Journey Into Mystery #115

Title: “The Vengeance of the Thunder God”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Frankie Ray

Thor climbs the limbs and vines on the outside of Loki’s stronghold. Loki, with Jane Foster as his captive, swings his sword as Thor approaches. Loki says that Thor has made the fatal blunder of challenging him on his home grounds. He says that he will learn that Loki is his master. Loki says that it is his enchanted sword against Thor’s enchanted hammer, but that his cunning brain gives him the advantage. Jane Foster wonders why Thor would risk everything to rescue her. She wonders how she got involved in this. Thor says that Loki’s cunning won’t save him and that it takes raw power to stop the first born of Odin. He says that Loki has sealed his doom. Loki says that Thor is a bumbling oaf, but that he is a master schemer and a prince of sorcery. Thor says that he is the prince of braggarts. He also reminds Loki that they are both sworn never to harm a mortal being, and that he has broken that pledge by kidnapping the girl. Loki says that the mortal isn’t harmed, but just used as bait to bring Thor to him. Thor says that never again will an unwitting human serve his evil purposes. Thor swings his hammer at Loki’s sword, but Loki wills his blade to another dimension and Thor’s hammer passes harmlessly through the sword.

One of the approaching policemen recognize Harris Hobbs and asks him what he is doing there. Hobbs says that he is doing the same thing they are doing looking for escaped convict Crusher Creel. One of the cops asks why they are calling him the Absorbing Man. Hobbs tells them about how Creel’s body takes on the properties of anything near him. One cop says that he sounds like a nut. Hobbs shows the cops his credentials. He says that he is no wild eyed fanatic and that he saw Creel’s body change. He says that he watched him fight Thor, and that Thor couldn’t take him down because Creel became as powerful as Thor. He says that even Creel’s ball and chain became as potent as Thor’s hammer. He says that even if the police find him that he doesn’t know if they can capture him.

A few miles to the north, Crusher Creel walks up to a house and peers in the window. A banker, home from work, greets his wife Ann. Ann tells her husband to sit down and read the paper. She says that she will have dinner ready before he knows it. Creel bursts in and tells the woman that she had better put on an extra plate for their guest. Ann asks who that is. Her husband tells her that he saw his picture in the paper, and that he is escaped prisoner Crusher Creel. He tells Ann not to panic.

Loki uses the power in his sword to freeze the air molecules around Thor. Thor says that Loki admits that his might is no match for him when he resorts to mystic spells of evil. Loki says that he doesn’t care how he wins so long as Thor is destroyed. Thor uses his hammer and bursts from the block of ice encasing him. Thor pins Loki against the ground. He says that the rage in his heart, the justice in his cause, and the strength in his sinews are the spells that will defeat the master of evil. Thor tells Loki to give up or suffer the thunder of his mallet. Loki says that he will never surrender and that victory will still be his. He says that Thor has no stomach for slaying a foe. Suddenly the ground erupts and separates Thor and Loki. Thor wonders what Loki has used to delay his retribution, but Loki knows that this is not his doing. He wonders who would dare interrupt a battle of the gods. Thor and Loki see Odin. Loki says that Thor summoned him to save him from defeat. Thor says that Loki lies. Odin says that once again he finds his two sons engaging in a private conflict that doesn’t have his approval. Loki says that he wanted to spare Odin the news of Thor’s treachery. He says that Thor has committed the ultimate blasphemy. He says that he has brought a forbidden earthling to Asgard in the hopes of making her immortal. Loki says that he tried to stop him and that he could have given his life to spare Odin from this indignity. Thor says that Loki lies. Jane Foster passes out from the ordeal and Thor catches her. Loki tells Odin that Thor is still flaunting his love. Odin calls for silence. He says that he knows Loki’s cunning tongue and that he will not be deceived. He adds that he must, however, believe his own eyes, and that it seems the god of thunder has gone too far. Odin says that nothing remains except for him to order the Trial of the Gods. Thor asks Odin for a boon of 48 hours to take the girl back to Earth and finish a battle that he began. He says that then he will return to endure the Trial of the Gods. Loki tells Odin to deny him and that he is trying to escape. Odin says that the thunder god’s word will be his bond and that he has 48 hours.

