Featuring: Tales of Asgard
Release: September 1, 1964
Cover: November 1964
12 cents
Writer: Stan Lee
Illustrator: Jack Kirby
Delineator: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Art Simek
5 pages
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| Journey Into Mystery #110 | Reading order | Journey Into Mystery #111 |
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King Rampok is dead. The meek Prince Rivvak must now lead their forces against Asgard. Armies gather, and not for tea.
During the battle, Odin repeatedly employs questionable tactics and does not seem to bring his full power to bear. Ultimately, the Asgardians retreat in defeat.
When questioned about this, Odin describes how wise he is. Odin’s wisdom is not obvious to me. He gets repeatedly taken in by Loki, for example. He seems to throw lots of temper tantrums.
In this case, his wisdom was this: the tales of Asgard will become stories and legends for mankind. And Odin did not want all tales of him to be of his great victories. He wanted a story where the mighty was defeated, where the underdog triumphed. To inspire men to stand and fight against the odds for centuries to come.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 52/100
Significance: ★★☆☆☆
I read this story in Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor vol. 2. A book I can finally return to the shelf.
It is also available in Thor Epic Collection vol. 1: God of Thunder. Or on Kindle.
Characters:
- Odin
- Thor
- Prince Rivvak
Story notes:
- Rampok, a king whose forces had been at war with Asgard, is dead. His son Rivvak now commands their forces.
- Asgardians immortal, but steeds are not.
- Rivvak apparently a coward and a weakling.
| Previous | #277 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Journey Into Mystery #110 | Reading order | Journey Into Mystery #111 |
| Journey Into Mystery #110 | Journey Into Mystery | Journey Into Mystery #111 |
