Thor’s Most Twisted Alter Ego Is Back (& He Has a Shocking New Hammer)

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As a captivated reader, I found myself engrossed by the epic tale of the eternal Thor, where the narrative took on a mystical, almost ancient air, reminiscent of Norse mythology. In this enthralling saga, Thor grappled with the malevolent deities of Utgard, accompanied throughout his perilous journey by his enigmatic brother Loki. Together, they overcame insurmountable obstacles, forged new weapons, and bolstered Thor’s power to confront his adversaries.

However, when Loki manipulated events to secure an audience with the Enchantress against Thor’s wishes, expulsion from Asgard ensued, subtly shifting the equilibrium in the Golden Realm. This set the stage for a climactic confrontation between Thor and the gods of Utgard, alongside Skurge, who ultimately succeeded in vanquishing their foes and rescuing Heimdall.

Alas, just as victory seemed within reach, the delicate balance shattered, leaving Thor to grapple with his destiny once more. Despite triumphing over his enemies, a devastating turn of events sent shockwaves through the narrative.

In a dramatic turn of events, Loki slays Thor, initiating a peculiar chain of occurrences. Skurge shatters both the Bifrost (Black Bridge) and the Rainbow Bridge, an action that, under Loki’s enchantment likely, causes the world to forget its interactions with Thor and the Asgardians. Thor’s spirit is transported to the Third Realm, where he encounters deities similar to those Odin encountered during his self-sacrifice. These divine beings provide Thor with essential hints to progress, eventually leading him to an unexpected character: Donald Blake, whom readers believed they would never meet again.

Donald Blake Wasn’t What He Seemed

Long-term readers of the Thor comics will recall Donald Blake, a character who became inextricably linked to Thor due to Odin’s punishment for his arrogance. Instead of being a god, Thor was bound to a human identity – Dr. Donald Blake – when he found Mjolnir, Odin’s hammer, hidden within an ordinary cane. In the guise of Donald Blake, Thor first encountered Jane Foster. For years, Donald Blake represented Thor’s earthly existence. However, it was eventually revealed that Donald Blake was a fabricated persona, crafted by Odin to teach Thor humility. Rather than bonding him to an existing human, Odin created Donald Blake and gave him a physical handicap, transforming him from a warrior into a doctor.

Over time, Thor would move on to other human hosts, leaving Donald Blake to live his own life. However, their connection was rekindled upon one of Thor’s resurrections, only for them to be separated once more. Throughout the years, Donald Blake attempted to regain divine power multiple times, ultimately finding himself confined within his own dreamscape. Eventually, he managed to escape and discovered the truth about himself – that he was a tool for Odin and Thor – which drove him insane.

In a final confrontation, an escaped Donald Blake attacked Thor and Asgard. Despite being defeated by Thor, Blake eventually bonded with the Serpent, the God of Fear, before vanishing once more.

When Thor encounters Blake in the Third Realm, he’s taken aback to find that Blake has acquired the divine ability to deceive, like the God of Lies. Thor comes to understand that Loki managed to transform Blake into the Skald (God of Stories) by transferring all unwanted qualities onto him. Blake and Thor share the same father, Odin, but Loki ensured they are polar opposites. This triggers a confrontation between them, with Blake unveiling his own hammer, Hellnir, known as the Devil’s Hammer. Blake overpowers the unarmed Thor, but this isn’t your typical Thor who acts first and thinks later. Instead, this Thor is strategic, recognizing that they share a common human essence. There’s an underlying connection between them, and Thor exploits it by seizing Hellnir and slamming it onto the ground, thus giving up his immortality to become mortal. The everlasting Thor ceases to exist.

Thor Got the Best of Donald Blake

Throughout their conversation, Blake consistently brings up Thor’s immortality. He expresses his belief that it isn’t fair, even in death, Thor continues to exist. This sentiment resonates with Thor deeply, leading him to seriously consider becoming mortal. Utilizing his bond with Blake, he initiates a transformation that alters everything about Thor, effectively erasing his previous existence. In “Immortal Thor” #25, the story concludes with Thor finding himself on a world where he is forgotten and powerless. For the first time in forever, he is just a man.

In the latest run of Thor by Donny Cates, Al Ewing delivered significant transformations, and among these, turning Thor into a mortal stands out as one of the most dramatic shifts. The reappearance of Donald Blake was startling, and the second sighting was even more unexpected. It appears that Blake is somehow connected to Loki’s scheme for Thor, serving a mysterious purpose in his path. Now, Thor has become mortal, and only Loki holds the key to where this tale unfolds next.

Immortal Hulk #25 is on sale now.

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2025-07-06 00:11