The Mighty Thor
# 31-40
The Mighty Thor # 31: "Winter's Eternal Moon"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Andy Kubert
Inker: Scott Hanna
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Thor finally returns to Earth to check up on his fallen comrade Hogun and finds him and Volstagg, Fandrall, and Beta Ray Bill in good cheer. Thor transports them to Asgard where they discover to their horror that the Golden Realm has been encased in a glacier. They join Sif and Balder in battle against Malekith and the ice warrior Pentigaar. Unfortunately, they're overwhelmed by the Casket of Ancient Winters and the sudden arrival of Kurse.
 

Jay's Notes:

  • A fabulous quote from Hogun: "Bah! My final answer would be "passeth me the million dollars now 'ere I separate thy babbling head from they shoulders, Regis!".
The Mighty Thor # 32: "Forever Kursed"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Andy Kubert
Inker: Scott Hanna
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
Thor escapes from the clutches of Kurse and heads off in search of the Gem of Infinite Suns while Sif keeps Malekith occupied. Thor retrieves the Gem of Infinite Suns from Odin's personal treasures and uses it to nullify the powers of the Casket of Ancient Winters. Malekith's spell on Kurse is lifted when he lost his powers and Sif harshly deals with his former master.

Jay's Notes:

  • 100-page Monster!
  • Reprints Thor #136, 272, 363 and Tales of Asgard from Thor #127-128.
The Mighty Thor # 33: "The Million Dollar Debut of Thor Girl!"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Stuart Immonen
Inker: Wade Von Grawbadger
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Thor & Beta Ray Bill meet Jake's mother for the first time as she drops by for a visit. Jake resumes his duties as an EMS technician and just before his partner's able to put the moves on his him, he escapes from her to confront Thor's latest menace, Nullitor. He's joined by Thor Girl, who turns out to be Tarene the Desgiante (see Thor #23-25), and together they defeat the Nullitor.

Jay's Notes:

  • Outstanding art by Immonen/Von Grawbadger! Get them a monthly gig, now!
  • Despite Jurgens' painful dialog, he whips up a rather solid story with several plot threats. He revealed Thor Girl's identity a little too soon though, he should have left us guessing for awhile. Jurgens does a good job at pulling in old Lee/Kirby villains. It was neat to see Zarkko and the Gladiator on the last page, with a Lex Luther/Superman feel to them.
The Mighty Thor # 34: "Man of Tomorrow"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Andy Kubert
Inker: Scott Hanna
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Thor tests Tarene's powers and helps her settle in to a life among humans. Unfortunately, Gladiator attacks Thor vowing to prevent a terrible horror that Thor will inflict in the future. Gladiator separates Thor from his hammer and defeats him. Meanwhile, Ulik and his trolls, who are suffering through a famine, are gathering an army to march against Asgard.
The Mighty Thor Annual 2001: "When Fall the Gods!"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Tom Grummett
Inker: Karl Kesel/Al Vey/Scott Hanna
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Hercules recruits Beta Ray Bill and Thor to aid in defense of Olympus. The Silent One is the harbinger of doom revealing the destruction of Olympus in the near future. Zeus sends the heroes to confront Desak the Destroyer of Gods. Desak, powered by a mysterious amulet, had undertaken a crusade to free people of their deities. They engage Desak in battle and prove themselves worthy as noble gods to Desak. Desak escapes, but vows to return when he has removed other unworthy gods.

Jay's Notes:

  • The Silent One appeared last in Thor #184.
  • First appearance of Desak.
The Mighty Thor # 35: "Across All Worlds"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Andy Kubert
Inker: Scott Hanna
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
Tarene comes to Thor's rescue and takes on Gladiator. Gladiator defeats her, but it did give Thor a chance to catch his breath for another go at him. Meanwhile in Asgard, the Trolls have overwhelmed the Golden City's defenses and Sif travels to Earth to enlist Thor's help. Thor defeats Gladiator, but the victory is a hollow one as Odin, who as awakened from his sleep and dispatched the Trolls, makes an appearance. Disappointed in his son's loyalty to Asgard, Odin strips Thor of his immortality and then departs Earth. 

Jay's Notes:

  • Double-sized issue; although I'm not quite sure why?
  • Jake's partner Christine turns out to be the Enchantress. Nice little surprise.
The Mighty Thor # 36: "Lighting the Fuse"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Art: Walter Taborda
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Loki is freed from both prison and the duplicate body of Jake Olsen by Karnilla who wants to see Thor killed so that her love, Balder, can succeed Odin as ruler of Asgard. Tarene confronts Odin in Asgard and demands that he restore Thor's godhood. Odin rejects her plea. Tarene returns to Earth and her spirit is captured by Loki and used to fuel the Destroyer. Marnot shows up and heals Jake Olsen's wounds. Thor attacks the Destroyer and learns that Tarene's spirit inhabits its monstrous form.

Jay's Notes:

  • Taborda's art takes a bit of getting used to, but it seems to work for this issue.
The Mighty Thor # 37: "Valor's Cauldron"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Jim Starlin
Inker: Al Milgrom
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The Watcher pays Odin a visit and warns him that a pivotal moment in the cosmic scheme of things is about to be played out. Meanwhile on Earth, Thor defends himself against the Destroyer knowing that he cannot harm Tarene since it's her spirit that powers the Destroyer. Unfortunately, the Destroyer gets his hands on Thor's hammer and deals him a devastating blow.
The Mighty Thor # 38: "Cometh the Storm"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Stuart Immonen
Inker: Scott Koblish
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The Destroyer, inhabited by Tarene's soul, continues it rampage of destruction. The Enchantress intervenes and provides Jake with Tarene's hammer. Jake uses the hammer to change into Thor and resumes his battle against the Destroyer. Odin joins the battle and together they stop the Destroyer and restore Tarene's soul to her body.
The Mighty Thor # 39: "Ignition"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Stuart Immonen
Inker: Wade Von Grawbadger
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Dr. Jane Foster deals with Jake Olsen's wounds, but is unable to properly treat Thor's wounds. They journey to Asgard where Odin physically separates Thor and his alter ego to allow Thor to heal and to allow Jake Olsen to return to his life on Earth. However, Surtur has been unleashed on Earth and Odin dispatches his warriors to Earth, including summoning Kurse, Hercules, and Beta Ray Bill.

Jay's Notes:

  • I really like Immonen's version of Surtur.
  • The art this issue, especially the scenes in Asgard, reminded me a lot of the Earth X style by Jean Paul Leon.
The Mighty Thor # 40: "By Fire Born"
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Stuart Immonen
Inker: Scott Koblish
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The warriors of Asgard battle against Surtur and his hordes on Earth. Thor (Tarene) Girl makes her way to Asgard and uses her powers to restore Thor to health. Along with Odin, Thor and Thor Girl join the battle against Surtur. Odin taps into both Thor and Thor Girl's powers and sacrifices himself to deliver a fatal blow against Surtur.

Jay's Notes:

  • Immonen does a magnificent job on the art this issue.
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