Jump to content

Thor (Marvel Comics): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Cydebot (talk | contribs)
6,812,251 edits
m Robot - Moving category Fictional atmokineticists to Fictional weather manipulators per CFD at Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 September 9.
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Superherobox| <!--Part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
{{comics-tense-date|August 2006}}{{Superherobox| <!--Part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
image=[[Image:Civilwar4.jpg|250px]]
image=[[Image:Civilwar4.jpg|250px]]
|caption=Promotional art for ''Civil War'' #4, by Michael Turner
|caption=Solicitation cover art for ''Civil War'' #4, by Michael Turner
|comic_color=background:#ff8080
|comic_color=background:#ff8080
|character_name=Thor
|character_name=Thor
Line 30: Line 30:


The five-page featurette "Tales of Asgard" was added in issue #97 (Oct. 1963). ''The Mighty Thor'' became the dominant cover logo with #104 (May 1964), and the feature itself expanded to 18 pages the following issue, squeezing out the remaining anthological story that had been appearing each issue. The main feature quickly scaled back to 16 pages, starting with #110 (Nov. 1964), but regardless, the series had become Thor's solo title in all but name. That was rectified with #126 (March 1966), when the book was renamed ''The Mighty Thor'', its common title and logo treatment, though it was formally simply ''Thor'' in postal indicia. "Tales of Asgard" was replaced by the five-page featurette "[[The Inhumans]]", by Lee and Kirby, from issue #146-152 (Nov. 1967 - May 1968), after which featurettes were dropped and the Thor stories went to Marvel's then-standard 20-page length.
The five-page featurette "Tales of Asgard" was added in issue #97 (Oct. 1963). ''The Mighty Thor'' became the dominant cover logo with #104 (May 1964), and the feature itself expanded to 18 pages the following issue, squeezing out the remaining anthological story that had been appearing each issue. The main feature quickly scaled back to 16 pages, starting with #110 (Nov. 1964), but regardless, the series had become Thor's solo title in all but name. That was rectified with #126 (March 1966), when the book was renamed ''The Mighty Thor'', its common title and logo treatment, though it was formally simply ''Thor'' in postal indicia. "Tales of Asgard" was replaced by the five-page featurette "[[The Inhumans]]", by Lee and Kirby, from issue #146-152 (Nov. 1967 - May 1968), after which featurettes were dropped and the Thor stories went to Marvel's then-standard 20-page length.

Lee had plotted the book, generally with penciler Kirby as uncredited co-plotter, since its inception. Following scripters Lieber and [[Robert Bernstein]] (writing under the [[pseudonym]] "R. Berns"), Lee took over the scripting with ''Journey into Mystery'' #97. ''Thor'' introduced to Marvel characters and concepts such as [[Ego the Living Planet]], Marvel's version of [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]] and the [[Doctor Moreau]]-like cosmic geneticist the [[High Evolutionary]].


[[Image:Thor126.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Mighty Thor'' #126 (March 1966), the premiere issue after the retitling from ''Journey into Mystery''. Art by Jack Kirby & [[Vince Colletta]]]]
[[Image:Thor126.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Mighty Thor'' #126 (March 1966), the premiere issue after the retitling from ''Journey into Mystery''. Art by Jack Kirby & [[Vince Colletta]]]]


In 2007, as a result of [[Civil War]], Thor will receive his own title again. The scheduled writer is [[J. Michael Stratynczski]].
As a consequence of the "[[Heroes Reborn]]" [[fictional crossover|crossover]] event of the 1990s, Thor was removed from [[Earth-616]] and revamped in a new universe. As a result he was removed from his own his own series, and with issue #503 (Nov. 1996) the book returned to its original title. Once again ''Journey into Mystery'', the series continued with the feature "The Lost Gods" through #513 (Oct. 1997), after which it became a showcase featuring two to three issues each of [[Shang Chi, Master of Kung Fu]], the [[Black Widow (Marvel Comics)|Black Widow]] and [[Hannibal King]], ending with #521 (June 1998).

