Thor is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character, based on the Norse mythological god of the same name, was created by writer Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and artist Jack Kirby. He first appeared in the anthology title Journey into Mystery #83 in August 1962.
The comic follows Thor Odinson, the Asgardian god of thunder, who is cast down to Earth by his father Odin to learn humility. Taking the mortal guise of the lame physician Dr. Donald Blake, Thor wields the enchanted hammer Mjolnir, which grants him the power of flight and weather manipulation. Over the decades, the series has expanded to encompass the Nine Realms, epic cosmic battles, and a rich supporting cast including Loki, Odin, Sif, and the Warriors Three.
Thor quickly became one of Marvel's flagship characters, a founding member of the Avengers, and a cornerstone of the publisher's interconnected universe. The comic has been continuously published in various volumes and has been helmed by legendary creators such as Walt Simonson, whose 1980s run is considered one of the greatest in superhero comics history. The series blends superhero action with high fantasy and Norse mythology, exploring themes of worthiness, duty, and the burden of power.
