ON THE SPINNER RACKS Jul/Aug 1968

The Mangog saga Lee/Kirby seemed to be trying surpass their  earlier FANTASTIC FOUR Galactus trilogy. Instead of merely eating the Earth, it aimed to destroy the universe by unsheathing the  Odinsword. 

The four years Marvel paid Jack Kirby to hone his monster-designing  skills (1958-1962) was indeed money well-spent. 

ON THE SPINNER RACKS July/Aug 1965

As a Sixties Thor fan this was the best you could hope for, a Lee/Kirby/Colletta collaboration!

The first 3 pages once again showcases how well Thor relates with mortals

Loki appears for the 25th time
Jane Foster appears for the 35th time
A 1965 addition to Thor's Rogues Gallery, the Absorbing Man appears for the 3rd time.
The 16 page lead story and the 5 page Tales of Asgard back-up (with the first appearances of  Volstagg, Fandral and Hogun) are both the first installments of continued stories.

Not only is Thor on the cover of this Annual. He also appears on 5 pages.

ON THE SPINNER RACKS Jul/Aug 1966

THOR ANNUAL #2 

30 pages of new Jack Kirby art!

It featured the third appearance of this easily reusable Lee/Kirby-conceived Thor opponent. The Destroyer is more dramatic than a robot because it has to be animated by the lifeforce of  a living being.

Plus: In THOR #132, Thor encountered two iconic science fiction threats - 

a cosmic toll booth

and planet stealing aliens.

ON THE SPINNER RACKS Aug/Sep 1965

 The 70th appearance of Thor
The 4th appearance of the Absorbing Man
(and his 4th cover appearance)

The Kirby/Colletta cover delivers what it promises. 13 of the 16 pages of the lead story depict Absorbing Man/Thor battle action.

Plus Loki makes his 26th appearance.

 

 

This solid issue concludes with the 22nd 5 page installment of the always-welcome TALES OF ASGARD backup.

IN YOUR LCS 3 YEARS AGO TODAY

 
THOR ANNUAL #1 $4.99

(W) Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly (A) Ibraim Roberson (CA) Adam Kubert
Enter...MYTHOS! When M.O.D.O.K. - fueled by revenge and a refusal to ever again be someone else's pawn - seizes control of all of the Ten Realms but Asgard, Thor the All-Father must step in and regain control of the Ten Realms and the World Tree. But M.O.D.O.K.'s new, cosmic power proves to be a greater threat than Thor could imagine, and he'll need the inspiration of some beloved friends from Midgard to reclaim his realms and his awesome power.

GEORGE PEREZ VARIANT

DAVID MARQUEZ HELLFIRE GALA VARIANT