Random Happenstance

We looked at the What If? version some time back, but I'm not sure I had seen the original before; or in this case the reprint: from 1974, Marvel Spectacular #7, reprinting 1967's Thor #136, "To Become an Immortal!" Written by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta.

Thor has finally gotten the okay from Big Daddy Odin, to marry his long-standing girlfriend Jane Foster; and takes her to scenic Asgard. Which is probably like going from Kansas to Oz, since the colors of the Rainbow Bridge alone seem like they're a bit much for her; but there's also a troll invasion going on as well. (When isn't there a troll invasion, am I right?) Odin seems pretty cool at first, bestowing upon Jane a new outfit and the power of flight; but when she doesn't seem to immediately take to it, Odin opts to throw her in the deep end and decrees she will have to face "the Unknown." Not a figurative unknown either, this was a mysterious thing that most of the locals seemed afraid of, yet Odin acts like Jane should take it. Instead, Jane again freaks out, and calls for Thor to save her.

Odin explains the Unknown doth feed on fear, which is why it never invaded Asgard...then why was it there, and why was the underling Odin sent to get it terrified as well? Nevertheless, Jane has failed, and is sent back to earth, for a regular ol' mortal life with consolation prize Dr. Kincaid. Odin knows, and suspects Thor knew as well, that Jane wasn't cut out for godhood; all of which seems super-patronizing, especially when you consider Jane's later years...Odin then sends Thor to face the Unknown, since the trolls just summoned it; Thor is more than a bit down, and hints maybe he'll get lucky and get killed or something. Before that can happen, another joins Thor in battle: Sif, in her first appearance in the book! Together they defeat the Unknown, but mainly Odin is aiming Thor at Sif to get his mind of Jane, and I think it works, by and large.

The original featured the back-up "There Shall Come a Miracle!" but this reprint gets, for some reason, "The Grim Specter of Mutiny!" Lee/Kirby/Colletta from Thor Journey Into Mystery #122. Sailing the Sea of Fear, and approaching the grim Pillars of Utgard, Loki leads a mutiny to turn back. Thor and the Warriors Three fight back, including killing some of the mutineers, although I know darn well Loki will get away without a scratch. It does feature some nice smack talk from Fandral, though.