Thor #136

Featuring: Thor
Release: November 3, 1966
Cover: January 1967
12 cents
A proud phantasmagoria of pageantry, presented by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Delineated by Vince Colletta
Lettered by Artie Simek
16 pages

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I did but provide the time– the setting– But, only in the heart can be found the final enchanted ingredient– men call love!

Let’s reflect on the relationship between Jane, Don, and Thor. To understand this love triangle, we first need to understand the relationship between Don and Thor. And we don’t.

We reflected on the nature of their relationship back in issue 129. It seems Don is Thor and Thor is Don. They have two bodies, but one mind, one set of thoughts, and one heart, one set of feelings.

There is plenty of evidence to contradict that interpretation, but that is how they are usually written. Don is Thor and Thor is Don. Don is mortal and Thor is immortal. Thor is ancient, older than humanity, and had a life long before Don. And Don presumably had a life before Thor, before he found that cane in the mountain. Though we have learned very little about that life, only that he had studied medicine and become a world-renowned surgeon and robotics expert. We’ve seen no glimpses of his past life, nor met any relatives. But presumably he has these things. But now he is Thor. Mind, heart, soul.

In fact, Thor and Don seem closer than Hulk and Banner. Who definitely seem to to be two distinct characters with opinions about the other, who share only some thoughts and feelings.

So where does Jane fit in?

Thor, Don, and Jane

Journey Into Mystery #84 introduced Jane Nelson, nurse to Don Blake. This was the issue after Don found the hammer that gave him the form of Thor, but while his mind seemed to still be Don’s. Don has feelings for Jane, but feels he cannot tell her. Not because he’s her employer and that would be inappropriate, and not because the life of a superhero might expose her to danger… no, because he has a crippled leg and walks with a cane. And it’s well known that nobody with a bad leg has ever found romantic love. Jane also has feelings for Don, but can’t tell him because she’s the woman, so it’s his job to show his feelings first. And since he won’t, she won’t. Also in this issue, Jane gets rescued by Thor. This will happen very, very often. Jane is impressed by Thor and thinks Don is a bit of a coward for not standing up to Commie soldiers the way Thor did.

In some ways, the set-up is based on the Superman/Lois/Clark triangle. Except the relationship between Clark and Superman is much clearer. And it makes more sense why Lois is always in danger, as she’s a reporter always putting herself into danger. Jane is a nurse in a private practice in an office in New York; she gets captured by super-villains in every other issue usually at random. And Thor rescues her.

And she fantasizes about Thor. But still loves Don, even though he doesn’t seem to love her. At times she will seem to love Thor more than Don, and at times will be too upset by Don’s cowardice, but usually gravitate back towards Don.

The relationship bears similarity to Daredevil’s relationship with Karen, and Iron Man’s with Pepper. Both employers love the sole female employee commonly in their presence, but can never tell her because they are blind or have heart problems respectively.

By Journey Into Mystery #88, the relationship between Thor and Don has changed. They are now the same person, and Thor seems to be the true self. Asgard is the home of Don/Thor, and visiting it is a casual thing to do. Even in Don’s form, he thinks Thor’s thoughts, and thinks of Odin as his father. We learn Jane’s name is Jane Foster. We are not told how it changed from Jane Nelson. Maybe a divorce went through?

In issue 89, we get a glimpse of Jane’s fantasies about Thor. She imagines cutting his hair, ironing his cape, and, err, polishing his hammer. She still also has feelings for Don, but he hasn’t saved her from danger 6 times in as many issues.

In issue 90, we get a new dynamic. Don resolves not to let his disability get in the way of true love any longer. He will confess his feelings for Jane, and also tell her of his dual identity. Alas, Odin forbids revealing his true identity to Jane. And if he can’t tell her he’s Thor, he may as well not tell her he loves her either. That will become the status quo then forward. It’s no longer his bum leg that’s in the way of his relationship. The problem is that Daddy doesn’t approve.

In issue 97, Thor requests permission from Odin to marry Jane. Odin says no. Because Thor is an immortal. And immortals may not marry mortals. But what about Don? Isn’t he a mortal? Can he not marry Jane? Is Odin his father too? Since Don won’t tell Jane he loves her, she leaves him to work for a different doctor who does love her. How can you be employed by someone not in love with you? How can you be in love with someone who doesn’t employ you?

