On Day 14 of this year’s Jack Kirby Tribute Month, the prompt is Sif, from Kirby’s run on Journey into Mystery/Thor.
I drew her for a previous Jack Kirby Tribute Month here, as well as giving the story of how she was introduced into the book. One thing I did not mention is that her actual first appearance was in Journey into Mystery #102, in a “Tales of Asgard” backup. Her appearance there was very different from what we’re familiar with in that tale, as she was a blonde!
When Jack and Stan retired the running Jane Foster romantic subplots and wanted a new love interest for Thor, they needed someone who would work better within the increasingly more epic storylines they were doing. And Sif fit the bill. She was brave, and willing to stand up against any trolls or other antagonists who might show up.
As I mentioned previously, when first introduced as a regular, her look was a bit more detailed than what it later became. For this illustration, I thought it would be fun to use that initial look she had on the splash page of Thor #137.
So there’s Sif for you! Who’s up next? You’ll have to come back tomorrow to find out.
Thanks, Mark.
I first notice Sif’s hair is pulled back in order to fit under the helmet in your new work. But also the hair is straight cut across the bottom in what appears to be blunt cut. No doubt because the helmet was worn most of the day? Which brings up the question: what was a full typical day like for an Asgard warrior? Did the young ones watch early Saturday animated cartoons? That is something for Mad or any other human magazine. Sif looks magnificent as she hides in waiting to attack. Great anticipation. I am waiting for the next panel. To this day, I am not sure about how Thor’s new life sits with me? I liked the storyline of god and human he started with. As a comic buyer in that time period, it was an evolution away from individual choice and diversity. The Thor Marvel movie character who one could say is a bit of an oaf has interest. But I digress. I like this piece. Thank you.
In those initial appearances as a regular, there were some shots of Sif without the helmet where it appeared she had blunt cut bangs. Later, as the helmet gradually became smaller and then non-existent, Kirby dropped the bangs and in favor of a style where the hair would kind of be swept back, but had natural waves that would sometimes dip down and forward onto her forehead.
As to the change in the strip: I think this is one of those things where (since they were making things up on the fly, as mentioned previously with my Medusa post), they realized they had to do it. Up front, it was as if anyone who was worthy of lifting the hammer could become Thor. But as the strip went on, it was explained that Dr. Don Blake was just a creation of Odin, to teach Thor humility. Dr. Don wasn’t real. So they were kind of forced to let that go. I don’t think though that they forgot the connection with Earth. I recall reading a quote from Len Wein about writing Thor, to the effect that, “You can do your epic Asgard story, go out into space or one of the other realms. But every now and then, you have to do a story where you bring Thor back to Earth.”