Wikipedia

Journey into Mystery

This article is about the Atlas/Marvel comic book series. For the Loki episode, seeJourney into Mystery (Loki).

Journey into Mysteryis an Americancomic bookseries initially published byAtlas Comics,then by its successor,Marvel Comics.Initially ahorror comicsanthology, it changed to giant-monster andscience fictionstories in the late 1950s. Beginning with issue #83 (cover datedAug. 1962), it ran thesuperherofeature "The Mighty Thor",created by writersStan LeeandLarry Lieberand artistJack Kirby,and inspired by the mythologicalNorsethunder god.The series, which was renamed for its superhero star with issue #126 (March 1966), has been revived three times: in the 1970s as a horror anthology, and in the 1990s and 2010s with characters from Marvel's Thor mythos. The title was also used in 2019 for a limited series as part of the "War of the Realms"storyline.

Journey into Mystery
The first issue ofJourney into Mystery(June 1952)
Cover art byRuss Heathand Stan Goldberg
Publication information
PublisherAtlas,Marvel
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing series
GenreHorror,Superhero
Publication date
List
  • (vol. 1)
    June 1952 – February 1966
    (vol. 2)
    October 1972 – October 1975
    (Thorvol. 1 cont.)
    November 1996 – June 1998
    (vol. 1 cont.)
    June 2011 – October 2013
No.of issues
List
  • (vol. 1):125
    (vol. 2):19
    (Thorvol. 1 cont.):20
    (vol. 1 cont.):35
Main character(s)
List
Creative team
Written by
List
Penciller(s)
List
Inker(s)
List
Colorist(s)
List

Publication history

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1950s–1960s

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The firstJourney into Mysteryseries was initially a horror-fantasy anthology published byMarvel Comics' 1950s forerunner,Atlas Comics,with a first issuecover-datedJune 1952.[1]ArtistJoe Kubert,who would later become one of the mainwar comicsartists forDC Comics,drew the story "The Hog" inJourney into Mystery#21 (January 1955).[2]Issue #23 was the first to be approved by theComics Code Authority,which led to restrictions on horror comics. The title was caught in the collapse of Atlas' distributor, and publication was suspended for a year between issues #48 (Aug. 1957) and #49 (Nov. 1958).[3]Xemnu,a huge, furry alien monster, first appeared inJourney Into Mystery#62 (Nov. 1960).[4]The character reappeared in issue #66 (March 1961). Since then the character has been a mainstay in the Marvel Universe, and was renamed Xemnu the Titan.[5]Journey into Mystery#69 and the teen-humor titlePatsy Walker#95 (both June 1961) are the first modern comic books labeled "Marvel Comics", with each showing an "MC" box on its cover.[6]

The debut ofThor,inJourney into Mystery#83 (Aug. 1962). Cover art byJack KirbyandJoe Sinnott.

Beginning with issue #83 (Aug. 1962), the title introduced theNorse godsuperheroThor.[7]The anthological stories, by now primarilyscience fiction-fantasy, gradually diminished after this, with the Thor-spinoff backup feature "Tales of Asgard" beginning in issue #97 (Oct. 1963).[8]They were dropped entirely with issue #105 (June 1964), when the "Thor" feature expanded from 13 to 18 pages. With the previous issue, the cover logo had changed toJourney into Mystery with the Mighty Thor.Its final issue was #125 (Feb. 1966), after which the series was retitledThe Mighty Thorin itstrademarkedcover logo and simplyThorin its postalindiciacopyrightnotice.[9]Thor's evil adoptive brotherLokiwas introduced in issue #85 (October 1962).[10]Other adversaries for the new hero included theRadioactive Manintroduced in #93 (June 1963),[11]theEnchantressand theExecutionerin #104 (April 1964),[12]theAbsorbing Manin #114 (March 1965),[13]and theDestroyerin #118 (July 1965).[14]An oversizedannual publication,featuring Thor, was released in 1965 and introduced the Marvel version of theGreco-Roman demigodHercules.[15][16]Comics historianLes Danielsnoted that "the adventures of Thor were gradually transformed from stories about a strange-looking superhero into a spectacular saga."[17]

Volume 2 (1970s)

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A secondJourney into Mysteryran 19 issues (October 1972 – October 1975).[18]The title was one of four launched by Marvel Comics editor-in-chiefRoy Thomasto form a line of science fiction andhorroranthologieswith more thematic cohesion than the company's earlier attempts that decade,[19]which had included the seriesChamber of DarknessandTower of Shadows.Whereas those titles generally presented original stories, these new books would instead adapt genre classics and other stories. With the four titles' debuts set to be staggered over the course of four months, Marvel premieredJourney into Mysteryvol. 2 (October 1972),Chamber of Chills(Nov. 1972),Supernatural Thrillers(Dec. 1972), and, with a late start,Worlds Unknown(May 1973).

