The Mighty Thor vs. the Executioner
Release: July 3, 1962
Cover: September 1962
12 cents
Credits: Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers
Writers: Stan Lee and Larry Lieber
13 pages
I read this comic in Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor vol. 1. The issue doesn’t seem to have formal credits, but the first page has the signatures of Kirby and Ayers. The collection’s table of contents notes Stan Lee and Larry Lieber are the writers.
There’s a revolution in the country of San Diablo (mi español es muy rusty, but I think that translates to “Saint Devil”, which suggests the requirements for sainthood have really loosened). A pro-communist dictator has seized power, but is engaged in civil war with a democratic faction. The dictator is called the Executioner because he executes a lot of people. Dr. Don Blake travels on a medical expedition to help out in San Diablo. The Executioner interferes as he wants the people weak and subservient. But, well… Thor.
One thing we learn is that Dr. Blake and his cane have some of Thor’s powers, even without transforming. Dr. Blake himself is able to use the cane to summon a storm.
The most notable thing about this issue is that it introduces Dr. Blake’s nurse and potential love interest, Jane Nelson. We learn he wants to ask her out, but is afraid she wouldn’t want to date a “lame man”. Also, he fears that asking her out will make their professional relationship uncomfortable, and she may resign; he does not want that. On the other hand, Jane very much wishes he would ask her out, but needs him to make the first move because, I dunno, sixties.
We have not seen too many romantic leads yet. Jane is the second, after Betty Ross. Ant-Man and Spider-Man do not yet have one. Mr. Fantastic has Invisible Girl, but she is different, as she is a superhero in her own right. Of course, I could just as easily say Invisible Girl has Mr. Fantastic, who is a superhero in his own right.
A standard trope for love interests of superheroes is for them to be held hostage. That has already happened to Sue, despite her being on the team. It has sort of happened to Betty, but that’s a more complex comic, as its hero is also its villain, so it was Hulk himself who threatened her. The more standard use of the trope is what happens to Jane in her first appearance. Thor is ready to make short work of Executioner’s forces until they threaten Jane, so he backs off.
What also seems to be a trope is the villain making an ultimatum that the female character marry them. That already happened to Sue. Namor promised to not destroy the world if she married him. Here, Jane agrees to marry the Executioner to spare Don’s life.
Another trope is that the female character falls for the superhero alter ego. This is what happens here. Not sure what it is about Thor that she found attractive, but it seemed to be something.
Along those lines, yet another trope is that the female lead thinks of our hero in his secret identity as a coward. Now, Dr. Blake is a crippled man who was up against armed soldiers. It’s not clear what Jane wanted from him. I think running and hiding was a pretty sensible option, but Jane does not agree. She wants Dr. Blake to: stand up to danger; ask her out; and, look more like Thor.
We’ll see where this leads.
Thor’s love interest is more familiar to modern readers and movie fans as Jane Foster. Jane Nelson and Jane Foster seem to be the same person. We’ll presumably learn soon why she changes her name.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 51/100
Significance: ★★★★☆
Characters:
- Dr. Don Blake/Thor
- Jane Nelson
- Executioner
Minor characters:
- Mrs. Jones (mother of patient)
Story notes:
- One page recap of origin; seems unchanged.
- I’m a little uncertain to what extent he is Blake in Thor’s body, and to what extent he is Thor. In the origin recap, Don Blake says, “I’m becoming Thor”
- Revolution in San Diablo; two factions fighting for power; one Democratic; one pro-Communist
- Thor refers to himself as a thunder-god and last issue as the god of thunder
- Lots of parachutes suggest Thor not killing airplane pilots
- Democratic army joins battle in end
- Executioner killed by own men
- Apparently no connection to later Thor villain also called Executioner
- Not sure why Jane Nelson’s name later changed to Jane Foster; some reprints change her name to Jane Foster within this issue.
#18 story in reading order
Next: Incredible Hulk #3
Previous: Fantastic Four #6
