{"id":32291,"date":"2025-02-24T15:52:12","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T15:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/?p=32291"},"modified":"2025-02-24T15:52:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T15:52:12","slug":"mighty-marvel-masterworks-presents-mighty-thor-volume-4-when-meet-the-immortals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/2025\/02\/24\/mighty-marvel-masterworks-presents-mighty-thor-volume-4-when-meet-the-immortals\/","title":{"rendered":"Mighty Marvel Masterworks presents Mighty Thor volume 4: When Meet the Immortals"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nBy Stan Lee<\/strong> & Jack Kirby<\/strong>, with Vince Colletta<\/strong>, Art<\/strong> Simek<\/strong>, Sam Rosen<\/strong> & various (MARVEL)
\nISBN: 978-1-3029-5426-0 (TPB\/Digital edition)<\/p>\n

This book includes Discriminatory Content<\/strong> produced in less enlightened times.<\/em><\/p>\n

These stories are timeless and have been gathered many times before, but today I\u2019m once again focussing on format. The Mighty Marvel Masterworks<\/strong> line launched with economy in mind: classic tales of Marvel\u2019s key creators and characters re-presented in chronological publishing order. It\u2019s been a staple since the 1990s, but always in lavish, hardback collectors editions. These editions are cheaper, on lower quality paper and – crucially – smaller, about the dimensions of a paperback book. Your eyesight might be failing and your hands too big and shaky, but at 152 x 227mm, they\u2019re perfect for kids. If you opt for digital editions, that\u2019s no issue at all\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Even more than The Fantastic Four<\/strong>, Sci Fi fantasy title The Mighty Thor<\/strong> was the arena in which Jack Kirby\u2019s boundless fascination with all things Cosmic was honed and refined through his increasingly groundbreaking graphics and captivating concepts. The King\u2019s plethora of power-packed signature pantheons began in a modest little monster mag called Journey into Mystery<\/strong> where – in the summer of 1962 – a tried-&-true comic book concept (feeble mortal transformed into god-like hero) was revived by the rapidly resurgent company who were not yet Marvel Comics: adding a Superman<\/strong> analogue to their growing roster of costumed adventurers.<\/p>\n

This cheap & cheerful epochal pocket tome re-presents more pioneering Asgardian exploits from Journey into Mystery<\/strong> Annual<\/strong> #1, JiM<\/strong> #120-125, and The Mighty Thor<\/strong> #126-127: altogether spanning cover-dates September 1965 to April 1966 as the venerable anthology title changed name to further magnify its magnificent wide-screen feature hero, in a blazing blur of innovation and seat-of-the-pants myth-revising and universe-building. It is lettered throughout by unsung superstars Art Simek & Sam Rosen, and an unjustly anonymous band of colourists.<\/p>\n

As you already know:<\/em> Once upon a time, lonely, lamed American doctor Donald Blake<\/em> took a vacation in Norway and encountered the vanguard of an alien invasion. Trapped in a cave, Blake found a gnarled old walking stick, which when struck against the ground, turned him into the Norse God of Thunder! Within moments he was defending the weak and smiting the wicked. As months swiftly passed, rapacious extraterrestrials, Commie tyrants, costumed crazies and cheap thugs gradually gave way to a vast panoply of fantastic worlds and incredible, mythic menaces. Moreover, from JiM<\/strong> #110, the wild warrior\u2019s Realm of Asgard was a regular feature and mesmerising milieu for our hero\u2019s earlier exploits, heralding an era of cosmic fantasy to run beside young Marvel\u2019s signature superhero sagas.<\/p>\n

Every issue carried spectacular back-up sagas Tales of Asgard – Home of the Mighty Norse Gods<\/strong> gifting Kirby space to indulge his fascination with legends. They also allowed both complete vignettes and longer epics – in every sense of the word. Initially adapted myths, these yarns evolved into serial sagas unique to the Marvel universe where Kirby constructed his own cosmos and mythology, underpinning the company\u2019s entire continuity.<\/p>\n

Here – with everything attributed to Lee, Kirby & Vince Colletta and after Thor has defeated his malign step-brother Loki<\/em> and The Destroyer<\/em> in Vietnam – the Thunder God returns to America, leaving room for a special event and flashback tale too big for the regular periodical.<\/p>\n

The blockbusting lead story from Journey into Mystery Annual<\/strong> #1 reveals how in undisclosed ages past the God of Thunder fell across dimensions into the realm of the Greek Gods for a landmark heroic hullabaloo \u2018When Titans Clash! Thor vs. Hercules!\u2019<\/em> The spectacular clash of theologies was an incredible all-action episode, and is augmented by a stunning double-page pin-up of downtown Asgard – a true example of Kirby magic…
\n\"\"
\nBack in the now, Thor stops at Pittsburgh\u2019s steel mills to repair Mjolnir <\/em>– cut into pieces by the Destroyer – and \u2018With My Hammer in Hand..!\u2019<\/em> prepares to denounce Loki\u2019s villainy to Odin. In the process he mislays one of his brother\u2019s magical Norn Stones: a mishap that will cost him dearly later. Meanwhile, beloved Jane Foster<\/em> has been abducted by a hidden miscreant with mischief in mind but before the Thunderer can act on that he is ambushed by Loki\u2019s contingency plan as the awesome Absorbing Man<\/em> returns…<\/p>\n

