This is a doozy, folks. According to Gizmodo, a S.H.I.E.L.D. briefcase (really a press kit from Acura/Thor) was mistaken for a bomb when it was discarded in an Ann Arbor, Michigan bus station. It brings back bad memories of the Boston/Aqua Teen bomb scare back in 2007. While the stories are similar, you can’t really ridicule the Michigan State Police bomb squad for evacuating the bus terminal. Just look at some images of the package (all images courtesy of Gizmodo)…
"I'm just an unassuming box, no bomb materials here!"
Acura and Thor, a bombastic combination!
"OK guys, here is our press kit. Perfectly innocuous!"
"Well, this could be seen as odd, but we're still OK."
"What? The mushroom cloud and the word 'atomize' brings the whole package together!"
"What!? There is no way anyone could confuse this with a bomb!"
So yeah, with a close inspection, the package is obviously not a bomb, but the circumstances behind it’s discovery in the bus station make it a “better safe than sorry” situation. The press kit was discarded by a writer from Automobile magazine. He left it to be recycled, but since it is not recyclable material, it was left after the rest of the refuse was collected. At a distance, having a nondescript black box just sitting in a place where people congregate is definitely cause for concern. We may poo poo it for obviously not being a bomb, but the second bomb officials start ignoring suspicious items because they seem innocuous, that’s when we have to start worrying.
Now, I’m not saying that things were handled as well as they could have been, but given the circumstances, I have to commend the MSP bomb squad for *ahem* diffusing the situation without causing mass panic. Let us know what you think in the comments!
You know, I was gonna give the Grant Gardner incarnation of Cap here some credit. He’s taking on the forces of the Scarab because he loves his county, but he’s still just a man. There is no Super Soldier Serum running through his veins, he doesn’t even have a shield! He has a lot going against him, but he still perseveres. I was rooting for the guy, despite not being “my” Captain America. Then I watched this episode, and he broke the cardinal rule of heroism (for me, your mileage may vary). I won’t spoil, as you’ll see it in a few minutes yourself, but bad form, ersatz Cap… Bad form. At any rate, here’s chapter 4: Preview of Murder!
This week’s additional content is a lobby card for this serial’s re-release in 1953. It was re-titled Return of Captain America, and as far as I can tell, it was just as inaccurate the second time around. At least we almost, almost get Cap punching Charlie Chaplin Hitler.
Moon Knight has been one of those characters that has never quite found it’s footing and whose series has been cancelled and rebooted numerous times over the years. I have always liked the basic concept of Moon Knight, but with the exception of the few issues Dave Finch inked a couple years back, I have never been drawn to him. Now, Moon Knight is back once more with the amazing team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev (Spider-Woman, Scarlet).
This debut issue starts out with two mercenaries fighting in the Egyptian desert. One is shot and left for dead as the other flees. The wounded merc makes his way into an ancient tomb to most likely die. But wait, another page turn and we discover that this has all been a pilot episode for a television series based on the life and produced by Moon Knight himself, Marc Spector. As the credits roll, Marc receives a call from someone telling him to go outside. Out on the balcony Marc meets up with Captain America, Spider-Man, and Wolverine. The have come to give him a heads up. There is a “substantial migration of criminal activity” from the east coast to the west coast. Since Marc is based in L.A. and is an Avenger, they would like him to get to work immediately. As Cap and friends leave, Cap turns to let Spector know that if he needs help he is not alone, all he has to do is call.
Cut to … Moon Knight out on patrol at the piers. A boat pulls up to the dock where two suspicious thugs wait and something is going down, but it goes down all wrong. Moon Knight jumps into action and while on the boat discovers the criminal Mr. Hyde has plans to sell a broken Ultron. Moon Knight is eventually thrown overboard with the Ultron’s head in his hands and while underwater, the boat above him is destroyed. We next find Moon Knight in a room talking with Cap and friends about the Ultron situation and trying to figure out the who, what, why, and how. Spector looks up and states that solving this is going to take all of them. As we turn to the last page we are reminded of how bat shit crazy this character is. He is standing in the room alone.
