Journey Into Mystery #112

Title: “Thor Battles the Incredible Hulk!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone

Thor flies overhead and spots two groups of youngsters arguing over who is stronger he or the Hulk. The Thor fan says that Thor is stronger than anyone. The Hulk fans ask what you have when you take away Thor's hammer. The Thor fans say that he could mop the floor with the dumb Hulk. The Hulk fans ask why, if he is so dumb, why no one has ever beaten him. Thor lands. The Thor fans say that they will just ask Thor. The Hulk fans say there is no sense asking him and that of course Thor is going to say that he is the strongest. Thor says that he only speaks the truth. The Hulk fan says that he meant no offense. One asks if Hulk is stronger than him. Thor sits and says that sometimes brute strength isn't the most important thing. The people say that is no answer. A Hulk fan says that maybe Thor doesn't want to tell them. Thor says that he will tell them a tale. He says that parts of it are public record, but that other parts are not. One of the people says that he remembers that Thor was with the rest of the Avengers.

The Avengers are after Namor and the Hulk. Namor and Hulk lay waiting with a modified air raid alarm that will destroy any living being it is directed at. Hulk asks who cares about that. He says that he just wants to get his hands on them. Giant-Man grabs Namor away from his alarm. Namor's strength gives him the upper hand against Giant-Man, but Iron Man helps him. Hulk charges at Thor.

One man says that most of it was in the paper, but that it is better hearing it from Thor. Another asks what happened. He says that the paper said Namor and Hulk just ran off, but that he is betting there is more to it than that. Thor says that there was much more. He says that there was a battle between him and the Hulk that no one knew about.

Thor says that the others were trying to stop Namor without hurting him. He says that he and the Hulk were forgotten in the shadows. As they fought, they separated from the others more and more. Thor dodges Hulk's blow. Thor says that he had never seen such rage and fury. He says that the Hulk fought like a demon possessed. He says that the Hulk actually tore sections of the cave wall off trying to trap him. Thor spins his hammer and asks Hulk if he thinks he is impressed with his strength. Thor says that he is just the Hulk, but that he is Thor from Asgard. Thor creates a dimensional disruption around himself that the Hulk can't get through. Safe inside, Thor thinks that only Hulk seems to have strength that rivals his. He says that he will prove which of them is stronger. Thor sent a message to Odin. Odin tells Thor to think his thoughts toward Asgard and that he will hear him. Thor requests five minutes during which he may retain his power without his hammer. He says that he wishes to test himself in hand to hand battle. Odin grants his wish and says that his hammer will provide him with no enchanted power. Thor decides to throw the hammer away, but Hulk steps in front of it and catches it. Hulk says that he is stronger than ever before and that he could never lift his hammer before. Thor thinks to himself that the only reason Hulk can lift it now is because Mjolnir's magic is gone for the next five minutes. Hulk says that he is going to break the hammer and Thor realizes the problem of the hammer having no magic powers. Thor rushes Hulk. Hulk swings the hammer at Thor, but misses and hits the ground. Thor back flips Hulk and makes a dash for the hammer. Hulk tells Thor that he isn't going anywhere. He grabs Thor's ankle as he rushes over him. Hulk hits Thor and knocks him to the ground. Thor says that he can't remember the last time that feat was accomplished. Thor sees Hulk still eyeing the hammer. He quickly rushes, grabs the hammer, and stashes it in his belt. He tells Hulk that he can only get it by defeating him. Hulk says that he can defeat anything that lives. Hulk pulls a World War II mine out of the wall and throws it at Thor. Thor reels from the blow and Hulk tells Thor that he is nothing to him. He says that he has weakened Thor, but that he can't be weakened. He says that he gets stronger every minute. Hulk tries to hit Thor, but Thor drops to the ground and kicks his legs into Hulk. Thor tells Hulk that he has listened to Hulk's boasts and that his patience is at an end. He says that now Hulk will learn that there is power beyond sinews and that there is more to strength than size alone. Thor hits Hulk twice and pauses to see what effect it has. The pause is all Hulk needs and he grabs both of Thor's wrists. Thor realizes that he was a fool to pause.

Odin watches the fight from Asgard. He says that Thor fights valiantly against an awesome foe. He says that he has never seen Thor so close to defeat before. He says that if Thor wants to win that he will need to do so quickly. He says that the five minutes are just about up and that he can't do anything to effect the outcome.

