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Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor #4
Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor, Vol. 4
Holy Mjolnir, True Believer! Tis time for another monolithic masterpiece of Mighty Thor mania! And how!
We lieth not, were preparing an assaulting assemblage of Asgardian artifacts as only Stan and Jack could articulate them. Featuring the one and only Thunder God in the tales that put the cosmic in comics. It all kicks off with a slobbernocker of knock-down, drag-out proportions with the Absorbing Man in the very halls of Asgard! While in the outskirts of outer Mongolia (yes, that far out) a Demon powered by a mystic Norn stone dwells. Thor may be able to handle this magical miscreant, but how will he fare in a toe-to-toe with the Prince of Power, Herculesespecially when the All-Father Odin has cut the Thunder Gods power in half? All well say is its safer than betting on the ponies! It all leads to a battle of epic proportions that takes the Thunder God to the depths of the Underworld itself to fight the legions of Pluto! And lest we forget the titanic Tales of Asgard! Nay, we dare not! Prepare yourself to learn the secrets of Ragnarok and more.
Collects JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #121-125 and THOR (Vol. 1) #126-130.
We lieth not, were preparing an assaulting assemblage of Asgardian artifacts as only Stan and Jack could articulate them. Featuring the one and only Thunder God in the tales that put the cosmic in comics. It all kicks off with a slobbernocker of knock-down, drag-out proportions with the Absorbing Man in the very halls of Asgard! While in the outskirts of outer Mongolia (yes, that far out) a Demon powered by a mystic Norn stone dwells. Thor may be able to handle this magical miscreant, but how will he fare in a toe-to-toe with the Prince of Power, Herculesespecially when the All-Father Odin has cut the Thunder Gods power in half? All well say is its safer than betting on the ponies! It all leads to a battle of epic proportions that takes the Thunder God to the depths of the Underworld itself to fight the legions of Pluto! And lest we forget the titanic Tales of Asgard! Nay, we dare not! Prepare yourself to learn the secrets of Ragnarok and more.
Collects JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #121-125 and THOR (Vol. 1) #126-130.
229 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
13 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,565 books2,335 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 6, 2025
I still think Tana Nile was originally supposed to be Hela...
————————————
Nearly hits 5.
Kirby has taken flight.
This stuff is just grand. And arguably shaping a lot of fantasy to come, despite it not getting the credit. Urban fantasy by way of our myth has been in vogue for years. In many ways this is its origin.
We’ve got more good Absorbing Man tales
Thor finally revealing himself to Jane (which marks the beginning of her demise) (and she’s just absent more which is wonderful)
More Warriors Three and Balder action.
More Hercules and Zeus.
Introduction of Pluto and Hyppolita
Introduction but not the full reveal of Tana Nile (I think she was originally supposed to be Hela)
A telling of Ragnarok that is basically Kirby’s generation of his New Gods creations.
The book’s just great.
Vince Colleta is notorious as a terrible Kirby inker, and there are some drawbacks in his inking here. But sometimes his rough hashing gives the work an interesting edge. But sometimes it looks lazy.
————————————
Nearly hits 5.
Kirby has taken flight.
This stuff is just grand. And arguably shaping a lot of fantasy to come, despite it not getting the credit. Urban fantasy by way of our myth has been in vogue for years. In many ways this is its origin.
We’ve got more good Absorbing Man tales
Thor finally revealing himself to Jane (which marks the beginning of her demise) (and she’s just absent more which is wonderful)
More Warriors Three and Balder action.
More Hercules and Zeus.
Introduction of Pluto and Hyppolita
Introduction but not the full reveal of Tana Nile (I think she was originally supposed to be Hela)
A telling of Ragnarok that is basically Kirby’s generation of his New Gods creations.
The book’s just great.
Vince Colleta is notorious as a terrible Kirby inker, and there are some drawbacks in his inking here. But sometimes his rough hashing gives the work an interesting edge. But sometimes it looks lazy.
September 23, 2017
The Warriors Three! Hercules! The prophecies of Ragnarok! All hell (literally) breaks loose as stories become more and more mythological, setting up one of Kirby's most creative phases.
April 10, 2020
Issues covered: JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #121-125, THE MIGHTY THOR #126-130 (October 1965 - July 1966) - plus material from NOT BRAND ECHH #3
Acquired at Fat Jack's Comicrypt, Philadelphia, PA, March 23, 2018
Thor graduates to his own title, as Journey into Mystery is renamed to match its feature player! Much of this volume is concerned with finishing up the slugfest with the Absorbing Man, then establishing Hercules and the Greek Pantheon in the Marvel Universe. Hercules presents an interesting case, and I really like him in this series of issues. (He technically first appeared earlier in a JiM ANNUAL issue, in an out-of-sequence story from Thor's past.) He's a reckless, larger-than-life, somewhat dim-witted yet good-hearted hero. He appears similar to Thor, on a superficial level--the powerful and beloved son of godly monarch--but Stan and Jack take pains to differentiate them in a key way: while Thor is a warrior whose primary interest is justice, Hercules revels in the sport of combat. It almost feels like a do-over of the Thor origin story, with its implication of worthiness that Thor keeps gaining and losing and regaining (including in this very collection), but whereas Thor is well down the path of this hero's journey, Herc is very much on its first steps. Plus, he doesn't have an enchanted hammer constantly reminding him to be better. I think Thor will return to theme himself later, when the origin of Donald Blake and Thor's need for humility are introduced; for now, Hercules' antics just serve to make our hero look better. Which isn't nothing! (Incidentally, I can't help noting that Silver Age Hercules very much resembles Early Marvel Cinematic Universe Thor: a much more bombastic--dare I say bro-y--figure than Comics Thor has ever been depicted as.