Overall this issue did not disappoint. It made me want to start over from the first page. Was it really the Avengers he was talking to at the start of the story or was that all in his head too? This also made me appreciate the cover of this issue a whole lot more, go ahead, take another look at it. I look forward to the rest of Bendis’ run on this book and I hope that if he sticks around long enough he can rejuvenate this character a bit. Check it out.
When it started in the 80s Stussy was a surfer label from Orange County, California now its more of an urban label that you’ll find worn by people into hip hop and I think the art of this new team up with Marvel shows that especially with artists like Mr. Cartoon trying their hand at the classic characters we all know and love.
The Stussy x Marvel Series 2 Tees (Special Edition Artist Series) are available now featuring artwork by a team of international artists, invited to interpret their favorite Marvel characters in their signature styles. The artists and characters include James Jarvis (Thing), David Shrigley (Incredible Hulk), Todd James (She Hulk), Noah Butkus (Dr. Strange), Will Sweeney (Eternity), John K. (Crystal & Johnny Storm), Bill Plympton (Mystique), Gary Panter (Thor) and Mr. Cartoon (Spiderman). Each order will include a limited edition pack of Stussy x Marvel trading cards, while supplies last. Please visit Stussy.com US store or Stussy.com EU store to preview or purchase!!!
The first series of shirts is basically classic marvel characters mashed up with a version of the Stussy logo its the kind of stuff we usually see. However the second series of shirts which came out last Friday are special pieces drawn by the artists listed above and I definitely dig a few of them. Along with the shirts you’ll also get a limited edition trading card. Down below I’ve included a few of my favorite designs, check out Stussy.com for the rest.
Two weeks ago I spent some time with a few friends and their children. A three year old was wearing a Justice League shirt and I asked him which heroes he knew. Superman and Batman were the obvious answers, but he also seemed to have an affinity for the Green Lantern and Flash. I spent the next hour looking up pictures of various superheroes from Marvel and DC on the internet (safe search on). I was surprised at Link’s ability to recognize the vital points of the characters, regardless of artist or style. Claws on the hands clearly belong to Wolverine. The “S” emblem and spit curl were also clear. He didn’t quite grasp the concepts of Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne, but the basics had already been installed. His mother, whom I’ve known for over 15 years, is not a comics fan. His dad, while a gamer, is not an avid comics reader. So where did he gain his interest in these characters? More importantly, how can I encourage a toddler to turn this into a lifelong obsession with all things geek? The obvious answer is Free Comic Book Day.
Unfortunately, I’m not as avid a comic reader as I once was. My geek specialties are video games and Star Wars. Also unfortunate is that Link would be camping with his family in the sand dunes south of Salt Lake City on the first Saturday of May. Considering my in-laws were in town celebrating wife-bot’s college graduation, I wasn’t even sure I’d make it to a comic shop. As it turns out, I went to the gun range with my wife’s stepfather and had some time to kill after shooting poorly. We went to Dr. Volt’s. Ron certainly got a kick out of seeing a Turok comic on the shelf. He read the book as a child. Had I noticed his interest I certainly would have bought the issue for him, but he didn’t mention it until we had left. I could have not only hooked a child on comics but also reignited the passion of a retired barber as well.
My goal at the shop was clear. Regardless of how many books piqued my interest, I needed to get the ones that I would enjoy reading while I screened them for a three year old boy. After I picked up an Ender’s Game hardcover and had it signed by Jake Black for my wife, I took a hard look at the table. In my mind, Super Hero Squad was going to be the way to go. I know Marvel, and I know the series is a good place for kids. That plan didn’t work. Instead, I picked up a combo issue from Dark Horse, Star Wars and Avatar; The Mighty Fighting Avengers from Marvel; and the DC combo of Young Justice and Batman The Brave and the Bold. For good measure I also purchased Batman The Brave and the Bold: Through the Looking Glass (for Link) and Fear Itself Spider-Man #1 of 3 (for me).