When Thor and the other heroes returned to the regular Marvel Universe in the subsequent "Heroes Return" crossover, Thor starred in a new solo title, ''Thor'' Vol. 2, which ran 85 issues (July 1998 - Dec. 2004). It received dual numbering partway through, continuing the original series' numbering; the final issue was #85/#587. Marvel announced in 2006{{fact}} that will receive a new solo title, to be written by written by [[J. Michael Straczynski]], in 2007.


==Character Biography==
==Character Biography==
===Origin===
===Origin===
The Marvel version of Thor follows traditional Norse myth to a point. The Marvel version has been seen in [[flashback (literary technique)|flashback]]s as a child and teen godling who, in his early adulthood, becomes arrogant and self-righteous. Odin, determining his son needed to be taught humility, places Thor, without memories of godhood, into the body and memories of an existing, partially disabled human medical student, Donald Blake. Getting his M.D. 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 remained elsewhere until many years later, after Odin becomes satisfied of Thor's humility and lifts the spell, obviating the need for a mortal alter ego.
The Marvel version of Thor follows traditional Norse myth to a point. The Marvel version has been seen in [[flashback (literary technique)|flashback]]s as a child and teen godling who, in his early adulthood, became arrogant and self-righteous. Odin, determining his son needed to be taught humility, placed Thor, without memories of godhood, into the body and memories of an existing, partially disabled human medical student, Donald Blake. Getting his M.D. and thoroughly believing himself to be the young surgeon Blake, he later discovered Thor's disguised hammer and learned to change back and forth into the Thunder God. The real Blake's persona remained elsewhere until many years later, after Odin had become satisfied of Thor's humility and lifted the spell, obviating the need for a mortal alter ego.


===Personality===
===Personality===
Line 47: Line 43:


===Protector of Midgard===
===Protector of Midgard===
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 has been marked by constant battles against super villains, monsters, cosmic beings and even other gods. 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 [[Dr. Strange]], Earth's Sorcerer Supreme, 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 long-lasting foes - the [[Absorbing Man]] and the [[Wrecker (comics)|Wrecker]]. Loki also tricks others into fighting on his behalf, such as the giant Asgardian troll [[Ulik]], the dragon [[Fafnir (comics)|Fafnir]] and the [[Silver Surfer]].
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 has been marked by constant battles against super villains; monsters; cosmic beings and even other gods. 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]], 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 created two foes that still plague Thor to this day, being the [[Absorbing Man]] and the [[Wrecker (comics)|Wrecker]]. Loki has also tricked others into fighting on his behalf, such as the giant Asgardian troll [[Ulik]]; the dragon [[Fafnir (comics)]] and the [[Silver Surfer]].


Sometimes, however, Loki over-reaches himself and faces disaster. Guiding a mortal to the shrine of the Asgardian [[Destroyer (comics)|Destroyer]] - which then absorbs the mortal's essence and battles Thor - almost proves fatal for Loki, as Odin became aware of the conflict and promised that should Thor perish, the trickster god would quickly follow. On another occasion Loki uses the [[Hulk]] as a lure to draw Thor out, which while proving successful, resulted in the formation of the superhero team the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]], of which Thor is a founding and longstanding member.
Sometimes, however, Loki over-reaches himself and faces disaster. Guiding a mortal to the shrine of the Asgardian [[Destroyer (comics)]] - which then absorbed the mortal's essence and battled Thor - almost proved fatal for Loki, as Odin became aware of the conflict and promised that should Thor perish, the trickster god would quickly follow. On another occasion Loki used the [[Hulk]] as a lure to draw Thor out, which while proving successful, resulted in the formation of the superhero team the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]. Thor was a founding member and remained with the team for many years.


Other foes include the [[Wrecking Crew]], the [[Grey Gargoyle]], [[Mangog]], the [[Frost Giants]], the [[Midgard Serpent (comics)|Midgard Serpent]], arch fire-demon [[Surtur]], [[Mephisto]], the [[Dark Gods (comics)|Dark Gods]], the [[Sh'iar]] Praetor [[Gladiator]] and the god-slayer [[Desak]]. Thor even once fought against the combined might of the [[Celestials]], when their Fourth Host arrived to judge Earth.
Thor's other mortal foes include the [[Wrecking Crew]] and the [[Grey Gargoyle]], but his greatest enemies have always been the Asgardian "monsters", which include [[Mangog]]; the [[Frost Giants]]; the [[Enchanters Three]]; the [[Midgard Serpent (comics)]] and arch fire-demon [[Surtur]]. Thor's gallery of mystical/cosmic Rogues also extends to beings such as [[Mephisto]]; and in more recent times the [[Dark Gods (comics)]]; the Sh'iar Praetor [[Gladiator]] and the god-slayer [[Desak]]. Thor's greatest battle, however, was quite possibly against the combined might of the [[Celestials]], when their Fourth Host arrived to judge Earth.


