Thor: Love and Thunder creator credits

Who would've guessed that the first film to draw extensively from the work of Jason Aaron would be so... goofy?

The full list of creator credits is here!

Jack Kirby: creator of the Celestials, immense intergalactic cosmic creatures who have been likened to gods (Eternals #1, 1976); of Arishem, one of the Celestials (Eternals #2, 1976); of the One Above All, one of the Celestials (Eternals #7, 1977); of Ziran, one of the Celestials (Eternals #18, 1977); co-creator of Thor, Asgardian god of thunder whose hammer Mjolnir can control weather and has a worthiness enchantment which prevents others from lifting it; Thor's silver helmet, red cape and blue bodysuit; Thor encountering extraterrestrials made of stone; Thor called "the mighty Thor" (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Jane Foster, Thor's mortal love interest (Journey into Mystery #84, 1962); of Loki, Thor's evil brother who possesses the power to cast illusions and wears green/yellow; Loki's horned helmet; Asgard, home of the Norse Gods which connects to Earth via the rainbow bridge Bifrost; of Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost; of Odin, father of Loki & Thor (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962); of Thor's ability to channel lightning through his body even when separated from Mjolnir (Journey into Mystery #93, 1963); of Surtur, the immense fire demon who is an enemy to all of Asgard (Journey into Mystery #97, 1963); of Sif, female Asgardian warrior, love interest to Thor; of Hela, Asgardian goddess of death; Hela's green costume, cape and large black headdress (Journey into Mystery #102, 1964); of Asgardians piloting sky ships (Journey into Mystery #103, 1964); of Volstagg, a red-haired, overweight and jovial Asgardian warrior; of Hogun, a mostly-silent grim-faced and dark-haired Asgardian; and of Fandral, a blond-haired dashing, adventurous Asgardian clad in green (Journey into Mystery #119, 1965); of Asgard possessing advanced technology (Journey into Mystery #120, 1965); of Zeus, the Greek god of lightning; of Hercules, the son of Zeus who is pitted against Thor; of Hercules as a bearded man wearing a brown band over his ears (Journey into Mystery Annual #1, 1965); of Nick Fury, an experienced soldier (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine (Tales to Astonish #6, 1959); of Groot, an immense tree-like being (Tales to Astonish #13, 1960); of Valhalla, the land where the honored dead of Asgard reside (Thor #133, 1966); of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom (Thor #164, 1969)

Stan Lee: co-creator of Thor, Norse god of thunder, defender of Earth, wields hammer Mjolnir which can control storms, always returns to his hand and can only be lifted by those who are worthy of its power; Thor's silver helmet, blue costume, bare arms and red cape; Thor encountering extraterrestrials made of stone; Thor called "the mighty Thor" (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Jane Foster, Thor's mortal love interest (Journey into Mystery #84, 1962); of Loki, Thor's evil brother who possesses the power to cast illusions and wears green/yellow; Loki's horned helmet; Asgard, home of the Norse Gods which connects to Earth via the rainbow bridge Bifrost; Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost; Odin, father of Loki & Thor (Journey into Mystery#85, 1962); of Frigga, queen of Asgard, mother to Thor & Loki; of the Valkyrie, an order of Asgardian warrior woman who ride flying horses (Journey into Mystery #92, 1963); of Thor's ability to channel lightning through his body even when separated from Mjolnir (Journey into Mystery #93, 1963); of Surtur, the immense fire demon who is an enemy to all of Asgard (Journey into Mystery #97, 1963); of Sif, female Asgardian warrior, love interest to Thor; of Hela, Asgardian goddess of death; Hela's green costume, cape and large black headdress (Journey into Mystery #102, 1964); of Asgardians piloting sky ships (Journey into Mystery #103, 1964); of Volstagg, a red-haired, overweight and jovial Asgardian warrior with a wife and several children; Hogun, a mostly-silent grim-faced and dark-haired Asgardian; and Fandral, a blond, green-clad, dashing, adventurous Asgardian (Journey into Mystery #119, 1965); of Asgard possessing advanced technology (Journey into Mystery #120, 1965); of Zeus, the Greek god of lightning; of Hercules, the son of Zeus who is pitted against Thor; of Hercules as a bearded man wearing a brown band over his ears (Journey into Mystery Annual #1, 1965); of Nick Fury, an experienced soldier (Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1, 1963); of the location of the cosmic entity Eternity being sought (Strange Tales #132, 1965); of Eternity, an immensely powerful cosmic being who embodies the cosmos themselves, visualized as a being made of stars (Strange Tales #138, 1965); of the Living Tribunal, a cosmic entity (Strange Tales #157, 1967); of Groot, an immense tree-like being (Tales to Astonish #13, 1960); of Kraglin, an extraterrestrial criminal (Tales to Astonish #46, 1963); of Valhalla, the land where the honored dead of Asgard reside (Thor #133, 1966); of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom (Thor #164, 1969); of Infinity, a powerful cosmic being (Thor #185, 1971)

Jason Aaron: co-creator of Jane Foster being compelled to give up being Thor because Mjolnir was hastening her own death from cancer (Mighty Thor #703, 2018); of Jane taking up Mjolnir again despite knowing it will cost her her life; of Jane dying in battle alongside Thor (Mighty Thor #705, 2018); of Jane's spirit journeying to Valhalla (Mighty Thor #706, 2018); of Jane Foster wielding Mjolnir and wearing a modified verison of Thor's costume with a mask built into the helmet; of Jane Foster suffering from cancer (Thor #1, 2014); of Thor approving of Jane Foster as his replacement (Thor #4, 2015); of Jane Foster revealed as the identity of the female Thor (Thor #8, 2015); of Thor wielding an axe forged by dwarves in place of his hammer; of the Black Berzerkers, shadowy creatures who serve the God Butcher (Thor: God of Thunder #1, 2013); of Gorr the God Butcher a man who despises the gods and is determined to slay as many of them as he can; of the Necrosword, Gorr's chief weapon, which can slay immortals (Thor: God of Thunder #2, 2013); of Falligor, a god who is slain by Gorr; of Thor discovering Falligor's corpse; of Omnipotence City, a celestial locale frequented by gods of many pantheons where Thor goes for information on the God Butcher (Thor: God of Thunder #3, 2013); of Gorr being a former believer in gods who was offended when they failed to save his family (Thor: God of Thunder #6, 2013); of Gorr recreating his dead family with cosmic power (Thor: God of Thunder #9, 2013); of Gorr dying after battling Thor (Thor: God of Thunder #11, 2013); of Jane Foster's mother dying from cancer (The Unworthy Thor #4, 2017)

Esad Ribic: co-creator of Jane Foster being compelled to give up being Thor because Mjolnir was hastening her own death from cancer (Mighty Thor #703, 2018); of Jane taking up Mjolnir again despite knowing it will cost her her life; of Jane dying in battle alongside Thor (Mighty Thor #705, 2018); of Jane's spirit journeying to Valhalla (Mighty Thor #706, 2018); of Thor wielding an axe forged by dwarves in place of his hammer; of the Black Berzerkers, shadowy creatures who serve the God Butcher (Thor: God of Thunder #1, 2013); of Gorr the God Butcher a man who despises the gods and is determined to slay as many of them as he can; of the Necrosword, Gorr's chief weapon, which can slay immortals (Thor: God of Thunder #2, 2013); of Falligor, a god who is slain by Gorr; of Thor discovering Falligor's corpse; of Omnipotence City, a celestial locale frequented by gods of many pantheons where Thor goes for information on the God Butcher (Thor: God of Thunder #3, 2013); of Gorr recreating his dead family with cosmic power (Thor: God of Thunder #9, 2013); of Gorr dying after battling Thor (Thor: God of Thunder #11, 2013)

Larry Lieber: co-creator of Thor, Norse god of thunder, defender of Earth, wields hammer Mjolnir which can control storms, can only be lifted by those who are worthy and always returns to his hand; Thor's silver helmet, blue costume, bare arms and red cape; Thor encountering extraterrestrials made of stone (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Jane Foster, Thor's mortal love interest (Journey into Mystery #84, 1962); of Loki, Thor's wicked brother; Loki's green & yellow clothing, horned helmet; of Asgard, the realm where Thor lives; Bifrost, the rainbow bridge which connects Asgard to other worlds; of Odin, lord of Asgard, father of Thor and Loki; of Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962)

Keith Giffen: co-creator of Star-Lord teamed-up with Mantis, Groot and Rocket Raccoon; Groot and Rocket Raccoon's friendship; Star-Lord's helmet with full faceplate, red goggles and breathing unit; Star-Lord favouring twin guns; Rocket favouring heavy artillery (Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord #1, 2007); of Drax's redesign with red body tattoos (Drax the Destroyer #3, 2006); of Drax wearing only pants; Drax preferring knives as weapons (Drax the Destroyer #4, 2006); of Rocket Raccoon, an anthropomorphic adventurous raccoon (Marvel Preview #7, 1976)

Jim Starlin: creator of Eon, a cosmic entity (Captain Marvel #29, 1973); co-creator of Death conceptualized as a cosmic entity (Captain Marvel #26, 1973); of Thanos, a death-worshipping intergalactic warlord who inflicts genocide; of Drax, a galaxy-travelling hero with green skin who excels at destruction (Iron Man #55, 1973); of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones wielded together as the Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

Michael Avon Oeming: co-creator of Sif losing her left arm in combat (Thor #80, 2004); of Sif's missing arm replaced with a stump; of Fandral and Hogun perishing in the events of Ragnarok (Thor #82, 2004); of Thor losing an eye during the events of Ragnarok (Thor #84, 2004); of Thor permitting Surtur to destroy Asgard so that he could vanquish a greater threat; of Volstagg perishing in Ragnarok (Thor #85, 2004)

Walter Simonson: creator of Stormbreaker, an uru weapon forged by dwarves to imitate the power of Mjolnir; of Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder, two enormous goats who travel across dimensions pulling Thor's vehicle (Thor #339, 1984); co-creator of Thor wearing a beard (Thor #367, 1986); of Thor wearing full body armor in gold and blue with his red cape fixed to his shoulders (Thor #378, 1987)

Russell Dauterman: co-creator of Jane Foster wielding Mjolnir and wearing a modified verison of Thor's costume with a mask built into the helmet; of Jane Foster suffering from cancer (Thor #1, 2014); of Thor approving of Jane Foster as his replacement (Thor #4, 2015); of Jane Foster revealed as the identity of the female Thor (Thor #8, 2015)

