Mighty Marvel Masterworks - Thor Vol 2

 

I've been purchasing these collections now'n'again and always enjoy revisiting these early 60's Marvel super-stories of my youth. I don't know if I have any one fave hero out of all of the greats from back then, but Thor has a place in my heart because he (along with the likes of the Silver Surfer) helped expand my vocabulary well beyond that of my non-reading schoolmates! And, of course, I was a sucker for mythology to start with and this series helped me revisit and learn more about the original stories.

In any case, while Volume One introduced The Mighty Thor and his Asgardian and Earthly family'n'friends, here Jack Kirby's art builds on the heroic fantasy land - although the inking could have been better - based on unearthly dreams, the original mythology and flamboyant fights 'n'costumes 'n'characters conceived in partnership with scriptwriter Stan Lee. Along with, and sometimes in conjunction with, the Asgardian menaces - especially his half brother, Loki - Thor must battle the likes of the Tomorrow Man, Mr. Hyde and Cobra, the Grey Gargoyle, the Enchantress and the Executioner and even the leader of the Evil Mutants himself, Magneto! 

Considering that these are superhero stories based on literal gods, the plots here are a bit more realistic and less outlandish than some of the ideas used in the tales from volume one - Dr. Don Blake doesn't simply whip up an android in this private lab and there are no duplicating machines, for instance. Blake and Thor still pine for Jane Foster, a love which the all-father Odin has forbidden - unrequited love was apparently a mandatory plotline for every series at the time. There is also a running series here with tales of some of the other Asgardian heroes, as well, which were fun for us mythology nerds.

Another great compilation of early 60's Marvel Masterworks! If you don't have the originals - and who does anymore? - these comps are great for revisiting the terrific tales!