The first five issues ofJourney into Mysteryvol. 2 featured such adaptations asRobert E. Howard's "Dig Me No Grave", by writer Thomas and pencilerGil Kane,in issue #1;Robert Bloch's "Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper" by Thomas andRon Goulartand penciler Kane, in #2; andH. P. Lovecraft's "The Haunter of the Dark" by Goulart and pencilerGene Colan,in addition to anthological horror stories by writers includingGeorge Alec Effinger,Steve Gerber,Steve Englehart,andSteve Skeates,and pencilers such asBilly Graham,Jim Starlin,Ralph Reese,andP. Craig Russell.Most issues also included a reprinted story from Marvel's 1950s predecessor,Atlas Comics.By issue #6, however, the magazine became a reprint title featuring science-fiction and giant-monster tales from the firstJourney into Mysteryseries, as well as from the "pre-superhero Marvel"anthologiesAmazing Adult Fantasy,Strange Tales,Strange Worlds,andTales to Astonish.[18]

1990s series

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As a consequence of the company-wide crossover "Heroes Reborn",Thor ceased to be the focus of his own series, which was restored toJourney into Mysterybeginning with issue #503 (Nov. 1996). The feature "The Lost Gods" ran through issue #513, followed by issues starringShang-Chi,Master of Kung Fu and theBlack Widowfor three issues each, and reluctant vampireHannibal Kingfor two, ending with issue #521 (June 1998).[20]

2010s series

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TheThortitle resumed its original numbering in 2009 withThor#600, including the intervening issues ofThorin its count while disregarding the 1990sJourney Into Mysteryissues. Starting with issue #622, the series for a second time had its title restored toJourney Into Mystery,[21]which accompanied the launch of a new title,Mighty Thor.Thor's supporting cast returned as the focus of a run written byKieron Gillen,who had writtenThorfrom #604 to #614, and drawn byDoug Braithwaite.Starring was the Thor antagonistLoki,who had been reincarnated as a child following his sacrifice in the seriesSiege.Gillen's run was favorably reviewed,[22][23][24]with one critic writing:

Gillen's work has always been big on theme and interconnectedness, and this is no exception. The finale encapsulates the run as a whole — ambitious, ambiguous, clever and uncompromising, as challenging as it is entertaining. Sometimes those qualities hurt it, and although sales were never especially healthy it's to Marvel's credit that they helped keep it afloat long enough for a proper ending when the alternative would have surely been easier.[25]

In Gillen's final issue, a letter fromTom Hiddleston,who portrays Loki in theMarvel Cinematic Universe,was published, in which he praised Gillen for his take on the character.

With issue #646, the focus ofJourney into Mysterychanged with its rebranding under theMarvel NOW!imprint.Written byKathryn Immonenand drawn byValerio Schiti,the series began starring the MarvelAsgardians,with theLady Sifas its lead character.[26]The series was cancelled with issue #655 (Oct. 2013).[27]

War of the Realms: Journey into Mystery

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During the "War of the Realms"storyline in 2019, the title was used for a limited five–issue run written byGriffin,Justin,TravisandClint McElroy.[28]The series was drawn by André Lima Araújo with covers from Valerio Schiti. In the limited series, Spider-Man, Hawkeye, Wonder Man, Sebastian Druid, Death Locket, Thori the Hellhound, and Balder the Brave go on a quest to save the Earth.[29]In 2023, the McElroys continued the storyline in the "Outre Space"arc of their tabletop role playing podcast,The Adventure Zone,using the Marvel Multiverse rules set.[30]

Collected editions

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  • Marvel Masterworks:Atlas Era Journey Into Mystery
    • Volume 1collectsJourney into Mystery#1-10, 272 pages, 2008,ISBN978-0785129264
    • Volume 2collectsJourney into Mystery#11-20, 272 pages, 2009,ISBN978-0785134992
    • Volume 3collectsJourney into Mystery#21-30, 272 pages, 2010,ISBN978-0785141884
    • Volume 4collectsJourney into Mystery#31-40, 272 pages, 2012,ISBN978-0785159254
  • Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor
    • Volume 1collectsJourney into Mystery#83-100, 280 pages, 1991,ISBN978-0785112679
    • Volume 2collectsJourney into Mystery#101-110, 224 pages, 1994,ISBN978-0785111917
    • Volume 3collectsJourney into Mystery#111-120 andJourney into Mystery Annual#1, 256 pages, 2001,ISBN978-0785112686
    • Volume 4collectsJourney into Mystery#121-125 andThor#126-130, 240 pages, 2005,ISBN978-0785118800
  • Essential Thor
    • Volume 1collectsJourney into Mystery#83-112, 536 pages, 2001,ISBN978-0785118664
    • Volume 2collectsJourney into Mystery#113-125; ''Journey into Mystery Annual#1;Thor #126-136; andThor Annual#2, 584 pages, 2005,ISBN978-0785115915
  • Origins of Marvel Comicsincludes Thor story fromJourney into Mystery#83, 254 pages, 1974,Simon & Schuster,ISBN978-0671218638
  • Bring on the Bad Guysincludes Thor stories fromJourney into Mystery#112-113 and 115, 253 pages, 1976, Simon & Schuster,ISBN978-0671223557
  • Fear Itself: Journey into Mysterycollects #622-626,Thor Spotlight,andFear Itself Spotlight,136 pages, 2012,ISBN978-0785148418
  • Journey into Mystery: Fear Itself Falloutcollects #626.1, 627-631, 136 pages, 2012,ISBN978-0785152620
  • Journey into Mystery: Terrorism Mythcollects #632-636, 120 pages, 2012,ISBN978-0785161066
  • Journey into Mystery/New Mutants: Exiledcollects #637-638,Exiled#1, andNew Mutants#42-43, 120 pages, 2012,ISBN978-0785165408
  • Journey into Mystery: The Manchester Godscollects #639-641 andThe Mighty Thor Annual#1, 120 pages, 2012,ISBN978-0785161073
  • The Mighty Thor/Journey into Mystery: Everything Burnscollects #642-645 andThe Mighty Thor#18-22, 216 pages, 2013,ISBN978-0785161684
  • Journey Into Mystery Featuring Sif – Vol. 1: Stronger Than Monsterscollects #646-650, 120 pages, 2013.ISBN978-0785161080
  • Journey Into Mystery Featuring Sif – Vol. 2: Seeds of Destructioncollects #651-655, 112 pages, 2013,ISBN978-0785184478
  • War of the Realms: Journey Into Mysterycollects #1-5, 112 pages, 2019,ISBN978-1302918347

