Thor (sometimes called The Mighty Thor) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Based on the god of the same name from Norse mythology, the character was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby, and first appears in Journey into Mystery #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:

[H]ow 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.  ...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....^[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).

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.

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, in 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, reimagined in an alternate universe for one year. His series' 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, as if the original Thor series had continued unbroken, with issue #36 / #538 (June 2001). At the time, the Marvel Comics series begun in the 1960s, such as Fantastic Four and The Amazing Spider-Man, were given such dual numbering on the front cover, with the present-day volume's numbering alongside the numbering from the original series. Dan Jurgens was writer for a majority of this series' run, leaving with issue #79 (July 2004). Scot G. Eaton joined him, as penciler, on #68-79. They were followed by co-writers Daniel Berman and Michael Avon Oeming and penciler-inker Andrea Di Vito for the "Avengers Disassembled" crossover storyline through the final issue #85 / #587 (Dec. 2004)

A new ongoing series titled Thor vol. 3 premiered with a first issue cover-dated September 2007. It is written by J. Michael Straczynski and penciled by Olivier Coipel.

Fictional character biography

The Marvel version of Thor is noble and very self-assured, sometimes to the point of arrogance. 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. The mortal experience, however, shapes Thor into an honorable and courteous individual, who is loyal to all comrades.

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 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 with power that surpasses even that of Earth's Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Strange,^[5] 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. Loki also tricks others into fighting on his behalf, such as the Asgardian troll Ulik, the Fenris Wolf, 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 also die. On another occasion, Loki uses the Hulk as a lure to draw Thor out; while this proved successful, it results in the formation of the superhero team the Avengers, of which Thor is a founding and longstanding member.^[6]

Thor's other mortal foes include the Radioactive Man, Grey Gargoyle, and Wrecking Crew, but among his most powerful foes are the Asgardian monsters Mangog, the Frost Giants, the Enchanters Three, 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 Sh'iar 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. ^[7]

The Reigning

Much of the second volume of the title deals with the consequences of Thor's decision to intervene in the affairs of Earth.^[8] 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. 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 stasis, sleeping "the sleep of the gods." With his fate unknown to the Avengers, he is believed to be missing in action.^[9]

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". ^[10] During a battle between the two Civil War superhero factions, "Thor" appears and kills Goliath. ^[11] This version of Thor is later revealed to be a fusion of cloning technology and cybernetics created by Reed Richards and Henry Pym. Anti-registration heroes Storm and Hercules destroy the clone in a final battle between the factions. ^[12] The remains of the clone are currently stored in the laboratories at Camp Hammond.^[13]

New beginning

Donald Blake, upon touching the hammer Mjolnir, is transported to the void where Thor has been in hibernation. Blake explains that when Odin originally removed the Blake persona from Thor,^[14] Blake was transported to the void Thor now inhabits, and was returned to New York City when Thor broke the Ragnarök cycle. 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 not dead but hidden on Earth.^[15]

Thor rebuilds Asgard in Oklahoma and after paying for the land with Asgardian treasure, seeks his fellow Asgardians.^[16] Thor learns of the events of the superhero-registration "Civil War" and is angered that Tony Stark (Iron Man) and others used his DNA to create the Thor Clone. After Thor confronts him, Stark suggests that Asgard may be considered a foreign embassy, with diplomatic immunity granted to its inhabitants. Thor then begins searching for his fellow Asgardians,^[17] and although successfully restoring them all, does not attempt to find his father. He eventually finds his father in Valhalla, waging constant battle with the fire demon Surtur. There Odin advises his son that Thor must lead the Asgardians.^[18]

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. The strongest of the Norse gods, Thor has performed feats such as lifting the World Serpent, ^[19] hurling the Odinsword, an enormous mystical blade, through a Celestial,^[20] and matching other beings of enormous strength, such as Hercules and the Hulk. 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.^[21] He also possesses virtually inexhaustible godly stamina, high resistance to physical injury (eg. rocket fire, armor piercing shells, falls from orbital heights),^[22] and superhuman reflexes.