I am not a parent. As such, I clearly have the best advice for raising children (your sarcasm detector should be spiking right now). Before I pass a comic off to a three year old boy, regardless of its “All Ages” descriptor, I’m reading it myself. This is not completely altruistic. I like comics too, even if I don’t read them as often as I’d like.
To start, I went for the Dark Horse issue. I’m aware of Avatar, but that’s all. The stories were fun and I found myself enjoying the characters despite knowing nothing about them or the universe they inhabit. The art was fun and expressive, it’s clearly designed just for my purpose, drawing in an impressionable child. I liked the issue more than Link will for now, but his older brother (8-10 years) will probably get the most enjoyment of it.
The other side of that split issue features Savage Opress from The Clone Wars. Personally, I’m disappointed. The art was not what I expected and the story is incredibly weak. Will it make a kid happy? Probably, but even my nephews that love the Lucas’ universe without my intervention would likely be disappointed. It’s a good thing I wanted to focus on superheroes I guess. Notably, of all four “kids” books I picked up, this is the only one I that made me wonder if I should give it to a three year old. One panel features a relatively graphic rendition of a Hutt being “whuk”ed into sludge with an axe. In our modern media this isn’t that bad, but I’ve discouraged parents from showing Revenge of the Sith to eight year olds.
Next up was Captain America and Thor in The Mighty Fighting Avengers. One word, brilliant. If you’re three years old you don’t care about continuity and you certainly don’t care about inaccuracies in Arthurian folklore. If you’re 30 and want a fun comic book you don’t care either. This is classic Cap from WWII, modern Thor, the Holy Grail, and Merlin creating a very fun story. You get dragons, horses, and a guy wrapped up in the American flag throwing a shield. My hat goes off to Chris Samnee, with a distinct nod to Matthew Wilson. Samnee has created the most fun renditions of these two iconic characters that I have personally read, and Wilson’s coloring seals the deal. Between Link and I, this one is clearly going to be most loved by me. But the kid will find plenty to enjoy in the mash-up of superheroes and fairy tales.
The last free book I grabbed comes from DC. Unlike Marvel’s outing, I think Link will like this one more than a 30-year old ‘bot. That’s not to say there isn’t something for us older fans. I love the Young Justice cartoon, but I can’t help but want more adult themes. What can I say? Theoretically I’m an adult. The younger team’s portion of the issue reads very much like an episode of the cartoon. It may even have a TV analog, I’m a few weeks behind on the show. Oddly, there are some thematic parallels to the only adult book I bought. Both the Spider-Man story and this one express the complications of overpowering emotion. At least, that’s what I got from it. I wonder how a toddler will react to Kid Flash’s debilitating lack of confidence. I think this story is the most “all ages” of the lot. Link will like it because of the simplistic fun. A teenager will enjoy the complication of self-doubt that even heroic versions of themselves feel. “Adults” like myself will enjoy a self-contained adventure story with some fun characters that reads like a Saturday morning cartoon.
The second half seems a little listless. It’s in an “all ages” comic, so there’s nothing thematically or graphically adult about it, but there’s also nothing to recommend itself to children. There is some adventure with Batman and the Flash thumping on a few pyromaniacs. But the gist of the tale is the tongue in cheek humor and gossip-mongering of the elite. This is clearly designed with an older crowd in mind. Link probably won’t care for the “important” parts of the story and will just look at the fighting pictures. Even his older brother probably won’t care for Alfred’s chiding reprimand of the socialites. A few teenagers will get it and enjoy it. Most adults will recognize the theme, but won’t get any independent value from the book. Maybe it will be good for an adult to find something slightly enjoyable while reading it to their children that enjoy something else about it? In that way, this could be the best of the lot, simply because it might encourage a parent to read comics to their children.