BRING ON THE BAD GUYS:
After dispensing with the Absorbing Man, Loki barely appears, serving mainly as a sinister force in the TALES OF ASGARD backup tales. A couple of issues are spent on Thor and Hercules' rivalry before setting up the major bad guy of the Greek Pantheon, Pluto (whose idiosyncratic Kirby design is way cool, by the way, and a rare instance of a mostly-blue color scheme on a Silver Age villain). Ares also pops up for all of four panels, as well as Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, whose presence is mostly pointless; I'm honestly not sure if she has turned up in further comics since then, so I guess we'll discover that together. The less said about the incomprehensible "Witch Doctor," the better.
LADYWATCH:
You know, I don't hate the Thor-Jane Foster relationship. In this collection, Thor actually reveals is secret identity to Jane--which may be a first in comics like this. Beyond that--I know it's goofy and overwrought and dramatic, but I feel a lot more passion between these kooky kids than any other Silver Age couple. There's gotta be some heat there is she can resist the charms of Hercules!
Plus, Jane gets a great moment: a pedestrian gets winged by a car and Jane rushes through the crowd, shouting, "Let me through! I'm a nurse!" Aside from the previously-mentioned Hippolyta, we meet the mysterious Tana Nile, whose secrets will be revealed in future issues.
HEROES, THEY'RE JUST LIKE US:
A couple of funny scenes where Thor walks amongst the hoi-polloi. In one memorable scene, he takes a cab ride to Jane's apartment for compelling reason, but gets this earful from a brassy cabbie: "You carry a nutty hammer and wear them wings on yer hat, while I drive a hack and wear a button in my cap! But I'll betcha you worry about dames, n' politics, n' the World Series just like me n' everybody else! ... In spite of them crazy golden curls, you're an A-1 joe in MY book!" To which Thor replies: "I have received plaudits and accolades from the highest and mightiest of men and immortals--yet, the words YOU have spoken shall gladden my heart for as long as memory endures!"
Acquired at Fat Jack's Comicrypt, Philadelphia, PA, March 23, 2018
Thor graduates to his own title, as Journey into Mystery is renamed to match its feature player! Much of this volume is concerned with finishing up the slugfest with the Absorbing Man, then establishing Hercules and the Greek Pantheon in the Marvel Universe. Hercules presents an interesting case, and I really like him in this series of issues. (He technically first appeared earlier in a JiM ANNUAL issue, in an out-of-sequence story from Thor's past.) He's a reckless, larger-than-life, somewhat dim-witted yet good-hearted hero. He appears similar to Thor, on a superficial level--the powerful and beloved son of godly monarch--but Stan and Jack take pains to differentiate them in a key way: while Thor is a warrior whose primary interest is justice, Hercules revels in the sport of combat. It almost feels like a do-over of the Thor origin story, with its implication of worthiness that Thor keeps gaining and losing and regaining (including in this very collection), but whereas Thor is well down the path of this hero's journey, Herc is very much on its first steps. Plus, he doesn't have an enchanted hammer constantly reminding him to be better. I think Thor will return to theme himself later, when the origin of Donald Blake and Thor's need for humility are introduced; for now, Hercules' antics just serve to make our hero look better. Which isn't nothing! (Incidentally, I can't help noting that Silver Age Hercules very much resembles Early Marvel Cinematic Universe Thor: a much more bombastic--dare I say bro-y--figure than Comics Thor has ever been depicted as.
BRING ON THE BAD GUYS:
After dispensing with the Absorbing Man, Loki barely appears, serving mainly as a sinister force in the TALES OF ASGARD backup tales. A couple of issues are spent on Thor and Hercules' rivalry before setting up the major bad guy of the Greek Pantheon, Pluto (whose idiosyncratic Kirby design is way cool, by the way, and a rare instance of a mostly-blue color scheme on a Silver Age villain). Ares also pops up for all of four panels, as well as Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, whose presence is mostly pointless; I'm honestly not sure if she has turned up in further comics since then, so I guess we'll discover that together. The less said about the incomprehensible "Witch Doctor," the better.
LADYWATCH:
You know, I don't hate the Thor-Jane Foster relationship. In this collection, Thor actually reveals is secret identity to Jane--which may be a first in comics like this. Beyond that--I know it's goofy and overwrought and dramatic, but I feel a lot more passion between these kooky kids than any other Silver Age couple. There's gotta be some heat there is she can resist the charms of Hercules!
