Journey Into Mystery
# 83-90

Journey Into Mystery # 83: "The Stone Men from Saturn!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
In Norway, a vacationing Dr. Donald Blake encounters invading Stone Men from Saturn. He flees and is cornered in a cave in which he discovers a walking stick. In frustration he strikes thestick against the wall and transforms into the Mighty Thor! 
Thor then drives the Stone Men from Earth.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Thor.
  • Reprinted in Thor #432, and Marvel Tales #1.

Journey Into Mystery # 84: "The Mighty Thor vs. the Executioner!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Jay's Rating:
JJ
Synopsis:
A South American communist dictator called the Executioner harasses Dr. Blake and other doctors who are on a mission of mercy. However, Thor steps in and topples the Executioner's regime. 

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Jane Foster. 
  • A lot of American flag waving, and anti-communist ranting.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #3

Journey Into Mystery # 85: "Trapped by Loki, the God of Mischief!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Jay's Rating: JJJJ
Synopsis:
Loki is inadvertently freed from his prison by Heimdall and travels to Earth to resume his feud with Thor. He draws Thor into a battle that rages across New York City. Loki is finally outwitted and defeated. 

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Balder, Heimdall, Loki, Odin, Tyr and Asgard.
  • Reprinted in Journey Into Mystery Annual #1.

Journey Into Mystery # 86: "On the Trail of the Tomorrow Man!
Writer: Stan Lee/Larry Lieber
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Zarrko, a 23rd century scientist, travels back in time to the present and steals a cobalt bomb to conquer a peaceful future world. Thor  pursues him into the future and defeats Zarrko. Thor returns to the present with the bomb. 

Jay'sNotes:

  • First appearance of Zarrko.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #4.

Journey Into Mystery # 87: "Prisoner of the Reds!"
Writer: Stan Lee/Larry Lieber
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Jay's Rating:
JJ
Synopsis:
Doctor Blake is used as bait to uncover a communist plot to capture American scientists. Thor frees the captured scientists and teaches these 'reds' a lesson.

Jay'sNotes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #5.

Journey Into Mystery # 88: "The Vengeance of Loki!"
Writer: Stan Lee/Larry Lieber
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Loki learns of Thor's alter-ego and his dependency on his hammer and sneaks back to Earth to defeats the Thunder God. Loki begins a world-wide campaign of mischief. Blake tricks Loki and recovers the hammer. Thor defeats Loki and returns him to Asgard.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #6

Journey Into Mystery # 89: "The Thug and the Thunder God!"
Writer: Stan Lee/Larry Lieber
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
Jay's Rating:
JJ1/2
Synopsis:
Blake is forced at gunpoint to save the life of the mobster Thug Thatcher. Blake eventually transforms into Thor and defeats Thatcher and his underlings. 

Jay's Notes:

  • Thor's first use of his ... uhm ... super-ventriloquism (snicker, snicker). Jane Foster's daydream sequence where she imagines polishing Thor'shammer, ironing his cape, and cutting his hair must strikes fear into the hearts of modern women.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #7

Journey Into Mystery # 90: "Trapped by the Carbon-Copy Man!"
Writer: Stan Lee/Larry Lieber
Artist: Al Hartlay
Jay's Rating:
JJ
Synopsis:
The Xartan empire begins its invasion of Earth by replacing important city figures with their agents. Dr. Blake becomes suspicious and investigates. As Thor, he confronts the shpae-shifting Xartans and defeats their Warlord in personal combat, forcing them to withdraw from Earth.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #8.

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