Theorizing that if Link enjoyed that last book that he might want more Batman and Flash, I also bought him a copy of Batman The Brave and the Bold: Through the Looking Glass (March 2011). I liked it, especially the fourth wall bending moments where they discuss the source material. Is Link going to understand the existence of Jay Garrick? Is he going to figure out that the original Flash is a good guy, even though Batman beats him up? Doubtful. Will he enjoy Humpty Dumpty and seeing the world’s greatest detective riding the Jabberwock? Absolutely. Ultimately, I’d feel better if I had gotten this comic for free and paid for the other DC issue, but that’s sort of a moot point. It still reads like a cartoon episode and that means kids and adults may find something they like about it. In fact, between this one and the free one, I’m thinking I may need to start watching this cartoon. Maybe they’re all like that, with fun adventure for the kids and intelligent nods to the adults watching it with them.
My final purchase was Fear Itself: Spider-Man #1 of 3. Link is not getting this one for multiple reasons. Being overly graphic or violent is actually not one of those reasons. Thematically, it’s very adult but so far over his head it would be irrelevant. Having him read it five years down the road may scar him for life though. Mainly he’s not getting it because this is possibly the best Spider-Man comic I have ever read. Keep in mind that I haven’t read any comics regularly, especially Spider-Man, in almost twenty years. I actually passed this to my wife to read the first few pages right after I had. She stole it outright and finished the whole book before I did, while I could only look on as she gasped out loud multiple times. I have only the barest sense of what’s happening in Marvel’s latest crossover, but I will definitely be finishing Spidey’s arc in teh next volumes, making special trips across the valley to Dr. Volt’s just to pick it up.
Odd. I went there to hook a child into the geek drug, only to find myself craving more. My plan was also just to hand the comics off to Link’s mom. But now I’m thinking I’d like to read them with him the first time. Maybe that will tide me over until next month when I can follow up with Spider-Man’s Fear Itself story.
Did you get anything from Free Comic Book Day? What did I miss? What was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
When we last left “Captain America” he was in an all out brawl, taking on all comers left and right! Say what you will about movie serials, but they have some well-choreographed fight scenes, Republic’s in particular! Anyway, as the battle ended, it looks like the Sentinel of Liberty was about to be put in tract(or)ion! Will Grant Gardner be able to overcome a vehicle traveling upwards of 5 mph? Watch and see!
Another exciting episode, right? Here are this week’s extras. First, a bit of trivia. While this serial really took some *ahem* liberties with the concept of Captain America, it made its mark on the comics. In the Ultimates, Steve Rogers has a gal-pal named Gail Richards, just like his secretary in this film! Our second item this week is a nice high-red picture of Dick Purcell as Captain America! Until next Saturday, Keep ’em flying!
I’ve been stewing over the movie version of Thor for almost a week and I’m still having a hard time catching my breath.
I’m a big Thor fan and I have been for as long as I can remember loving comic books. There’s something about the rich Norse mythology that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (and later Walt Simonson and others) adapted into comics form that made them like drugs to me.
They’re beautiful tales and the characters and adventures are so exciting and Lee and Kirby did such an incredible job letting Thor straddle the world of the Marvel Universe and the world of Asgard. It’s this balance that might be what director Kenneth Branagh spent the most time fine tuning because he pulled it off flawlessly. The balance between the turmoil on Earth and the adventuring spirit of Asgard is stunning. He’s walked a tight rope blindfolded and crossed over the chasm with ease.
This is a pretty basic Thor movie: Thor is cast out of Asgard for his foolishness (that was egged on by his brother Loki) and Odin falls into the Odinsleep. Using this advantage, Loki tries to take over Asgard and keep Thor stuck on Earth. It’s a story we’ve seen before in the Thor universe, but seeing it rendered so carefully on film in such breathtaking beauty is just… wow….
Perhaps my biggest complaint about this film was that it was too short. I wanted an hour more of this adventure. I wanted an hour and a half more of this adventure. We got a mere taste of what this character can do on screen (as well as his entourage) and it’s just not enough. But in a good way. Isn’t that the best thing to do in show business? Leave them wanting more.
The side characters of this film are all incredibly appropriate and never dominate the movie. I was worried about Natalie Portman’s friend from the trailers but she worked beautifully. And I was worried that the Warriors Three would be either a cameo or a distraction, but Branagh balanced them into the film to perfection. They’re vital but not overbearing, hilarious and charming but not annoying. In fact, I’d kill to see a spinoff movie of these characters adventuring through the nine realms.
