Thor #181
Published and © by Marvel, October 1970
Title: “One God Must Fall!”
Synopsis: Freed by Lady Sif and the Warriors Three, Thor defeats Mephisto with goodness then returns to Earth to battle Loki.
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciler: Neal Adams
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Review: As with the previous issue (see review), all-star artist Neal Adams elects to use a more-restrained, Marvel house style for this outing. And, again, Joe Sinnott’s clean ink work further genericizes Adams’ art. There are still a few dramatic flourishes and an occasional striking panel or page, but the overall results are less spectacular than the talent lineup would suggest. On the story side, Stan Lee’s tale is a bit of a hodgepodge, with plot lines playing out in Hades and on Earth. His pacing is also off as the climactic battle between Thor and Loki just suddenly ends.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “In the end, Adams’ two-issue stint on the title proved far less than satisfactory for everyone involved (although Adams would insist that he accomplished what he sent out to do).” – Pierre Comtois, “Marvel Comics in the 1970s: An Issue By Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon: Expanded Edition,” 2021
Cool factor: It’s always fun to see Neal Adams playing in the Marvel toy box …
Not-so-cool factor: … even if elected for a more generic style here.
Notable: According to the Grand Comics Database, cover credits are in dispute for this issue. Various sources point to John Buscema or Marie Severin as the penciler, with either Joe Sinnott or John Verpoorten inking.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 1/- British variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “The overwhelming aura of goodness unrestrained – of purity of soul – of noble heart – Enough! Enough! I can stomach no more!” – Mephisto, no Goody Two-shoes
A word from the penciler: “I got my chance to work with Stan and do a couple of Marvel comic books. I was a happy puppy; I got to work with Stan, you know” – Neal Adams, in Comic Book Artist #3, Winter 1999
Editor’s note: This review was written Feb. 8, 2026.