===The Reigning===
===The Reigning===
[[Image:Thor44.jpg|thumb|200px|Thor becomes the ruler of Asgard upon Odin's death. Promotional art for ''Thor'' #44, Volume 2, by [[Ariel Olivetti]].]]
[[Image:Thor44.jpg|thumb|200px|Thor becomes the ruler of Asgard upon Odin's death. Solicitation cover to ''Thor'' #44, Volume 2. Art by [[Ariel Olivetti]].]]
The second volume of the Thor comic saw significant development for both Thor and his supporting cast. From #41 until the final issue #85, the title dealt with the consequences of Thor's decision to intervene in the affairs of Earth. After reluctantly assuming the throne of Asgard and a battle with the God Slayer [[Desak]] and the Grey Gargoyle, Thor sees mortals at their worst and decides to reshape the world in his image. A young religious fanatic, [[Zarrko the Tomorrow Man]], [[Perrikus]] of the Dark Gods, the US Government and even his fellow Avengers oppose this plan. This only serves to aggravate Thor and make him even more determined to succeed. A nightmarish future follows as Thor and the Asgardians conquer the world and slay all who oppose them, including many of Thor's former allies. Even with Amora, [[the Enchantress]], as his wife and a son, [[Magni]], Thor is still wracked with guilt and is drawn into a final battle with Loki and a Desak-occupied Destroyer in a bid to undo what he has done.
The second volume of the Thor comic saw significant development for both Thor and his supporting cast. From #41 until the final issue #85, the title dealt with the consequences of Thor's decision to intervene in the affairs of Earth. After reluctantly assuming the throne of Asgard and a battle with the God Slayer [[Desak]] and the Grey Gargoyle, Thor sees mortals at their worst and decides to reshape the world in his image. Resistance to Thor's plans - in the form of a young religious fanatic; [[Zarrko the Tomorrow Man]]; [[Perrikus]] of the Dark Gods; the US Government and even his fellow Avengers - only serves to aggravate Thor and make him even more determined to succeed. A nightmarish future follows as Thor and the Asgardians conquer the world and slay all who oppose them, including many of Thor's former allies. Even with Amora, [[the Enchantress]], as his wife and a son, [[Magni]], Thor is still wracked with guilt and is drawn into a final battle with Loki and a Desak-occupied Destroyer in a bid to undo what he has done.


===Ragnarok===
===Ragnarok===
[[image:THOR 83image big.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Promotional art for ''Thor'' #83, Volume 2, by Steve Epting.]]
[[image:THOR 83image big.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Solicitation cover to''Thor'' #83, Volume 2. Art by Steve Epting.]]
Continuing on directly after the Reigning, this arc marks the start of Gotterdammerung - The Twilight of the Gods - and the end of the second title. Loki betrays Asgard and revives Surtur, who agrees to forge new uru hammers for Loki's Storm Giant followers in exchange for Rangnarok. With Asgard on the brink of destruction and Beta Ray Bill leading the Asgardians, Thor undergoes an even more brutal version of the trials of Odin, and in so doing learns that the Ragnarok cycle was the result of the self-styled "gods to the gods" known as Those Who Sit Above in Shadow, who like parasites fed on every mythical cycle. Now equipped with the power of the Runes and in "Endgame" form, Thor confronts his foes the Norns (Fates) themselves. The Ragnarok cycle is broken, and Beta Ray Bill is returned to Earth. Thor then enters hibernation in deep space, with his fate unknown to the Avengers, who simply believe him to be missing in action.
Continuing on directly after the Reigning, this arc marked the start of Gotterdammerung - The Twilight of the Gods - and the end of the title. Loki betrays Asgard and revives Surtur, who agrees to forge new uru hammers for Loki's Storm Giant followers in exchange for Rangnarok. With Asgard on the brink of destruction and Beta Ray Bill leading the Asgardians, Thor undergoes an even more brutal version of the trials of Odin, and in so doing learned that the Ragnarok cycle was the result of the self-styled "gods to the gods" known as Those Who Sit Above in Shadow, who like parasites fed on every mythical cycle. Now equipped with the power of the Runes and in "Endgame" form, Thor confronts his foes the Norns (Fates) themselves. The Ragnarok cycle is broken, and Beta Ray Bill is returned to Earth. Thor then entered hibernation in deep space, with his fate unknown to the Avengers, who simply believe him to be missing in action.


