Writers: Stan Lee and Larry Lieber
Artist: Al Hartley
"Trapped by the Carbon-Copy Man"
The art for this story from Al Hartley. I'll just say up front that there is only one Jack Kirby, and this guy is not him. I need also mention that this begins a stretch in this book without art from Kirby and there is a slip in quality in my opinion. When Kirby makes his return, he does so with backup tales of a young Thor; those stories are gold.
The story in this issue begins on the far off world of Xarta, as the war lord and his son plan to wage war on the planet Earth. Meanwhile, Dr. Donald Blake finally decides to share his secret with the beautiful Jane Foster. However, just as he tries to do so, Allfather Odin appears to him and tells him that he must not do so. He is forbidden. Blake slinks off, leaving Jane to believe that the timid doctor is actually afraid of Thor.
Out on the street, Blake is confronted by a series of bizarre new laws that have been enacted in the city: cars must drive on sidewalks, bridges are painted with polka dots, and it's "trust people week" where house doors cannot be locked (for example). Sensing that something is amiss, Thor confronts the mayor and quickly realizes that some of the people in the city have been replaced by impostors.
Thor flies about the city and the outskirts; he discovers a poorly concealed spaceships. Upon landing, he is quickly attacked, loses his hammer, and turns back into the lame Dr. Blake. The aliens reveal a number of things to the doctor: their plans to conquer Earth, their shape-changing abilities, and the fact that they have the lovely Jane Foster captured, as well. Blake manages to trick the aliens into thinking that Thor is attacking. They turn their backs, Blake grabs the hammer and (poof!) Thor emerges!
Thor battles the alien warriors, who transform into a variety of creatures, ranging from crystal-skinned (as seen on the cover) to invisible. Eventually, Thor vanquishes the foes (for example, he unleashes rain upon the invisible to make visible to make with the punching). Our hero drives the warriors off and they flee the planet, save for three who are left behind. Thor hypnotizes the three and has them turn themselves into trees.
We are led to believe that they will remain as trees forever. Cold, Thor. Cold.
I don't have much more to say about this issue. Fun diversion. Nothing too substantial.
Next issue: the return of Loki!
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