In the back, the Tales of Asgard<\/strong> serial \u2018The Quest\u2019<\/em> further unfolded as hand-picked warriors on Thor\u2019s flying longship endure further hardship in their bold bid to forestall Ragnarok. This month\u2019s Asgardian edda sees their bold but misguided attempt finally start, as they \u2018Set Sail!\u2019<\/em> against their legendary prophesied foes…<\/p>\n

JiM <\/strong>#121 opens mid-melee as the Thunderer\u2019s attack against colossal Crusher Creel<\/em> intensifies in \u2018The Power! The Passion! The Pride!\u2019<\/em> before the god\u2019s compassion for human spectators sparks his downfall and defeat. Seemingly doomed Thor\u2019s cliffhanger fate is paused as B-feature \u2018Maelstrom!\u2019<\/em> sees Asgardian Argonauts epically encounter an uncanny living storm…<\/p>\n

In #122\u2019s \u2018Where Mortals Fear to Tread!\u2019<\/em> triumphant Crusher Creel is prevented from finishing Thor when he is abducted by Loki to attack Asgard and Odin himself: an astounding clash capped by cataclysmic conclusion \u2018While a Universe Trembles!\u2019 <\/em>Meanwhile at the rear, \u2018The Grim Specter of Mutiny!\u2019<\/em> invoked by seditious young Loki is quashed in time for valiant Balder<\/em> to save the Argonauts from \u2018The Jaws of the Dragon!\u2019<\/em> in the ever-escalating Ragnarok Quest.<\/p>\n

In modern times, with the latest threat to Asgard ended and Creel and Loki banished, Thor returns to Earth to defeat The Demon<\/em>: a \u201cwitchdoctor\u201d empowered by the magical Norn Stone left behind after the Thunder God\u2019s Vietnamese venture. However, whilst the Storm Lord is away, Hercules<\/strong> is dispatched to Earth on a reconnaissance mission for Zeus<\/em>. \u2018The Grandeur and the Glory!\u2019<\/em> opens another extended story-arc\/action extravaganza, bouncing the Thunderer from bruising battle to brutal defeat to ascendant triumph\u2026<\/p>\n

As seen in Journey into Mystery Annual<\/strong> #1, long ago the God of Thunder inadvertently invaded the realm of the Greek Gods. Now with the Greek godling clearly popular with readers, Hercules properly enters the growing Mavel Universe. After the impending imbroglio with Thor, the Prince of Power would battle the Hulk and eventually join the Avengers but right now he\u2019s still just another enemy for the Thunderer to face…<\/p>\n

Issue #125 –\u2018When Meet the Immortals!\u2019<\/em> – was the last Journey into Mystery <\/strong>for decades. With next month\u2019s \u2018Whom the Gods Would Destroy!\u2019<\/em>, the comic became The Mighty Thor<\/strong> and the drama amped up, culminating with \u2018The Hammer and the Holocaust!\u2019 <\/em>In short order Thor crushes the Norn-fuelled Demon, tells Jane his secret identity and is deprived of his powers by Odin. He is then brutally beaten by Hercules, and subsequently seemingly loses Jane to the Prince of Power, yet still manages to save Asgard from unscrupulous traitor Seidring the Merciless<\/em> who had usurped Odin\u2019s mystic might while the All-Father was distracted with family matters. And in the wings another epic encounter opened as a certain satanic terror set his infernal sights on an unwitting godly prince…
\n\"\"
\nTo Be Continued…<\/p>\n

The accompanying Tales of Asgard<\/strong> instalments see the Questers home in on the cause of all their woes. \u2018Closer Comes the Swarm\u2019<\/em> pits them against the Flying Trolls of Thryheim<\/em>, before \u2018The Queen Commands\u2019<\/em> sees Loki captured until Thor answers \u2018The Summons!\u2019<\/em>, promptly returning all Argonauts to Asgard to be shown \u2018The Meaning of Ragnarok!\u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

In truth, these mini-eddas were, although still magnificent in visual excitement, becoming rather rambling in plot, so the narrative reset was neither unexpected nor unwelcome\u2026<\/p>\n

The episodic exploits then close with the original pencil art to the cover of JiM <\/strong>#123.<\/p>\n

These Thor<\/strong> tales show the development not only of one of Marvel\u2019s fundamental continuity concepts but more importantly the creative evolution of the greatest imagination in comics. Set your common sense on pause and simply wallow in the glorious imagery and power of these classic adventures for the true secret of what makes graphic narrative a unique experience.
\n\u00a9 2024 MARVEL.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Stan Lee & Jack Kirby, with Vince Colletta, Art Simek, Sam Rosen & various (MARVEL) ISBN: 978-1-3029-5426-0 (TPB\/Digital edition) This book includes Discriminatory Content produced in less enlightened times. These stories are timeless and have been gathered many times before, but today I\u2019m once again focussing on format. The Mighty Marvel Masterworks line launched … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Mighty Marvel Masterworks presents Mighty Thor volume 4: When Meet the Immortals”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[191,290,239,102,288,117,72,79,148,256,100,93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventure","category-dinosaurs","category-drama","category-fantasy","category-hercules","category-jack-kirby","category-marvel-masters-masterworks","category-marvel-superheroes","category-romance","category-sword-sorcery","category-thor","category-war-stories"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4AFj-8oP","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32291"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32296,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32291\/revisions\/32296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}