The next issue begins with Thor being whiny about his Dad not letting him marry the woman he loves, driving her into the arms of another man. But by issue’s end, Jane had decided this other doctor is just a manbaby, and is back working for and in love with Don. While also being in love with Thor.

Journey Into Mystery #99 is very relevant to what happens this issue. Odin gives Thor hope in the form of a path forward. If Jane proves herself worthy, Odin may make her an immortal, allowing Thor (and Don?) to marry her.

The following issue dispels that hope. Jane allows a villain to escape because she thinks it will save Don’s life, being understandably confused about where Don goes when Thor is around. Odin declares her unworthy of godhood, and that ends that.

A fourth party enters the relationship in issue 103. The Asgardian Enchantress is in love with Thor, so she seduces Don. Don resists her seduction because of his godlike character, but Jane gets the wrong idea anyway and walks off in a huff. Enchantress sends Executioner to kill Jane so that Thor will marry her. Executioner agrees to do so because he’s in love with Enchantress. This love triangle is now a very weird 5-sided shape.

#105, Jane tries a play that has failed many a woman in these tales before, from Wasp to Karen. She goes on a date with another man to make Don jealous enough to propose marriage. It doesn’t work.

In issue 106, Jane is again confused about Don and Thor, and thinks that Don betrayed Thor. Angry, she decides she no longer loves Don.

But then next issue, she admits to Thor that she does love Don. This makes Thor deliriously happy, since Jane is in love with him. That is, she is in love with Don, whom is him. Don anyway goes on to prove himself a hero without Thor’s help, sealing Jane’s affections.

In issue 110, after having her life endangered countless times by Thor’s enemies, Jane is finally seriously injured.

In issue 111, Balder sings Odin a song about Odin’s own forbidden love in his youth, hoping to soften the old man up. He then goes on a quest to get the medicine that will save Jane.

Things come to a head in Journey Into Mystery #113 when Odin tells Thor it’s time to return to Asgard after the months he’s spent on Earth. What about Don, who has presumably spent years and his whole life on Earth? This argument doesn’t come up. Thor’s reason for not returning to Asgard is that he loves Jane. Does Don have nothing tying him to Earth?

Thor comes to a conclusion. If an immortal can’t marry a mortal, and Odin won’t make Jane an immortal, then Thor must renounce his godhood, and live as the mortal Don Blake forever. He proceeds to tell Jane his secret, even though Odin had forbidden it. This makes Odin angry enough to remove Thor’s powers. Which makes it hard for Don to prove he’s Thor to Jane. Which makes Jane not believe him. By issue’s end, Thor has changed his mind and lets Jane believe he was just having a laugh.

However, the fickle Thor changes his mind again in issue 124. He tells Jane that Don is Thor and Thor is Don and that both love Jane. Finally. For her part, Jane loves them both back.

The following issue, Odin orders his soldiers to execute Thor for his defiance, but Thor holds them all back and escapes to Earth. There he finds Jane and Hercules having lunch. Is Thor the jealous type? Turns out, yes.

As the series changes its name, we come to Thor #126. Which introduces a new wrinkle. Odin seems ready to soften on his stance, but Thor had been beaten by Hercules in a fight. And how can Jane love someone who can’t even beat Hercules in a fight? She assures him she can, but he doesn’t want her pity. Thor can no longer be with Jane until he has a rematch with Hercules. It’s a guy thing.

This brings us back to Thor #129. By this point, Odin seems largely on board with Thor and Jane. Thor is over the whole Hercules thing. We reflected then on the Thor/Don relationship. Thor has come back to the decision that he will renounce godhood and live out his days as Don with Jane. But, well, things come up.

So it’s issue 131 before Thor is ready to tell Jane. Odin has given his blessing for Thor to renounce his godhood and marry Jane. Unfortunately, now Jane is missing.

Which brings us to where we are. After a series of adventures, Thor and Jane were reunited. They are in love, ready to marry. Thor’s last idea was that he would become mortal so they can marry. But we’ve seen how fickle he can be.

How the story ends

Thor has come close to proposing marriage to Jane many a time, but something has always gone wrong.

Surely, this time will work out.

Thor and Jane are off to Asgard to get the blessing of Odin for their wedding.

“With you beside me, my darling– I fear nothing! –Not even the incredible prospect of seeing– the home of the gods!”

In Asgard, everything impresses Jane. The colors. The army off to war with the Trolls. I like the image of Heimdall’s head in shadow beneath his helmet. It helps with the sense of awe Jane is experiencing.