I’ve heard complaints that there wasn’t enough time on Earth and there wasn’t enough time with the Destroyer, but I think those people aren’t communicating their criticism well. They fit into the story exactly as they should have. They served the story, but it comes back to just wanting more of everything.
And I cannot say enough about how much each of the actors brought their A game to the table. Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Idris Elba are all incredibly superb, but it’s hard to say they stood out because the entire cast was so pitch perfect.
And can I point out how beautiful Asgard was? And the costumes? (Loki’s horns were perfect AND they didn’t look stupid, something I never thought could be pulled off.) But the highlight of the scenery was hands down The Rainbow Bridge. It was just a joy to look at.
Which reminds me. They packed a lot of great Thor mythology into this and didn’t dumb it down at all. I was surprised that they used things like Sleipnir (Odin’s horse) or the Odinsleep and got away with using them so cavalierly. They treated the world as it existed and didn’t bat an eyelash.
Maybe that’s what I loved about it. It wasn’t a Thor origin story. It was Thor’s introduction to the Marvel Universe. And it was perfect.
I loved it. I think it’s the best of the Marvel Studios bunch.
Yes.
That includes Iron Man.
My only worry is that this raises the bar too high for Captain America, coming in just two months. He has a lot to live up to.
Steve Ditko Makes Unofficial Appearance in Spider-Man!
Spider-Man is obviously a popular character, he has been since his creation in 1962. A lot of the character’s popularity has to do with the groundwork laid by two men, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Spidey’s co-creators. Sadly, while the duo had a good run, creative differences between the creators ended their collaboration after a 38-issue run. Since then, Ditko has no longer been associated with Spider-Man… until today!
Yes, in today’s Amazing Spider-Man Sunday Spectacular Steve Ditko makes an uncredited appearance! The book, collecting Stan Lee and Marcos Martin’s acclaimed 2-page back up tales. It also includes an all new tale called “Identity Crisis” where Spider-Man sees a psychiatrist who looks amazingly like a certain Stan “The Man” Lee…
"Dr. Madder" sure looks like Stan Lee throughout the years.
Over the course of the story, Spider-Man talks to “Dr. Madder” about the insane convolutions of his life, eventually driving Madder, well, mad. That’s when things get interesting. The doctor that Madder goes to see could possibly be a stand-in for Ditko. Having a copy of Atlas Shrugged certainly alludes to Ditko’s known embrace of Objectivism. Still, since he’s shrouded in shadow, there’s no way to know for sure. Then, my geek brain kicked in. It is absolutely Ditko. The proof lies in a story from 1964: “How Stan Lee & Steve Ditko Create Spider-Man!” From Amazing Spider-Man annual #1. In that story, Stan & Steve appear as themselves and tell a humorous, possibly telling, version of their working relationship. When I looked back at that issue and compared it to the one in today’s issue, there’s no doubt.
Not only is that pretty telling, but it’s also pretty cool. I hope that if he sees this, Mr. Ditko will take it as the loving homage that it is and not anything with malicious intent. Well, that’s my independent research for today, hope you enjoyed it!
Marvel’s Thor movie has already been released around the world, but here in the US, it doesn’t officially open until this Friday. In my ongoing mission to appraise moviegoers about the Thor cast’s comic history (and to hear myself talk), I’ve spotlighted a few Asgardians in the past, with Loki, and Beta Ray Bill. I didn’t think I’d touch on Goldilocks himself, and technically I’m still not. This, my friends, is the tale of Thor’s earthly identity. He who is lame of leg, but pure of heart, he with the enchanted Uru cane, he with the M.D. on his shingle. Yes, prepare yourselves for the Secret Origin of… Dr. Donald Blake!
