Kirby
Thor
Behind the Scenes
Thor has always been my favorite character. I could fill up a book with reasons and anecdotes explaining why, but that’s not the point of this entry and I don’t know how entertaining those stories would be to most people. So when I started the series of Avengers inspired by the King’s work, I knew this piece would have to feature in it. I also knew it would be the most challenging one of the set for many reasons—not the least of which was my emotional investment.
Many people have asked me if I have a favorite piece. I usually avoid answering directly, explaining that I see the flaws in all of them—little things that I would do differently if I went back and redid them, which I have done a couple of times—but that I also see lots of little things I love, so I can’t pick…
But deep down, I know.
This might not be my best—but it’s certainly the one that means the most to me…
Thor: Marvel Poster
This image came from the same line of posters as the earlier one of the Hulk. While Jack Kirby didn’t create the Norse god, Thor, he sure made him cool.
And he did it 3 times.
I don’t want to debate who created the Marvel character we all know and love, but there are a couple of interesting stories that predate the thunder god’s Marvel Comics introduction in 1962—and yes, Jack Kirby wrote and drew them.
First, in 1942, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby created “The Villain from Valhalla,” a golden age Sandman yarn in Adventure Comics #75 where the heroes fought a mobster dressed up as Thor who used a tech version of the god’s hammer to commit his crimes. And a solid five years before Marvel’s version of Thor would premiere in Journey into Mystery #83, Kirby used a version of the god in a story for DC’s Tales of the Unexpected called “The Magic Hammer.” The character has a beard—apropos the mythological depictions of the character—but the design of Mjolnir sure looks familiar, and his physical appearance and costume look like a blend of Kirby’s later designs for Odin and Thor.
So, who created this character again?
Hercules & Thor
When I took up sculpting as a profession and wanted to build up my portfolio, the first piece I completed was an homage to Kirby’s cover for Thor #126. It was an ambitious design, with entangled figures and interlocking bases, but I didn’t know any better at the time, so I naively just went for it.
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Let’s make something amazing together
Please note, all Manifest Sculpt work is completed with traditional sculpting techniques—modelling and carving—rather than through modern digital techniques and programs. Consequently, the resin and bronze castings in this edition were also produced through traditional mold making and manufacturing processes. Final Manifest Sculpt commissions are available in a variety of materials, but they are not 3D printed and are not available as printable files. Copyright Notice: all work, including ideation, concepts, stories and their development, character design and production are the property of Carlos Soca unless otherwise noted, and all rights are reserved. Should you wish to discuss collaboration or licensing of an intellectual property or its design, please contact Manifest Sculpt.