Mark Gruenwald: creator of the name for the Kronans, an extraterrestrial race of rock-like creatures (Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #5, 1983); co-creator of the many pantheons of gods meeting and cooperating together (Thor #300, 1980); of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, an ally of Thor (Thor Annual #10, 1982)

Daniel Berman: co-creator of Sif losing her left arm in combat (Thor #80, 2004); of Sif's missing arm replaced with a stump; of Fandral and Hogun perishing in the events of Ragnarok (Thor #82, 2004); of Thor losing an eye during the events of Ragnarok (Thor #84, 2004); of Volstagg perishing in Ragnarok (Thor #85, 2004)

Robert Bernstein: co-creator of Frigga, queen of Asgard, mother to Thor & Loki; of the Valkyrie, an order of Asgardian warrior woman who ride flying horses (Journey into Mystery #92, 1963); of Thor's ability to channel lightning through his body even when separated from Mjolnir (Journey into Mystery #93, 1963)

Andrea Di Vito: co-creator of Sif losing her left arm in combat (Thor #80, 2004); of Sif's missing arm replaced with a stump; of Fandral and Hogun perishing in the events of Ragnarok (Thor #82, 2004); of Thor losing an eye during the events of Ragnarok (Thor #84, 2004); of Volstagg perishing in Ragnarok (Thor #85, 2004)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Valkyrie, an Asgardian warrior woman who encounters the Hulk (Incredible Hulk #142, 1971); of the Soul Gem, from which the Infinty Gems were derived (Marvel Premiere #1, 1970); of Odin having only one eye (Thor #274, 1978); of the One Above All's visual appearance (Thor #288, 1979)

John Buscema: co-creator of Hercules wearing a costume with a strap across his chest and around his shoulders (Avengers #256, 1985); of Nebula, a blue-skinned space pirate (Avengers #257, 1985); of Infinity, a powerful cosmic being (Thor #185, 1971); of Odin having only one eye (Thor #274, 1978)

Timothy Green II: co-creator of Star-Lord teamed-up with Mantis, Groot and Rocket Raccoon; Groot and Rocket Raccoon's friendship; Star-Lord's helmet with full faceplate, red goggles and breathing unit; Star-Lord favouring twin guns; Rocket favouring heavy artillery (Annihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord #1, 2007)

Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning: co-creators of Groot's vocabulary limited to little more than "I am Groot" (Annihilation: Conquest#2, 2008); of Drax, Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Mantis and Groot banded together as the Guardians of the Galaxy; Rocket as the team's tactician (Guardians of the Galaxy #1, 2008)

Mike Friedrich: co-creator of Death conceptualized as a cosmic entity (Captain Marvel #26, 1973); of Thanos, a death-worshipping intergalactic warlord who inflicts genocide; of Drax, a galaxy-travelling hero with green skin who excels at destruction (Iron Man #55, 1973)

Sal Buscema: co-creator of Rocket Racccoon as a swashbuckling hero clad in green with the moniker "Rocket" (Incredible Hulk #271, 1982); of Thor wearing a beard (Thor #367, 1986); of Thor wearing full body armor in gold and blue with his red cape fixed to his shoulders (Thor #378, 1987)

Greg Pak: co-creator of Miek, an insectoid gladiator (Incredible Hulk #92, 2006); of Korg, a Kronan who had been a gladiator (Incredible Hulk #93, 2006); of the Kronans revealed to reproduce by clasping hands together nearby lava (WWH Aftersmash: Warbound #3, 2008)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of the location of the cosmic entity Eternity being sought (Strange Tales #132, 1965); of Eternity, an immensely powerful cosmic being who embodies the cosmos themselves, visualized as a being made of stars (Strange Tales #138, 1965)

Bill Mantlo: co-creator of Rocket Racccoon as a swashbuckling hero clad in green with the moniker "Rocket" (Incredible Hulk #271, 1982); of Rocket Raccoon, an anthropomorphic adventurous raccoon (Marvel Preview #7, 1976)

Steve Englehart: co-creator of Mantis, a heroic Asian woman with empathic powers (Avengers #112, 1973); of Star-Lord, alias Peter Quill, a half-alien space-adventuring gun-wielding hero (Marvel Preview #4, 1976)

Roger Stern: co-creator of Hercules wearing a costume with a strap across his chest and around his shoulders (Avengers #256, 1985); of Nebula, a blue-skinned villainous space pirate (Avengers #257, 1985)

Mitch Breitweiser: co-creator of Drax's redesign with red body tattoos (Drax the Destroyer #3, 2006); co-creator of Drax wearing only pants; Drax preferring knives as weapons (Drax the Destroyer #4, 2006)

Paul Pelletier: co-creator of Drax, Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Mantis and Groot banded together as the Guardians of the Galaxy; Rocket as the team's tactician (Guardians of the Galaxy #1, 2008)

Joe Sinnott: co-creator of Frigga, queen of Asgard, mother to Thor & Loki; of the Valkyrie, an order of Asgardian warrior woman who ride flying horses (Journey into Mystery #92, 1963)

Don Heck: co-creator of Mantis, a heroic Asian woman with empathic powers (Avengers #112, 1973); of Kraglin, an extraterrestrial criminal (Tales to Astonish #46, 1963)

Gene Colan: co-creator of the yaka arrow, which is controlled by whistling; of team of heroes based in space called the Guardians of the Galaxy (Marvel Super-Heroes#18, 1969)

Arnold Drake: co-creator of the yaka arrow, which is controlled by whistling; of team of heroes based in space called the Guardians of the Galaxy (Marvel Super-Heroes#18, 1969)

Carlo Pagulayan: co-creator of Miek, an insectoid gladiator (Incredible Hulk #92, 2006); of Korg, a Kronan who had been a gladiator (Incredible Hulk #93, 2006)

Keith Pollard: co-creator of the One Above All's visual appearance (Thor #288, 1979); of the many pantheons of gods meeting and cooperating together (Thor #300, 1980)

Butch Guice: co-creator of Gorr being a former believer in gods who was offended when they failed to save his family (Thor: God of Thunder #6, 2013)

John Byrne: creator of Thor called "Odinson" (Namor the Sub-Mariner#13, 1991)

Tom DeFalco: co-creator of Mjolnir being shattered by an immensely powerful foe (Thor #388, 1988)

Ron Frenz: co-creator of Mjolnir being shattered by an immensely powerful foe (Thor #388, 1988)

Gil Kane: co-creator of the Soul Gem, from which the Infinty Gems were derived (Marvel Premiere#1, 1970)

Ron Lim: co-creator of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones wielded together as the Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

Herb Trimpe: co-creator of Valkyrie, an Asgardian warrior woman who encounters the Hulk (Incredible Hulk #142, 1971)

Marv Wolfman: co-creator of the Xandarians, an alien race very similar to humans (Fantastic Four #204, 1979)

Steve Gan: co-creator of Star-Lord, alias Peter Quill, a half-alien space-adventuring gun-wielding hero (Marvel Preview #4, 1976)

Tom Raney: co-creator of Groot's vocabulary limited to little more than "I am Groot" (Annihilation: Conquest #2, 2008)

H.E. Huntley: co-creator of Kraglin, an extraterrestrial criminal (Tales to Astonish #46, 1963)

M.C. Wyman: co-creator of Nebula's body reinforced with cybernetics (Silver Surfer #72, 1992)

Ron Marz: co-creator of Nebula's body reinforced with cybernetics (Silver Surfer #72, 1992)

Christopher Priest: co-creator of the panther god Black Panther worships being the Egyptian god Bast (Black Panther #21, 2000)

Sal Velluto: co-creator of the panther god Black Panther worships being the Egyptian god Bast (Black Panther #21, 2000)

Don Glut: co-creator of Jane Foster gaining the power of Thor (What If #10, 1978)

Rick Hoberg: co-creator of Jane Foster gaining the power of Thor (What If #10, 1978)

Ralph Macchio: co-creator of the many pantheons of gods meeting and cooperating together (Thor #300, 1980)

Gene Day: co-creator of the many pantheons of gods meeting and cooperating together (Thor #300, 1980)

Chic Stone: co-creator of the One Above All's visual appearance (Thor #288, 1979)

Leonard Kirk: co-creator of the Kronans revealed to reproduce by clasping hands together nearby lava (WWH Aftersmash: Warbound #3, 2008)

Donny Cates: co-creator of Mjolnir being rebuilt with visible cracks in its pieces (Thor #23, 2022)

Nic Klein: co-creator of Mjolnir being rebuilt with visible cracks in its pieces (Thor #23, 2022)

Olivier Coipel: co-creator of Jane Foster's mother dying from cancer (The Unworthy Thor #4, 2017)

Kim Jacinto: co-creator of Jane Foster's mother dying from cancer (The Unworthy Thor #4, 2017)

Marie Severin: co-creator of the Living Tribunal, a cosmic entity (Strange Tales #157, 1967)

Bob Hall: co-creator of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, an ally of Thor (Thor Annual #10, 1982)

Alan Zelenetz: co-creator of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, an ally of Thor (Thor Annual #10, 1982)

Brief Thoughts about Thor: Love and Thunder

I'm trying to pin down what it is I don't like about Thor: Love and Thunder.

SPOILERS do follow...

I enjoyed Thor: Ragnarok quite a bit; I've tried other works by director Taika Waititi and enjoyed them as well. While watching Thor: Love and Thunder I kept recognizing the same type of humour which I'd found amusing in Waititi's other works. I was interested in the film. I didn't dislike the film. But I never connected emotionally to the film - that is, I never found it funny.

The thing about Thor: Love and Thunder is that it is a comedy film; there's only a little bit of drama - most of the picture is founded on jokes. The majority of scenes are set-ups for jokes. Maybe I'm too old for the film - it did seem like very juvenile humour to me, so perhaps I've outgrown Waititi's type of humour.

However, Thor: Love and Thunder is a contrast to how humour is used in other Marvel films. In other pictures, humour is used primarily to keep the story going; the directors get to a point where they don't know how to end a scene, so a character will crack a lame joke --> scene transition. The humour beats in a Marvel film are predictable but not offensive.