Thor flies back to Earth cradling Jane Foster. He tells his love to sleep and that she is safe again. Thor flies into Jane’s apartment and lays her down. He says that frail mortal senses weren’t meant to deal with the sights she has seen and things she has heard. Thor grants Jane the gift of forgetfulness. He says that upon awakening that she will not remember what has transpired. Thor flies out of Jane’s window and says that he must find the Absorbing Man as he has pledged his life to the defense of Earth.

Creel lounges in the banker’s chair. The man tells Creel that if he thinks that he can break into his house and get away with it that he has another thing coming. He says that he will give Creel five minutes before he calls the police. Creel asks if that is so. Creel grabs the man and says that it is time to begin his education. He says that he has to learn about Crusher Creel. He says that the man may not have heard about it yet, but that he just fought Thor and sent him running off with his tail between his legs. The man tells Creel that he must be mad. Ann tells Creel to take his hands off her husband. She throws a vase at Creel’s head. The vase breaks as Creel turns into the same material as the vase. Creel says that nothing can stop him when he can absorb its power… not even Thor’s hammer. The man says that it must be some kind of trick. Creel touches the drapes and becomes raw silk. He says that no man would want to be silk though and touches a bronze statue. He asks if they still think he is some kind of nut. Creel says that now that their education is over that he wants them to hop when he gives an order. He says that first he wants some grub and to be quick about it. Ann’s husband tells her to do what he says and that help is sure to reach them. Creel says that he wouldn’t count on it if he were them.

Thor catches up to Hobbs and the searching policemen. The cops spread out to look for Creel. They say that if they find him to follow Plan G. Hobbs tells Thor not to stop them and that they have almost found him. Thor says that they must let him battle him first. The cop says that they don’t need anyone to do their job for them, but that he is welcome to join them. Thor walks and thinks that while he admires their courage that he fears for their safety. Hobbs spots a house in the clearing. The cops surround the house when they notices Creel’s tracks. Thor and Hobbs look through the window and see Creel. Thor tells Hobbs to take the cops and leave. Hobbs says that he isn’t missing a scoop like this.

