Journey Into Mystery #120

Title: “With My Hammer in Hand…!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Thor forges his hammer in the blast furnaces of Pittsburgh. The men stand marveling at all that Thor has done and say that he did in an hour what it would have taken them a month to do. They say that they can almost believe that he is the god of thunder. Thor holds his hammer aloft and says that it is done and that his hammer can strike again. The men say that they would like to see him toss it. Thor throws his hammer through a three foot thick piece of solid steel. Thor’s hammer comes back to his hand as it always does. One of the workers asks where they sell that uru stuff and that he wants to buy some. Thor shakes hands with the workers and tells them that when his hammer strikes for justice that they will have helped.

Outside Thor throws his hammer into the air and flies into the air. Thor says that he is truly the god of thunder again. He lands and thinks that he has to make a plan. He says that he must look at the Norn stones which he regained from Loki and make sure that they are intact. Thor says that the enchanted stones will prove to Odin that Loki cheated during the Trial of the Gods. He says that Loki used the stones as weapons while Thor used his own natural strength and wits. Thor says that Loki’s time of reckoning is at hand and that he will learn how inevitable the vengeance of Thor is. Thor sits on the ground and pours the stones out of their leather pouch. Rabbits come up to Thor as he sits. He holds the stones out in his hand and a bird sits on his hand. Thor thinks about what a threat the Norn stones would be if they fell into the wrong hands. He says that he has dallied long enough. Thor flies into the air, but he accidentally drops one of the Norn stones on the ground.

Thor appears on the Rainbow Bridge and feels a thrill in his heart and soul. Thor appears before Odin and presents the Norn stones to Odin. Odin tells Thor that his heart swells with pride now that Thor has proven that Loki’s victory was a hollow one because of his use of forbidden power. Odin says that Thor, without weapons or defenses, still came within a hairsbreadth of defeating the one that is not worthy of calling him brother. Thor tells Odin that now that his honor has been restored that he pleads for Loki and says that he cannot help the evil he perpetrates. Odin says that Loki wrongs him and then Thor is the one to defend him. He says that Thor’s strength is only matched by his nobility.

In the castle of Ularic, Loki, having been sentenced to serve the warlock, stands by the sorcerer. Ularic tells Loki to fetch him a cylinder of elixir and not to spill a drop. Loki thinks to himself that Ularic is a fool, and that sentence of Odin or not, he cannot endure this humiliation any longer. He says that he is the equal of Thor in lineage and power since his is the ultimate power of sorcery. Ularic asks Loki why he is so silent. Loki pulls a cloth over his face to protect his breathing. He tells Ularic, engaged in his work, that there is a saying among his enemies, “When the voice of Loki is still, look to your weapons… for surely there is menace in the air!” Ularic asks Loki if he is threatening him. Loki says that he has no time for idle threats and sprays Ularic with a suspended animation mist he created. Ularic says that Loki is a fool and that when Odin learns what he has done. Loki says that by then it will be too late. He seals Ularic in a sphere and says that the die is cast now and that there is no turning back. Loki hides the sphere in Ularic’s own time vault. Loki says that he is now the master of Ularic’s enchantments as well as his own. He says that he will strike at the very rule of Odin, and that no one will suspect him because he is supposed to be the helpless prisoner of Ularic.

Thor sits thinking about how he can’t exact vengeance on Loki when Loki has already been sentenced by Odin. He sits thinking about the tranquility and that there is only one thing for him to do. Thor goes to Odin and tells him that he was born to act, to fight, and to dare. He says that the fibers of his being revolt at the thought of quietude. He beseeches his father to let him return to Earth. Odin tells Thor that he knows that is where Thor’s heart truly dwells. He says that he has earned the right to walk among the mortals once more.

Thor finds himself back on Earth. He thinks how no one knows how he has missed Jane Foster all these weeks. Thor tries to enter Dr. Blake’s windows but finds them locked. He thinks that has never happened, but dares not to open them by force. Thor wonders why it is so quiet inside and why he has a feeling of grave danger. Thor says that Blake’s office should be full of patients. He walks around the outside on the ledge and sees that Jane Foster is not at her desk. Thor wonders where she could be.

Thor goes up to the roof and changes into Donald Blake. He heads to the front door of his office and finds that is locked as well. A janitor recognizes Dr. Blake and says that they were wondering where he had been. The janitor unlocks the door for Blake. Blake says that Jane was supposed to have the general hospital send another doctor to look after his patients while he was gone. He sees that his appointment book is blank and that his office is a shambles. He says that there is no note from Jane and that there can only be one answer. The landlord tells Blake that his rent is months overdue and that his nurse hasn’t been there to pay for it for him. Blake thinks to himself that surely something has happened to Jane. The landlord asks if Blake would cut him a check for the rent. Blake asks the landlord how he can think about money when Jane Foster has vanished without a trace or clue. The landlord tries to interrupt, but Blake just tells him that he will get his money after he finds out what happened to Jane. Blake starts to walk off and comes across one of his patients Norma Thaxton. Blake tells her that he can’t see her right now, but Norma tells him not to worry about her. She says that she is using the doctor across the hall in his absence, and that she intends to keep using him. Blake realizes that she is angry and that he can’t blame her. He wonders how many other patients he has lost since his office has been deserted. The landlord tells Blake that he has to have the rent by the end of the week as Blake storms off. Blake turns the corner and smacks his cane against the wall turning into Thor. The landlord finds Thor there and Thor tells him that if he is looking for the man with the cane that he has taken the elevator down. Thor walks off and realizes that his anxiety is making him dangerously careless. The people start to gather around Thor, but Thor flies off.