In Thor: Love and Thunder rather than the humour forcing itself into dramatic situations, the drama has to force itself into humourous situations. There is such a sense of ironic detachment throughout the film. Everything is a joke, a one-liner. Thor is frequently just childish - which makes one wonder how they'll adapt Hercules to the films, given that in the comics Herc's personality is normally more childish than Thor's. Very few dramatic moments land; the villain, Gorr, is treated seriously; Jane's cancer is mostly dealt with seriously (except for the scene which introduces it, strangely); Jane's death is treated as a serious moment. But the rest of the film so light-hearted, so weightless. What Gene Siskel called, "much of a muchness."

I think what I wanted from a film that puts Love right in its title is a little more emotion - that is, vulnerability. To let a few more dramatic moments land.

The very premise of Gorr the God Butcher seems like a good one for the picture - a worshiper of gods who is incensed at the lack of love shown by his gods, which turns him into a killer of gods. But that's really only covered in the opening scene. Ultimately, this version of Gorr is a distraught father who wants his little girl back - he blames the gods, but he's not particularly philosophical about it. His presence hints to some headier ideas, but the movie isn't interested in expounding on his philosophy or prompting Thor to offer a counterpoint. That would've intruded on one of those 80s hair metal ballads, I guess.

I don't dislike Thor: Love and Thunder but I'm very dissatisified with it. There's more going on in it than, say, Thor: The Dark World but it feels hollow; a series of comedy sketches instead of a journey.

(A list of creator credits for Thor: Love and Thunder will follow soon)

Thor: Ragnarok creator credits

Once again, here's a list of where all the comic book elements in a Marvel Cinematic Universe originated from. Corrections & additions are always welcome! My master list is kept here.

Jason Aaron: co-creator of Doctor Strange wearing a buttoned-down version of his blue shirt (Doctor Strange #1, 2015); of Thor having a sister he didn't know of (Original Sin #5.1, 2014); of Thor with his hair cut short (The Unworthy Thor #2, 2017)

Chris Bachalo: co-creator of Doctor Strange wearing a buttoned-down version of his blue shirt (Doctor Strange #1, 2015)

Daniel Berman: co-creator of Fandral and Hogun perishing in the events of Ragnarok (Thor #82, 2004); of Thor losing an eye during the events of Ragnarok (Thor #84, 2004); of Thor permitting Surtur to destroy Asgard so that he could vanquish a greater threat; of Volstagg perishing in Ragnarok (Thor #85, 2004)

Robert Bernstein: co-creator of Frigga, queen of Asgard, mother to Thor & Loki; of the Valkyrie, an order of Asgardian warrior woman who ride flying horses (Journey into Mystery #92, 1963); of Thor's ability to channel lightning through his body even when separated from Mjolnir (Journey into Mystery #93, 1963); of Loki trying to usurp Odin's throne (Journey into Mystery #94, 1963)

John Buscema: co-creator of Ultron, the Avengers' enemy (Avengers #54, 1968); of Quinjets, the personal aircraft of the Avengers (Avengers #61, 1969); of Odin having only one eye (Thor #274, 1978); of Gungnir, Odin's great spear (Thor#275, 1978)

Sal Buscema: co-creator of Grandmaster, a cosmic being dressed in yellow clothes with pointed white hair and blue colouring; Grandmaster's obsession with games, often pitting superhuman people against each other (Avengers #69, 1969); of Valkyrie and the Hulk as allies (Defenders #4, 1973); of Valkyrie's enchanted sword Dragonfang (Defenders #12, 1974)

John Byrne: creator of Thor called "Odinson" (Namor the Sub-Mariner#13, 1991)

Olivier Coipel: co-creator of Thor with his hair cut short (The Unworthy Thor #2, 2017)

Gene Colan: co-creator of Doctor Strange's Sanctum being located at 177A Bleecker Street (Doctor Strange #182, 1969)

Gerry Conway: co-creator of the Man-Thing, a monstrous character (Savage Tales #1, 1971)

Tom DeFalco: co-creator of the Revengers, a team named in reaction to the Avengers (A-Next #12, 1998); of Mjolnir being shattered by an immensely powerful foe (Thor #388, 1988)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of Doctor Strange, a sorcerer based out of a sanctum in Greenwich Village who wages war against mystical forces of evil; Strange wearing a blue shirt and orange gloves; the Sanctum's window bearing a symbol with two curved lines pierced by a third line; of Doctor Strange's golden amulet (Strange Tales #110, 1963); of Doctor Strange wearing a magical cape (Strange Tales #114, 1963); of Doctor Strange opposing Loki (Strange Tales #123, 1964); of Doctor Strange's red Cloak of Levitation and round amulet (Strange Tales #127, 1964); of Banner transforming into the Hulk during periods of high emotional stress; of the Hulk having a savage or childlike disposition (Tales to Astonish #60, 1964)

Andrea DiVito: co-creator of Fandral and Hogun perishing in the events of Ragnarok (Thor #82, 2004); of Thor losing an eye during the events of Ragnarok (Thor #84, 2004); of Thor permitting Surtur to destroy Asgard so that he could vanquish a greater threat; of Volstagg perishing in Ragnarok (Thor #85, 2004)

Steve Englehart: co-creator of the Black Widow as an Avenger (Avengers #111, 1973); of Valkyrie and the Hulk as allies (Defenders #4, 1973); of the Bi-Beast, a two-headed creature (Incredible Hulk #169, 1973)

Al Ewing: co-creator of Thor having a sister he didn't know of (Original Sin #5.1, 2014); of Loki's headband with horns (Loki: Agent of Asgard #1, 2014)

Ron Frenz: co-creator of the Revengers, a team named in reaction to the Avengers (A-Next #12, 1998); of Mjolnir being shattered by an immensely powerful foe (Thor #388, 1988)

Gary Friedrich: co-creator of Hulk's stated desire to be left alone (Incredible Hulk #102, 1968)

Lee Garbett: co-creator of Thor having a sister he didn't know of (Original Sin #5.1, 2014); of Loki's headband with horns (Loki: Agent of Asgard #1, 2014)

Keith Giffen: co-creator of Valkyrie wearing silver armor (Defenders #47, 1977)

Steven Grant: co-creator of the Grandmaster holding a "Contest of Champions" in which superhumans are pit against each other for the sake of his games; Thor and Hulk as contestants in the Grandmaster's game (Marvel Super-Hero Contest of Champions #1, 1982)

Mark Gruenwald: co-creator of the Grandmaster holding a "Contest of Champions" in which superhumans are pit against each other for the sake of his games; Thor and Hulk as contestants in the Grandmaster's game (Marvel Super-Hero Contest of Champions #1, 1982); of the name for the Kronans, an extraterrestrial race of rock-like creatures (Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #5, 1983)

Don Heck: co-creator of the Black Widow as an Avenger (Avengers #111, 1973); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist who became a hero (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of the Black Widow, alias Natasha Romanoff (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964)

Dan Jurgens: co-creator of Loki impersonating Odin to claim the throne of Asgard (Thor #16, 1999)

Gil Kane: co-creator of the Soul Gem, from which the Infinty Gems were derived (Marvel Premiere#1, 1970)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of the Avengers, a team of super heroes including Thor, Hulk & Tony Stark, Loki battling the Avengers (Avengers #1, 1963); of Hulk battling Thor (Avengers #3, 1964); of the Hulk, Bruce Banner, a physicist who transforms into a massive, brutish creature with superhuman strength; the Hulk describing others as "puny" (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of the Hulk having green skin (Incredible Hulk #2, 1962); of the Hulk traveling vast distances by leaping (Incredible Hulk #3, 1962); of Thor, Asgardian god of thunder whose hammer Mjolnir can control weather and has a worthiness enchantment which prevents others from lifting it; Thor's silver helmet, red cape and blue bodysuit; Thor encountering extraterrestrials made of stone (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Jane Foster, Thor's mortal love interest (Journey into Mystery #84, 1962); of Loki, Thor's evil brother who possesses the power to cast illusions and wears green/yellow; Loki's horned helmet; Asgard, home of the Norse Gods which connects to Earth via the rainbow bridge Bifrost; Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost; Odin, father of Loki & Thor (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962); of Thor's ability to channel lightning through his body even when separated from Mjolnir (Journey into Mystery #93, 1963); of the Frost Giants, creatures from the Nine Worlds; of Surtur, the immense fire demon who an enemy to all of Asgard (Journey into Mystery #97, 1963); of Sif, female Asgardian warrior, love interest to Thor; of Hela, Asgardian goddess of death; Hela's green costume, cape and large black headdress (Journey into Mystery #102, 1964); of Asgardians piloting sky ships; of Skurge the Executioner, an Asgardian warrior who wields an axe, wears blue armour and opposes Thor; Skurge's black beard and tattoos (Journey into Mystery #103, 1964); of Laufey, Loki's father, a giant; of Odin adopting Loki as Thor's foster brother; of the Hulk's fans waving banners and signs in a Hulk vs. Thor contest (Journey into Mystery #112, 1965); of Thor and Loki being friends in their youth (Journey into Mystery #113, 1965); of the Fenris Wolf, an immense Asgardian wolf (Journey into Mystery #114, 1965); of Volstagg, a red-haired, overweight and jovial Asgardian warrior; Hogun, a mostly-silent grim-faced and dark-haired Asgardian; and Fandral, a blond-haired dashing, adventurous Asgardian clad in green (Journey into Mystery #119, 1965); of Loki seeking to rule Asgard; Asgard possessing advanced technology (Journey into Mystery #120, 1965); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist who became a hero (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of the Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964); of the Cosmic Cube, a massively powerful artifact (Tales of Suspense #79, 1966); of Earth referred to as Midgard by Asgardians (Thor #126, 1966); of the prophecies of Ragnarok in which Asgard will be destroyed (Thor #127, 1966); of Surtur being the one to finally destroy Asgard at Ragnarok (Thor #128, 1966); of Ares, god of war (Thor #129, 1966)

David Anthony Kraft: co-creator of Valkyrie wearing silver armor (Defenders #47, 1977)

