JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #85 (1962)
by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby
It only took Loki two issues after Thor’s debut to show up.
This is actually the first time Asgard is introduced, as well as the Bifrost bridge!!!
That’s where we are introduced to Loki, who “ages ago” was trapped inside a tree.
Pretty sure that’s not canon anymore, since Loki has been shown to be active at least during WWII. Although, to be fair, I’m sure being trapped inside a tree would feel like eternity.
This is also the first appearance of Heimdall (looking nothing like his future design); Loki tricks him into shedding a single tear, which was the condition for his release.
The fact that this counts as “someone shedding tears for Loki’s plight” is absurd, but I’m not going to argue against magical curses.
This is also the first time Thor’s hammer is described as being made of the magical metal Uru.
Which is not from Norse mythology, it was just made up for the comics.
Loki is already shown to be jealous of Thor showing affection to anyone else.
So Loki goes to Earth under disguise, deciding to create some mischief to draw out Thor.
“Mischief” naturally includes transforming random civilians into “negatives”.
But don’t worry, Thor can switch you from matter to anti-matter by using his hammer as a fan.
Sounds legit.
With Thor now on the scene, Loki reveals himself. At this point it wasn’t super clear whether Don Blake switched places with Thor, or if he had the powers of Thor, or whatever the heck he was doing.
Think that Loki having fangirls is something recent? Think again, because Jane Foster is immediately smitten with him! (WTF!?!?)
Okay, this should be epic: the very, VERY first Thor versus Loki battle!!!
At least Loki is smart enough to use the opportunity to get Thor’s hammer…
…and failing spectacularly.
Well that was pathetic. What else do you have, Loki?
Sounds legit.
The hammer’s enchantment about being lifted only by someone who is worthy was already there from the first Thor story, but there’s still some confusion around WHY only he can lift it.
Thor reverts to his secret identity of Donald Blake, so naturally he’s the one to get the hammer back.
I used to think Thor had the most secure secret identity of Marvel, but it helps that the civilians are pretty dumb.
The fight resumes inside a theater, which is a bad thing because as we all know Thor is weak against curtains. (WTF!?)
Thor was often a Superman stand-in in this early era: this is blatantly super-breath.
And I know pretty much every super-strong hero has done this, but don’t tell me you’re not thinking of Superman.
Thor then manages to stop Loki by throwing a pipe at him and trapping him in water, because “according to legend” that’s his weakness.
Most of my knowledge about Norse mythology comes from Marvel, which is notoriously inaccurate about it in this period, so… does this have ANY precedent whatsoever!?
And so the Loki threat ends with Thor THROWING HIM BACK TO ASGARD.
Believe it or not, THIS is the first appearance of Odin!!!
Ah yes, needlessly endangering people for petty revenge. Romantic indeed, Jane Foster.
Historical significance: 10/10
Introducing a ton of lore, even if most details will be completely ignored.
Silver Age-ness: 10/10
On the Marvel scale, this is nearly as silly as things get.
Does it stand the test of time? 2/10
Oh boy, are early Thor issues ROUGH. This is clearly a Larry Lieber plot, and while he HAS written some good stuff… this is not one of his best works, and even Stan’s dialogue can’t save it. Kirby is nowhere near at his peak, but even his early Fantastic Four stories are far better.
Random Mjolnir power of the day 
How close is this to the modern character? 4/10
Even forgetting the MASSIVE character development Loki has gone through in the past fifteen years, the Silver Age version had an aura of menace that is completely lacking here.
The classic look is there, sure, but even his magic powers are understated… he comes across as any random magician rather than a dangerous god.