Odin offers Jane these comforting words: “You must not tremble, my child! Give me thy hand– that I may place it on mine! Mayhap thou wilt draw confidence, and serenity, from the strength which is mine own!”

We seem to have again reversed course. While the last decision was for Thor to become mortal, they seem to be back to the idea that Jane will become immortal. Jane was apparently not consulted on this.

Before she knows it, she has a new outfit and the ability to fly.

She is unconfident in her flying, which Odin takes as a personal slight. Thor is also unreasonably annoyed with her.

So that she might make amends, Odin pits her against The Unknown, an Asgardian villain which inspires terror. Jane is understandably unhappy with this. Jane fails the test and Thor has to rescue her.

Jane wants to stay a mortal and live on Earth now.

“She hath more wisdom than thee, my son! Though Asgard be heaven enow– her place is on Earth– below!” Ah, the sympathy of Odin.

Which should be fine. Thor could just become a mortal on Earth to be with her, as he had planned. But I guess that’s off the table now.

Jane thinks this is all insane, and of course she’s right. This is all insane. Thor and Odin were completely out of line, but they acted like she was the crazy one. In fact, Jane’s rejection of Asgard and its mad ways is the most sensible thing anyone has said in this entire nonsensical series.

Odin banishes Jane to Earth and orders Thor to Gundershelm.

On Earth, Jane meets another Doctor and is instantly smitten. In Gundershelm, a mysterious ally aids Thor against The Unknown. The warrior is a woman named Sif and Thor is instantly smitten.

It seems that Thor loved Jane because she was literally the only woman he ever saw. To break him out of it, he needed to be introduced to another woman. And Jane just needed to meet another doctor. Notably, this one looks just like Dr. Blake to me.

Thor knew Sif as a child; this is his first time seeing her grown. We recall that in her youth, Thor had rescued her from Hela. She was blonde then, but coloring is never consistent in these comics.

We learn now she is Heimdall’s sister. We had previously learned she was Balder’s sister. Are Heimdall and Balder brothers?

And so ends the weird and tangled relationship between Thor and Jane Foster. With a finale that makes as much sense as anything ever has in this series.

Perhaps one day Jane will prove herself worthy of godhood.

Rating: ★★★½, 63/100
Significance: ★★★★☆

4 stars for properly introducing Sif, though we had met her as a youth. It’s a good issue in many ways, but I have mixed feelings about how the relationship ends. Though it was never that great a relationship to begin with, perhaps.

Characters:

• Thor
• Jane Foster
• Heimdall
• Odin
• The Unknown
• Dr. Kincaid
• Nurse Parkwell
• Sif

Story notes:

• Picks up in Wundagore where last issue left off.
• Thor and Jane stand upon the Rainbow Bridge and she is overwhelmed by the colors, brightness, and beauty.
• Cavalry of Asgard rides down Rainbow Bridge to war with the Kingdom of the Trolls, which has risen against Asgard.
• Asgard has captured a Troll prisoner for interrogation.
• Heimdall lets Thor and Jane pass.
• Heimdall described as guardian of the Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge.
• War Council of Odin in palace.
• Observing the Troll battleground chart, Odin orders his legions to the far perimeter.
• Odin transforms Jane’s outfit into a goddess’ outfit and grants her the gift of unlimited flight.
• Jane at first enjoys soaring, but then experiences doubt, and starts to fall.
• Thor is displeased she doubted Odin’s word and power.
• Jane needs to make amends for her moment of fear while flying.
• Odin orders The Unknown to test Jane.
• Odin’s emissary summons the Unknown with a sound from the Enchanted Tuning Fork.
• Jane calls out to Thor for help from the Unknown.
• Thor dispels the Unknown.
• Jane does not wish to be a goddess and stay in Asgard.
• Odin banishes Jane to Earth.
• Odin chastises Thor for questioning him.
• Odin orders Thor to Gundershelm to guard the Glade of Crystals from the Unknown.
• A troll seeks to summon the Unknown with the Tuning Fork.
• Jane has forgotten about Asgard, and now will be nurse to Dr. Kincaid, and she is in love with him.
• Sif and Thor defeat the Unknown.
• This was Sif’s first time beholding Thor in battle.
• Thor describes her as raven-tressed as a child.
• Sif is Heimdall’s sister.
• Thor falls in love with Sif.

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