Don Blake is one depressed guy. He’s been fighting the good fight in Asgard as Thor for so long, his medical practice is in shambles. Since he has no clients, he has ample time to contemplate his existence. It’s actually quite a predicament. If Don is truly Thor, son of Odin, God of Thunder, and all that jazz, who in the heck is Don Blake anyway? Dr. Blake retreats to the only refuge he can at the moment, which is the time-honored flashback! We travel back with Don as he’s vacationing in Norway. I am sure the Norwegian tourism board was thrilled that he picked them instead of say, Waikiki. Anyway, before he can enjoy himself a bunch of vaguely Moai-headed aliens show up. No, I’m not kidding!
Only in the Silver Age can Sci-Fi and Mythology clash so succinctly!
Before the aliens can say “Kill anyone who sees us!” Dr. Blake stumbles, making enough noise for the Moais to detect him and they give chase. For having a bum leg, Blake seems to be doing ok. My bet is that the aliens, being made completely out of rock run veeeeeerrrrry sloooooooowly. Dr. Blake still manages to trip on a cliff face and lose his cane. He seeks refuge in a nearby cave. Unfortunately, the only other exit is blocked by a boulder so huge even he himself couldn’t lift it. Then, inexplicably, a wall opens revealing a hidden room. It has a convenient cane on a pedestal. Blake grabs it, and tries to use it as a simple lever to move the boulder. After that doesn’t work, the frustrated man of medicine lashes out, with incredible results…
"Those not worthy will find themselves pummeled within the furthest extent of the law of Odin!"
So, we know what happens after this. Dr. Blake becomes Thor, spends the next 10 or so pages chiseling some rocky alien butt, and finds his way to Asgard eventually. This is Blake’s story, not Thor’s. If you want to read what happens, check my “this story appeared in” footnote. We find ourselves back in the present with Dr. Blake, and his reminiscence has left him even more frustrated. With no answers to turn to, he does what introspective Marvel characters do best, he mopes/shouts to no one in particular!
I guess being "star-kissed" is what gave him that yellow-orange pallor?
The next day, Dr. Blake is back to being a surgeon. His thoughts from the previous night are nagging at him all through a delicate procedure. He still manages to perform admirably (he’s the man), but one of his colleagues notices the far away look in his eyes, and tells him to sleep it off. As Don drifts off, he turns his thoughts away from earthly affairs, and lets the memory of Thor take over. That’s what the book says, but given what’s about to happen it seems instead that while Blake is asleep, Thor is back in Asgard. I’m just gonna chalk it up to “comics!” and continue the tale. Thor, in Asgard, makes nicey-nice with Heimdall at the rainbow bridge, greets all of his godly pals, all the while basking in the glow of his home. His thoughts too turn to the meaning of Blake’s life. As he comes across Loki, he nearly asks his half-brother, before realizing that the dude is the God of Lies and Mischief. Finally, Thor makes his way to the one man who can answer his yearning question.
Translation: "It's good to be (son of) the king!"
Odin, being the all-knowing type of deity that he is, already knows what’s up. Odin decrees that “Knowledge shall be had! Then, we’re back with a startled Don Blake saying he’s himself again (see what I meant?). Don isn’t alone though, as he’s accompanied by the disembodied hand of Odin, big as life and twice as Kirby-eqsue! Blake is very lucky that he inherently knows that the voice accompanying the hand is that of Odin, otherwise he might have had to change his name of the God of Urea, if you know what I mean. Odin peels the veil of time to look upon Thor as a young man. It seems that there was a truce between Asgard and Niffelheim, home of the Storm Giants. The decree is that none of Asgardian blood shall enter Niffelheim. By fate, a ravenous Birdbeast has just flown into Niffelheim’s side of the fence. Thor, being both headstrong and noble, dispatches the creature, but well, he did just break a truce…
"Dost thou haveth an installment plan!"
Thor does what is most logical (for him) in this situation. He gets offended that anyone would dare strike the son of Odin and proceeds to give the stone giant a full-flavored taste of Mjolnir! Their leader soundly defeated, the other stone giants try to dogpile Asgard’s favorite son. Thor is having none of it though and uses his hammer to shatter a mountain on top of his assailants! He is about to give the coupé de grace when Balder, the Brave shows up and tell him: “Dude, you’re in a crap-ton of trouble with your pop.”, albeit with more verilies and forsooths thrown in. The duo flee the fray, ready to face Odin’s wrath. We pause our story there, for Dr. Blake to whine a bit…
Dr. Blake needs to go back to school to learn how to read between the lines.
