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This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2021
"Thor" is easily one of the most iconic comic characters to emerge from the Silver Age of Comics. Though incarnations of Thor appeared in both Marvel and DC comics, specifically in "Tales of the Unexpected" #16 in 1957, it is this incarnation of Thor that solidified the Norse god in the pantheon of Marvel superheroes. The founding Avenger was created for Marvel Comics by penciller-plotter Jark Kirby, editor-plotter Stan Lee, and scripter Larry Lieber. Lee based the character and storyline after the Norse God of Thunder and modernized the legend to better suit a modern audience. After realizing that "Journey Into Mystery" needed a boost, Lee and Kirby debuted Thor in issue #83 of the giant monster and science fiction series. Thus, "BEGIN THE SAGA OF THOR IN THIS ISSUE," as the cover so boldly states.
Offered here is a sealed and graded copy of "Journey Into Mystery" #83 written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko and published in August 1962. Jack Kirby illustrated the action-packed, iconic cover featuring Thor wielding Mjolnir. The Stan Lee-written storyline features Thor's human incarnation, Dr. Donald Blake, caught during an invasion by the Stone Men from Saturn while visiting Norway that sends him fleeing into a cave. Within this cave Dr. Blake finds a walking stick and an entrance blocked by a boulder. Dr. Blake strikes the boulder with the walking stick, and, in a flash of light, the stick transforms into Mjolnir and transforms Dr. Blake into Thor, the Norse God of Thunder. Thor then defeats the Stone Men and transforms back to Dr. Blake, with everyone none the wiser.
This issue is not only the first appearance of both Thor, and his alter ego, Dr. Blake, but Korg, who many a Marvel Cinematic Universe fan will recognize from "Thor: Ragnarok," as Thor's friend. This issue also marks the first appearance of the Kronans, who are known as the Stone Men in this issue. The Stone Men/Kronans appear in green on the cover but orange on the inside.
This presented copy was given the fantastic grade of 9.4 with "WHITE PAGES" by the Certified Guaranty Company. According to CGC's census report, only two other copies have reached a better grade, making this excellent copy all the rarer. An excellent specimen graded 9.4 by CGC.