Featuring: Thor
Release: February 4, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
Written by: Stan Lee, master of fantasy
Illustrated by: Jack Kirby, master of picto-drama
Inked by: Chic Stone
Lettered by: S. Rosen
13 pages
The phrase “feature-length” clearly means nothing to Stan. 13 pages is the same length the Thor stories have always been. It’s only half a comic.
I had some trouble deciding where it was best to read this story. I had originally posted it a little early, I decided, and moved it to where it fits in terms of publication dates, after the introduction of Black Widow. I’m not sure when it best takes place chronologically.
We start with Thor returning to the 20th century from the future, so there’s no time gap between the beginning of this story and Journey Into Mystery #102. Dr. Blake needs a nap, and we do have a short time gap before the main action of the story begins.
Blake’s dreams helpfully recap recent events. Kirby can make even sleeping seem melodramatic.
Loki retains his position as Odin’s chief advisor. There remains no explanation how he got to this point from being an eternal prisoner. Best hypothesis is that Odin is fickle and moved by whim. Loki is described as Odin’s stepson. I think that’s the first time. Up to this point, we knew he was Thor’s brother and that Odin was his father.
This issue is notable for introducing Enchantress and Executioner, the most prominent additions to Thor’s rogues gallery since Loki. It’s actually surprising to me that we’ve had three Thor films without Enchantress showing up yet. I wonder if they think the character’s portrayal might be sexist. It’s also possible they haven’t gotten to her yet. The latest Thor film did introduce the Executioner, played by Karl Urban.
We get some jealousy on the part of Jane as she catches Enchantress kissing Don. Don tries to go after her. “Never has anyone broken from my embrace before,” says the Enchantress.
Enchantress realizes she can’t have Thor while Jane is alive, so she recruits Executioner to kill Jane. Executioner is a lovesick puppy when it comes to Enchantress, and will do whatever she asks, to apparently include helping her get together with Thor by killing his girlfriend.
Executioner hunts Jane with his “super-human falcon hunting vision” and uses his battle-ax which renders time and space to send her to Limbo. Is this the same Limbo Space Phantom was banished to? Not clear.
There’s only one thing that means more to Executioner than a woman. And that’s a weapon. More than anything, he desires Thor’s hammer. He offers to free Jane from Limbo in exchange for the hammer.
Thor agrees, so it’s time to start counting. He turns human in 60 seconds. Thor puts his hammer down. 30 seconds pass. Executioner tries to lift it and fails. He recalls that none but Thor can lift it. Enchantress gets angry that Jane has returned, so she turns Executioner into a tree. Enchantress herself appears. Thor tells Jane to flee. She does so. Then Thor lifts the hammer. Quite the exciting 59 seconds.
One thing confuses me. Thor lost half his powers in issue 101. Has Odin returned them yet? If so, I missed it. At the beginning of the issue, Thor says his strength has returned. I assume he means after time travel left him weary. Perhaps he is referring to his full strength. The issue makes no mention of Thor being at half power as he battles Executioner and Enchantress. Did Odin restore his power behind the scenes? Or is he still at half-power? I just can’t tell.
Notice this is Thor’s second villain named Executioner. Seems pretty early to be doubling up on villain names. This new Executioner is a significant villain. The Communist dictator Executioner is not.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 53/100
Significance: ★★★★☆
I read this story in Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor vol. 2. It is also available in Thor Epic Collection vol. 1: God of Thunder. Or on Kindle.
Characters:
- Thor/Dr. Don Blake
- Jane Foster
- Odin
- Loki
- The Enchantress
- The Executioner
Story notes:
- Opens with Thor returning to 20th century from future.
- Jane finds it strange Don never suggests marriage.
- Dream recap of last issue’s events.
- Loki described as Odin’s stepson.
- Loki describes Enchantress as cruel and ambitious.
- We get a “some time later” before Enchantress makes it to Earth. I don’t get the impression it’s that much later. Probably a few days.
- Enchantress tries to kiss Don as Jane catches them.
- Enchantress recruits Executioner to kill Jane.
- Executioner will do anything to win the heart of Enchantress.
- We meet Jane’s landlady.
- Executioner has “super-human falcon hunting vision”.
- Executioner’s ax renders time and space; he uses it to send Jane to Limbo and to bring frost from Earth’s arctic regions. The ax can also cut through sub-space, sending Thor to another universe.
- Executioner desires Thor’s hammer more than anything, even more than the Enchantress.
- Enchantress is a sorceress. She turns Executioner into a tree.
- Thor’s hammer forged by Odin. This is the first time that was made explicit. It has often been called Odin’s hammer.
- No magic save Odin’s can affect the hammer.
- Thor sends Enchantress and Executioner back to Asgard.
#176 story in reading order
Next: Journey Into Mystery #103, Story C
Previous: Tales of Suspense #52, Story C
