a superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962) and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby.
Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character is based on the god Thor of Norse mythology. He has starred in several ongoing series and limited series, and has been a perennial member of the superhero team the Avengers, appearing in each volume of that series. The character has also appeared in associated Marvel merchandise including animated television series, clothing, toys, trading cards, video games, and movies.
The 2011 film Thor, based on the character and comic, was directed by Kenneth Branagh and starred Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Hemsworth reappears as Thor in The Avengers, and Thor: The Dark World is set for release in 2013. Thor placed 14th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time in 2011.
Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character is based on the god Thor of Norse mythology. He has starred in several ongoing series and limited series, and has been a perennial member of the superhero team the Avengers, appearing in each volume of that series. The character has also appeared in associated Marvel merchandise including animated television series, clothing, toys, trading cards, video games, and movies.
The 2011 film Thor, based on the character and comic, was directed by Kenneth Branagh and starred Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Hemsworth reappears as Thor in The Avengers, and Thor: The Dark World is set for release in 2013. Thor placed 14th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time in 2011.
Thor's father Odin decides his son needed to be taught humility and consequently places Thor (without memories of godhood) into the body and memories of an existing, partially disabled human medical student, Donald Blake.[43] After becoming a doctor and on vacation in Norway, Blake witnesses the arrival of an alienscouting party. Blake flees into a cave after from the aliens. After discovering Thor's hammer Mjolnir (disguised as a walking stick) and striking it against a rock, he transforms into the thunder god.[44]
Defeating the aliens, Thor shares a double life with his alter ego: treating the ill in a private practice with nurse - and eventual love - Jane Foster, and defending humanity from evil. Thor's presence on Earth almost immediately attracts the attention of his adoptive brother and arch-foe Loki.[45][46] Loki is responsible for the emergence of three of Thor's principal foes: the Absorbing Man;[47][48] the Destroyer,[49][50] and the Wrecker.[51] On one occasion, Loki's tactics were accidentally beneficial - although successful in using an illusion of the Hulk to draw Thor into battle, it results in the formation of the superhero team theAvengers, of which Thor is a founding and longstanding member.[6] Thor's other early foes include Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man;[52] the Radioactive Man;[53][54] the Lava Man;[55] the Cobra;[56] Mister Hyde;[57] the Enchantress and the Executioner,[58][59] and the Grey Gargoyle.[60]
Falling in love with Jane Foster, Thor disobeys his father and refuses to return to Asgard, an act for which he is punished on several occasions.[61] Thor's natural affinity for Earth is eventually revealed to be due to the fact that he was the son of the Elder Goddess Gaea.[62] Although Thor initially regards himself as a "superhero" like his teammates in the Avengers,[62] Loki's machinations draw Thor into increasingly epic adventures, such as teaming with his father Odin and Asgardian ally Balder against the fire demon Surtur and Skagg the Storm Giant,[63] and defeating an increasingly powerful Absorbing Man and proving his innocence in the "Trial of the Gods".[64] This necessitates an extended leave of absence from the Avengers.[65]
Thor encounters the Greek God Hercules,[66][67] who becomes a loyal and trustworthy friend. Thor saves Hercules from fellow Olympian Pluto;[68] stops the advance of Ego the Living Planet;[69][70][71] rescues Jane Foster from the High Evolutionary and defeats his flawed creation, the Man-Beast.[72][73] Odin finally relents and allows Thor to love Jane Foster, on the proviso she pass a trial. Foster panics and Thor intervenes. After Foster fails the test, Odin returns her to Earth, where she is given another chance at love, while a heartbroken Thor is introduced to the Asgardian warrior Sif.[74][75] Thor battles the Asgardian troll Ulik for the first time when Ulik attempts to steal Mjolnir.[76] The thunder god returns to Asgard to prevent Mangog from drawing the Odinsword and ending the universe,[77] Thor learns the origin of Galactus[78] and rescues Sif after she is kidnapped by Him.[79][80]
Defeating the aliens, Thor shares a double life with his alter ego: treating the ill in a private practice with nurse - and eventual love - Jane Foster, and defending humanity from evil. Thor's presence on Earth almost immediately attracts the attention of his adoptive brother and arch-foe Loki.[45][46] Loki is responsible for the emergence of three of Thor's principal foes: the Absorbing Man;[47][48] the Destroyer,[49][50] and the Wrecker.[51] On one occasion, Loki's tactics were accidentally beneficial - although successful in using an illusion of the Hulk to draw Thor into battle, it results in the formation of the superhero team theAvengers, of which Thor is a founding and longstanding member.[6] Thor's other early foes include Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man;[52] the Radioactive Man;[53][54] the Lava Man;[55] the Cobra;[56] Mister Hyde;[57] the Enchantress and the Executioner,[58][59] and the Grey Gargoyle.[60]
Falling in love with Jane Foster, Thor disobeys his father and refuses to return to Asgard, an act for which he is punished on several occasions.[61] Thor's natural affinity for Earth is eventually revealed to be due to the fact that he was the son of the Elder Goddess Gaea.[62] Although Thor initially regards himself as a "superhero" like his teammates in the Avengers,[62] Loki's machinations draw Thor into increasingly epic adventures, such as teaming with his father Odin and Asgardian ally Balder against the fire demon Surtur and Skagg the Storm Giant,[63] and defeating an increasingly powerful Absorbing Man and proving his innocence in the "Trial of the Gods".[64] This necessitates an extended leave of absence from the Avengers.[65]
Thor encounters the Greek God Hercules,[66][67] who becomes a loyal and trustworthy friend. Thor saves Hercules from fellow Olympian Pluto;[68] stops the advance of Ego the Living Planet;[69][70][71] rescues Jane Foster from the High Evolutionary and defeats his flawed creation, the Man-Beast.[72][73] Odin finally relents and allows Thor to love Jane Foster, on the proviso she pass a trial. Foster panics and Thor intervenes. After Foster fails the test, Odin returns her to Earth, where she is given another chance at love, while a heartbroken Thor is introduced to the Asgardian warrior Sif.[74][75] Thor battles the Asgardian troll Ulik for the first time when Ulik attempts to steal Mjolnir.[76] The thunder god returns to Asgard to prevent Mangog from drawing the Odinsword and ending the universe,[77] Thor learns the origin of Galactus[78] and rescues Sif after she is kidnapped by Him.[79][80]