IPTAT: God of Thunder
Fast Four - Part Two
Team Five: Speedsters and speed freaks—-unexpected and controversial choices for fast-moving characters.
The Flash/Wally West (DC Comics)
Thor Odinson (Marvel comics)
Elena “Yo-Yo” Rodriguez (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D)
Green Lantern/Kyle Rayner (DC Comics)
Fictional heroes, villains, and everyone in between have formed unlikely alliances to answer a common calling: which group of kindred characters is the mightiest of them all? United by a shared theme, troops of four fabulous fictional characters will figuratively compete in a tournament of television, movie, and literature’s finest where only one foursome can be crowned kings and queens of popular entertainment. Join in on the roll call to learn more about these similar characters and delve into their individual histories. It's time to assemble the analogous all-stars and find out who is the best, one team at a time.
These may be scandalous picks: The Green Lantern power ring allows the wearer to travel at incredibly fast speeds through space; Mjolnir carries Thor at hyper-fast speeds. Roy Harper/Speedy was on speed so he is an honorary member.
Fast Four, assemble!
1. Thor Odinson
First appearance: Journey Into Mystery #83, August 1962
Popular entertainment of 1962:
Dr. No - film starring Sean Connery
The Beverly Hillbillies - television series starring Buddy Ebsen and Donna Douglas
A Clockwork Orange - novel by Anthony Burgess
Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber, and Stan Lee dreamed up this iteration of the mythical Norse god of thunder and immortalized him as a superhero in 1962. Though the Asgardian is known for summoning lightning and thunder via his enchanted hammer, Mjolnir, fans aren’t usually quick to think of Thor as a speedster. As unexpected as he may be, Thor does indeed belong in this particular squad of fast fictional heroes.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Thor’s trusty hammer is shown to travel from the Earth to space within seconds. In comic books, when flung by the Thunder God, Mjolnir has led Thor at a dizzying speed of over 700 mph. Thor may not fly in the same sense as Superman does, but via the mighty hammer, the Odinson can appear to soar through the sky—-definitely faster than any speeding bullet.
Other characters have wielded the same or similar power as Thor throughout his decades-spanning mythos. His original mortal counterpart was Dr. Donald Blake, also first appearing in Journey Into Mystery #83. The alien known as Beta Ray Bill first appeared in Thor #337 in 1983, and went on to possess his own special weapon known as the Stormbreaker. An alternate future Thor named Dargo Ktor debuted in Thor #384 in 1987. Eric Masterson, who would later be known as Thunderstrike, originally appeared in Thor #391 in 1988. There have been instances of fellow costumed crime fighters displaying their worthiness to hold the hammer: as The Captain, Steve Rogers lifted Mjolnir in Thor #390 in 1988. On an especially rare occasion, Superman wielded the hammer in Avengers/JLA #4 in 2004.
For this set of speedy characters, a traditional version of Thor will participate, replete in all his godly glory. No switching to a human form, or any other transference, but rather he shall remain his super self, letting his long blonde hair flap in the wind as he travels at incredible speeds. With his flowing red cape, the winged helmet, and his honor-bound sense of duty, Thor adds amazing strength to this quick squad.
As an unconventional speedster, Thor will have to rely on his years of being a member of the Avengers to work alongside other individuals who’ve been gifted with astonishing abilities.
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