Thor #236
One Life to Give
With Jane Foster’s life hanging by a threat, Thor is in the middle of a battle against the Absorbing Man. Crusher Creel has come after the thunder god to avenge his last defeat.[1] Having absorbed the properties of Mjolnir, Creel is more powerful than ever before and easily knocks out Thor and then goes on a rampage.
Watching from Foster’s hospital is Hercules, who wishes to come to his friend’s aid. However, Sif needs Hercules present as she carries out the mystical ceremony to save Jane’s life with Kamo Tharnn’s Runestaff.
Meanwhile, in California, Odin — with no memory of his past — goes to the store with Judy, a woman he has been living with on a commune. Some locals take offense seeing “Orrin” with a woman much younger than he and try to start a fight. Although he has no memory of who he is, Orrin manages to fight them all off while Judy is in the store buying supplies. He acts instinctively, and after he defeats them all with ease, Orrin is surprised by how display of strength.
Back in New York City, Thor recovers from Creel’s earlier attack and resumes his battle. While up in the hospital, Sif begins the spell that will save the Foster woman’s life. As Jane’s body is flooded with energy from the Runestaff, Hercules and Odin’s vizier can only stand by and wait for what will happen next. On the ground, the Absorbing Man explains how he survived their last encounter. Although he was transformed into water after Thor tossed him into a nearby river, Creel managed to save himself by grabbing onto a stone and turning into rock. He then laid low waiting until this moment to attack the thunder god when his guard was down. Hearing this, Thor suddenly flees the scene and — as planned — the Absorbing Man follows after him. Thor lures Creel into a nearby department store where he tricks Crusher into grabbing a carboard reproduction of Mjolnir that is being sold in the toy department.
Unaware he had been tricked, the Absorbing Man is surprised when his fist crumples when he punches the thunder god. With his enemy defeated, Thor has the authorities restrain Creel in a carboard box. This will keep Crusher contained and Thor admits to Detective Blumkenn that he didn’t think of this sooner. With the battle over, Thor races back to Jane Foster’s hospital room where the revival spell has just finished. In order to save Jane Foster’s life, Sif merged her own essence with Jane’s, allowing her to recover. The vizier explains to Thor about Sif’s sacrifice and Jane is happy to be alive now with part of Sif living on inside her. Jane then hugs Thor and they quietly hold each other.[2]
Recurring Characters
Thor, Absorbing Man, Sif, Jane Foster, Odin, Hercules, Ralph Blumkenn
Continuity Notes
This is not the end of Sif as she was merged with Jane Foster. Sif will switch places with Jane Foster in Thor #244 and then later take on a more dominant position from issue #249 onward. They will later be separated in Thor #334-335.
Topical References
The gas prices at the gas station that Orrin visits are listed at 67.9 cents and 52.9 cents a gallon. What a time to be alive! This is topical as they depict gasoline prices as they were when this comic was published in 1975.