Stan Lee: co-creator of the Black Widow's red hair (Amazing Spider-Man #86, 1970); of the Avengers, a team of super heroes including Thor, Hulk & Tony Stark, Loki battling the Avengers (Avengers #1, 1963); of Hulk battling Thor (Avengers #3, 1964); of the Hulk, Bruce Banner, a physicist who transforms into a massive, brutish creature with superhuman strength; the Hulk describing others as "puny" (Incredible Hulk #1, 1962); of the Hulk colored green (Incredible Hulk #2, 1962); of the Hulk traveling vast distances by leaping (Incredible Hulk #3, 1962); of Thor, Norse god of thunder, defender of Earth, wields hammer Mjolnir which can control storms, always returns to his hand and can only be lifted by those who are worthy of its power; Thor's silver helmet, blue costume, bare arms and red cape; Thor encountering extraterrestrials made of stone (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Jane Foster, Thor's mortal love interest (Journey into Mystery #84, 1962); of Loki, Thor's evil brother who possesses the power to cast illusions and wears green/yellow; Loki's horned helmet; Asgard, home of the Norse Gods which connects to Earth via the rainbow bridge Bifrost; Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost; Odin, father of Loki & Thor (Journey into Mystery#85, 1962); of Frigga, queen of Asgard, mother to Thor & Loki; of the Valkyrie, an order of Asgardian warrior woman who ride flying horses (Journey into Mystery #92, 1963); of Thor's ability to channel lightning through his body even when separated from Mjolnir (Journey into Mystery #93, 1963); of Loki trying to usurp Odin's throne (Journey into Mystery #94, 1963); of the Frost Giants, creatures from the Nine Worlds; of Surtur, the immense fire demon who an enemy to all of Asgard (Journey into Mystery #97, 1963); of Sif, female Asgardian warrior, love interest to Thor; of Hela, Asgardian goddess of death; Hela's green costume, cape and large black headdress (Journey into Mystery #102, 1964); of Asgardians piloting sky ships; of Skurge the Executioner, an Asgardian warrior who wields an axe, wears blue armour and opposes Thor; Skurge's black beard and tattoos (Journey into Mystery #103, 1964); of Laufey, Loki's father, a giant; of Odin adopting Loki to be Thor's foster brother; of the Hulk's fans waving banners and signs in a Hulk vs. Thor contest (Journey into Mystery #112, 1965); of Thor and Loki being friends in their youth (Journey into Mystery #113, 1965); of the Fenris Wolf, an immense Asgardian wolf (Journey into Mystery #114, 1965); of Volstagg, a red-haired, overweight and jovial Asgardian warrior with a wife and several children; Hogun, a mostly-silent grim-faced and dark-haired Asgardian; and Fandral, a blond, green-clad, dashing, adventurous Asgardian (Journey into Mystery #119, 1965); of Loki seeking to rule Asgard; Asgard possessing advanced technology (Journey into Mystery #120, 1965); of Doctor Strange, a sorcerer based out of a sanctum in Greenwich Village who wages war against mystical forces of evil; Strange wearing a blue shirt and orange gloves; the Sanctum's window bearing a symbol with two curved lines pierced by a third line; of Doctor Strange's golden amulet (Strange Tales #110, 1963); of Doctor Strange wearing a magical cape (Strange Tales #114, 1963); of Doctor Strange opposing Loki (Strange Tales #123, 1964); of Doctor Strange's red Cloak of Levitation and round amulet (Strange Tales #127, 1964); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist who became a hero (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of the Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964); of the Cosmic Cube, a massively powerful artifact (Tales of Suspense #79, 1966); of Banner transforming into the Hulk during periods of high emotional stress; of the Hulk having a savage or childlike disposition (Tales to Astonish #60, 1964); of Earth referred to as Midgard by Asgardians (Thor #126, 1966); of the prophecies of Ragnarok in which Asgard will be destroyed (Thor #127, 1966); of Surtur being the one to finally destroy Asgard at Ragnarok (Thor #128, 1966); of Ares, god of war (Thor #129, 1966)

Larry Lieber: co-creator of Thor, Norse god of thunder, defender of Earth, wields hammer Mjolnir which can control storms, can only be lifted by those who are worthy and always returns to his hand; Thor's silver helmet, blue costume, bare arms and red cape; Thor encountering extraterrestrials made of stone (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Jane Foster, Thor's mortal love interest (Journey into Mystery #84, 1962); of Loki, Thor's wicked brother who has the power to cast illusions; Loki's green & yellow clothing, horned helmet; of Asgard, the realm where Thor lives; Bifrost, the rainbow bridge which connects Asgard to other worlds; Odin, lord of Asgard, father of Thor and Loki; Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962); of Tony Stark, a wealthy industrialist who became a hero (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Ron Lim: co-creator of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones wielded together as the Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

William Messner-Loebs: co-creator of Odin being temporarily stranded on Earth in a mortal identity (Thor #497, 1996)

Bill Mantlo: co-creator of the Grandmaster holding a "Contest of Champions" in which superhumans are pit against each other for the sake of his games; Thor and Hulk as contestants in the Grandmaster's game (Marvel Super-Hero Contest of Champions #1, 1982)

Gray Morrow: co-creator of the Man-Thing, a monstrous character (Savage Tales #1, 1971)

Michael Avon Oeming: co-creator of Fandral and Hogun perishing in the events of Ragnarok (Thor #82, 2004); of Thor losing an eye during the events of Ragnarok (Thor #84, 2004); of Thor permitting Surtur to destroy Asgard so that he could vanquish a greater threat; of Volstagg perishing in Ragnarok (Thor #85, 2004)

Carlo Pagulayan: co-creator of Sakaar, an alien world which has a portal that has drawn various people from across the universe to the planet; the Hulk brought to Sakaar; Miek, an insectoid gladiator warrior on Sakaar; slaves on Sakaar controlled with discs pinned to their skin (Incredible Hulk #92, 2006); of Korg, a Kronan serve as a gladiator on Sakaar; Korg encountering Thor, Hulk and Miek (Incredible Hulk #93, 2006); of the Hulk donning full gladiator regalia including a feathered helm (Incredible Hulk #94, 2006); of Korg and Miek becoming revolutionaries; of the Hulk encountering an old ally from Earth in Sakaar's gladiator arena (Incredible Hulk #95, 2006)

Greg Pak: co-creator of Sakaar, an alien world which has a portal that has drawn various people from across the universe to the planet; the Hulk brought to Sakaar; Miek, an insectoid gladiator warrior on Sakaar; slaves on Sakaar controlled with discs pinned to their skin (Incredible Hulk #92, 2006); of Korg, a Kronan serve as a gladiator on Sakaar; Korg encountering Thor, Hulk and Miek (Incredible Hulk #93, 2006); of the Hulk donning full gladiator regalia including a feathered helm (Incredible Hulk #94, 2006); of Korg and Miek becoming revolutionaries; of the Hulk encountering an old ally from Earth in Sakaar's gladiator arena (Incredible Hulk #95, 2006)

Keith Pollard: co-creator of the planet Xandar (Fantastic Four #205, 1979)

Don Rico: co-creator of the Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff (Tales of Suspense #52, 1964)

John Romita: co-creator of the Black Widow's red hair (Amazing Spider-Man #86, 1970)

John Romita Jr.: co-creator of the Grandmaster holding a "Contest of Champions" in which superhumans are pit against each other for the sake of his games; Thor and Hulk as contestants in the Grandmaster's game (Marvel Super-Hero Contest of Champions #1, 1982); of Loki impersonating Odin to claim the throne of Asgard (Thor #16, 1999)

Luke Ross: co-creator of Odin being temporarily stranded on Earth in a mortal identity (Thor #497, 1996)

Marie Severin: co-creator of Hulk's stated desire to be left alone (Incredible Hulk #102, 1968)

Walter Simonson: creator of Beta Ray Bill, an extraterrestrial warrior whose skull is shaped like a horse (Thor #337, 1983); of the Eternal Flame, a mystical flame in Odin's custody; of Surtur needing to forge his sword in the Eternal Flame in order to destroy Asgard (Thor #349, 1984); of Odin dying before Loki and Thor's eyes (Thor #353, 1985); of Hela reclaiming her power without Odin to oppose her (Thor #354, 1985); of Thor forcing Loki to undo one of his spells by holding Loki by the neck while summoning Mjolnir to return to his hand (Thor #359, 1985); of Skurge the Executioner having a change of heart and giving his life to hold a bridge against Hela's army of the dead, dual-wielding two machine guns to destroy the dead soldiers, then wielding them as clubs when his ammunition runs out; of Skurge seen clubbing the dead from atop an immense pile of soldiers (Thor #362, 1985); of Loki's magic transforming Thor into a frog (Thor #363, 1986); of Thor wearing a beard (Thor #367, 1986)

Joe Sinnott: co-creator of Frigga, queen of Asgard, mother to Thor & Loki; of the Valkyrie, an order of Asgardian warrior woman who ride flying horses (Journey into Mystery #92, 1963); of Loki trying to usurp Odin's throne (Journey into Mystery #94, 1963)

Jim Starlin: co-creator of the Infinity Gems, six all-powerful stones wielded together as the Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Ultron, the Avengers' enemy (Avengers #54, 1968); of Grandmaster, a cosmic being dressed in yellow clothes with pointed white hair and blue colouring; Grandmaster's obsession with games, often pitting superhuman people against each other (Avengers #69, 1969); of Doctor Strange's Sanctum being located at 177A Bleecker Street (Doctor Strange #182, 1969); of the Night-Crawler, an otherworldly creature (Incredible Hulk #126, 1970); of Valkyrie, an Asgardian warrior woman who encounters the Hulk (Incredible Hulk #142, 1971); of the Soul Gem, from which the Infinty Gems were derived (Marvel Premiere #1, 1970); of the Man-Thing, a monstrous character (Savage Tales #1, 1971); Odin having only one eye (Thor #274, 1978); of Gungnir, Odin's great spear (Thor #275, 1978); of Thor and Hulk joining forces to battle Hela (Thor #489, 1995)

Herb Trimpe: co-creator of the Night-Crawler, an otherworldly creature (Incredible Hulk #126, 1970); of Valkyrie, an Asgardian warrior woman who encounters the Hulk (Incredible Hulk #142, 1971); of the Bi-Beast, a two-headed creature (Incredible Hulk #169, 1973)

Len Wein: co-creator of Valkyrie's enchanted sword Dragonfang (Defenders #12, 1974)

Marv Wolfman: co-creator of the planet Xandar (Fantastic Four #205, 1979)

M. C. Wyman: co-creator of Thor and Hulk joining forces to battle Hela (Thor #489, 1995)

Remedial Creator Credits: Thor (2011)

Unfortunately, due to an error in marketing 2011's Loki movie was titled "Thor."