Creel yells at Ann and says that he is still hungry. He grabs her wrist and tells her to bring him more grub. The man says that Creel is nothing but flesh and blood right now, but that even if he was TNT that he can’t speak to his wife like that. The man punches Creel. Ann tells John that he shouldn’t have done that, and that there is no telling what he’ll do now. Creel touches his ball and chain and becomes iron. Creel says that he is going to finish John’s education now. Hobbs enters and tells Creel that the house is surrounded. Hobbs taunts Creel as Thor asks and tells him that he is a phony and that no one is really scared of him. Creel smashes through the wall and Hobbs runs out the door. He sees the cops there and says that it is just as well and that he will show them that nothing can stop him. The cops warn Creel to stay back, but then Thor’s hammer slams into Creel’s ball and chain. Creel absorbs the properties of Thor’s hammer. Thor says that even if it costs him his life that he will force Creel to show the full extent of his power. He says that he will never find another victim unaware. Thor charges Creel and slams his hammer into Creel’s ball and chain. Creel says that the more Thor uses his hammer the more he absorbs its power. Creel says that he doesn’t have a chance. Creel says that he can stop anyone and do anything. He knocks Thor to his knees. Thor blasts Creel with an irresistible force of heat. Creel absorbs the heat and says that he is stronger than ever now. He says that he can destroy Thor anytime he wants. One of the cops fires a grenade at Creel trying to help. The heat from Creel causes it to explode. The explosion stuns Creel and causes him to lose his absorbed properties. Creel says that he can absorb anything anytime he wants. Creel grabs the ground and absorbs it power. Creel starts growing larger and taking on the properties of rock, wood, and steel. Thor tells Creel that he has gone to far and says that this is his final chance. Creel asks if Thor dares threaten him. He says that he is the strongest thing there is and that he is getting stronger. He says that he is going to finish him now. Thor tells Creel that it is not too late to turn back. He says that Creel is still just a mortal, but that he is Thor. Creel raises his hand over his head to hit Thor. Thor spins his hammer and uses it to transmute the elements Creel is made of. Creel explodes and all that is left is a glazed ground. Thor says that he will explain, but that they must be prepared for the unbelievable. Thor says that he knew Creel absorbed all elements and so he created some helium. Thor points into the sky and identifies Creel, now a mass of helium, floating into the atmosphere. Thor says that he will float there until the power he possesses is nothing but a forgotten memory. He says that then he will return to Earth in his rightful form to serve out the remainder of his prison sentence. Hobbs says that no newspaper would run a story like this, and that he will have to sell it as science fiction. Thor tells Hobbs that he has his gratitude. Hobbs says that he used to think Thor was a conceited show off, but that his eyes have been opened. Thor takes off. Hobbs says that not many guys would have left before everyone had given him a chance to congratulate him. John says that Thor is an Avenger and that they are a different breed. Ann says that John is just an average business man, but that he proved that anyone can be an Avenger in spirit and heart. She says that she was so proud of him.

Thor flies to Jane Foster’s apartment and checks on her. He says that if he fails the Trial of the Gods that this will surely be the last time he sees her. Odin contacts Thor and says that his time has come and that the trial awaits him. Thor says that he hears and obeys. Thor spins his hammer and appears on the Rainbow Bridge. He says that Loki will have had all the time to prepare for their trial, but that he must no waver. He says that whatever his fate is that he will face it like a god.

Lightning Crashes rating: 9 out of 10

Very powerful art by the King Jack Kirby. Man you can’t put anything past that Odin can you? Loki says that something, Odin says that he knows he is a liar, and then sides with Loki. Creel and Thor’s fight as well as Creel’s transformations are just incredible to behold. Great stuff.

Title: “A Viper in Our Midst!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

A young Thor leads a task force against the deadly Storm Giant Ghan. Loki thinks to himself that he should be leading this patrol instead of Thor and that he will find a way to make him fail. Thor tells the men to hold fast and that the giant approaches. Ghan hurls a giant boulder at them and shouts for death to the legions of Odin. Thor takes his hammer and smashes the boulder to pieces. Loki stays back and says to let the others do the fighting and suffer the injuries and pain. He says that he is far too clever to take needless chances. He says that he will stay there and plan the defeat of his half brother. He swings his enchanted sword to undo all that Thor’s hammer can hope to accomplish. He casts a spell to give Ghan the final victory and cause Thor’s demise, but before Loki’s spell takes effect Asgard’s arrows drive Ghan back. Thor says that Ghan must not escape and to loose the catapult. They prepare a container with sleep fumes in it and launch. Thor and the others advance to seize the giant before the fumes are blown away, but they can’t find Ghan. Thor says that there is no way that he could have escaped without the aid of sinister magic, but that Ghan possesses no mystic powers.

Loki stands gloating that he has given Thor the first of many failures. The war party departs and Loki remain behind. He thinks how they believed him when he said that he wanted to stay behind and search some more. He says that even Thor praised his devotion to duty. Loki makes a mystic gesture and Ghan reappears. He says that Loki saved him from the vengeance of Thor. He says that he doesn’t know why Loki betrayed his own kind, but that he is in his debt. Loki thinks to himself that he has made his first alliance with the forces of evil. He says that they will come to his aid when he finally makes his bid to destroy Thor and seize the throne of Asgard.

Lightning Crashes rating: 8 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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