Before there was a Thor feature film or an Avengers movie, there was Marvel’s The Mighty Thor, a superhero that debuted 50 years back but has gone to become a favourite for all those who have grown up following his adventures.

But did you know how The Mighty Thor got his superpowers, why that he had to pass some tests to be considered for the position and why he always carries a hammer. If you didn’t, then don’t look any further than Marvel’s The Mighty Thor — An Origin Story that will tell you all there is to know about the God of Thunder.

This book may be for kids, but even elders can find it interesting as it details the rise of Thor in a simple manner. The illustrations of Thor’s realm (home planet) Asgard, his parents Odin and Frigga, and his brother Loki help establish the characters while the simplistic text doesn’t bore the reader at all.

The origin story of the God of Thunder is also quite interesting as you get to know that despite being the first born to the king, father Odin banished his son Thor to Midgard (our Earth) to learn humility and understand the basics of life. He even gave his son an injury so that he can relate to the weak and be a better king when he returned to Asgard. Interesting, isn’t it?

And then there was Thor’s secret ally — The Hammer that no one else can lift but him. Made from a mystical metal Uru and known as Mjolnir, it had great powers and as we all know, with great powers comes great responsibility.

What Thor had to do to earn the right to lift the Hammer is what made him a better warrior, while the stint with humans made him learn compassion. As Don Blake, first a medical student and later a doctor, he earned the right to be recalled, and that’s what his father Odin did in his own way. How was that made possible is what you will find in this book, that also teaches us that one shouldn’t take powers for granted and must earn the right to be the chosen one.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 24th, 2018