Today, I follow-up and review the second part of a cliff hanger that was started in Journey Into Mystery #105. In that issue, Mr. Hyde and The Cobra teamed up to stop Thor, and by all appearances succeed, by separating him from his hammer.  How can Thor stop the two opponents as Dr. Don Blake?  We just have to read this tale to find out. Without further words, let’s get to my comic book review of the story titled “The Thunder God Strikes Back!”

Artwork

I feel this issue was well done by Jack Kirby; and had many of the same elements that I liked about the first part of this story. but another thing about this tale, is just how well paced the timed fights are,  the moments when Thor has less the sixty seconds to get his hammer back.   it is in these seems that you can see greatness.  from the rich motion lines, to the focusing on the intensity of the battle.

if you take a look at the two panels I share showing Thor facing Mr. Hyde,  you can see the feeling of how time is moving.  you can almost feel a pulse on the battle itself.

Originality & Continuity

I feel that this issue could have done a better job; in picking up on what made both Mr. Hyde, and the Cobra good Villains.  In this issue, I feel they both lost something, that to me hinders there chances of ever being great antagonist.

Characters & Development

I feel the greatest lost was not for them, but for the ongoing story between Dr. Don Blake and Jane Forster.  Every time we are given the potential of development, it is torn away. I am personally tired of seeing this sort of Yo-Yo effect between them.

On the plus side, the hammer (almost a character of its own) got some positive development, in Thor referring to it as his  “Beloved Uru Mallet!” for the first time that i recall, referring to the metal it is made of.

Story

As such, I feel this story let me down, but it did have some well scripted and dialogue action scenes; keeping it from being a waste of reading time.