LOIS LANE #105 (1970)
by Robert Kanigher & Ross Andru
cover by Curt Swan
Starting from this issue, half of the tile will be shared with the adventures of new character Thorn.
I won’t be covering that series because for the most part they’re either harmless or actually good, but since she’s introduced in a Lois story I might as well review that one.
I suppose I should call her “The Thorn”, since it’s on the calling card she uses to declare war on “The 100”, an organization of professional killers.
Hello 1970s sexism, I’m not exactly surprised to see you.
Lois has been called to interview a convicted murderer, who apparently has some history with her.
For a moment I though that he was her ex, but no, he just once randomly saved her from dying in a frozen lake.
It’s refreshing to see a Lois Lane story that doesn’t revolve around her marrying someone.
And some day we might see that story, but not today.
Even the convict recognizes this makes no sense whatsoever.
So, uhm, convicts marrying just before the death sentence IS a thing that actually happens… I’m no lawyer and no priest, but I don’t think those are necessarily “annulled”.
Especially since it’s entirely based on a vague “I’ll do anything to repay you” promise!
Soooo… Lois Lane marriage #1,507.
And this time it’s not a hoax or an imaginary story! Just a weird one.
Superman leaves just in time for Lois to be taken hostage, because I guess that’s in her wedding vows at this point.
And then this is suddenly The Thorn’s story!
Did… did The Thorn just pull a Batman on Superman!?
But enough about that, it’s time for the honeymoon: being dumped down a cliff inside a car.
This looks like a job for… The Thorn!?
Okay you have to admit that The Thorn is kind of a badass.
The convict saves Lois by taking a bullet for her, and The Thorn is not exactly sorry about it.
And that’s how we end, since The Thorn manages to disappear into the darkness.
Are we SURE she’s not Batman in drag?
Actually, since that was BARELY a story, let’s have a quick look at The Thorn’s first story.
She’s a vigilante during the night because she wants to avenge her father, killed by criminals?
So… she IS Batman, but just 50%.
Her real name is Rose Forrest (subtle!). She witnessed The 100 murdering her detective father, and she developed an alternate personality to deal with it… the vigilante Thorn.
“She’ll grow out of it” is hardly a great way to deal with Dissociative Identity Disorder, although it wouldn’t surprise me to learn this was a thing in 1970.
It’s a pretty straightforward origin story, and Thorn is not exactly a well-rounded character, but the atmosphere is pretty solid.
She does some vigilante stuff…
…and her other personality has no clue about her.
If anyone wants me to review other Thorn stories just let me know, but I’m afraid most will probably be too good for this retrospective.
Historical significance: 6/10
Thorn is not exactly a household name and her impact on Lois is pretty much zero, but it IS something.
Silver Age-ness
Lois story: 4/10
If only we left Superman out of this one it could’ve been a 0/10, but it’s REALLY hard to believe any of this can really happen if Silver Age Superman is around!
Thorn story: 0/10
The casual treatment of mental illness is a sign of the times, but it’s not like comics have gotten any better at the topic.
Does it stand the test of time?
Lois story: 6/10
Is it a good story? No. Does it make me want to rip the comic in half? No, and that hasn’t happened to a Lois comic in a long time! Mostly because this isn’t really a Lois Lane story, but still…
Thorn story: 8/10
You couldn’t tell from his Metal Men stories, but Kanigher CAN write a good story! This is a good foundation for a new character, and honestly the only thing that hasn’t aged well is how mental illness is treated.
Stupid Lois Lane moment
“I’ll do anything to repay you” is not exactly legally binding, Lois.