===Civil War===
===Civil War : Thor's Return?===
{{main|Civil War (comics)}}
{{see also|Civil War (comics)}}
[[Image:Cw4.jpg|thumb|275px|Promotional art for ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' #4, by [[Steve McNiven]].]]
[[Image:Cw4.jpg|thumb|275px|Solicitation cover to ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' #4. Art by [[Steve McNiven]].]]
In ''Fantastic Four'' #536, Thor's hammer Mjolnir is found on Earth and put under [[U.S. Army]] protection. Six months later, [[Doctor Doom]], who escaped from Hell as Mjolnir fell through that dimensional plane, tries unsuccessfully to claim the hammer. Later, a man wearing a backpack with the initials "D.B." (the initials of Thor's former alias, Donald Blake) lays his hands on Mjolnir and both vanish. Thor — or at least a version of Thor — appears on the last page of ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' #3, among proponents of the Superhuman Registration Act. <!-- Do not add any Thor-killing info, irrelevant at present -->
In Fantastic Four #536, Volume 1, Thor's hammer Mjolnir was found on Earth and put under U.S. Army protection. Six months later, [[Doctor Doom]], who escaped from Hell as Mjolnir fell through that plane, tries unsuccessfully to claim the hammer for himself. Later still a man wearing a backpack with the initials "D.B." (initials shared by Thor's former alias, "Donald Blake") lays his hands on Mjolnir and both vanish. Thor - or at least a version of Thor - appears on the last page of ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'' #3, apparently on the side of the Superhuman Registration Act.


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
Line 149: Line 145:
[[Category:Fictional immortals]]
[[Category:Fictional immortals]]
[[Category:Fictional Vikings]]
[[Category:Fictional Vikings]]
[[Category:Fictional weather manipulators]]
[[Category:Fictional atmokineticists]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics Asgardians]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics Asgardians]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics titles]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics titles]]
Line 155: Line 151:
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters who can fly]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters who can fly]]


⚫
[[fi:Thor (sarjakuvahahmo)]]
[[fr:Thor (Marvel)]]
[[fr:Thor (Marvel)]]
[[nl:Thor (Marvel)]]
[[pt:Thor (Marvel)]]
[[pt:Thor (Marvel)]]
⚫
[[fi:Thor (sarjakuvahahmo)]]

Revision as of 03:30, 20 September 2006

Template:Comics-tense-date

Thor
File:Civilwar4.jpg
Solicitation cover art for Civil War #4, by Michael Turner
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceJourney into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962)
Created byAdapted from the mythological Thor by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Larry Lieber
In-story information
Alter egoThor Odinson
Team affiliationsAvengers
Asgard
Thor Corps
Notable aliasesDr. Donald Blake, Jake Olson, Sigurd Jarlson
AbilitiesSuperhuman Strength, Speed and Stamina, invulnerability, Extraordinarily long life span, Flight (via Mjolnir), Weather Control, Force Blasts, Dimensional Portals.

Thor (often called The Mighty Thor) is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, based on the mythical god Thor of Norse mythology. The character was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962).

On a mission from his father, the omnipotent Lord of Asgard, Odin, Thor acted as a superhero while maintaining the secret identity of Dr. Donald Blake, an American physician with a partially disabled leg. Blake would transform by tapping his walking stick on the ground; the cane became the magical hammer Mjolnir and Blake transformed into Thor.

