Ol’ Timers Review: Jane Foster – The Goddess of Thunder

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

3 years ago

With a new Thor movie around the corner that is set to features anew Thor in the shapely form of Natalie Portman as Jane Foster who is set to prove herself worthy of Mjölnir. Now then is the best time to take a look at Jane Foster’s first two appearances as Thor!

What If? Vol 1 #10

(W) Don Glut; (A) Rick Hoberg; (Ink) Dave Hunt; (Col) C. Gafford; (Let) Carol Lay

The What If? series was something like a good idea, that was poorly executed. There have been some great ideas; What If Spider-Man joined the Fantastic Four or What If Gwen Stacey hadn’t died are probably the most well known. The idea of how things could have gone has come full circle with the idea of the multiverse appearing in every publishers books, not to mention movies. Glut changes one element in the original Thor story, having nurse Jane Foster find the enchanted walking stick. Things pretty much stay the same, though without Jane, Don Blake get a different love interest and therefore so does Jane. The writing is of its time. By this I mean that there is a heavy dose of “as a woman” and don’t even get me started to the Odin proposal that Jane accepts without any prior relationship, as if every woman just wants to be married to someone!

The art from Hoberg is clearly hitting the “Marvel House” style; if imitation is a compliment, then John Buscema must be one of most complimented guys at Marvel. Hoberg keeps his Lady Thor, named Thordis, in the true blonde hair style with the unitard of the time, which I find odd considering how the other Asgardian women are drawn. The inks are heavy in places. The colors are also of their time in true four color standard. The letters are spectacular, with lots of bold and larger fonts used; pure Marvel style.

Writing – 3 Stars; Art – 3 Stars; Colors – 3 Stars; Overall – 3 Stars

Thor Vol 4 #1

(W) Jason Aaron; (A) Russell Dauterman; (Col) Matthew Wilson; (Let) Joe Sabino

Now this book wouldn’t feature on the Ol’ Timers Comic Book Show as it doesn’t fit within the +25 years format of the show. Still, you can’t talk about Jane Foster as Thors without talking about this landmark series. Jason Arron had been having a grand ole time on Thor and following Fear Itself, the Marvel Universe was left with an unworthy Odinson and Thor-less. This issue sets up the background and situations in which a new person, a person who is worthy picks up Mjolnir. The reveal at the end of the book sent the comic books world into conniptions! A female Thor! “Surely it’s diversity gone mad” , came thr cry form the cheap seats!

Aaron though had a plan which he executed flawlessly. In Jane he had a sympathetic character who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Jane had been a constant in Thor books, so there was a modicum of sense to the choice. Aaron then dropped the kicker; when Jane transformed into Thor, her cancer went away; but when she changed back into Jane all the cancer treatment disappeared meaning the cancer got worst. Being a hero was actually killing her. Talk about being worthy! The final issue of this run remans one of the most powerful, the most emotional comic I have ever read.

The art of Russell Dauterman is simply gorgeous. As the book progresses, Dauterman delivers both the superheroics, matching that style with a heavily European influenced Asgard. What also makes the idea of the differences between Jane and Thor are the colors from Matthew Wilson who delivers a bold scheme for the most part; however shows a fantastic touch when it comes Jane with a washed out scheme to recognise Jane’s situation with empathic colors. Joe Sabino’s letters are as you expect for a Thor book, font wise.

Given how the original idea of Jane as Thor was something of a throwaway, Aaron took the idea and created a book that crossed the line form comic books into mainstream media, possibly legitimising the idea of diversifying characters. Her importance is so great, that Jane Foster is due to start in the next Thor movie. It’s hammer time for sure!

Writing – 5 Stars; Art – 5 Stars; Colors – 5 Stars; Overall – 5 Stars

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network