Stan Lee: creator of Journey into Mystery title (Journey into Mystery #1, 1952); co-creator of Thor, Asgardian god of thunder whose hammer Mjolnir can control weather and has a worthiness enchantment which prevents others from lifting it; Thor's silver helmet, red cape and blue bodysuit with discs on his chest; Thor using the mortal alias of Donald Blake (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of the Frost Giants, creatures from the Nine Worlds; of Yggdrasill, the World-Tree; of Odin's title "All-Father" (Journey into Mystery #97, 1963); of Laufey, Loki's father, a giant; of Jotunheim, land of the giants; of Odin adopting Loki (Journey into Mystery #112, 1965); of Thor and Loki being friends in their youth (Journey into Mystery #113, 1965); of the Warlock's Eye, a mystical artifact in Odin's custody (Thor #129, 1966); of the Orb of Agamotto, a mystical sphere (Strange Tales #118, 1964); of the Tablet of Life and Time, a mystical stone tablet (Amazing Spider-Man #68, 1969); of Thor being sent to Earth as punishment by Odin to teach him humility after a clash with Frost Giants (Thor #159, 1968); of Loki trying to usurp Odin's throne (Journey into Mystery #94, 1963); of the Asgardians and Frost Giants going to war with each other (Journey into Mystery #98, 1963); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international intelligence agency affiliated with Tony Stark; of Nick Fury wearing an eyepatch; Nick Fury as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of Loki, Thor's wicked brother who has the power to cast illusions; of Asgard, the realm where Thor lives; Bifrost, the rainbow bridge which connects Asgard to other worlds; Odin, lord of Asgard, father of Thor and Loki; Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962); of the Cosmic Cube, a massively powerful artifact (Tales of Suspense #79, 1966); of Hawkeye, a master archer with trick arrows (Tales of Suspense #57, 1964); of Tony Stark, an industrialist who builds armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Jane Foster, Thor's romantic interest (Journey into Mystery #84, 1962); of the Destroyer, a massively powerful suit of automated armor built by Odin with destructive energy blasts emitted from its face and which battles Thor (Journey into Mystery #118, 1965); of Odin wearing a cape fastened over his shoulders (Journey into Mystery #89, 1963); Sif, a female Asgardian warrior and love interest to Thor (Journey into Mystery #102, 1964); of Volstagg, a red-haired, overweight and jovial Asgardian warrior; Hogun, a grim-faced and dark-haired Asgardian; and Fandral, a dashing, adventurous Asgardian (Journey into Mystery #119, 1965); Sif with dark hair (Thor #136, 1967); Earth referred to as Midgard by Asgardians (Thor #126, 1966); of Jasper Sitwell, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (Strange Tales #144, 1966)

Jack Kirby: co-creator of Thor, Asgardian god of thunder whose hammer Mjolnir can control weather and has a worthiness enchantment which prevents others from lifting it; Thor's silver helmet, red cape and blue bodysuit with discs on his chest; Thor using the mortal alias of Donald Blake (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of the Frost Giants, creatures from the Nine Worlds; of Yggdrasill, the World-Tree; of Odin's title "All-Father" (Journey into Mystery #97, 1963); of Laufey, Loki's father, a giant; of Jotunheim, land of the giants; of Odin adopting Loki (Journey into Mystery #112, 1965); of Thor and Loki being friends in their youth (Journey into Mystery #113, 1965); of the Warlock's Eye, a mystical artifact in Odin's custody (Thor #129, 1966); of Thor being sent to Earth as punishment by Odin to teach him humility after a clash with Frost Giants (Thor #159, 1968); of the Asgardians and Frost Giants going to war with each other (Journey into Mystery #98, 1963); of S.H.I.E.L.D., an international intelligence agency affiliated with Tony Stark; of Nick Fury wearing an eyepatch; Nick Fury as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strange Tales #135, 1965); of Loki, Thor's wicked brother who has the power to cast illusions; of Asgard, the realm where Thor lives; Bifrost, the rainbow bridge which connects Asgard to other worlds; Odin, lord of Asgard, father of Thor and Loki; Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962); of the Cosmic Cube, a massively powerful artifact (Tales of Suspense #79, 1966); of Tony Stark, an industrialist who builds armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Jane Foster, Thor's romantic interest (Journey into Mystery #84, 1962); of the Destroyer, a massively powerful suit of automated armor built by Odin with destructive energy blasts emitted from its face and which battles Thor (Journey into Mystery #118, 1965); of Odin wearing a cape fastened over his shoulders (Journey into Mystery #89, 1963); Sif, a female Asgardian warrior and love interest to Thor (Journey into Mystery #102, 1964); of Volstagg, a red-haired, overweight and jovial Asgardian warrior; Hogun, a grim-faced and dark-haired Asgardian; and Fandral, a dashing, adventurous Asgardian (Journey into Mystery #119, 1965); Sif with dark hair (Thor #136, 1967); Earth referred to as Midgard by Asgardians (Thor #126, 1966); of Jasper Sitwell, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (Strange Tales #144, 1966)

Larry Lieber: co-creator of Thor, Asgardian god of thunder whose hammer Mjolnir can control weather and has a worthiness enchantment which prevents others from lifting it; Thor's silver helmet, red cape and blue bodysuit with discs on his chest; Thor using the mortal alias of Donald Blake (Journey into Mystery #83, 1962); of Loki, Thor's wicked brother who has the power to cast illusions; of Asgard, the realm where Thor lives; Bifrost, the rainbow bridge which connects Asgard to other worlds; Odin, lord of Asgard, father of Thor and Loki; Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost (Journey into Mystery #85, 1962); of Tony Stark, an industrialist who builds armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963); of Jane Foster, Thor's romantic interest (Journey into Mystery #84, 1962)

Walter Simonson: creator of the Einherjar, the greatest warriors of Asgard (Thor #350, 1984); of the Casket of Ancient Winters, a mystical artifact which can unleash snowstorms (Thor #346, 1984); of Thor wearing a beard (Thor #367, 1986); of the Eternal Flame, a mystical flame in Odin's custody (Thor #349, 1984); co-creator of Grundroth, a Frost Giant who fights Thor (Thor #375, 1987)

Mark Millar: co-creator of Thor's claims of godhood being doubted by those who know him on Earth (Ultimates #4, 2002); of Nick Fury resembling Samuel L. Jackson and having visible scars beneath his eyepatch (Ultimates #2, 2002); of Hawkeye as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Ultimates #7, 2002)

Bryan Hitch: co-creator of Thor's claims of godhood being doubted by those who know him on Earth (Ultimates #4, 2002); of Nick Fury resembling Samuel L. Jackson and having visible scars beneath his eyepatch (Ultimates #2, 2002); of Hawkeye as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Ultimates #7, 2002)

Roy Thomas: co-creator of Odin's ravens Hugin and Munin; of Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir; Odin having only one eye (Thor #274, 1978); of Odin's spear Gungnir (Thor #275, 1978); of the Soul Gems which became the Infinity Gems (Marvel Premiere #1, 1972)

J. Michael Stracynski: co-creator of Mjolnir falling to Earth where it is studied by scientists and various locals attempt to lift it (Fantastic Four #536, 2006); of Thor wearing a suit with chainmail on his sleeves (Thor #1, 2007)

John Buscema: co-creator of Odin's ravens Hugin and Munin; of Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir; Odin having only one eye (Thor #274, 1978); of Odin's spear Gungnir (Thor #275, 1978)

Don Heck: co-creator of Hawkeye, a master archer with trick arrows (Tales of Suspense #57, 1964); of Tony Stark, an industrialist who builds armor (Tales of Suspense #39, 1963)

Mike McKone: co-creator of Mjolnir falling to Earth where it is studied by scientists and various locals attempt to lift it (Fantastic Four #536, 2006)

Jim Starlin: co-creator of the Infinity Gems, assembled together into the Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

Ron Lim: co-creator of the Infinity Gems, assembled together into the Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos Quest #1, 1990)

John Romita: co-creator of the Tablet of Life and Time, a mystical stone tablet (Amazing Spider-Man #68, 1969)

Jim Mooney: co-creator of the Tablet of Life and Time, a mystical stone tablet (Amazing Spider-Man #68, 1969)

Brian Michael Bendis: co-creator of Nick Fury as an African-American man (Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #5, 2001)

Robert Bernstein: co-creator of Loki trying to usurp Odin's throne (Journey into Mystery #94, 1963)

Mike Allred: co-creator of Nick Fury as an African-American man (Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #5, 2001)

Gil Kane: co-creator of the Soul Gems which became the Infinity Gems (Marvel Premiere #1, 1972)

Joe Sinnott: co-creator of Loki trying to usurp Odin's throne (Journey into Mystery #94, 1963)

Oliver Coipel: co-creator of Thor wearing a suit with chainmail on his sleeves (Thor #1, 2007)

Howard Purcell: co-creator of Jasper Sitwell, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (Strange Tales #144, 1966)

Steve Ditko: co-creator of the Orb of Agamotto, a mystical sphere (Strange Tales #118, 1964)

Sal Buscema: co-creator of Grundroth, a Frost Giant who fights Thor (Thor #375, 1987)

Thunderstrike, DeFalco and the mystery of numbers

I'm a follower of the internet critic SF Debris and he's recently been taking on a large project which is right in my wheelhouse - comic book history, notably the history of the 1990s boom & bust. He's doing a terrific job, but at point one of his anecdotes sounded a little off; he reported that writer Tom DeFalco had claimed his series Thunderstrike outsold both Thor and Avengers combined. I have seen DeFalco make this claim on many internet sites over the years, but only that Thunderstrike outsold Thor, not Avengers.

Before I answer that question, let me first ask you: who do you think Thunderstrike was?

If that image leads to a response which is anything like "grim & gritty Thor," then you certainly never read the book. Indeed, it's surprising how frequently I see people make that description considering how conservative creators (and frequent collaborators) Tom DeFalco & Ron Frenz were and are. They usually aim to fashion comics evocative of Stan Lee & Jack Kirby, stories full of breezy, fun dialogue and dynamic, energetic layouts.