In other media

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See also

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References

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  1. ^Brevoort, Tom;Gilbert, Laura, ed. (2008). "1950s".Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History.London, United Kingdom:Dorling Kindersley.p. 53.ISBN978-0-7566-4123-8.From a historical perspective, the most important title that Atlas released in 1952 was the first issue ofJourney into Mystery.{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^Schelly, Bill(2011).The Art of Joe Kubert.Seattle, Washington:Fantagraphics Books.pp.131–132.ISBN978-1-60699-487-0.
  3. ^Brevoort "1950s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 71: "In November [1958],Marines in Battleended in favor of a revival ofJourney into Mystery,one of Martin Goodman's steadiest mystery titles, which returned to the schedule after an absence of just over a year. "
  4. ^DeFalco, Tom"1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 79: "The lead story of [Journey into Mystery] issue #62, 'I Was a Slave of the Living Hulk', introduced a giant monster called the Hulk – similar in name only to the future Hulk. "
  5. ^Christiansen, Jeff (March 15, 2012)."Xemnu the Titan".The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 23,2013.
  6. ^Marvel: MC (Brand)at the Grand Comics Database.
  7. ^DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 88: "[Stan Lee] had always been fascinated by the legends of the Norse gods and realized that he could use those tales as the basis for his new series centered on the mighty Thor."
  8. ^DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 95: "These backup stories originally began with updated versions of Norse mythology, but later switched to the adventures of a younger Thor."
  9. ^Journey into Mysteryat theGrand Comics Database
  10. ^DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 89
  11. ^DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 92
  12. ^DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), pp. 100-101
  13. ^DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 107
  14. ^DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 109
  15. ^Journey into Mystery Annualat theGrand Comics Database
  16. ^DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 110: "Thor accidentally crashed through a mystical barrier and found himself in Olympus, the home of the Greek gods. Thor later encountered Hercules."
  17. ^Daniels, Les(1991).Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics.New York, New York:Harry N. Abrams.p. 124.ISBN978-0-8109-3821-2.
  18. ^abJourney into Mysteryvol. 2at theGrand Comics Database
  19. ^Roach, David A.(May 2001)."Shadows and The Darkness".No. 13.Comic Book Artistvia OhTheHorror. Archived fromthe originalon February 15, 2008.
  20. ^Journey into Mystery(1996 revival)at theGrand Comics Database
  21. ^Journey into Mystery(2011 revival)at theGrand Comics Database
  22. ^Scheeden, Jesse (October 24, 2012)."Journey into Mystery#645 Review ".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on October 29, 2012.RetrievedOctober 31,2012.
  23. ^Scheeden, Jesse (April 14, 2011)."Journey into Mystery#622 Review ".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on November 29, 2014.RetrievedOctober 31,2012.
  24. ^Sava, Oliver (October 26, 2012)."Three Marvel series go meta for spectacular finales".The A.V. Club.Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2012.
  25. ^Hunt, James (October 25, 2012)."Journey into Mystery#645 ".Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on February 20, 2013.RetrievedOctober 31,2012.(Archive requires scrolldown and text blocking for visibility)
  26. ^Campbell, Josie (August 14, 2012)."Immonen Leads Sif on a" Journey into Mystery "".Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on October 5, 2012.RetrievedOctober 9,2012.(Archive requires scrolldown)
  27. ^Schedeen, Jesse (June 14, 2013)."Marvel CancelsJourney Into Mystery:No moreJIM?We say thee nay! ".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on February 22, 2014.
  28. ^Markus, Tucker Chet (January 3, 2019)."The McElroy Brothers JoinWar of the Realms: Journey into Mysterythis April ".Marvel Comics.Archivedfrom the original on May 15, 2019.
  29. ^"Announcing Marvel'sWar of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery".TheMcElroy.Family. January 3, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on May 15, 2019.
  30. ^McCauley, Tara (7 November 2023)."The Adventure Zone Teases New Marvel Campaign".The Escapist.
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