Set Description:
Synopsis: This is a complete set of of all 44 books with a minimum grade of 9.2. Twenty-eight of our books are highest graded examples with five single highest graded examples and seven more that are 1/2 topping the census.
Background: The first Journey into Mystery series started out as a horror-fantasy anthology published by Marvel Comics' 1950s forerunner, Atlas Comics, with a first issue cover-dated June 1952. Thor debuted in Issue #83 (August 1962), and was created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby. Lee in 2002 described Thor's genesis early in the Marvel pantheon, following the creation of the Hulk:
[H]ow do you make someone stronger than the strongest person? It finally came to me: Don't make him human — make him a god. I decided readers were already pretty familiar with the Greek and Roman gods. It might be fun to delve into the old Norse legends... Besides, I pictured Norse gods looking like Vikings of old, with the flowing beards, horned helmets, and battle clubs. ...Journey into Mystery needed a shot in the arm, so I picked Thor ... to headline the book. After writing an outline depicting the story and the characters I had in mind, I asked my brother, Larry, to write the script because I didn't have time. ...and it was only natural for me to assign the penciling to Jack Kirby...
The anthological stories gradually diminished after Thor’s introduction, with the Thor-spinoff backup feature "Tales of Asgard" beginning in Isuue #97. They were dropped entirely with Issue #105, when the "Thor" stories expanded from 13 to 18 pages. With Issue #104 the cover logo changed to Journey into Mystery with the Mighty Thor.
Marvel introduced Thor's evil adoptive brother Loki in Issue #85, the Radioactive Man in Issue #93, the Enchantress and the Executioner in Issue #104, the Absorbing Man in Issue #114, and the Destroyer in Issue #118. The sole JIM Annual, which was released in 1965 and has itself become a Marvel key, introduced the Marvel version of the Greco-Roman demigod, Hercules, who has also been used by DC comics-again, plaguerism in comics during the Silver Age was virtually everywhere, The final issue of this title and set was Issue #125, after which the series was retitled The Mighty Thor with Issue #126 in March 1966.
Our Collection: JIM was one of my favorites as a little kid, I really liked those Marvel panels in the top left-hand corner with the blond long-haired Thor-hey, I was a kid LOL. It is, however, one of the tougher Marvel sets to assemble in high grades. With Spidey, FF and X-Men, the books are generally available, just expensive; but we have been collecting JIM for 20 years and have never even seen some of the books topping the census. Still, we have at least been able to complete the set with a minimum grade of 9.2 and have a few gems, like our 9.6 highest graded copy of Issue #85, featuring the first appearance of Loki. We also have a very sweet 9.2 copy of Issue #83-it looks better than some 9.6s we own, which we acquired with the advance received from selling all our books graded below 9.0 back in 2013. Highlights of this set are our single highest graded copies of Issues #91, #92, #116, #117 and #118. Other early highest graded issues include #84, #85, #88, #89 and #90.
Our goal for some time has been to raise the minimum grade of this set to 9.6 after Issue #84, where 9,4s top the census, but have had no success even finding, much less acquiring better examples of Issues #87, #95 and #97. We did purchase a CBCS 9.6 copy of Issue #95 some years ago, but after CGC said it would be no higher than a 9.2 under CGC’s grading, I sold it and continued our search. If anyone has a 9.6 or 9.8 copy of any of those three issues and would be willing to at least talk about a deal, please e-mail me.
Current Stats:
44/44 Books
14 9.8s-All Highest Graded
25 9.6s-12 Highest Graded
4 9.4s-1 Highest Graded
1 9.2
11 WP
26 OW/W
5 OW
2 Cr/OW
5 Single Highest Graded
27 Highest Graded
13 Second Highest Graded
4 Third Highest Graded
11 Pedigrees
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| The gallery tab shows only items with images. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. |
| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 83 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 83 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1174950003
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Owner Comments
One of the Marvel keys, the first appearance of Thor, Dr Don Baker, has long been a sought after gem. This copy is a strong 9.2 with White pages, trailing nine 9.4s and a single 9.6. I would love to have a 9.4 someday, but unless I hit the lottery, this one may have to suffice. We acquired the book in the 8/28/2013 CL Auction. It was definitely one of the highest prices we ever paid for a book at the time, but now looks like a bargain at twice the price.
2021 Update: There are now 11 9.4s in the census, if the population keeps growing, maybe we will get one yet.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 84 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 84 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1101074001
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Owner Comments
This is the 84th issue of a breakthrough title that began in June of 1952. More importantly, it is the second issue of the title's change to half super-hero format, as the Mighty Thor makes his second ever appearance herein. This issue also features the first appearance of Jane Foster, who was played by Natalie Portman in the Thor movies and may be the subject of a future Marvel movie.
To say this issue is hard to find would be accurate. To say it is difficult to obtain in high grade would be an understatement. There are only 9 copies of this Jack Kirby/Stan Lee masterpiece to grade as high as 9.0, with 4 in VF/NM, one in Near Mint Minus and only 3 blue label 9.4's. This gem has them all beat and is the only CGC Signature SERIES copy above an 8.5!
Issue #84 is one of the absolute toughest early Marvels to come by in high grade as per the CGC census report. It’s no doubt due to the dark brown cover borders and background which easily show wear. Our copy has no such problems. The spine is gorgeous, the centering is exact, the edges are straight and narrow and the corners are sharp. The book has vibrant colors and a fresh, meticulously well-stored look plus hard to beat off-white to white pages. It hails from the ultra high grade Cole Schave early Silver Age Marvel collection out of Green Bay, Wisconsin. I first saw this comic at the 2012 Comic Com convention in NYC. I later was fortunate enough to acquire it in the 2/11/2014 Pedigree Comics Auction.