Eric Masterson was introduced during their Thor run as a new human counterpart for Thor, an everyman who became Thor's alternate identity and eventually was placed in command of Thor's power, something he never got the hang of. His story had been intended to run only in the pages of Thor, but the ever-expanding Marvel saw an opportunity to branch out, thus he took the identity of Thunderstrike in his own series (and soon found he had different powers he would fail to fully get the hang of).

As the covers proclaimed, Thunderstrike was the "Everyman Avenger," a fellow trying to hold down a career and make time for his son while facing a custody battle with his ex-wife (one Eric loses). As a hero, he had good intentions but despite his powers he could easily flummoxed by situations he wasn't prepared for. In one instance, his ex-wife's new husband Bobby had, while under the influence of drugs, locked himself in a room with Eric's son Kevin. Fearing the worst, Eric became Thunderstrike and came crashing in to save his son. However, Kevin (not knowing who Thunderstrike was) had already defused the situation with Bobby and chastised Thunderstrike for resorting to violence rather than trying to help someone who was, essentially, sick. Kevin summed up Thunderstrike as "a big bully."

But such bouts of anger were uncommon for Eric. Frequently, when faced with villains who could match his power (Juggernaut, Absorbing Man) he would seek a compromise rather than a confrontation, seeing little point in endangering peoples' lives in the mere hope he might win a fight. And ultimately, that was how Eric's story ended in Thunderstrike #24 - overcome by the dark power of the Bloodaxe and transformed into an enemy of the Avengers, Thunderstrike destroyed himself to eliminate the Bloodaxe's threat (essentially the Dark Phoenix Saga ending).

DeFalco has stated that at the time, Thunderstrike sold better than Thor. Even without looking at the numbers it's easy to believe! When DeFalco & Frenz left the title it fell first into the hands of Jim Starlin, who began a lengthy tale about Thor going insane. However, the art was lackluster and Starlin didn't stick around to finish the tale; the climax, a crossover event called "Blood & Thunder" was particularly loathed by Thor fans who, to this day, dub it "Thud & Blunder." Following that: Roy Thomas became the author, Thor became mentor to some uninspired characters called the God Pack, Thor donned what remains his worst costume in his entire publishing history and the art became even less appealing. Compared to the solid craftsmanship and dependability of Thunderstrike, Thor was serving some weak tea.

The decision to end Thunderstrike then seemed to be intended to help bolster Thor's flagging sales by eliminating what might have been a title competing for the same readership. However, the goal was not to interest readers in Thomas' run - he was let go as well. Instead, a young Warren Ellis came in with Mike Deodato, Jr. to tell a weird, off-beat story about Thor losing his powers due to a false Ragnarok. It's an interesting comic, but it's hard to imagine many fans who enjoyed the Lee & Kirby-style antics of Thunderstrike finding it to their liking.

Tom DeFalco probably has (or had) access to the most reliable data on what Thunderstrike had been selling. Back then, there were multiple comic book distributors and one would need access to all of their monthly estimates to have an idea of what was being sold, and even then you would only have an estimate. I don't have all of that data, so the fairest way seems to be to compare the Statement of Ownership data between the two books.

Thunderstrike published Statement of Ownership data only once, in issue #18 (March, 1995). Fortunately, Thor printed its data that same month in issue #484. Check it out:

Average number of copies of each issue during the preceding 12 months: 188,725 (Thor); 236,467 (Thunderstrike)

Single issue nearest to filing date: 59,600 (Thor); 56,300 (Thunderstrike)

Based on this they were running very close, with Thunderstrike posting a vastly superior average, but at the time Thor had taken a slight lead. DeFalco's statement seems to be authentic.

What definitely can't be right is the "more than Thor & Avengers combined" remark; the nearest data I could find for the Avengers put them at an average of 253,950 which placed them above Thunderstrike.

It's also interesting to note that a year earlier, Thor's average had been 259,383 and the nearest issue sold 225,600 - which shows how quickly numbers had fallen. No doubt it was the sudden free-fall in sales data across the line which led Marvel to think cancelling Thunderstrike would save Thor. Since DeFalco & Frenz had always maintained Thunderstrike had a set finale which they knew how to play out from the very start, it's probably for the best they ended the series while the fanbase was still engaged and without anyone taking control of the book away from them. Thunderstrike definitely had its rough patches - I try to be fair to Blackwulf but even I won't stand up for the Blackwulf issues - but in all, it was a very charming super hero book at a time when much of what was being published felt ugly and crass.

THE WORLD STILL NEEDS HEROES.

Thor: the Dark World creator notes

The Dark Elves, including their leader Malekith, who bears a black star on his chest and a half-scarred face; Loki's ability to survive otherwise fatal physical injuries: Derived from Thor#344 (1984) by Walter Simonson.

Svartalfheim, home of the Dark Elves: Derived from Thor#346 (1984) by Walter Simonson.

Algrim, a Dark Elf who serves Malekith: Derived from Thor#347 (1984) by Walter Simonson.

Kurse, Algrim's other identity which is as powerful as Thor and garbed in red/yellow armour: Derived from Secret Wars II#4 (1985) by Walter Simonson & Sal Buscema.

Loki, Thor's evil brother who possesses the power to cast illusions and wears green/yellow; Asgard, home of the Norse Gods which connects to Earth via the rainbow bridge Bifrost; Heimdall, guardian of Bifrost; Odin, father of Loki & Thor: Derived from Journey into Mystery#85 (1962) by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby.

Bor, father of Odin, grandfather of Thor; Muspelheim, one of the Nine Worlds; Yggdrasil, the world-tree which envelopes the Nine Worlds: Derived from Journey into Mystery#97 (1963) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Bor's horned helmet: Derived from Thor#7 (2008) by J. Michael Stracynzki & Marko Djurdjevic.

Thor, Norse god of thunder, defender of Earth, wields hammer Mjolnir which can control storms, always returns to his hand; Thor's blue costume with plated chest, bare arms and red cape; Thor battling extraterrestrials made of stone: Derived from Journey into Mystery#83 (1962) by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby.

Loki being placed on trial in Asgard: Derived from Journey into Mystery#88 (1963) by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby.

Loki seeking to rule Asgard; Asgard possessing advanced technology: Derived from Journey into Mystery#120 (1965) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Odin's cape fastened to his armour with two fasteners on his shoulders: Derived from Journey into Mystery#89 (1963) by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby.

Odin with only one eye; Odin's ravens Hunin & Munin: Derived from Thor#274 (1978) by Roy Thomas & John Buscema.

Frigga, queen of Asgard, mother to Thor & Loki: Derived from Journey into Mystery#92 (1963) by Stan Lee, Robert Bernstein & Joe Sinnott.

Loki as Thor's foster brother; Jotunheim, one of the Nine Worlds, land of giants, birthplace of Loki: Derived from Journey into Mystery#112 (1965) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Vanaheim and Nidavellir, each of the Nine Worlds: Derived from Thor Annual#10 (1982) by Peter B. Gillis.

Sif, female Asgardian, love interest to Thor; Niffleheim, one of the Nine Worlds: Derived from Journey into Mystery#102 (1964) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Thor's close friends Volstagg, a red-bearded Asgardian warrior with a wife and several children; Hogun, a mostly-silent Asgardian warrior; and Fandral, a green-clad swashbuckling Asgardian warrior: Derived from Journey into Mystery#119 (1965) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Thor's beard: Derived from Thor#367 (1986) by Walter Simonson.

Thor's modified costume with chainmail sleeves and black boots: Derived from Thor#1 (2007) by J. Michael Stracynski & Olivier Coipel.

Korg, an extraterrestrial man made of stone dressed in gladiator costume who battles Thor: Derived from Journey into Mystery#83 (1962) by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby and Incredible Hulk#93 (2006) by Greg Pak & Carlo Pagulayan.

Odin preferring Sif for Thor; Sif being a raven tressed and red/white clad Asgardian warrior; Jane Foster visiting Asgard: Derived from Thor#136 (1967) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Odin disapproving of Thor's feelings for Jane Foster: Derived from Journey into Mystery#90 (1963) by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Al Hartley.

Odin called "the All-Father": Derived from Journey into Mystery#97 (1963) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Jane Foster, Thor's mortal love interest: Derived from Journey into Mystery#84 (1962) by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby.

S.H.I.E.L.D., an international espionage agency: Derived from Strange Tales#135 (1965) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Asgardians piloting sky ships: Derived from Journey into Mystery#103 (1964) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Gungnir, Odin's great spear: Derived from Thor#275 (1978) by Roy Thomas & John Buscema.

Deceased Asgardians being set to sea aboard ships, then cremated: Derived from Thor Annual#10 (1982) by Mark Gruenwald, Alan Zelenetz & Bob Hall.

The Tesseract, a glowing cube possessing massive cosmic power: Derived from the Cosmic Cube of Tales of Suspense#79 (1966) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Captain America, a super hero wearing a red/white/blue costume with star on chest: Derived from Captain America Comics#1 (1941) by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.

Captain America's round shield: Derived from Captain America Comics#2 (1941) by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby.

Captain America as Thor's ally: Derived from Avengers#4 (1964) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Earth referred to by the number "616": Derived from the Daredevils#7 (1983) by Alan Moore & Alan Davis.

Earth referred to as Midgard: Derived from Thor#126 (1966) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Hel, one of the Nine Worlds: Derived from Thor#176 (1970) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Alfheim, one of the Nine Worlds: Derived from Thor#277 (1978) by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby.

Thor refusing Asgard's throne: Derived from Thor#366 (1986) by Walter Simonson.

Loki impersonating Odin to claim the throne of Asgard: Derived from Thor#16 (1999) by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr.

The Collector, a white-haired extraterrestrial who collects rare items: Derived from Avengers#28 (1966) by Stan Lee & Don Heck.

The Collector's real name being Taneeler Tivan: Derived from the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe#3 (1983) by Mark Gruenwald.

The Infinity Stones, items of great power: Derived from the Soul Gem of Marvel Premiere#1 (1972) by Roy Thomas & Gil Kane, later the Infinity Gems of Thanos Quest#1 (1990) by Jim Starlin & Ron Lim.

The Collector possessing an Infinity Gem: Derived from Silver Surfer#7 (1988) by Steve Englehart & Marshall Rogers.