Thor is a superb hand-to-hand combatant and has mastered a number of weapons such as the war hammer, sword, and mace. He 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 former item doubles his strength, ^[23] while the latter is used for control of his weather abilities; flight; energy projection and absorption; dimensional apertures; matter manipulation, as well as the most powerful of his offensives: the God Blast,^[24] and the Anti-Force.^[25]

After Odin's death, Thor inherited his father's power, the Odinforce. Thor was then capable of feats such as reconstructing the Earth's Moon, ^[26] willing the Asgardian monster Mangog into nothingness ^[27] and by focusing his entire power into a hammer throw even decapitated a Desak-occupied Destroyer.^[28] Thor later briefly acquired mastery of the Runes, and a level of enlightenment that allowed him to free Asgard from the eternal cycle of Ragnarok, becoming even more powerful than his father.^[29]

Other versions

In mainstream comic continuity

Eric Masterson

Eric Masterson is initially bonded with Thor after Thor is punished for apparently killing Loki. ^[30] Masterson carries the mantle of Thor for several years, continuing his roles as a member of the Avengers and protector of Midgard. Thor is eventually freed from Eric's mind, and asks that he continue serving as God of Thunder. ^[31] Tricked by the Enchantress Masterson attacks Thor, and soon after relinquishes the hammer to him. In gratitude for his services, Odin provides Masterson with an enchanted mace, which he uses under the alias of Thunderstrike.^[32]

Red Norvell

Part of a documentary crew brought to Asgard by Loki, Roger "Red" Norvell meets and falls in love with Lady Sif. Red Norvell is given Thor's Iron Gauntlets and Belt of Strength by Loki to compete with Thor for Sif's affections, with neither realizing this was part of a master plan by Odin to create a surrogate God of Thunder to die fighting the Serpent of Ragnarok and fulfill the prophecy.^[33]

Alternate continuities

MC2

In the MC2 alternate possible future, Thor remains active and has a daughter, Thena, who possesses the same powers as he. Also, Eric Masterson's son Kevin is also a superhero and is a member of A-Next.

1602

In the Marvel 1602 alternate possible past, a version of 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 the shared existence will damn him.^[34]

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.^[35]

Age of Apocalypse

In the fictional crossover event "Age of Apocalypse", 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.^[36]

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.^[37]

Marvel Mangaverse

A version of Thor appears briefly and aids the heroes against an other-world version of the villain Dormammu. ^[38]

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. ^[39] Thor is among the many killed by the cosmic powered zombies. ^[40]

Spider-Ham

Thor appears as a dog called The Dog of Thunder.^[41]

Ultimate Marvel

Thor is a member of the superhero team the Ultimates in the Ultimate Universe. ^[42] Despite his claims to be a Norse god, he is regarded by many to be delusional during the first months of his career. It is not until he is seen summoning an army of Asgardian warriors to fend off an attack on Washington DC by demonic forces commanded by Loki that Thor's teammates realize he truly is a god. ^[43]

In other media

Television

• Thor's first appearance in television was in the segment "The Mighty Thor" of the syndicated, anthological animated television series The Marvel Superheroes, originally syndicated in 1966.

• Thor's Donald Blake identity appeared in the 1980s Spider-Man episode "Wrath of the Sub-Mariner" voiced by Jack Angel.

• Thor appeared in an episode of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends titled "Vengeance of Loki" (1981/1982).

• Thor appeared in the live action TV-movie The Incredible Hulk Returns. Thor was played by Eric Allan Kramer, and Donald Blake by Steve Levitt. The TV-movie was to be a backdoor pilot for a Thor television series.^[44]

Marvel animated universe

• Thor has a cameo in the second episode of the Phoenix Saga in the X-Men Animated Series.

• Thor also guest stars in two episodes of the Fantastic Four animated series voiced by John Rhys-Davies.^{[episode needed]}

• John Rhys-Davies reprises his role as Thor in the Incredible Hulk episode "Mortal Bounds" with Mark L. Taylor voicing Donald Blake.

• Thor is seen in the opening credits of The Avengers: United They Stand.

Animated film

An animated version of Ultimate Thor appears in the direct-to-video animated features Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers 2. He is voiced by Dave Boat. In November 2007, Marvel announced that Thor will star in a direct-to-video animated film, Thor: Son of Asgard, set to be released in September 2009.^[45]

Live-action film

Screenwriter Mark Protosevich has been hired to write a script for a live-action Thor film. In December 2007, he described his plans for it "to be like a superhero origin story, but not one about a human gaining super powers, but of a god realizing his true potential. It's the story of an Old Testament god who becomes a New Testament god. It will be mythic, but also bear the unmistakable qualities of a Marvel movie, an epic fantasy adventure. "^[46]

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 (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
• Thor (a.k.a. The Mighty Thor) #1-   (July 2007 - )

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 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 (2004)
• Thor: Son of Asgard #1-12 (May 2004 - Jan. 2005)
• Thor: Blood Oath #1-6 (Nov. 2005- Feb. 2006)

Notes

References

External links

• Marvel.com: Thor (wiki)
• The Immortal Thor of Asgard (fan site)
• Comparing Thor of myth with Marvel's Thor
• Alan Kistler's History of Thor - A full history of Thor with various image scans and commentary by comic historian Alan Kistler.
• Thor Online (fan site)