sonotadream

Journey into Mystery (1952) #83-90 - Stan Lee/Larry Lieber/Jack Kirby

The Introduction of another classic Marvel character, Thor the Mighty, also know from Norse mythology. The idea of having Thor as a superhero came about because Stan Lee wanted someone stronger than the Hulk, and who’s stronger than a God?

However, the story starts with Donald Blake, an American tourist in Norway who goes to investigate the sighting of weird rock creatures - they’re from Saturn, they look like mini-Things, except for their conic heads, and they want to invade the Earth.

Donald has to hide in a cave, the exit trapped by a boulder and his cane broken. Things look bleak, but the wall starts moving and he finds a walking stick. He can’t use it to move the boulder, but when he hits it on the ground, it transforms into the hammer Mjolnir, which grants him the powers of Thor. As in, he transforms into Thor in appearance, but remains Donald mentally.

He quickly discovers the powers of Mjolnir: creating storms, returning to hand, can be used to fly; but, if he drops it, he’ll return to his normal form in about 60 seconds.

Anyway, Donald uses his powers to stop the alien invasion and disappears before anyone realizes Thor was there.

His adventures continue, with Thor fighting gangsters and communists, aiding the American military in bomb testing, and sending Loki back to Asgard twice. He has to protect his identity from everyone, by order of Odin, which complicates his love life. Donald is sweet on his nurse, Jane Foster, and she kinda likes him, until Thor shows up.

So, it’s interesting to see where the mythological side of the Marvel Universe got started, but I’m not sure I’ll stick with this one. It didn’t grab me, at least for the moment.