. 3, #2 (Oct. 2007)
  18. ^ Civil War #1 - 7 (June 2006 - Jan. 2007)
  19. ^ Civil War #1 - 7 (July 2006 - Jan. 2007)
  20. ^ Thor vol. 3, #3 - 5 (Nov. 2007 - Jan. 2008)
  21. ^ Thor vol. 3, #7 - 8 (Mar. - Apr. 2008)
  22. ^ Secret Invasion: Thor #1 (Aug. 2008)
  23. ^ Secret Invasion #8 (Nov. 2008)
  24. ^ Thor #600 (Feb. 2009)
  25. ^ Thor #602 (Jun. 2009)
  26. ^ Thor #272 (June 1978)
  27. ^ Thor #379 (May 1987)
  28. ^ Thor #300 Oct. 1980
  29. ^ Thor #166 (July 1969); Hulk#440 (Apr. 1996); Thor #502 (Sep. 1996)
  30. ^ Thor #309 (July 1981)
  31. ^ Thor #324 (Oct. 1982)
  32. ^ Journey Into Mystery #91 (Apr. 1963)
  33. ^ On one occasion Thor uses a chariot drawn by two huge mystical goats, Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder. See Thor #364 - 366 (Feb. - Apr. 1986)
  34. ^ Thor vol. 2, #25 (July 2003)
  35. ^ Thor vol. 2, #12 (June 1999)
  36. ^ Thor vol. 2, #57 (Feb. 2003)
  37. ^ Thor vol. 2, #84 (Nov. 2004)
  38. ^ Thor vol. 2, #79 (July 2004)
  39. ^ Thor vol. 2, #83 - 85 (Oct. - Dec. 2004)
  40. ^ Thor vol. 3, #602 (June 2009)
  41. ^ Civil War #4 (Oct. 2006)
  42. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #21 (Jan. 2009)
  43. ^ Earth X #0 (Mar. 1999); #0.5 (Jan. 2000); #1 - 10 (Apr. 1999 - Jan. 2000); #11 - 12 (Mar. - Apr. 2000); #13 (June 2000)
  44. ^ A-Next #1 (Oct. 1998)
  45. ^ Spider-Man 2099 #15 (1994)
  46. ^ Age of Apocalypse, published in X-Men and related titles 1995 - 1996
  47. ^ Thor Corps #1–4 (1993).
  48. ^ Marvel Mangaverse (2000 - 2002)
  49. ^ Marvel Zombies #1-5 (Feb.-June 2006)
  50. ^ "Tails of Arfgard" backup feature in Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #5 (Jan. (1986)
  51. ^ First appearance in Ultimates #1-13 (March 2002 - April 2004)
  52. ^ Ultimates #13 (April 2004)

[edit] External links