It must be embarrassing when he blocks a punch from the Titanium Man, and all his spare change suddenly spills on the ground!

"Hah! You are indeed a filthy capitalist, Comrade Iron Man!"

In my head, I can see a three-panel sequence describing this exact process, art by either Colan or Tuska.

I’m honestly not sure if this is a real thing or you just made it up.

Well, Stan was really busy. And it’s OK to be bad at your editing job when you’re really busy.

Wait until you see my schematic for his waste removal system!

Journey into Mystery# 102

 "Slave of Zarrko the tomorrow man"






Writer Stan Lee
Artist:Jack Kirby
Artist Inks:Chic Stone

Plot summary:

 After the events of the previous issue, Thor has given his oath to obey Zarrko and go with him to the 23rd century to help him conquer that era. Thor disables the machinery that controls traffic, walkways and brings the time period to a standstill. Both Zarrko and Thor are brought to the world council where they are given the location to where the master robot that controls the world is kept. Once there , Thor does battle with it and defeats the device giving Zarrko access to control of the world's operational systems. Thor is released from his oath because his enemies objective has been reached and he fights him to a standstill.  Thor allows Zarrko to assume control of The robotic system but it  has a backup defense mechanism that subdues the villain, which the Thunder god was counting on. 

Comments:

 This is an average issue but certainly rates above the  first 15 or so issues of this run, and has finally moved away from DC  Superman type stories. Thor keeping his oath is described by him as a rule stating that Immortals can never break an oath. I heard in a podcast from someone who follows the Norse religion that breaking an oath is a serious thing that is forbidden by  followers. Thor is operating under the handicap of only having half his powers , but it doesn't seem to stop him from routing his opponents. I'm guessing he would have defeated them in record time had he been fully powered. At the end of the story, his hammer can still time travel him back to his present time. I feel like it was a way to wrap up the story , but the hammer was de-powered as well and it should have been a problem. The entire populace of the 23rd century seems to know of Zarrko as " the evil scientist" , as it is mentioned by a person in a crowd scene. Chic Stone inks the book for the first time in this series and it reminds me of some of the work he did on the Avengers title. I like it, but it's very Silver agey. 



Silly moment


 Thor used his hammer to place a few guards under a trance by reflecting the sunlight off of it. Is this just another power that is ignored later on ?




Tales of Asgard

" Death comes to Thor"

Lee/Kirby/ Paul Reinman

Thor is 18 years of age and he visits the three fates to find out if he ever lifts the hammer. They tell him he can win the hammer but he first has to meet death. Thor is resigned to this prediction. When he reached Asgard he is told by a battered Balder that Sif has been taken by the Frost Giants. He battles his way to the Giants lair and is told by the king that he has given Sif over the the Goddess of Death in exchange for immortality.  Thor confronts Death and offers his life for Sifs and Death is moved by his offer of sacrifice and frees them both. 

Comments:

Thor lifts the hammer for the first time when he takes up the challenge of rescuing Sif. This story refers to Balder as Sifs father , although it is later changed to Heimdal being the father. Sif is shown to have blonde hair but is known to be a brunette in legend. The Goddess of Death has her first appearance but is wearing purple instead of her usual Green outfit. She lets them both leave alive , and I imagine this is the only time she gives that Kind of grace to anyone. Cool story. 

I'm sure transistors are involved. Maybe magnets?

About this issue, I think this is a demarcation point as Thor moves away from the early JIM stories and villains. Next issue we get straight up Asgard baddies.