Thor arrives at Avengers mansion and finds Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver. Thor says that they are occupying the room as if they belong there. Wanda says that they do belong there and that they are the replacements for Iron Man, Giant Man, and, or so they thought, Thor. Quicksilver says that of the original Avengers only Captain America remains, but that he is on an errand. Later after explanations are given, Hawkeye tells Thor that they are doing fine on their own, and that they don’t need any old timers showing up and trying to steal the show. Thor says that he is there for another reason. Quicksilver asks what it is. Wanda tells him to wait until Cap returns. Hawkeye says that they don’t need Cap and ask Thor what it is. Thor says that they can’t help him and that he will be on his way. Thor thinks to himself that though he fought side by side with the old Avengers that these new Avengers are brash and arrogant. He thinks how he can’t request aid from them. Wanda asks what they should tell Cap. Thor says to tell him that an old battle companion dropped by to wish him well. He flies off.

Thor sits on top of a building. He decides that he has to think about this, and that there may be a clue somewhere. He wonders if Jane Foster may have left of her own free will and wonders how he could know for sure.

In another city, a blond Jane Foster looks out the window thinking of Donald Blake and if she will ever see him again. A man comes up behind Jane and puts his hand on her shoulder. He tells her that she must forget about him. He says that she has no other choice.

Great cosmic bullets streak through space.

In Asgard, Loki sends his macro-meson particles of limitless energy into the infinite probing space for one certain object. Loki says that before he tries dethroning Odin that he must make sure that Thor cannot come to Odin’s aid. He says that he has to find the one creature in the universe that can destroy the thunder god. Loki finally finds what he is looking for. He says that his query almost succeeded in slaying his half-brother the last time they fought, but that Thor outsmarted him at the moment of decision. Loki says that this time he will be on his guard and that he will not be tricked again. Loki says that only he could find a helium vapor that used to be a man. Loki fires the macro-meson bullet into the helium cloud bombarding it with countless particles of living energy. New elements begin to emerge and the vapor begins to take form. Loki says that all his proceeding perfectly. He fires a translucent sphere at him to protect him until he reaches Earth. Loki says that the stage is set, the players are ready, and that the tragedy is about to begin.

Thor spots an international star being interviewed. He thinks that television is the answer. He says that wherever Jane is that she must be near a television set. He says that he will broadcast a message to her until he receives a response. Thor says that the networks will cooperate and that they have offered him a fortune to face the cameras in the past. Thor starts to fly, but then spots a flaming sphere falling to the streets below. Thor decides to follow the falling sphere. Thor realizes that it was intended that he spot the sphere and wonders why. The sphere lands and something starts to break out of it. The sphere shatters and Thor spots a ball and chain. Crusher Creel tells Thor that he thought that he got rid of him last time, but that he is back now and stronger than ever. Thor realizes that only another immortal could have freed Creel. Creel tells Thor not to worry about that now, and that this time when they fight that they will fight to Thor’s finish. Creel touches the wall and becomes brick.

Lightning Crashes rating: 8.5 out of 10

Nice set up issue. Loki sets himself up to make a play for Odin’s throne and gets the Absorbing Man to help him. Thor gets the bad news that the Avengers have moved on without him and after weeks of taking advantage of Jane Foster he has to wonder if she is now missing of her own free will. Great set ups for the future. Kirby, as always, rules. Can’t wait to see his drawing of this epic battle!

Title: “Set Sail!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colleta

Under the watchful eye of Odin the gathered crew is about to begin the strangest voyage of all time. Odin grants them fair winds and cloudless skies so long as they voyage through his domain. Thor says that the time has come and to let the sails be unfurled. The ship sets off into the air. Thor says that they will never return until they have found, and have bested, the forces of evil. He says to sail on in the name of Odin.

The loved ones left behind watch them sail off. One says that the forces of evil have great power… almost as great as Odin. She wonders if there loved ones might be defeated in battle. One says that with Thor in charge that it is unthinkable. One remarks at how handsome they look. Another sees Volstagg shouting his last farewell.

Volstagg shouts from the ship to be of good cheer and that they will return. He says that they will bring them gifts and treasures from the furthest reaches of the universe. Suddenly Volstagg sees something that makes his blood run cold. One man asks what madness this is. He says that he thought Volstagg feared neither man nor beast. Volstagg says that he doesn’t, but that his wife is neither man nor beast. Volstagg says that she is a damsel good and true, but that she doesn’t understand a warrior’s yearning for adventure. One of the men tells Volstagg that it is good he is hiding for his wife’s face has the fury of a thousand storms. Loki kicks Volstagg to the ground and tells him to get to work. He tells Volstagg to bend his knee when addressing him. Thor tells Loki that is enough, and that no crewman of his will be treated this way. He tells Loki that they are fellow warriors and not serfs whom he may vent his wrath on. Loki asks if Thor dares to side with Volstagg over him in front of the entire crew. He tells Thor that he will regret this indignity.

As Thor and Loki talk, Magrat the schemer whispers a suggestion to Kroda the duelist. He says that this is his chance, and that Loki will pay handsomely for such a deed. Kroda draws his blade from its scabbard, but Hogun’s sword sticks in the mast next to Kroda. Hogun tells Kroda to stay his hand. Kroda asks who dares. Hogun says that he does and takes his blade back. Magrat says that Hogun has never lost a battle, and that it is said that his heart is colder than the steel of his blade. Kroda says that the moment is lost, but that he will find a way to get Hogun back for this. Magrat tells Kroda to be careful. The ship exits Asgard.

Back in Asgard, Odin sits and asks his Master of Prophecy if his decision was wise. Odin is told that it was the only decision he could make.

Lightning Crashes rating: 8 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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