Odin is all like, “I planned it that way. You weren’t ready yet!” In comic-speak, that means “Stan and Jack are making it up as they go along, cut them some slack!” Right, so we return to Thor’s past. He’s back in Asgard at a tavern with his buddies, engaged in the time-honored sport of arm wrestling! It looks like his opponent Gondolff may have the upper hand, but just before Thor can go all “Lincoln Hawk” on the guy, Volstagg the Voluminous (look it up) does his clumsy oaf shtick and ends up shattering the wrestling table asunder. Now, since he thought he was winning, Gondolff says Thor signaled to the ‘Stagg to put on an act. Thor says “No way guy! I was about to use ‘the wing’!”. Now with hurt Asgardian pride on both sides, it of course devolves into a fracas. With most of the bar against them, Thor summons all of his crew… well almost all of them.
"What? Dost Thou take noble Volstagg for a base liar!?"
The boys do battle, as they are wont to do. There are punches, blades, and insults flying everywhere. Truly it is a bar brawl for the ages, but it is cut short when the booming (literally) voice of Odin, the All-Father breaks it up. Yup, it looks like Thor is about to get sent to Midgard without his supper. Before that though, let’s do a quick cut back to Don Blake, who’s anguish may finally be coming to an end.
"But noble father, I humiliate Volstagg ALL THE TIME!"
Odin has had about enough of his son’s lip, so he sends him packing to Midgard, aka Earth, and strips him of his godhood while he’s at it. He goes on to say that, until he can learn to be humble, Thor won’t ever be a true hero. Just for good measure, he strips Thor of his memories. Now honestly, I guess I shouldn’t question the wisdom of someone who is supposedly omniscient, but if Thor doesn’t know who he is, how is he supposed to know what he has to learn? Regardless, when Thor materializes on Earth, it is in the form of Dr. Donald Blake. After this revelation, Blake seems to relive his newfound memories…
"My life is a lie, but it's OK because Odin said so!"
Odin then reveals the rest. Namely, that he recreated his son as a doctor so he would learn compassion for the weak and therefore humility. Odin is also the one who compelled Dr. Blake to visit sunny Norway once he thought the lesson was learned (the Moai guys were just a coincidence). Blake takes all this much better than I would in his place, and as our tale ends, Blake vanishes into the countenance of Thor, possibly forever?
"Unless I need to perform an emergency appendectomy!"
Actually, Thor would continue to use the Donald Blake identity for many years, until Odin bestowed that particular enchantment to Beta Ray Bill. After Ragnarök, Don Blake surfaced again, but that’s another tale! Suffice it to say, Thor’s time as Blake endeared him so much to life on Earth, that he truly became one of its mightiest heroes! Now go and see the movie, where they probably won’t even mention Blake!
Greetings mortals! Have you become enamored with the Mighty Thor, thanks to yon celluloid exploits? The noble warriors at Marvel Digital Comics are offering a bargain that humbles e’en the God of Thunder! From this moment until the last day of the month you Midgardians call May, yon yearly subscriptions can be had at 30% off regular price! Zounds! The Odinsword itself could deliver no finer a cut! Such a pittance for over 9,000 comic books!
Thanks, Thor, for that rousing endorsement. It’s true, too. Just click on the image below, and make a note of the promo code when you sign up. I personally think this is a pretty good deal. Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited is a big help to me, when I need source material for my Secret Origins columns. And if you are wanting to get into Thor, Marvel DCU is a good bet. Not only can you follow the earliest exploits on Thor, Loki, Odin, Sif and the whole Asgard gang, you also get critically acclaimed runs like the famous Walt Simonson mega-arc! You can also get some ancillary titles like the Balder the Brave mini series and the Loki mini series. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, you can also follow the exploits of the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, and Spider-Man!
Here’s the ad itself, just click on it and start your reading adventure, or something!