Thor's sworn enemy is his evil adopted brother Loki - a Marvel character adapted from the Norse god of mischief. Thor is a member of the superhero group the Avengers, although has been deemed missing in action in recent times.

Publication history

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

Following Thor's debut in issue #83 of the extant science fiction/fantasy anthological title Journey into Mystery, the 13-page feature "The Mighty Thor" continued under scripter Larry Lieber and consecutive pencilers Jack Kirby and Don Heck, primarily. "I wrote a full script and sent it off to Jack," Lieber said of Thor's first appearance. "Thor was just another story. I didn't think about it at all. Stan [Lee] said, 'I'm trying to make up a character', and he gave me the plot, and he said, "Why don't you write the story?"[1].[2] One element Lieber created in Marvel's Thor mythos was the description of Thor's weapon as the "Uru Hammer". While the hammer was later named Mjolnir - in accordance with Norse mythology - Lieber's made-up "uru" was eventually revealed to be the metal from which it was forged.

The five-page featurette "Tales of Asgard" was added in issue #97 (Oct. 1963). The Mighty Thor became the dominant cover logo with #104 (May 1964), and the feature itself expanded to 18 pages the following issue, squeezing out the remaining anthological story that had been appearing each issue. The main feature quickly scaled back to 16 pages, starting with #110 (Nov. 1964), but regardless, the series had become Thor's solo title in all but name. That was rectified with #126 (March 1966), when the book was renamed The Mighty Thor, its common title and logo treatment, though it was formally simply Thor in postal indicia. "Tales of Asgard" was replaced by the five-page featurette "The Inhumans", by Lee and Kirby, from issue #146-152 (Nov. 1967 - May 1968), after which featurettes were dropped and the Thor stories went to Marvel's then-standard 20-page length.

The Mighty Thor #126 (March 1966), the premiere issue after the retitling from Journey into Mystery. Art by Jack Kirby & Vince Colletta

In 2007, as a result of Civil War, Thor will receive his own title again. The scheduled writer is J. Michael Stratynczski.

Character Biography

Origin

The Marvel version of Thor follows traditional Norse myth to a point. The Marvel version has been seen in flashbacks as a child and teen godling who, in his early adulthood, became arrogant and self-righteous. Odin, determining his son needed to be taught humility, placed Thor, without memories of godhood, into the body and memories of an existing, partially disabled human medical student, Donald Blake. Getting his M.D. and thoroughly believing himself to be the young surgeon Blake, he later discovered Thor's disguised hammer and learned to change back and forth into the Thunder God. The real Blake's persona remained elsewhere until many years later, after Odin had become satisfied of Thor's humility and lifted the spell, obviating the need for a mortal alter ego.

Personality

Being a prince and the strongest of the Asgardians, Thor is both noble, arrogant and very self-assured. Thor is well-known for bragging in battle, and will often use this as both a means of sustaining morale and to convince a lesser foe to yield. Such boasts are usually accompanied by a display of power. Outside of battle, he is an honorable, loyal, and courteous individual, and very loyal to all comrades, being they immortal (such as Balder (comics) and the Warriors Three) or mortal (such as fellow Avengers Captain America and Iron Man).

Protector of Midgard

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 has been marked by constant battles against super villains; monsters; cosmic beings and even other gods. 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, 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 created two foes that still plague Thor to this day, being the Absorbing Man and the Wrecker. Loki has also tricked others into fighting on his behalf, such as the giant Asgardian troll Ulik; the dragon Fafnir (comics) and the Silver Surfer.

Sometimes, however, Loki over-reaches himself and faces disaster. Guiding a mortal to the shrine of the Asgardian Destroyer (comics) - which then absorbed the mortal's essence and battled Thor - almost proved fatal for Loki, as Odin became aware of the conflict and promised that should Thor perish, the trickster god would quickly follow. On another occasion Loki used the Hulk as a lure to draw Thor out, which while proving successful, resulted in the formation of the superhero team the Avengers. Thor was a founding member and remained with the team for many years.

