The Demon Duplicators!

Thor has been summoned back to Asgard to assist with a terrible drought that has plagued the kingdom. Stamping his hammer twice on the ground he summons a rainstorm that he will last the week when Thor will return to send it away. He then tells his father that he has to return to Earth to assist a human scientist with an experiment.

Returning to Earth, Thor heads to a science exhibition where an android created by his alter ego, Donald Blake, is put on display. However, since he is present as Thor, he cannot be there to reveal his invention, leaving that honor to Professor Zaxton.[1] Revealing the android to the audience Zaxton has it solve a difficult mathematical formula and then its durability by having Thor attack it. The thunder god’s blows have no effect on the android. Tragically, Zaxton seems to accidentally turn all the dials on the control device at once causing the android to short circuit and puts it at risk of blowing up and harming the crowd. Quickly, Thor uses Mjolnir to toss the android up into the sky where it harmlessly explodes.

Later that day, Thor returns to the office of Donald Blake. He can’t help but think that Zaxton intentionally caused his invention to short circuit. When Don Blake emerges from his office he is surprised to find Professor Zaxton alone in the waiting room. When Don asks what happened to Jane Foster. Zaxton tells Don not to worry about his nurse and instead shows off an invention of his own, a duplication device. He demonstrates that the device works, at least on unliving objects. He then demands that Blake help him make the device duplicate humans as well. Blake refuses because it would be tampering with human life. However, Zaxton tells Blake that he has Jane Foster captive in order to force him to comply. Blake goes back to Zaxton’s lab and completes what is demanded of him.

Zaxton tests the device out by duplicating an alley cat over and over. While the professor is distracted, Don tries to change into Thor while his captor isn’t looking. Unfortunately, Zaxton turns just as Blake transforms into Thor. He quickly uses his device to duplicate Thor and orders the duplicate to attack the original. Seeing that they are too evenly matched, Zaxton then duplicates Mjolnir, giving the Thor duplicate two weapons. Needing room to fight, Thor retreats outside, but Zaxton creates a duplicate building to block Thor’s path. Summing a storm, Thor strikes his duplicate with lightning, stunning it temporarily. When he tries to throw his hammer at the duplicate, Zaxton creates yet another Thor duplicate. This one vaporizes as soon as Mjolnir strikes it. When the first duplicate recovers, Thor tries to flee again. Unfortunately, Zaxton duplicates a passing airliner multiple times, blocking his way.

Trapped, Thor braces himself when the duplicate throws both hammers at him. Surprisingly, when the hammers strike Thor they harmlessly bounce off his body. Recalling the inscription on his hammer that states only those who are worthy can wield the power of Thor, he realizes the duplicate was powerless this whole time. Tossing his hammer at the duplicate and it vaporizes upon contact with Mjolnir. Fearing capture, Zaxton creates a duplicate of himself to confuse law enforcement. In his panic, Zaxton accidentally backs into the railing of an overpass and falls over the side. Thor tries to save Zaxton, but he is too slow. Zaxton dies on impact from his fall and his duplication device is smashed as well. However, Thor figures this is just as well since the duplicate Zaxton — who has the opposite personality of its original just as the duplicate Thor did — will make up for the evil done by the original.

After disposing of the real Zaxton’s body, Thor finds and frees Jane Foster. A few days later, Thor returns to Asgard and ends the rainstorm he created. Odin thought his son might have forgotten about them, but Thor assures him that he can never forget the place he calls home.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Jane Foster, Odin, Heimdall

Continuity Notes

1. Professor Zaxton’s first name is revealed to be Lawrence in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #14.

Topical References

• Don Blake is depicted as having a typewriter in his office.