Journey Into Mystery #114

Title: “The Stronger I Am, the Sooner I Die!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone

A man is trying to get away from Thor in a souped up bucket racing car. Thor tells the man that escape from him is inconceivable. He tells him to surrender now and avoid possible injury. The man fires a gun at Thor. He says that he knows Thor has sworn never to take a human life and that he has nothing to fear. Thor says that if he is compelled to use force then so be it. Thor grabs the man and flips him out of the car. The man thinks to himself that he has to keep fighting, and that if he is caught he’ll be tried for treason. He thinks how his sentence could be death. The man says that though Thor is supposed to be immortal that his high powered blaster can stop anything. The man shoots and misses and Thor says that he has to hit his target first. Thor says that he is more elusive than any foe he has faced. Thor throws his hammer not to hit the man but to give him pause. The man dives to the ground as the hammer nears him. The man reloads his gun and thinks about using his grenade.

Loki watches Thor’s battle on a four-dimensional molecule screen. A scheme forms in his head. He says that this is his chance, and that while Thor is in battle that he will weaken him as only he can. Loki carefully pours a strange potion on a subatomic space distorter. Loki aims it at the molecular screen and sends his creation through all known dimensions at Thor.

A capsule drops behind Thor and covers him with a thin invisible mist. Thor thinks that he senses danger nearby, but that he must deal with the task at hand. Thor blocks the man’s shot with his hammer. The man follows up with his grenade. Loki thinks to himself that his potion should slow Thor enough for the grenade to hit him, and that it should weaken him enough to destroy him. Thor, instead of dodging, spins his hammer and nullifies the effects of the explosion. Thor smashes his hammer through a tree limb and the limb falls and pins the man against the ground.

Back in Asgard, Loki says that he failed. He says that as powerful as the potion was that it had no effect on Thor. He remembers that only Odin can strip Thor of his power. Loki says that there are other ways. He says that if he can’t take Thor’s powers from him that he will give power to another. Loki develops a new scheme.

Some time later, Loki holds a vial in his hand. He thinks about how the potion is ready and that all he has to do is find a likely agent on the planet of mortals. Loki spots a prisoner at meal time. He says that he is the perfect subject. He thinks that the man is brutal, savage, and consumed with hatred for society. Loki drops his potion into Creel’s drink. Creel drinks it down and looks at the glass. Loki says that it will make him the most dangerous mortal on Earth within one second. Loki thinks how nothing can stop him now and that he only has to wait until he meets up with Thor… the one he will destroy. Creel stands up and shoves his food off the table. He says that he is getting out of there and that no jail can stop him now. One of the other prisoners says that Crusher Creel must have gone crazy. The guards tell Creel not to make them shoot. Creel tells them to shoot all they want, and that nothing can stop him. Creel wields his ball and chain back like a deadly mallet. The guards are forced to fire. Creel’s body transforms into steel like the guards’ bullets. The guard calls for more powerful weapons, but Creel just smashes through the stone wall into the yard. Creel says that it is like busting through a paper bag. He says that with only one more wall he will be free.

Dr. Donald Blake bandages up the reporter Mr. Hobbs’ arm. He asks Hobbs how he hurt himself. Hobbs says that he slipped on a banana peel rushing for a train. Blake says that he will be all right now. Hobbs thanks him and says that he has to catch that next train. He says that he is hot on the trail of a con with superhuman powers. He says that it should be good for the front page. Blake asks if that is so. Hobbs says that if he finds him that he will drop him a card from Black Mountain swamp area where he is hiding. Jane Foster walks in, after Hobbs leaves, and says that she is glad that was his last patient. She says that she is hungry as a bear. Blake thinks to himself that he forgot that he was supposed to take Jane to dinner tonight. Blake says, “Button Nose, would you mind giving me a rain check on our dinner date? I, eh, have some rather important research to carry out before morning!” Jane lets him off the hook, but says that if she falls in love with a doctor again that she is running for the hills.

