A Forgotten Marvel Villain More Powerful Than Mjolnir is Back with a Redesign

by

Thor is a cornerstone of Marvel Comics, originally serving a similar role to Superman in the early days of Marvel. His stories, blending Norse mythology with science fiction, have captivated audiences for decades, both in comic books and movies. Currently, Thor is experiencing a particularly compelling storyline in Mortal Thor. This series features a resurrected Thor in a world where Asgard and he himself have been forgotten. He’s been fighting against Dario Agger and Roxxon, a major villainous corporation in the Marvel Universe. A sneak peek at Mortal Thor #9 reveals a familiar Marvel villain making a comeback with a fresh, updated look.

Radioactive Man is a Marvel villain who deserves more recognition. First appearing in an early Thor comic (Journey Into Mystery #90), this powerful, radiation-based enemy has been a consistent threat to the Avengers, especially Thor, ever since. Created as a classic Cold War-era character – a nuclear physicist named Chen Lu – he was an original member of the Masters of Evil. Remarkably, he’s even demonstrated the ability to control Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, proving that scientific power can overcome magic. While his appearance has changed over time, his most recent design is a streamlined improvement.

Radioactive Man Chills In a Casual Look That Accentuates His Threat

The story of Immortal Thor begins with the death of Thor, who embarked on a massive quest against the forces of Utgard and the Elder Gods. Unbeknownst to him, Loki was pulling the strings, ultimately leading to a tragic confrontation where the God of Stories killed his brother. This death caused Thor and Asgard to be forgotten by the world, and Thor was reborn as Sigurd Jarlson, a human dedicated to fighting injustice. Loki continues to appear throughout Sigurd’s life, and his battles now include confronting Roxxon, a corporation using supervillains and gangs to control the workforce in New York City.

The recent Immortal Thor comic featured Thor fighting three of his oldest enemies – Mr. Hyde, Cobra, and Radioactive Man – all appearing in their original forms. Radioactive Man’s initial costume is remarkably simple yet iconic: a long, sleeveless green tunic. While artists have attempted to update his look with more elaborate designs, like a bulky red radiation suit intended to emphasize his powers and connection to China, none have proven as effective. He ultimately reverted to the classic tunic in Immortal Thor, and his appearance in Mortal Thor #9 shows an even more casual version of the look.

Roxxon has been relentlessly pursuing Sigurd ever since he began attacking their operatives with his hammer – a unique weapon he can recall with a bungee cord. In the seventh issue, he barely managed to defeat the Cobra in a tough fight. The following issue shows Sigurd recovering while Roxxon escalates their efforts to eliminate him by bringing in the Radioactive Man. Sigurd is shocked to find the villain waiting for him in his room, surprisingly dressed in everyday clothes.

Chen Lu confronts the man responsible for attacking Roxxon, dressed in simple white pajamas. He maintains a calm, almost friendly demeanor, pretending to be an ordinary nuclear physicist despite his power to instantly obliterate the now-mortal former god. While his usual battle attire is impressive, it’s far more unsettling to see him arrive in casual clothes, calmly threatening a horrific fate as if it were a normal conversation.

Mortal Thor #9 hits stores on April 8, 2026.

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/10-best-thor-stories-in-marvel-comics-history/embed/#

Read More

2026-04-06 23:10