Thor's other mortal foes include the Wrecking Crew and the Grey Gargoyle, but his greatest enemies have always been the Asgardian "monsters", which include Mangog; the Frost Giants; the Enchanters Three; the Midgard Serpent (comics) and arch fire-demon Surtur. Thor's gallery of mystical/cosmic Rogues also extends to beings such as Mephisto; and in more recent times the Dark Gods (comics); the Sh'iar Praetor Gladiator and the god-slayer Desak. Thor's greatest battle, however, was quite possibly against the combined might of the Celestials, when their Fourth Host arrived to judge Earth.

The Reigning

File:Thor44.jpg
Thor becomes the ruler of Asgard upon Odin's death. Solicitation cover to Thor #44, Volume 2. Art by Ariel Olivetti.

The second volume of the Thor comic saw significant development for both Thor and his supporting cast. From #41 until the final issue #85, the title dealt with the consequences of Thor's decision to intervene in the affairs of Earth. After reluctantly assuming the throne of Asgard and a battle with the God Slayer Desak and the Grey Gargoyle, Thor sees mortals at their worst and decides to reshape the world in his image. Resistance to Thor's plans - in the form of a young religious fanatic; Zarrko the Tomorrow Man; Perrikus of the Dark Gods; the US Government and even his fellow Avengers - only serves to aggravate Thor and make him even more determined to succeed. A nightmarish future follows as Thor and the Asgardians conquer the world and slay all who oppose them, including many of Thor's former allies. Even with Amora, the Enchantress, as his wife and a son, Magni, Thor is still wracked with guilt and is drawn into a final battle with Loki and a Desak-occupied Destroyer in a bid to undo what he has done.

Ragnarok

File:THOR 83image big.jpg
Solicitation cover toThor #83, Volume 2. Art by Steve Epting.

Continuing on directly after the Reigning, this arc marked the start of Gotterdammerung - The Twilight of the Gods - and the end of the title. Loki betrays Asgard and revives Surtur, who agrees to forge new uru hammers for Loki's Storm Giant followers in exchange for Rangnarok. With Asgard on the brink of destruction and Beta Ray Bill leading the Asgardians, Thor undergoes an even more brutal version of the trials of Odin, and in so doing learned that the Ragnarok cycle was the result of the self-styled "gods to the gods" known as Those Who Sit Above in Shadow, who like parasites fed on every mythical cycle. Now equipped with the power of the Runes and in "Endgame" form, Thor confronts his foes the Norns (Fates) themselves. The Ragnarok cycle is broken, and Beta Ray Bill is returned to Earth. Thor then entered hibernation in deep space, with his fate unknown to the Avengers, who simply believe him to be missing in action.

Civil War : Thor's Return?

See also: Civil War (comics)
Solicitation cover to Civil War #4. Art by Steve McNiven.

In Fantastic Four #536, Volume 1, Thor's hammer Mjolnir was found on Earth and put under U.S. Army protection. Six months later, Doctor Doom, who escaped from Hell as Mjolnir fell through that plane, tries unsuccessfully to claim the hammer for himself. Later still a man wearing a backpack with the initials "D.B." (initials shared by Thor's former alias, "Donald Blake") lays his hands on Mjolnir and both vanish. Thor - or at least a version of Thor - appears on the last page of Civil War #3, apparently on the side of the Superhuman Registration Act.

Powers and abilities

Thor is the Norse god of thunder and lightning. Like all Asgardians, Thor is not truly immortal but does have an extremely long lifespan, lasting for many millenia. The strongest of the Norse gods, Thor has performed feats such as lifting the World Serpent and hurling the Odinsword - an extradimensional object of incredible power - through the Celestial Arishem. Thor is also one of the few beings capable of withstanding the fury of an enraged Hulk. Thor also possesses' superhuman stamina, a large degree of invulnerability, superhuman speed, reflexes and superior senses. If pressed in battle, it is possible that Thor may also enter a berserker rage, which apparently increases his strength ten-fold.

In addition, Thor is a superb hand-to-hand combatant and has mastered a number of weapons such as the hammer; sword and mace. Thor is also very cunning and intuitive in battle, with many centuries of experience. Thor possesses two items which assist him in combat, being a Belt of Strength - which doubles Thor's strength - and the mystical uru hammer, Mjolnir.

