Writers: Stan Lee and R. Berns
Artist: Joe Sinnott
"The Demon Duplicators"
Our story begins as Thor is summoned to Asgard by the all-father Odin. Believe it or not a terrible drought has afflicted Asgard and they need Thor's help. He creates a thunderstorm which will last seven days and bring much-needed water to the dry lands. From Asgard, Thor heads straight to a science convention where a new invention by his later ego Dr. Donald Blake is about to be unveiled (and for which Thor is to assist in the unveiling).
Thor arrives and the invention is revealed: a green android - an automaton. It's unclear how a medical doctor was able to invent such a fantastic machine, but let's not dwell on that. Thor and a Professor Zaxton show off the automaton, demonstrating his fast computing power (by way of mathematical equations on a black board) and his durability (by way of Thor hitting him with Mjolnir). Unfortunately, something goes awry. The automaton states that Zaxton accidentally hit some incorrect buttons, causing a malfunction which will lead to the self-destruct and explosion of the automaton. Thor quickly grabs what he refers to as the "super-grenade" and flings it into space where it explodes.
Later that day, Blake returns to his office, still irritated that his invention was destroyed by the bungling of Dr. Zaxton. Unfortunately, he finds that very man waiting for him. Zaxton reveals that he has his own invention for which he needs Blake's help. He seeks to create a duplicating machine, which could replicate a human being. Blake refuses to help until Zaxton reveals that he has Jane Foster held captive. The duo work feverishly to create the device.
Eventually (and rather quickly), the device is ready for testing. While Zaxton gleefully replicates mouse after mouse, Blake tries to duck away to change into Thor... but Zaxton walks in on the transformation, becoming the first mortal to know Blake's secret. Zaxton quickly turns the duplicator on Thor, creating a second Thor, which apparently has the opposite personality of our hero.
The two thunder gods battle across the city, until eventually Thor realizes that this copy is evil and not worthy of Mjolnir - following this epiphany, he realizes that the hammer blows from his twin do not hurt. He flings his own hammer at the enemy, whom promptly disappears. Thor returns to Dr. Zaxton, who directs the duplicator at himself in an effort to confuse Thor. However, while doing so, he trips and falls off a building, leaving a good Dr. Zaxton, thus ending our conflict.
Thor frees Jane Foster and returns to Asgard to halt the rain. The end.
Next month in September 1963 and that means it's avenging time.
And with that, the focus of this blog will switch to the Avengers title. The overview of the ancillary titles will be reduced in some fashion yet to be decided.
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