Plus, Jane gets a great moment: a pedestrian gets winged by a car and Jane rushes through the crowd, shouting, "Let me through! I'm a nurse!" Aside from the previously-mentioned Hippolyta, we meet the mysterious Tana Nile, whose secrets will be revealed in future issues.
HEROES, THEY'RE JUST LIKE US:
A couple of funny scenes where Thor walks amongst the hoi-polloi. In one memorable scene, he takes a cab ride to Jane's apartment for compelling reason, but gets this earful from a brassy cabbie: "You carry a nutty hammer and wear them wings on yer hat, while I drive a hack and wear a button in my cap! But I'll betcha you worry about dames, n' politics, n' the World Series just like me n' everybody else! ... In spite of them crazy golden curls, you're an A-1 joe in MY book!" To which Thor replies: "I have received plaudits and accolades from the highest and mightiest of men and immortals--yet, the words YOU have spoken shall gladden my heart for as long as memory endures!"
February 27, 2023
Peak Lee and Kirby from the mid-sixties. Thor battles the Absorbing Man and Loki to save his father, then Odin like a jerk strips half Thor's power away and lets Hercules kick his butt. This leads to a reconciliation and then to Thor saving Hercules from eternal imprisonment in the netherworld.
On the downside, the plotline involving reporter Harris Hobbs is so idiotically idiotic it makes me think Lee and Kirby started it without figuring out the end or otherwise changed their minds mid-plot arc.
Despite that, really amazing if this is your kind of thing. It certainly is mine.
On the downside, the plotline involving reporter Harris Hobbs is so idiotically idiotic it makes me think Lee and Kirby started it without figuring out the end or otherwise changed their minds mid-plot arc.
Despite that, really amazing if this is your kind of thing. It certainly is mine.
December 30, 2020
It was here that Kirby and Lee fully hit their stride with Thor. No longer was it merely about a doctor who could transform into a badass action hero. From here a rich saga of pride, love, violence, and jealousy unfolded that was so big and epic even the greek pantheon of gods got involved. Thor's epic knockdown drag out fight with Hercules is a truly stunning issue with wild and intense action, as well as a shocking conclusion. Read and become enthralled in an all-time comic classic
October 11, 2024
Jack Kirby's full panel layouts are the main draw here. Additionally this edition has a bonus Mighty Thor parody from Marvel's short-lived Not Brand Ech which seemed modeled on Mad Magazine. The origin story of The Mighty Sore is penned by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and gives a major nod to Wally Wood's work for the early issues of Mad. It is a scream!
December 11, 2017
More Thor!
While the Jane foster soap opera is never-ending, Hercules returns for a great arc, and Thor must save Odin from a usurper! Early marvel at its best!
While the Jane foster soap opera is never-ending, Hercules returns for a great arc, and Thor must save Odin from a usurper! Early marvel at its best!
February 7, 2021
Jack and Stan do it again
Jack and Stan do it again. Excelsior to them, the perfect purveyors of the prodigious panels that pasted their way into making the Marvel Age.
Jack and Stan do it again. Excelsior to them, the perfect purveyors of the prodigious panels that pasted their way into making the Marvel Age.
December 14, 2022
Too much Jane, not enough Loki. ;) I do wonder who Tana Nile will turn out to be.
July 4, 2023
Some really great crossovers with Hercules in these stories.
January 7, 2015
When Stan Lee started writing Thor, it was pretty lacking in mystical grandeur. Now he's started gradually easing in the pseudo-Elizabethan language we remember and the constant contact with pantheons of other gods. He falls into the trap of making Pluto a villain, but even then, at this volume's end, Pluto is shown to be someone of honor. Hercules is a major character contrast to Thor--brash and immature, as one would expect from a guy who was prone to family-killing bouts of madness. the throws a Hollywood publicity guy, never named, into a trash can on first meeting him, but then is totally willing to work with him after he has defeated Thor. Numerous startling things occur that could easily have been used as ways to end the series once Lee got tired of writing them--we're even shown what Ragnarok could be like, but still the stories will press on for hundreds of issues. After a disappointing start, Thor is definitely at a high point.
November 13, 2016
As the cover suggests, this collection largely focuses on a number of fights involving Hercules. Even though there is such a tight focus, with the collection starting out with enemies Loki and The Absorbing Man then moving on to the Hercules centric tales, this is one of the better collections for Thor.
March 7, 2013
Early Thor, lots of one off battles. It gets interesting with a longstory about his meeting Hercules and how their relationship affects him. There's lots of romance too. This is slowly getting to be the Thor we now know. A good read.
February 5, 2016
The Marvel Masterworks volumes are fantastic reprints of the early years of Marvel comics. A fantastic resource to allow these hard to find issues to be read by everyone. Very recommended to everyone and Highly recommended to any comic fan.
April 27, 2015
Lee and Kirby start downplaying the secret identity soap opera and playing up the epic-scale mythological conflicts, and the series (already my favorite classic Marvel comic) is the stronger for it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews