|
Post by codystarbuck on Apr 28, 2020 18:36:11 GMT -5
Is Sif, like Big Barda, a stand-in for Roz Kirby? No, not really. Not the same personality. Barda had Roz's personality, according to Mark Evanier and those who knew the Kirby's. Sif was more just a way to have a love interest in Asgard and is portrayed more as a stereotyped warrior.
|
|
|
Post by berkley on Apr 28, 2020 21:11:50 GMT -5
After a strong introduction, I don't thnk Sif's potential was ever really exploited the way it should have been. I would like to have seen her more proactive and really put forward as a formidable warrior, at least to level of other supporting characters like Fandral and Hogan, but she was too often relegated to the role of Thor's love interest.
Out of curiosity, does anyone know when was the first time she was ever made the lead character, in a back-up story or whatever? My impression is that it would have been long after the Kirby/Lee run.
|
|
|
Post by profh0011 on Apr 28, 2020 23:24:46 GMT -5
I was rather surprised, awhile back, to find there had been another version of THOR , starting in WEIRD COMICS #1 (Apr'40), from Fox Features Syndicate. Now get this: in this version, Thor wishes to retire, and chooses a mortal to bestow his immortal powers on. Grant & the woman he longs for, Glenda (who only likes "manly men") are VERY much in the tradition of Clark Kent & Lois Lane in the early days. The difference here, which I got a kick out of, is that at the end of the 1st story, Grant realizes he HAS NO NEED for Glenda! If only Clark had such sense. The recurring references in " ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS" to the idea of a "super-god" keeps making me think somebody wanted Marvel to have a version of SUPERMAN. And what do we get? Super-strong, from another world, flies, BLUE TIGHTS and RED CAPE. But so as to avoid copyright infringement, we also get... NORSE legends... AND, something few people ever bring up... the then-latest HOT fad on TV... DOCTOR shows. Do you know how many years it took before I suddenly realized that Dr. Don Blake was a dead ringer for
DR. KILDARE? I don't think I've ever seen the show, but it spawned an ARMY of imitators, topped by BEN CASEY and even including... THE FUGITIVE. I wonder if Jack Kirby had a model in mind for Nurse Jane Foster?
|
|
|
Post by profh0011 on Apr 28, 2020 23:35:05 GMT -5
Of COURSE Thor was meant to be with Sif! His father knew that. That's why he spent years forbidding such love... even though, as Balder once reminded Odin, even Odin himself had once loved a mortal woman, and it ended in tragedy. And so, for awhile, Odin was sympathetic toward his son's heartache... even though he knew it would end in sadness.
But no sooner had it ended, when Thor was suddenly reunited with Sif, who he had last seen when she was just a girl. Of course Thor had nearly forgotten her... thanks to the enchantment his father put on him years earlier, he spent years FORGETTING he was an Asgardian immortal, and thought he was a mortal, Don Blake! If memory serves, someone early on wondered, "What happened to the REAL Thor?" Looking back now, that almost seems a vague reference to the Fox THOR. (Kirby had briefly worked for Victor Fox, too. Funny connection.)
There was a brief time, shortly after her re-appearance, when Thor's best friend found himself caught in an emotional bind, as Balder found himself falling in love with Sif. But he knew, this was WRONG! For Thor loved her, and she him... but still, he did all he could to be near her, at least, for awhile. I see that as a bit of a replay of the classic legends of Arthur, Gwenevere & Lancelot... or, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Marc Anthony. It's funny, because in some of those issues, Baldar kinda looks like Richard Burton.
|
|
|
Post by String on Apr 30, 2020 9:19:50 GMT -5
Those of you have not yet read the Lady Thor story arc (or dismiss it outright without bothering to reading it first because of some ill-conceived perception of Marvel today) are missing out on a true modern classic of the medium.
Yes, early on in the 60s, Jane may have been a one-note character or even character trope. Yet in recent years especially as part of Jason Aaron's magnum opus, she has developed into something far more relevant and interesting. The love between a god and mortal may always be doomed from the start but that love is still there, unrequited perhaps, fondly remembered and longed for still in the dark of night and early morn. Aaron deftly weaves such a long-standing emotional bond between Thor and Jane which was fueled once again by the confusion and bravery of her becoming the Lady Thor.
Intelligent, courageous, afraid, caring, dying, Jane Foster is all that and more now. Whereas Sif will always be the comrade-in-arms instead. For me, the answer to this question is simple: Jane.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2020 9:30:31 GMT -5
Those of you have not yet read the Lady Thor story arc (or dismiss it outright without bothering to reading it first because of some ill-conceived perception of Marvel today) are missing out on a true modern classic of the medium. I agree. I was one of those readers that ignored this story at first but jumped on at the recommendation of my LCS and loved it. Proof that any character in the correct writers hands can be redeemed and made relevant. Also some replacement characters can be done in a respectful way to tell a compelling story that doesn't demean the original.
|
|
|
Post by tarkintino on Apr 30, 2020 11:22:24 GMT -5
Thor’s treatment in Endgame was an abomination. There I said it. This x1000. Now, he's a part of the Guardians, where more sitcom-esque hijinks are sure to be the order of the day.
|
|
|
Post by Icctrombone on Apr 30, 2020 11:43:56 GMT -5
Thor’s treatment in Endgame was an abomination. There I said it. This x1000. Now, he's a part of the Guardians, where more sitcom-esque hijinks are sure to be the order of the day. I didn't get the impression that his being with the GOG was permanent. He has a movie with female Thor on the schedule also.
|
|
|
Post by adamwarlock2099 on May 4, 2020 11:57:03 GMT -5
As a love interest? Neither. As far as the characters themselves, I've always preferred Sif, because Jane seemed rather bland and an attempt to make her a Lois to Thor.
But then again, in superhero comics, I rarely care for any romance. Sif and Thor agonizing over their forbidden love? Or Thor and Bill going to kick some FFF ass and then have mead together while Volstagg eats an entire banquet? I'll take the later.
|
|