Biography of Thor, 1966
The following is a biography of Thor for the year 1966, in which Donald Blake finally revealed his secret identity to his love Jane Foster.
Biography
Gods and Demons
Donald Blake went to check on Jane Foster in her hospital bed after she had suffered smoke inhalation during his recent fight with Absorbing Man. Irrespective of her illness, she was extremely distraught that Don clearly withheld a secret from her that by now was routinely causing him to disappear for weeks at a time. Overwhelmed by Jane's misery, Don decided to reveal himself, transforming into Thor before her eyes. Jane made him promise never to leave her again, but they were interrupted by an incoming nurse. In the meantime, Blake learned of a rampaging warlord in Asia known as the Demon. Tormented by the suffering of the Demon's victims, but also thinking of Jane, Donald hesitantly transformed and flew to the Demon's latest siege. The Demon was a Mongolian shaman wearing a ceremonial mask, and bearing around his neck the Norn Stone that Thor had recently dropped in flight.[1]
Thor defeated the Demon after a brief battle, and the warlord's followers scattered. He went to Asgard to return the Norn Stone, cognizant that Odin would be waiting with reprisal for revealing his identity to Jane. Indeed, Odin declared that Thor would suffer a Ritual of Steel, sending many of Asgard's finest warriors upon him, including Balder, to keep him from returning to Earth. In the end, Thor fought his way past them and to the Bifrost, fending off Heimdall to return to Midgard. Balder admitted to Odin that he couldn't bring himself to fight Thor with his full strength. Back in New York, none other than Hercules had arrived, having been dispatched there by his own father Zeus. Briefly thinking he was Thor, Jane had gotten mixed up with Hercules, and Thor found the two of them together in a soda parlor. Jane berated him for running off so soon after she'd begged him to stay. As Thor tried to explain, Hercules batted him away, and the two squared off.[2]
The two fought, causing rampant property damage across the city in a battle of will and ego. Each judged the other to be arrogant in his power—Thor pulled his blows somewhat for fear of harming Hercules too significantly. After a long while of fighting, Thor was blasted by a beam of energy from the heavens: this was Odin's continuing punishment, a weakening blast that robbed him of half his power. A devastated Thor then stood no chance against Hercules, who soon downed him with a powerful blow to the head. Cheering crowds surrounded Hercules, but Jane came to Thor's side. She apologized for trying to make him jealous, but a humiliated Thor brushed her off and said he wouldn't see her again until he'd regained his honor. Jane was contacted telepathically by the voice of Odin, who told her what had happened and implored her to support Thor in his time of need.[3][note 1]
Notes
- ↑ This issue marks the transition from Journey Into Mystery to Thor.
See also
References
- ↑ Journey Into Mystery #124a: "The Grandeur and the Glory!" (January 1966) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Colletta, Vince (i), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ Journey Into Mystery #125a: "When Meet the Immortals!" (February 1966) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Colletta, Vince (i), Simek, Artie (let).
- ↑ Thor #126a: "Whom the Gods Would Destroy!" (March 1966) Lee, Stan (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Colletta, Vince (i), Simek, Artie (let).