On the rooftop, Blake thinks to himself that he may as well make certain that there is a super menace before he contacts the Avengers. He stamps his cane and says that even if there is a menace there that chances are that Thor will be more than a match for him. Thor flies. He passes Hobbs’ train on its way to Black Mountain. Thor lands in the swamp area. His hammer begins to tingle which indicates that there is a supernatural menace nearby. Thor looks around, but only see grey colorless rocks. Thor turns and Crusher Creel emerges with his body now the substance of rock. Thor’s hammer tingles even more and he knows that there is a menace behind him. Thor turns and Creel tells him that if he wants him to come and get him while he can. Creel swings his ball and chain and hits Thor’s hammer. Thor realizes that the ball and chain gained the powers of his hammer when they touched. Creel asks Thor if that surprises him and says that he has an even bigger surprise for him. He tells Thor that he can absorb the power of anyone he is near or fighting. He says that now he is just as strong as Thor. Thor tries to drive Creel’s ball and chain from him by creating a whirlwind with his hammer, but Creel just absorbs the properties of the whirlwind.

Hobbs arrives on the scene and sees Thor and Absorbing Man fighting. Hobbs says that it is lucky that he brought a box of dynamite sticks with him. He shouts for Creel to drop his ball and chain or he will throw the TNT. Creel tells him to go ahead, and Thor tells Hobbs to run for his life. He tells Hobbs that Creel is more dangerous than Hobbs can imagine. Creel says that it is too late for him to escape. Creel knocks the dynamite out of Hobbs’ hand with his ball and chain. He grabs it, lights it, and throws it back at Hobbs. Thor pulls Hobbs inside the whirlwind as the dynamite explodes.

When the smoke clears Creel is gone. Hobbs says that Thor saved them, but asks how he did that when Creel was as fast and as strong as he is. Thor says that he doesn’t know, but that they have to warn the authorities, and that Creel is too dangerous for ordinary procedures. Hobbs says that he is on his way. Hobbs asks Thor how he found him. Thor says that there is no time for that now, and that he must find Creel before he becomes too powerful to stop.

A short time later, Thor spots a man that looks like he has been spooked. The man sees Thor, but can’t be sure after what he just saw. He says that a man as strong as the Hulk just threw him out of his own car and drove off laughing like a demon. Thor flies after the running man and says that he is the one that he is seeking. He asks the man which way he went. The man says that he was heading toward the state line. He says that he thought he saw the man’s body change from wood to steel and asks if he is going mad. Thor says that if the man is that he is as well. He says that he must not escape.

A short distance away, a gas attendant is about to charge Creel three dollars for gas, but then he notices his ball and chain. Creel says that it is too bad that he noticed that and swings his ball and chain at the man. The ball misses him, but hits the gas pump and gas goes everywhere. Creel speeds off. Creel says that he doesn’t know how it happened, but that he doesn’t care. He says that ever since he got that feeling of power in jail that he feels like he can do anything. He says that he isn’t just Crusher Creel… he is Absorbing Man the most dangerous guy on the planet. He muses and thinks about using his ball and chain to break in and rob anywhere he wants to. He thinks about finding himself a little country and taking over. He says that if bullets can’t stop him that he will be able to take out an entire army. He decides to become a dictator and says that if he gets bored of just running a country that he will take over the entire world. Creel’s daydream is interrupted when he spots Thor in his rearview mirror. Creel says that this time he will finish him off for good. Thor smashes the car into pieces. Creel tells him that won’t do him any good. He says that he can do whatever Thor does, and that maybe he can even do it better. He tells Thor that the stronger he is the quicker he dies. Thor says that he is tired of words, and that his hammer will speak for him with the voice of thunder. Thor hits the ground and splits it open, but Creel has absorbed Thor’s strength. Thor unleashes a bolt of lightning at Creel, but having absorbed Thor’s power Creel just sends it back at Thor. Thor realizes that none of his powers will affect Creel and charges him. Creel says that he isn’t scared and reminds Thor that he is just as strong as he is. They fight back and forth. Creel says that their strength is equal, but that his hatred is greater and that he can’t lose. The area they are fighting in is suddenly blanketed by a mystic fog. Thor feels the rainbow Bridge materializing beneath his feet.