Movies of 2011, day one: cinematic films

I'm not sure why so many best/worst lists appear on the internet during December; aren't the authors afraid they might miss something of real significance during the last few weeks?

Now that it's 2012, I feel confident sharing my thoughts on the various media I encountered in 2011, whether they were originally released in 2011 or earlier. I'm going to delve into films, books and comics and my goal is to maintain a fairly positive attitude, even when I'm discussing the items I didn't care for.

All this week I'll be looking back at films I watched in 2011. It was a fairly significant year in terms of what, why and how I was watching older movies, but I'll get into that tomorrow. Today's topic: theatrical films.

I made only five trips to the cinema in 2011, albeit I might taken in even fewer films if circumstances had been different.

First, there was the Eagle, a film about a Roman soldier who wanders around early England searching for an eagle figure his father left behind. My brother Matthew could probably speak to whether this film was historically reliable at all. I wouldn't have imagined going to see the Eagle myself, but a friend wanted to see a movie with me and the other option handed to me was Battle: Los Angeles; I'd like to think I made the right choice. The Eagle was an okay adventure flick.

I was concerned that Thor would be somewhat disconnected from the other Marvel super hero movies which have been produced in the lead-up to 2012's Avengers, what with the vast cosmic/godly locales and characters required by Thor's mythos and their being rather removed from the relatively down-to-Earth Iron Man (and so forth). I felt my concerns were pretty well borne out - the movie worked well when it struck a little closer to the familiar (Earth scenes) and was just a bit off when it ventured into Asgard. Still, the movie works just fine, it's only serious misstep is the disjointed "romance" between Thor and Jane Foster, which feels as though at least one scene were omitted.

X-Men: First Class, on the other hand, was better than I thought it would be...probably because I've come to expect so little from the X-Men's movie franchise. It was a little too cute and self-knowing (Xavier's jokes about being a professor and going bald were at least one too many; gratuitous Wolverine cameo, so forth), but I felt its version of Magneto was actually the most formidable film version thus far. I'm not clamouring for more (nor does anyone else, it seems), but this was a great diversion.

Captain America: the First Avenger is the super hero movie I was most looking forward to; Avengers is a postscript in comparison. Cap has long been my favourite super hero and I felt the film did a great job at giving the character the attributes which make him likeable, particularly by emphasizing how his sense of courage and morality existed before he became a hero. I feel the film loses its way a little once he dons the final version of his costume (the pace of the story suddenly jerks forward) and the final ending doesn't quite fit (I'm assuming it was originally meant to appear post-credits), but overall I am very pleased with this movie

My family often takes in a movie over the Christmas holidays and 2011's feature was the Adventures of Tintin, which we of the younger generation paid for on our parents' behalf. I wasn't sure about the film in advance since the CGI style seemed so unlike the visuals of the original comics, but Tintin turned out out to be a great bit of fun, the right sort of movie to see with your family at Christmas. It did a lot to remind me about the Tintin comics, which I hadn't really thought of for some 20 years.

Tomorrow: great film discoveries of 2011!

I Love Atlas Comics#12: "Hammer Horror"

Today's "I Love Atlas Comics" takes up to the realm of crime comics with 1951's Justice Comics#19. Our story is "Hammer Horror," not to be confused with the British filmmakers. Sadly, the artist of this tale isn't identified.

Now, I said this series was going to cover horror comics, yet here I am looking at a crime comic, one purportedly drawn from a real life case. Although this story appeared in Justice Comics, it could have easily been printed in Mystery Tales or Suspense.

A string of murders committed by a man wielding a hammer unnerve the city; police detective John Murray notes the killer only strikes on night when rain is falling and makes this information public, upsetting the public when another rainfall occurs; however, no hammer murders follow the rain. It's only while looking at his son's book on mythology that Murray realizes what's really going on:

Murray missed a vital piece of information about the killings: they occur on nights with thunder & lightning. The killer has modeled himself after the Norse god of thunder, Thor! On the next storm night, Murray manages to save a policeman from being the next victim!

Murray shoots the hammer from "Thor's" hand, but the killer escapes. Finally, Murray has some concrete evidence and studies the murder weapon:

These leads Murray to a barrel-making factory, where there just happens to be a red-bearded barrel maker called...Thorson! Murray waits for another storm to burst out before he makes his move; sure enough, Thorson is the man they're looking for; he believes Thor is his father!

In fact, Thorson's strength is rather prodigious and he escapes Murray.

When the police catch up to Thorson, he's atop a skyscraper, trying to summon his father's help and command the thunder & lightning.

And that's just what happens - his hammer-waving antics draw the lightning to him.

Thorson is dead, bringing an end to the hammer murders. Murray is left to wonder whether the lightning strike was a coincidence or godly intervention.

Like most crime comics, "Hammer Horror" claims to be based on a real life case. I've tried to ascertain if this is true, but I haven't had any luck; supposedly, this is from the casebook of "John Murray" of the "Black Daisy" case. These seem to be references to famed serial killer-catcher John St. John and the Black Dahlia case, but I haven't found any internet sources connecting St. John to this case; if you can identify the real world case, please let me know.

On the other hand, there's an old-time radio program which follows this same story! It's the October 11, 1949 episode of Casey, Crime Photographer dubbed "Thunderbolt." Just like "Hammer Horror," a man named Thorson kills men with a hammer on stormy evenings. This suggests that either the 1949 radio play and 1951 comic script both drew from the same historical sources, or the comic swiped the radio story and tried to pass it off as a "real case" to conceal the matter (50s comics are full of swipes from radio and short stories). Anyway, you can download "Thunderbolt" from the Internet Archive here (right-click to save the file); the surviving copy of this episode is missing the commercial and music bridges (being an AFRS broadcast), which makes it seem more intense than the typical episode of Casey. Also of interest, up until 1950 Atlas had been publishing a Casey, Crime Photographer comic book.

Thor and Hellboy: Not Speaking to Each Other

Thor: 40 years of favourite moments

With the Thor movie already playing in some parts of the world and soon to find release in North America, I felt this would be a good time to talk about Thor's history in the comics, similar to posts I made about Iron Man and Hulk on Section 241.

Thor's publication history at Marvel consists of what I'd deem three great eras: the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby era (Journey into Mystery#83-Thor#177), the Walter Simonson era (Thor#337-382) and the Tom DeFalco/Ron Frenz era (Thor#383-459). I realize I won't get a lot of traction from fandom on the last example.

As such, my recommendation to the curious would be they track down copies of the Marvel Masterworks reprinting Lee & Kirby (albeit the early Thor stories - especially the non-Kirbys - are rather weak), the Walter Simonson Omnibus volume and what little DeFalco/Frenz material there is (so far the Thor vs. Seth arc and one volume of Thunderstrike).

So, rather than point you to specific trade paperbacks, I'm going to chat about my favourite moments in Thor history; many of these will originate in the aforementioned creative eras.

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Journey Into Mystery#116: Trial of the Gods

So far as I'm concerned, this was the story where Lee and Kirby really figured out how to make Thor work as a series and, generally, they didn't make many missteps from here on out. After numerous tales in which Loki bedeviled Thor by recruiting lackeys (who generally failed within 15 pages), this is where Loki began using his wits to make Odin destroy Thor for him; previously, Odin's problems with Thor were his own issues, but here, faced with Thor (god of thunder) and Loki (god of evil) accusing each other, the god of wisdom sentences them to face the Trial of the Gods, which will pit them against the most arduous environments of Asgard. Odin's such a tool it's little wonder he gave his son a hammer.

Naturally, Loki cheats on the test, but Thor's testimony still isn't good enough for the omniscient Odin, so Thor spends several issues trying to obtain evidence, then having to save Asgard from his wicked brother. At this point, the series flows seamlessly from one crisis to another, establishing a firm continuity which ran unbroken until 2004. Not too shabby.

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Thor#136: Jane Foster, Goddess

In the early years of Thor, his secret identity of lame doctor Donald Blake was torn by his love for nurse Jane Foster, assured by his father that no god could marry a mortal. Thor eventually gave up his secret identity to Jane and Odin conceded to let them wed; in this issue, Odin completes the affair by transforming Jane into a goddess, making her a fit mate for his son.

However, Jane doesn't like any of this. She's fearful of all the violence in Asgard, afraid of her own power of flight and altogether happier being a mortal. At her own request, Odin strips her of her powers and returns her to Earth, effectively removing her from Thor's cast; don't feel too badly for Thor though, since he meets a certain raven-tressed beauty from his past only a few pages later.

Jane was the only supporting character tied to Earth and her removal effectively dispensed with the need for Thor's secret identity (and yet Blake clung on for another 200 issues!). It would be years before Jane returned (briefly) to the series and not as a true romantic interest until the nostalgia-laden 1998 Thor relaunch. She's still part of the series now, but I think it was a gutsy move for Lee/Kirby to exile her from the series at its peak.

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Thor#278: Red Norvell

The entire Roy Thomas/John Buscema run from Thor#272-278 is an interesting one. Thomas, being the original fan-turned-pro, used the story to reconcile some of the differences between the Marvel version of Thor and the one from Norse mythology. Several characters who had been important to the myths but unseen in the comics appeared here for the first time. The plot concerns the events of Ragnarok, Twilight of the Gods, which begins to play out in a fashion similar to how it was described in the myths. Central to all of this is a crew of mortal filmmakers trying to make a documentary in Asgard. One these men - Red Norvell - is quite taken with Sif and Loki leads him into becoming an ersatz Thor.

Red Norvell is the first of many "replacement Thors," but unlike those who follow he's designed as an antagonist. The really clever part is that his red beard makes him a closer match to the mythological Thor than the Marvel hero, to say nothing of his wearing Thor's belt of strength and iron gauntlets. As Ragnarok plays out in #278, it's Red who faces the Midgard Serpent, the creature Thor was meant to perish battling. Red gives up his life in Thor's stead, granting him an honourable finish.

Overall, the Red Norvell story arc was effective at introducing more characters and themes from Norse mythologies, something subsequent writers would continue.

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Thor#300: the Celestials

In the days of Kirby Thor would face the likes of Ego, the Living Planet or Galactus, but managed to come off rather well. In this issue, the climax to a story arc Roy Thomas began in Thor#282, Thor tries to prevent the enigmatic Celestials from passing judgment over the Earth, fearing if they judge against the planet it will be destroyed. What follows are scenes of Thor at his most powerful, most dangerous and most heroic.

