Journey Into Mystery
# 111-120



December 1964
Journey Into Mystery # 111: "Feel ... The Power Of The Thunder God" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Chic Stone
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Thor keeps Cobra and Mr. Hyde busy long enough to hide a dying Jane Foster. Meanwhile, Odin observes his son's plight and sends Balder on a harrowing mission to seek the aid of a renown healer. Thor defeats Cobra and Mr. Hyde. Balder delivers a magic potion that saves Jane's life. 

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #26.


January 1965
Journey Into Mystery # 112: "The Mighty Thor Battles The Incredible Hulk" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Chic Stone
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Thor tires to settle an argument about who is stronger: the Hulk or himself. He recounts to a group of teenagers an untold tale during the Avengers' battle with Namor and the Hulk deep within the Rock of Gibraltar, when he and Hulk faced off alone. Odin temporarily removed Mjolnir's enchantment allowing the test of strength to begin. However, Thor found the Hulk a worthy opponent. Unfortunately, the battle was interrupted and nothing was decided. Thor reminds the teenagers that it doesn't matter how strong you are, but rather how you use your strength. 

Jay's Notes:

  • The story Thor tells takes place behind the scenes of Avengers #3.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Treasury Edition #9 - Giant Superhero Team-Up


February 1965
Journey Into Mystery # 113: "A World Gone Mad" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Chic Stone
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Dr. Blake finally reveals his secret identity to his love, Jane Foster. However, Odin has stripped Thor of his powers since Odin believes his son has turned his back on Asgard. Unable to back up his claim, Jane thinks Blake is joking. Then the Grey Gargoyle shows up looking for Thor. Odin secretly dispatches Honir to restore Thor's power for a brief period which is long enough for Thor to defeat the Grey Gargoyle.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Thor Annual #3.


March 1965
Journey Into Mystery # 114: "The Stronger I Am, The Sooner I Die" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Chic Stone
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Unable to defeat Thor directly, Loki empowers a convict, Crusher Creel, with absorption powers. Thor investigates Creel's breakout and engages him in combat. Thor is forced to withdraw because Loki has kidnapped Jane.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Thor Annual #3.


April 1965
Journey Into Mystery # 115: "The Vengeance Of The Thunder God" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Frank Giacoia (Frankie Ray)
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Thor catches up with Loki, who holds Jane captive. They engage in battle until Odin interrupts them. However, Odin doesn't know who is in the wrong and commands a Trial of the Gods. Before beginning the trial, Thor returns to Earth and joins the police in the search for the Absorbing Man. With Harris Hobbs' help, Thor defeats him. 

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #26.


May 1965
Journey Into Mystery # 116: "The Trial Of The Gods" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Thor and Loki are put to the test in Skornheim. Loki distracts Thor by showing him that the Enchantress and the Executioner have kidnapped Jane. However, Balder learns of Loki's cheating and travels to Earth to rescue Jane. Using the Norn Stones, Loki survives the dangers of Skornheim and beats Thor back to Asgard. 

Jay's Notes:

  • Cameo by the Avengers and Daredevil.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #27.


June 1965
Journey Into Mystery # 117: "Into The Blaze Of Battle" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
Thor accuses Loki of cheating, but Loki has hidden the Norn Stones on Earth. Odin grants Thor time to recover the Norn Stones. Once reassured that Jane is safe in the hands of Balder, Thor travels to Vietnam where he battles a Communist Army Commander to recover the Norn Stones.

Jay's Notes:

  • Typical Lee anti-communism story where the villain has a revelation that communism is the source of all his woes and has a change of heart.
  • Reprinted in Special Marvel Edition #1.


1965
Journey Into Mystery Annual # 1: "When Titans Clash" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
While hunting Storm Giants, Thor discovers a hidden passage way to Olympus the home of the Greco-Roman pantheon of Gods. Thor encounters Hercules and their arrogance leads them into a dramatic battle. Zeus ends their fight proclaiming them both victorious. Thor returns to Asgard after having exchanged goodwill with Hercules.
 

Jay's Notes:

  • First Marvel appearance of Hercules and Zeus. Cameo by Pan, Ares, and Dionysius.
  • Reprinted in Giant-Size Thor #1.


July 1965
Journey Into Mystery # 118: "To Kill A Thunder God" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Before Thor can return to Asgard with the Norn Stones, proof that Loki cheated, he is struck down by a big game hunter under Loki's influence. Loki prods the hunter into investigating a mysterious temple in which he discovers the armored form of the Destroyer. Thor catches up with him but not in time to prevent him from merging with the Destroyer and bringing it to life. Thor battles valiantly against the Destroyer, but is left at its mercy.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Special Marvel Edition #1.


August 1965
Journey Into Mystery # 119: "The Day Of The Destroyer" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Loki realizes that Thor's death would also be his own and must prevent the Destroyer from killing Thor. Meanwhile, Thor manages to stay alive despite the Destroyer's awesome power, but Mjolnir is broken. Thor reaches the hunter's body and uses it as a shield against the Destroyer. The Destroyer unwilling to destroy his body is forced to capitulate. Odin realizes that Loki is guilty of cheating and also plotting against his son, but recognizes that he did make an effort to save Thor's life. Loki is sentenced to become the court sorcerer's servant.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Special Marvel Edition #1.


September 1965
Journey Into Mystery # 120: "With My Hammer In Hand" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciller: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Thor repairs his hammer and travels to Asgard with the Norn Stones. He returns to Earth but can't find any trace of Jane. Meanwhile, Loki uses his sorcery to free the Absorbing Man from his exile. The Absorbing Man, bent on revenge, finds Thor and attacks.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Special Marvel Edition #2.

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