Immortal Thor #16 Revives Unpredictable Classic Marvel Villain [Exclusive Preview]

Al Ewing’s “Immortal Thor” stands out as one of the top continuous series from Marvel Comics. This comic book acts as a spiritual successor to Ewing’s previous work, “Immortal Hulk”. It’s known for its satirical tone, with Thor even taking a swing at some of Marvel’s own less admirable traits.

The soon-to-be-released 16th issue aims to bring back one of Thor’s long-standing adversaries: Radioactive Man. This character is not to be confused with the comic book hero from “The Simpsons”, but rather Chen Lu, a character whose skin emanates a green glow. First appearing in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s “Journey into Mystery” #93, Lu is a Chinese scientist who gradually exposed himself to radiation. Contrary to expectations, the exposure didn’t poison him but instead provided him with the ability to absorb, emit, and control various forms of radiation.

Radioactive Man embodies two recurring themes from early Marvel superhero comics: gaining superpowers through radioactivity and the presence of communist villains. In Thor’s second adventure, featured in “Journey into Mystery” #84, he faces off against a dictator reminiscent of Fidel Castro on the fictional island of “San Diablo”. According to Stan Lee, Marvel’s superheroes are a product of the Cold War era, with even the Norse Gods siding with the USA.

In the 1964 issue of “Avengers” #6, Radioactive Man was one of the first Masters of Evil recruited by Baron Zemo, alongside other secondary villains like the Melter and the Black Knight. This was a foreshadowing of future events; Radioactive Man has since been passed around among various heroes, such as Iron Man and the Hulk, as “Thor” carved out its identity as a fantasy comic.

Marvel recently unveiled an exclusive sneak peek of the opening pages of “Immortal Thor” #16 (interiors by Jan Bazaldua) on /Film. The series’ covers have been crafted by Alex Ross, who is famous for his photorealistic line-art combined with vibrant, painterly colors. Issue #16 is no exception.

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We see Radioactive Man at a shooting range, making a gun gesture behind a partially melted photo of Thor. Standing beside him is Dario Agger, the CEO of energy company Roxxon and one of Thor’s most formidable enemies. Thor’s mother, the Earth spirit Gaea, is planning to strike back at humanity for poisoning her, and Thor must find a way to appease her. It’s only natural that his current adversary is an oil tycoon. Based on this cover and the initial pages, it seems Agger may be enlisting Radioactive Man to eliminate their mutual foe.

The complete synopsis of “Immortal Thor” #16 is as follows:

“A BLAST FROM THE PAST! In Asgard, Thor pondered his responsibilities as All-Father and as Gaea’s child… and what he owed to both aspects of his nature. Meanwhile, on Earth, a resurrected evil sought new Gods to challenge the old… and found them in Thor’s earliest enemies. This is the tale of the IMMORTAL THOR… and the Radioactive Man.”

Continue reading for the next four pages.

FAQs

Q: Who is Radioactive Man in Marvel Comics?
A: Radioactive Man, or Chen Lu, is a character in Marvel Comics who first appeared in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s “Journey into Mystery” #93. He is a Chinese scientist who gained the ability to absorb, emit, and control various forms of radiation after gradually exposing himself to it.

Q: Who are the enemies of Thor in the “Immortal Thor” series?
A: Thor faces several enemies in the “Immortal Thor” series. One of the main adversaries reintroduced in the 16th issue is Radioactive Man. Another significant foe is Dario Agger, the CEO of the energy company Roxxon.

Q: What are the themes in early Marvel superhero comics?
A: Early Marvel superhero comics often revolve around two main themes: gaining superpowers through radioactivity and the presence of communist villains. These themes are also evident in the “Immortal Thor” series.

Credit: www.slashfilm.com