For today’s comic book review we have Journey Into Mystery #98,  and the story titled “Challenged By The Human Cobra!” Featuring The Mighty Thor! Then As you may recall, we left last time hanging with Jane Foster leaving the employment of Dr. Don Blake for another doctor.  This story picks up, almost no time later, continuing that fateful tale only with a new menace for Thor to Face.

It is in this story that we get introduced to The Cobra,  a snake-like foe whom got his powers after a scheme of murder and being bitten by a Radioactive snake of the same name.

But the story is just as much about Thor Facing off against the Cobra as it is about him dealing with Jane Fosters departure, and as comic book fake would have it, before the final page, she would have a role to play in this epic tale, an end up being the Cobra’s Captive.

Story

The Last story was nothing less than great, and this one followed the footsteps of greatness well.  It is as much a continuation, and a completion of the story of Jane Fosters departure, as well as a strong realization for Thor’s feelings.  However the story does not offer us a way for the relationship between Don Blake and Jane Foster to move on. For the relationship is still forbidden by Odin.

If this story addressed that, with a little more depth; it would have been as good as the last one, but at least it let Thor stand up to his father for the first time, and I will take that as a close second.

Artwork

In the first pages I was not thrilled with the artwork of Don Heck on this issue,   in particular with the opening page.  But as the story progressed I do find that ether the artwork improved or it grew on me.  The Fight scene between Thor and The Cobra was  in particularly well done.

It offered both great detail of the Thunder god and his foe as they both verbally describe what they’re doing as so many comic book characters do at the time. IT also included one of the better panels of Thor throwing the hammer I have seen, at least in the last few issues.

Originality & Continuity

The Cobra

Radiation, even in the form of an animal bite, is now far from original, yet it does seem to be a formula that is working well, after all it brought us Spider-Man!, Also as of this issue, I don’t think the idea has gotten too out of hand, yet.

my issues with the cobra, is how much a ‘useless lab assistant’ whom could come up with no ideas of his own other than murder, seemed to be able to come up with the gadgets of his suit somehow,  I feel I would have liked the character better if this was addressed or even better yet, half of these things where powers and not technology. 

Jane Foster Quits: Part II

Perhaps much more importantly, and much better done then the Cobra’s design was how this was the second part of the two-part epic, this was handled amazing well, and fit in perfectly with the last issue.  The resolution was also plausible if not ideal.

Character & Development

Thor and Odin

In this issue we watch Thor Stand up to his father for the first time, Be it his love-sick nature, or anger at his father for putting him in his current predicament, one can’t know for sure. But as sure as Thor disrespect’s Odin, Odin also forgives his favorite son just as quickly.