And it doesn't mean a thing. The silent Celestials take everything Thor, Odin, the Eternals and all the gods of Asgard can dish out and more or less ignore them. The ultimate solution to saving Earth winds up being an act of diplomacy, but Thor's hopeless efforts at withstanding the Celestials rank amongst his most impressive moments.

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Thor Annual#9: Just a Pawn

Boy, here's a story you don't often hear about.

In this special, Odin plays a cosmic game of chess against Dormammu, a demonic Dr. Strange villain who lords over the Dark Dimension. The result of Odin and Dormammu's game will determine the fate of the universe itself, so Thor refuses to remain uninvolved. Unable to strike at Dormammu himself, Thor breaks into the Dark Dimension to try and bring down Dormammu's sister, Umar.

Just in time, Thor discovers if he'd interfered with the game, Odin would have forfeited and Dormammu won; by honourably removing himself from the battle, Thor ensures Odin and Dormammu play to a stalemate. Only afterwards does Thor learn his piece on the board was represented by one of Dormammu's pawns.

I love this story; it's one of the few where Thor does the wrong thing for the right reasons, yet manages to keep me sympathetic to his perspective.

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Graphic Novel: I, Whom the Gods Destroy: Thor Faces Reality

Another tale which is seldom lauded...except by those who have read it.

This story breaks from a lot of readers' expectations of Thor, having him reject his godhood, engage in casual sex, speak in 20th century English and never face an antagonist. Dr. Blake is plagued with guilt when a patient dies on his operating table so he gives up surgery and godhood. Eventually he reclaims his hammer, but refuses to own up to people's perceptions of him, trying to enjoy life in the mortal world. All of Blake's refusals to resume practicing surgery eventually lead to an obvious finale, but it's enacted with a terrific sense of originality from Christopher Priest. If more stories with Dr. Blake had been like this, he wouldn't have been written out.

Christopher Priest has said while writing Power Man & Iron Fist he made a point of restricting Luke Cage's "jive" lingo, noting African-Americans were less likely to use such slang around white people. I wonder if he had a similar idea with Thor - to have Thor speak 20th century slang on Earth, faux-Shakespeare to other Asgardians.

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Thor#344: Loki's Neck, Meet Balder's Sword

Having gone through Hel itself during the aforementioned Ragnarok, Balder gives up on violence. However, when Odin assigns Balder to deliver a message to Loki, he finds himself facing an army of Dark Elves who have come to enlist Loki's neutrality in the impending war with Surtur the fire demon. Balder is forced to resume killing to complete his task, only to find Loki had already signed the treaty with Surtur. Balder doesn't take Loki's gloating at all well.

Of course, it takes a little more than this to slow down Loki.

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Thor#353: Never Trick a Trickster

Following up on the last entry, when Surtur's promised war with Asgard comes, laying the fate of Earth and Asgard on the line, Loki stuns Surtur by joining the fray on Asgard's side!

Even a god of evil has standards!

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Thor#355: the Mysterious Tiwaz

Following Odin's apparent death, Thor is tortured with grief. Encountering the giant Tiwaz in the frozen wastelands, Thor is nursed back to strength by the mysterious sorcerer. Recalling how his father often assumed disguises to test his character, Thor wonders if Tiwaz is yet another masquerade. Although Tiwaz, supposedly a hermit, demonstrates a surprising store of knowledge about Odin and Asgard, he repeatedly denies being Odin. The truth is much more surprising, yet Thor never learns it.

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Thor#356: Hercules the Good Sport

A gang of children belittling a classmate who idolizes Thor confront Thor's friend/rival Hercules and challenge him to identify who's more powerful: him or Thor? Hercules, always one for a grand tale, regales the children with an absolutely ludicrous fight against Thor which casts the god of thunder as cowardly and egotistical, along with various feats of strength which are just plain impossible.

Eventually, Hercules realizes if he continues his story in this vein, the Thor-idolizing child will be humiliated. So, he swallows his own pride and abruptly changes the tone of his tale, giving the victory to Thor.

Hercules' warmth and friendliness shines through in this story, clearly paving the way for his eventual series Incredible Hercules.

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Thor#362: Skurge's Last Stand

For two decades Skurge the Executioner was the mere lackey of Amora the Enchantress, showing up to lend a physical presence against Thor, as opposed to the Enchantress' efforts to seduce the thunder god. Enchantress' methods were unique in comics and she would frequently appear without the Executioner in other books; the Executioner was just another strongarm and seldom appeared in other books without the Enchantress. Adding insult to injury, while Skurge was clearly in love with Amora, he was helping her try to win Thor's heart, making him pathetic for believing she truly loved him.

Thor#360-362 changed it all; having been rejected by Amora yet again, Skurge joins Thor's mission into Hel to rescue mortal souls from Hela, goddess of death. However, an error by Skurge brings the wrath of Hela upon the entire company and Thor prepares to stand alone against the armies of Hel to give his comrades time to escape.

Skurge refuses to let Thor die for his blunder; he owns up his checkered past and constant humiliations, proclaiming he'll guard the Asgardians' flank as they escape Hel.

This isn't the greatest death in comic books; it's the greatest death in fiction. Uh, your mileage may vary.

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Thor#379: the Heroic Proclamation

Cursed by Hela with immortality yet unable to heal his wounds, Thor is in rough shape, donning protective armor to hold himself together. The Midgard Serpent seizes this opportunity to demolish Thor, hoping to alter the prophecies of Ragnarok in its favour. However, with the Serpent disguising itself as the dragon Fin Fang Foom and Thor in his armor, the two enemies don't recognize each other.

The moment in which Thor unveils his true identity is like something from mythology, as when Ulysses identified himself to Polyphemus; it's a terrific response to the simple query, "who are you?"

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Thor#382: Thor's Sense of Humour

Having removed Hela's curse, Thor visits Loki, who played no small part in his woes. Loki is aloof, knowing he and Thor will battle each other again and thinking Thor has no leverage with which to punish him. He's wrong.

But it's Thor's reaction to Loki's pain which is truly priceless, given Loki's typically dim view of Thor's intelligence.

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Thor#388: the Celestials, Redux

Attempting to save an alien world from the Celestials (who have already judged it unfit), Thor once again gives everything he has to combat them, even shattering Mjolnir in an ultimately futile attempt at halting their progress.

Outnumbered, overpowered and defenseless, Thor's response?

Yes, this is one reason why DeFalco & Frenz get a lot of rope from me. Go get 'em, Thor!

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Thor#390: Captain America is Worthy

This really belongs on a Captain America list, but...

At this time, Steve Rogers had been stripped of the Captain America identity by the US government, who gave the outfit to an obedient lackey. Now garbed as "the Captain," this marked Steve's first encounter with Thor following the loss of his identity. He has more bad news for Thor: their old friend Iron Man, then in the midst of the "Armor Wars" had turned fugitive and even struck Cap down from behind. Thor wonders if he can still believe in his old friend, thinking if Iron Man can become an enemy, even Captain America could have compromised himself. However, when Thor's attacked by some Egyptian gods and separated from Mjolnir, the Captain comes to Thor's rescue...and how!

Part of why I love this moment is the Captain doesn't suddenly adopt Thor's costume or powers - he just swings the hammer at a few of the enemies, then returns it to Thor. I love how secure the Captain is about himself and Mjolnir's ownership; he wields the hammer only long enough to return it. It's a terrific bonding moment.

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Thor#436: the Absorbing Man's Spine Meets Thor

Ah, Eric Masterson. During the DeFalco/Frenz years, Eric served as Thor's new mortal identity, but unlike Dr. Blake Eric was a real person who had to share his life with a god. After Thor was exiled by Odin for murdering Loki, Eric was given all of Thor's power...but he had none of his friend's experience to draw upon. This led to comedic moments like this, as Eric uses Mjolnir to home in on the Absorbing Man...only for his cape to get in his way.

It's for moments such as these Eric earned his moniker "the Everyman Avenger."

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Thunderstrike#8: Thunderstrike the Bully

After gaining a heroic identity of his own - Thunderstrike - Eric's own book did an excellent job of continuing his story, placing him into situations Thor simply wouldn't work in. When Eric's son Kevin is held hostage by Bobby Steele, newly-wed to Eric's ex-wife, Eric believes only Thunderstrike's sheer might can get Kevin back. However, Kevin discovers Bobby is out of his mind from drug abuse and gets him to stand down.

Thunderstrike intervenes at exactly the wrong time, earning a stern rebuke from his own son!

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Thunderstrike#10: Taking One for a Friend

As a bank robber starts a crime spree dressed as Thor, Thunderstrike worries about the effect it's having on his friend's reputation. Unable to convince the public the thief isn't the real Thor, Eric takes matters into his own hands and impersonates Thor himself!

Although Thor's reputation is saved, Thunderstrike is still thought of as a knock-off Thor with little or no respect. But that's okay...Eric has the real Thor in his corner!

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Thunderstrike#24: Hoo boy.

In the climax of Thunderstrike's series, Eric takes the cursed axe of Skurge the Executioner to defeat Seth, Egyptian god of death. He wins, but the axe possesses Eric, rendering him dangerous and too powerful for the Avengers to defeat. Battling the axe's influence within his own mind, Eric, joined by the spirit of Skurge, purifies himself of the axe.

But he doesn't survive.

Just this year, Kevin inherited his father's powers in DeFalco/Frenz's new Thunderstrike mini-series. And the legend continues...

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Thor#85: Beta Ray Bill, Sole Survivor

With the decision to cancel Thor in 2004, Michael Avon Oeming was able to bring about the Ragnarok story to end all Ragnarok stories as every Thor cast member is brought to their demise. Well, everyone except for Beta Ray Bill, the alien hero from Simonson's run who had proved himself worthy of Mjolnir. Although Bill is prepared to die for his adopted home, Thor sends Bill away so he won't be present as Asgard dies. Thor's rationale for this is rather wonderful.

For all the sturm und drang present in Oeming's Ragnarok story, this little moment Thor and Bill share was, for me, the emotional core of the epic; I originally read it in script form months before publication and just seeing the words I remarked, "Oh, wow...this really is the last issue of Thor. They're going through with it."

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I hope you enjoyed this list; feedback is appreciated. I'd love to hear which Thor stories are your favourites!