Featuring: Thor
Release: August 3, 1965
Cover: October 1965
12 cents
Another towering triumph for Stan Lee, writer!
Another fabulous feat for Jack Kirby, illustrator!
Another amazing achievement for Vince Colletta, delineator!
Another day, another dollar for Artie Simek, letterer!
16 pages
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| Journey Into Mystery #120, Story B | Reading order | Journey Into Mystery #121, Story B |
| Journey Into Mystery #120, Story B | Journey Into Mystery | Journey Into Mystery #121, Story B |
But, no matter how awesome the odds may be, I am son of Odin, Prince of Asgard! I would ever choose the eternal sleep, rather than a moment’s cowardice!
Kirby’s taken some artistic license with that cover. He metaphorically depicts Thor as gigantic compared to the city and bystanders caught in their battle. Absorbing Man is literally gigantic. But Thor is not, and I don’t think forced perspective is enough to justify Thor’s apparent size compared to those buildings.
As the length of stories is expanding, so is the length of action scenes. We pointed out that Fantastic Four #42 was entirely action start to finish, with the set-up and wrap-up in surrounding issues. This isn’t entirely that, as there are some interludes. We need to check on Jane. And Loki. And that lost Norn Stone. But most of the page count is just Thor battling Absorbing Man.
Hammer mechanics. Notice Absorbing Man is able to lift the hammer and absorb its powers. Because as has been well-established, the hammer is very heavy, and only very strong people can lift it. However, he can’t hold it long as Thor has the power to make the hammer return to him.
The battle rages, as Absorbing Man becomes a metal giant.
Then Thor tricks him into turning to glass, but is stymied because he cannot deliver a lethal blow against a mortal.
The theme throughout the issue is that even with Thor’s strength, Absorbing Man cannot defeat Thor. Thor’s true power lies in his heart and spirit.
In the end Thor is defeated, not by Asborbing Man’s power, but by his need to protect the innocent. Rescuing a child gives Absorbing Man the opening he needs to fell Thor.
Let’s look to the issue’s backup story, then pick up here next issue.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 58/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
I read this story in Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor vol. 4.
Characters:
- Thor
- Absorbing Man/Crusher Creel
- Loki
- Balder, the Brave
- Jane Foster
- Mystery man/Harris Hobbs
- Ularic
- Odin
Story notes:
- Thor deduces Loki is responsible for Absorbing Man’s return.
- Absorbing Man can hold the hammer and absorb its power, but he cannot keep it from returning to Thor.
- When Thor punches Absorbing Man, Absorbing Man gains his strength immediately and so can shrug off the punch.
- Thor compares with his battle with Hercules in the Thor annual.
- Odin has decreed the hammer must always return to Thor, “though galaxies totter”.
- Balder visits Loki, still pretending to be a prisoner of Ularic.
- Absorbing Man absorbs stone and iron and becomes a giant.
- While Thor does battle, police see to civilians, directing people to shelter in the Armory on 34th Street.
- Hooded man has kidnapped Jane Foster.
- Reminder of lost Norn Stone.
- Thor rescues child and gives Creel the opening to defeat him.
- Reference to Heimdall in next-month blurb.
| Previous | #394 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Journey Into Mystery #120, Story B | Reading order | Journey Into Mystery #121, Story B |
| Journey Into Mystery #120, Story B | Journey Into Mystery | Journey Into Mystery #121, Story B |
Brings back great memories.
I think one problem with the perspective on the cover is that everything is in focus. If Thor were close enough to the viewer to appear so big, the background should be all blurry.
I didn’t even mean to imply I thought it was a problem. I’ll grant Kirby his artistic license if he thinks it serves the energy and melodrama.