Thor recently inherited the Odin Force, which saw him become as powerful as his father, Odin. In this form Thor was capable of decapitating a Desaak-occupied Destroyer with one hammer throw. Thor later still acquired the power of the Runes and a level of enlightenment that allowed him to free Asgard from the eternal cycle of Rangnarok. Leaving Earth to become "Endgame Thor" and an omnipotent cosmic deity, he then entered into deep hibernation in a hidden location in space. More recently, a being resembling Thor returned to Earth and intervened at a crucial moment during the events of Civil War. At present this version of Thor remains a mystery, and in fact may not be the true Thunder God.

Other versions

Age of Apocalypse

In the Age of Apocalypse, Donald Blake never discovered that he was the reincarnation of Thor, instead he was an agent of the Human High Council and a doctor, travelling with Gwen Stacy to provide aid in human refugee camps such as those of Wakanda. Back in Europe, he was captured by Mikhail Rasputin, one of the Four Horsemen. He managed to free himself alongside the rest of Rasputin's prisoners and sacrificed his life in order to kill Rasputin as the two fell from the top of the Big Ben.

Marvel 2099

The comics set in the future of Marvel 2099 featured Thor worshippers known as "Thorites". In the first Marvel 2099 crossover, "Fall of the Hammer", the Norse gods seemingly returned, but this proved to be a deception created by the Megacorps. The returned Thor was actually Reverend Cecil McAdam, a Thorite priest. Ceclil had been brainwashed into thinking he was the original Thor, now returned. He possessed artificially boosted strength and a techonolgical hammer that resembled Mjolnir and duplicated most of its abilities. He was last seen retrieving his non-functioning hammer from the minor villain Bloodhammer.

While it was never revealed what had happened to Thor by 2099, Mjolnir was discovered by Alchemax, and briefly borne by a resurrected Captain America. It later found Miguel O'Hara worthy, but did not transform him, apparently because his destiny did not require super-powers.

Ultimate Marvel

Main article: Ultimate Thor

Thor, a member of the superhero team the Ultimates in the Ultimate Marvel Universe, is a mysteriously presented character who believes himself to be the Norse Thunder God, but whom many other characters believe is delusional. They were further fooled by Thor's brother, the Ultimate character Loki, but Loki as a part of a larger plot.

Marvel 1602

Thor appeared in Marvel 1602 as an elderly Christian priest named Donal, who could transform into Thor by tapping an enchanted walking stick against the ground. Donal bitterly regretted and agonized over making this transformation, as the existence of Thor disproves the Christian assertion that God is the lone supreme being and that other pantheons of gods do not exist--making Donal a blasphemer, even though he is still a devoted Christian.

Appearances in other media

File:Thor UAlliance.jpg
Thor, as he will appear in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

Television

  • Thor appeared in an episode of "Spider-Man And His Amazing Friends" titled 'Vengeance Of Loki' (1981/1982)
  • Thor also appeared in live action in the TV-movie The Incredible Hulk Returns. The two characters initially clash, but later work together to save the kidnapped girlfriend, Maggie, of the Hulk's alter ego, David Banner. Thor was played by Erik Kramer, and Donald Blake by Steve Levitt. Rather than transforming into Thor, Blake merely had the ability to summon him. The TV movie meant to serve as a pilot for a Thor television series[citation needed].

Video games

  • Thor was only mentioned in the Spider-Man video game.
  • Thor will soon appear as a powerful playable character in the upcoming Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, where he is known to have all his comic powers.

Film

Bibliography

Main series

  • Journey into Mystery #83-125   (Aug. 1962 - Feb. 1966)
  • Thor (a.k.a. The Mighty Thor) Vol. 1, #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, most issues #45-67; and The Mighty Thor: Lord of Earth, most issues #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

Footnotes

  1. ^ Lieber interview, Alter Ego Vol. 2, #3 (Fall 1999): Online excerpt
  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, shot 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.

    Ronin Ro, in Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and the American Comic Book Revolution (Bloomsbury USA, 2005 reissue ISBN 1-58234-566-X) concurs: "Stan told his younger brother, Larry, a story about alien Stone Men chasing a disabled doctor into a cave, where he finds a hammer [sic], bangs it on the ground, and becomes the God of Thunder."

References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thor_(Marvel_Comics)&oldid=76721976"