Marvel Masterworks: Mighty Thor - Volume 6 [Hardcover]

This particular volume really deserves the Masterworks designation. This is the point that Jack Kirby perfected his artistic style and where Stan Lee's writing was at its very peak. This volume contains Thor 141-152. The first two stories are standalone classics where Thor battles Replicus and then the Super Skrull. The remaining stories are a multi-part epic of Thor being stripped of his powers and battling the Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime, Loki, The Wrecker, the Destroyer, Hela, and Ulik all with Sif and Balder at his side and Odin still trying to teach Thor a little humility. This volume also contains the last of the Tales of Asgard series, but does not include The Inhumans shorts that were printed in some of these issues.

These super high quality stories can be better appreciated as an adult. Thor was always a character I didn't get as a child - until they started showing the Marvel Super Heroes cartoons on TV. That's what got me hooked on Thor. The Super Skrull issue was the first Thor I ever bought as a child after seeing the cartoons so this volume aroused old memories with every cover of every issue. Even then, but especially now, the continuing storyline of Thor powerless on Earth has got to be considered one of the best runs of Lee/Kirby Thor ever printed. And Kirby's art looks so good. We just don't see this kind if thing anymore. It truly is special and can never happen again. Yes, the inks don't reproduce so well in these Masterworks, but that only minimally diminishes things.

It's a definite buy with no reservations. I honestly doubt that modern kids will like it. If they do, you know you've got exceptionally bright and thoughtful kids. Baby boomers will love this one. You truly can appreciate the genius that was going on when Marvel was publishing these and their success in the industry is richly deserved. This book is the proof.

In my continuing effort to re-read the Thor canon, I come to Marvel Masterworks #80, or Mighty Thor #6. This particular tome includes #141-152, and each story is a Stan Lee/Jack Kirby production.
Our villains include Replicus, the Super-Skrull, a trio of Enchanters, the Ringmasters and his Circus of Evil, Karnilla the Norn Queen, and as always, Loki.
We get to see Thor ride a motorcycle, using Mjolnir as a turbocharger. We get to see him sip a soda in a malt shop. See? He's just like us!
Odin wigs out yet again, because Thor seems to like Earth a wee bit too much, and banishes him there, powerless except for his strength. Odin yells a lot in these books, waving his scepter around. He's a bit bossy. Kinda judgmental too. For being all-powerful, I'm just sayin'.
Loki turns up, to kick Thor around while he's weakened; Balder and Sif show up to help. With four of his people now on Earth, Odin really loses it...taking EVERYBODY'S power away.
Most of Odin's meltdowns get full-page Kirby splashes...they're kinda cool.
So now that everybody's godly power is gone, the Wrecker shows up, natch. He pummels Thor around for an ish or two, killing him.
Cue Hela, Goddess of Death, in her Cher-Bob Mackie-on-LSD outfit.
Meanwhile, Odin (not as smart as he thinks, methinks) scratches his head, saying "Loki? Really? He's behind all of this? Again?"
Then it gets REALLY wacky. While Hela's not looking, Thor's soul sneaks back into his body. The Destroyer reappears, to clobber the Wrecker, but you'll never guess who's inside the Destroyer.
Odin then says, "OK, I took his powers, but he's still cool, so presto-change-o, he's a God again."
Just in time for Thor to return to Asgard to save their butts from Ulik the Still Ugly.
The book ends with a cliffhanger, with Thor patting his belt, saying, "Heeeyyyy....waitaminnit....where's my hammer? LOKI!"
On to volume 7!

collecting all the masterworks some are very hard to find, it is nice to know i can come to amazon to find the missing ones, this is a wonderful book and series worth collecting for reading or saving for your kids which is what i intend to do.