Hulk is about to drop Thor to his knees, but Thor says that he will show Hulk what power really is. He lifts the Hulk off the ground. Hulk says that he shouldn't be able to do that and that he is bigger than Thor. Thor says that he has known many like the Hulk through the ages. He says that the name changes, but that the power and fury are always present. He says that Hulk always needs to destroy thinking his strength can smash anything. Thor says that he knows Hulk's breed. Thor thinks to himself that his five minutes are just about up and the Hulk uses his lack of concentration to ram his knees down into Hulk. Hulk hits Thor and sends him flying. Thor doesn't hit the mountain because he put his hands out, but the force of the hit causes the mountain to collapse around he and the Hulk. Hulk shouts that it can't end like this. Thor takes his hammer and smashes at the rocks, but by the time he gets to where the Hulk was the Hulk has tunneled away. Thor gets in the tunnel to chase after the Hulk.

Odin says that only seconds remain and that he can't give Thor more time than he asked for. He says that there will be no final decision today, but that at least Thor should have a better understanding of humility.

Thor emerges from the tunnel just as Namor is charging Iron Man. Namor and Hulk are both on Thor. Hulk grabs the hammer, but then the magic returns to Mjolnir and the hammer returns to Thor's hand.

Thor is silent for a few minutes and the people who were arguing about him or the Hulk being stronger ask about what happened in the rest of the fight. Thor says that there is nothing more to tell. He says that the Hulk just vanished. He starts to tell them of the next time he found the Hulk, but tells them that is a tale for another time. One man says that Thor hasn't told them who is strongest. Thor says that he can only guess and so he will not scatter his words about like the wind. Thor spins his hammer and says that he will tell them that it isn't who possesses the greatest power, but who uses the power wisely in the cause of justice. Thor flies away and says that he has learned that strength without virtue is an empty shell. He hopes Hulk learns that lesson.

In the southwest, Hulk says that he must find Thor and crush him as only he can. He hits a rock and says that someday Thor will be smashed forever.

Lightning Crashes rating: 10 out of 10

Seems like we get the same answer in their first one on one fight as we do in their latest (Hulk annual 2001). It seems like the Hulk is stronger, but that Thor is more powerful. Even Thor, when asked if Hulk is stronger, says that brute strength isn't everything. Indicating that he thinks Hulk is physically stronger. One of the things I have never understood is why Thor thinks it makes him stronger than the Hulk to lift Hulk off the ground. Hulk doesn't even weigh a ton. It should be child's play for Thor to lift Hulk. Hulk was matching his strength against Thor's trying to force him to the ground.... force against force. Thor is lifting Hulk off the ground... only his weight is opposing him. Hulk seems to always get the upper hand on Thor... according to Thor... because his concentration lapses. Not really sure how that makes Thor the great warrior he claims to be. If you want the fight bad enough to ask for special dispensation it seems like you might want to pay attention to your foe. Sounds like an excuse to me. The funniest part of the fight, to me, is when the mountain collapses. Hulk throws Thor into a mountain. Thor stomps himself from being pasted into the mountain and he thinks it was because of him the mountain comes down. That's like a catcher taking credit for the speed of a pitch because he's the one catching it. I might be over stating things a bit since I am a Hulk fan first and because Thor has been a thorn in Hulk's side for years.... but it's my site and that's how I see it. Extra points for style to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Stan for trying to give an answer that every fan wants to know (even the ones he made up in the book) and not really giving any answer. Kirby for giving such power and great storytelling that you can actually forget that the Hulk and Thor are two dimensional in this book.

Title: "The Coming of Loki!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colleta

Ages ago, Odin stood toe to toe with Laufey, the King of the giant warriors of Jotunheim. Laufey says that Asgard will be his, but that if Odin yields perhaps he will let Odin live in bondage. Odin says that he yields to no one. He says to let the battle begin. Laufey swings his war club, but Odin easily dodges. The two trade blows back and forth. Odin tells Laufey that he doesn't hear his empty boasts now. Laufey says that Odin can't win. He says that they are in his land. Odin is nearly hit by a pothole that erupts with cosmic flame. Odin realizes that the advantage is Laufey's and figures he had better win quickly. Odin throws his hammer and smashes Laufey's war club to pieces. The giants in assembly become frenzied and rush to the fight. One of them gives Laufey a sword. Odin calls out for the warriors of Asgard to join him since the giants are already fighting with Laufey.

After fighting and fighting, the Asgardians finally start to get the upper hand. The giants retreat to Laufey's castle so that they might attack again another day. Odin orders his warriors to go after them and that the reign of Laufey must end. Laufey chooses death over surrender. Odin discovers a bundle moving and orders it opened. A warrior opens it and discovers Loki, son of Laufey. Loki was hidden because of the shame of his not being born a giant. Odin says that he is a prince, a son of a kingly father. Odin says that he must accord him his rightful due. Odin holds Loki up and tells all the Asgardians that Loki is now his son and half-brother to Thor.

Lightning Crashes rating: 7 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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