Journey into Mystery #116
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeJourney into Mystery #116 is a pivotal chapter in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's Silver Age Thor mythology, delivering the long-anticipated resolution of the 'Trial of the Gods' story arc while simultaneously introducing three durable additions to the Asgardian mythos: Yagg the Invincible, the Norn Stones, and the forbidden realm of Skornheim. The issue illustrates Lee and Kirby's mastery of multi-threaded, cross-title serialization at its Silver Age peak — the main story runs concurrently with both Daredevil #7 and Fantastic Four #38, weaving an unusually dense web of shared-universe continuity for 1965. Its daring narrative choice to let Loki actually win the trial through treachery gave the Thor saga a moral complexity and narrative momentum that helped elevate the book above standard superhero fare of the era.
In "The Trial of the Gods!", Thor and Loki are sent to the perilous Skornheim to prove their honesty before Odin, but Loki’s deceitful magic sets him apart from his brother’s unwavering strength. As Thor battles the land’s deadly trials, Loki flees the test, while the Enchantress and the Executioner target Jane Foster to sway the outcome—forcing Balder to intervene. Written by Stan Lee and brought to life with dynamic art by Jack Kirby, Carl Hubbell, and Vince Colletta, with colors by Stan Goldberg and letters by Artie Simek, this 1965 issue features cover art by Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta.
In "The Trial of the Gods!" from Journey into Mystery #116, Thor and Loki are sent to the perilous Skornheim to prove their worth before Odin, each facing trials that test their truth. While Thor pushes through the enchanted land's dangers with strength and resolve, Loki attempts to cheat the trial with magic—unaware that the Enchantress and the Executioner are using Jane Foster to manipulate the outcome, forcing Balder to intervene.
In "The Challenge!" from Journey into Mystery #116 (1965), Thor finds himself tested by King Hymir during a diplomatic mission, forced to face a perilous trial where failure means enslavement. Loki’s cunning plan sets the stage for a tense showdown, leaving Hymir furious when Thor emerges victorious—though the real outcome remains uncertain.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
Published on March 4, 1965 (cover-dated May 1965) and edited by Stan Lee, the issue was produced by the regular Lee–Kirby creative partnership at the height of their collaborative run on the title. A notable production detail: this issue marks Vince Colletta's debut inking the main Thor feature — having previously only inked the backup strips — beginning what would become an approximately eight-year association with the book. Comics historian Nick Caputo has noted on his research blog that Carl Hubbell likely supplied figure alterations on the Executioner, Enchantress, and Daredevil figures on pages 11–13, suggesting a degree of production-floor collaboration beyond the credited team.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of Yagg the Invincible (also dies this issue), the energy-blasting giant guardian of Skornheim.
- First appearance of the Norn Stones — magical gems that become a recurring plot device throughout the subsequent Silver Age Thor storyline.
- First appearance of the Asgardian realm of Skornheim, the 'deadly land beyond the pale of Asgard' used as the trial arena.
- Tales of Asgard backup story 'The Challenge!' features the first appearances of King Hymir and Princess Rinda.
- Loki wins the Trial of the Gods by cheating with the hidden Norn Stones — a rare villain-victory story beat for the era.
- Cameo appearances by the Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, Giant-Man, Wasp), Daredevil, Rick Jones, and the Frightful Four (Wizard, Sandman, Paste-Pot Pete, and Medusa in her third-ever appearance).
- The main story is set concurrently with Daredevil #7 and Fantastic Four #38, demonstrating the tightly coordinated Marvel shared-universe continuity of 1965.
- Reprinted in Essential Thor Vol. 2, Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor Vol. 3, The Mighty Thor Omnibus Vol. 1, and a dedicated Marvel Legends reprint edition (2005), among others.
Cast · 40 characters
Full credits
Reprints
Reprinted in Fantastic! #45 (1967), Fantastic! #46 (1967), Terrific! #37 (1967), Marvel Tales #27 (1970), Il Mitico Thor #17 (1971), Il Mitico Thor #20 (1972), Marvel Spectacular #1 (1973), Spider-Man Comics Weekly #36 (1973), Spider-Man Comics Weekly #37 (1973), Spider-Man Comics Weekly #45 (1973), Hulk #1 (1976), De spectaculaire Spider-Man #1 (1979), Edderkoppen Superseriealbum #2 (1979), Superaventuras Marvel #9 (1983), O Incrível Hulk #3 (1983), Biblioteca Marvel: Thor #1 (2001), Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor #[3] (2001), Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor #3 (2004), Essential Thor #2 (2005), Journey into Mystery No. 116 [Marvel Legends Reprint] #[nn] (2005), Thor: Tales of Asgard by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby #3 (2009), The Mighty Thor Omnibus #1 (2010), Thor: Tales of Asgard #[nn] (2010), Thor: Tales of Asgard #[nn] (2011) + 12 more
Key issues in Journey into Mystery
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