Seconds later, Thor is on the Rainbow Bridge looking at Balder. Thor asks how dare Balder interfere with his earthly battle. Balder says that he did it in the name of friendship. He says that Loki has captured Thor’s mortal loved one called Jane. Thor mounts the extra horse that Balder brought for him. Thor says that Loki will rue this day. Thor realizes that it was Loki that gave the mortal such power, and that he did it to keep him from the one he loves until he could strike. Thor says that Balder’s selfless deed will live in his gratitude forever.

Back on Earth, Creel figures that Thor must have used some kind of magic to escape him. He says that he is the first guy to beat Thor and make him run like a whipped dog. He says that if he can beat Thor that he can beat anyone. Creel spots Hobbs and says that he must be tired of living to hang around there. He thinks about killing him, but decides that they would find Hobbs’ body and start searching for him there. He decides that he can kill Hobbs anytime, but that now he has to sit down and make some plans. He says that he doesn’t want to waste his power. Creel spots a house and says that he hopes there is no one there… for their sake.

Some Asgardians ask Thor to let them fight by his side against Loki. Balder says that no one can beat Loki in his own stronghold. Thor says that he can. He says that Loki has gone too far and that he has to deal with him alone. He says that though Loki knows he comes, and though he will summon every evil spell at his command that he will rescue his love. He says that he wouldn’t be worthy to call himself Son of Odin, God of Thunder, and Immortal of Asgard.

Lightning Crashes rating: 9 out of 10

Man do I love Absorbing Man! Here he is in his purest form. Violent and angry and a thug through and through. Great fight between Thor and Balder. I know it wasn’t Thor’s fault, but I do feel that him leaving Creel to terrorize the countryside while he goes off after Jane Foster was a little hypocritical. It was all important to find Creel before he became too powerful to stop, but once his girlfriend is in trouble he no longer cares. Kirby’s Crusher is very powerful. What a brute. You can really feel his character coming through in just his appearance!

Title: “The Golden Apples!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colleta

Haakun the Hunter greets Iduna and asks her where she is going. Iduna says that she is headed to Asgard to give the Golden Apples of Immortality to Odin so that he can give them to those whom he deems worthy. Haakun tells her to go in peace and that his blessing goes with her.

Iduna, clad in a red hood and cloak, walks on through the forest. She thinks about all the dangers, but reasons that non one would menace a goddess.

Fenris, the wolf god, watches Iduna walking. He sees that she is carrying the apples and decides that they have to be his. Though he finds it distasteful to do so, Fenris takes a human’s form so that Iduna won’t suspect anything. Fenris steps forward to Iduna. He says that he sees that she is alone and offers her his protection. Iduna says that she needs no protection, and that she is a goddess. Fenris asks her what she has in the basket. Iduna tells him that she is taking the Golden Apples of Immortality to Odin. Fenris lifts the cover and remarks at how they glisten and gleam. Iduna tells him to stop and that they must not be touched by anyone but Odin. She comments, “What strange hands you have! So grasping… so brutal…! And what an odd voice you have!! Like the guttural snarl from a wild beast! Who are you? From whence do you come?” Fenris says that he is just a lonely traveler also bound for Asgard. Iduna says that his manner is sinister and frightening. She says that his eyes are filled with hatred and pure savagery. Fenris says that she says too much, and that her words force his hand. Fenris transforms back into his true wolf form. He says that the apples must be his. Iduna realizes that she has no defenses against one as evil and powerful as Fenris. Hakuun rides up to defend Iduna. He says that none but Odin will possess the enchanted apples, and that neither god nor mortal may harm Iduna. Fenris shrinks down to a tiny size in order to avoid Haakun’s flying ax. Fenris runs, but Haakun’s enchanted ax follows him and strikes. Fenris is sent to far Varinheim, the shadowy land of the lost which lies near the netherworld.

Haakun guides the woman that would become known as Little Red Riding Hood to Asgard.

Lightning Crashes rating: 9 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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