The ongoing family drama of Thor—his love for Jane, and the scorn of his father Odin for falling for a mortal—continues in this issue, with Loki lurking behind the scenes as a meddler. In this story, we once again see Thor choosing to return to Earth and Jane, instead of staying in Asgard as his father wishes. Loki subtly pulls the strings, convincing Odin to strip Thor of his powers and then preventing others from coming to Thor’s aid.

AMeanwhile, Thor as Don Blake decides to reveal the truth to Jane Foster, hoping to show her that he is, in fact, Thor(and failing to do so do to Odens actions ). Even as the Gray Gargoyle hunts him down, aiming to discover the source of Thor’s immortality. A chase ensues, with Don and Jane on the run while the Gray Gargoyle closes in, until an unknown figure temporarily restores Thor’s powers—for only 30 seconds.

Story

The story flows nicely from its opening page to the last, weaving drama and tension throughout. The villain takes a back seat to the Asgardian family issues and the ever-tense dynamic between Thor and Odin. We watch as Thor’s attempt to reveal the truth to Jane fails, leaving her in the dark, with her only takeaway being a belief that Don Blake experienced a strange, short-lived bout of madness.

Originality & Continuity

Heroes deciding to reveal their identities—and then failing—is a trope that pops up often. While it hints at potential growth, for this era it’s no surprise that it ends with the status quo firmly in place (even as cracks begin to form in some titles, hinting at change and character development).

Character & Development

This issue largely reinforces what we already know, rather than treading new ground. However, the strength of the series lies in its growing cast of supporting characters (often introduced in the backup tales and then brought into the main story). This steady expansion enriches future storylines, adding more layers for the creators to explore.

Artwork

The opening of the story features an epic battle, which might feel disconnected from the main plot but showcases Jack Kirby’s unmistakable talent. If, as Stan Lee suggested, this was Kirby’s own idea and artistic choice, it highlights just how much creative freedom he enjoyed—and how much that freedom contributed to the impact of his work.