9/2019: There are now four blue label 9.4s in this census, but this is still the single highest graded signature series, and, with Stan’s recent demise, it likely always will be. It remains to be seen how Stan’s death will affect the value of Signature Series books. After all, he has probably signed thousands of books at shows through the years. An author’s signature with a first edition novel can multiply the value of a book. But with comics, some regard the signature as a disqualifying defect. I am somewhat on the fence on signature books and generally don’t pay a premium for them, but also do not avoid signed copies.
2024 Update: I am not sure when it happened, but our book is no longer tied for highest graded as there is now a 9.6 in the census.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 85 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 85 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2065130015
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Owner Comments
Issue #85 features the first appearance of Loki and, as such, is the second most valuable book in this run. This book was part of the heralded Doug Schmell Collection, which was certainly the greatest Marvel collection of comics ever seen on this registry. It is currently one of four 9.6s topping the census.
2022 Update: With the success of the Loki TV series, this book has really skyrocket in value. I believe this is the nicest copy out there, I just wish it were in a 9.8 holder.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 86 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 86 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1197716018
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Owner Comments
Thor battles the Tomorrow Man in this early JIM epic. Our 9.6 comes from the Cole Shave Collection and is one of five 9.6s, with three 9.8s topping the census. We acquired the book from the 2/11/2014 Pedigree Comics Auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 87 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 87 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1197716019
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Owner Comments
Thor battles the Commies in this one. Our 9.4 is one of the top six copies in the census with 2 9.6s and a lone 9.8 topping the census.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 88 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 88 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1198173029
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Owner Comments
Issue #88 features another Thor and Loki cover. Our WP 9.6 hails from the Don & Maggie Thompson Collection and is one of the 5 top graded copies. We acquired the book in the 1/21/2013 Heritage Auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 89 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 89 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1215045006
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Owner Comments
Issue #89 features the origin of Thor. This is actually my favorite JIM cover, it should have been used for the first issue because the colors are stunning. This beauty is one of four 9.6s with none higher. We acquired the book in the Pedigree Comics auction on 12/15/2015.*
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 90 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 90 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0914710008
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Owner Comments
Thor battles the Carbon Copy Man from Outer Space in this early JIM issue. I have stepped myself up slowly with this issue from a 9.0 to a 9.2 to a 9.4 and finally this copy, which comes from the Federal Hill Collection. For anyone wondering, I do not think that is the most economical path to obtain a high grade issue LOL. This Twin Cities copy is one of two highest graded and was acquired in the March 8, 2020 CL auction.
2022 Update: There is now a third 9.6 in the census.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 91 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 91 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1295222010
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Owner Comments
This is a rather neat cover as Thor lies in a grave at the mercy of Loki and Sandu, the Master of the Supernatural. While the pages are Cream/OW, this 9.6 is the single highest graded copy and was purchased in a highly competitive Heritage Auction on 2/28/2018: translation, in case anyone needs one, like a fool I paid too much. In fact, if there is ever another 9.6 or, God forbid, a 9.8, I will be up the river without a paddle.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 92 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 92 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3858287001
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Owner Comments
Issue #92 features another Thor/Loki cover. Our 9.8 is the single highest graded copy. We acquired the book from the 9/9/2021 Heritage Auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 93 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 93 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0914708015
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Owner Comments
Thor becomes the slave of the Radio-Active Man (Chen Lu), whose origin and first appearance are featured in Issue #93. This is another Twin Cities Pedigree and is tied with 4 other 9.6s as the highest graded copy as of 3/2020. Once again, it hails from the Federal Hill Collection and was acquired in the March 2020 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 94 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 94 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0631964004
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Owner Comments
Another cool Thor Loki cover and 1 of two highest graded. This comic was originally part of the Doug Schmell Collection, which means it was the best copy of this issue he could find. I was not the buyer back in July 2012, but acquired it two years later In the 6/14/2014 CL Auction.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 95 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 95 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1295222012
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Owner Comments
I love this cover with the battling Thors, but this issue has long been a problem for me. Some years back I paid a princely sum to acquire the Bethlehem copy, which was a CBCS 9.6. It looked good, but when I submitted it to CGC to transition I was told it was a 9.2/9.4, so I left it in the CBCS cover and sold it as is. I have not seen any 9.6s since then, but did pick up this 9.4 in the Heritage auction of 2/22/2018. The book comes from the Simi Valley Collection and, while I do not love the page quality, it will have to do for now. It is one of four 9.4s with two 9.6s and a lone 9.8 topping the census.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 96 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 96 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0702254003
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Owner Comments
Issue #96 features Thor facing off with Merlin and cameos by John F. Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy, shortly before his assassination later that year. High grade copies of this one are fairly common, with our 9.6 tied with nine others for second highest graded trailing a pair of 9.8s. Oh well, at least our 9.6 is the Mass. Copy. We acquired the book in the Pedigree Comics auction of 6/10/2011.
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| Slot: |
Journey Into Mystery 97 |
| Item: |
Journey Into Mystery 97 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1039364004
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Owner Comments
Thor battles the Lava Man in another cool cover. If you examine the cover closely, it appears that both Thor and the Lava Man are giants, relative to the size of the puny humans below. This is an easy book to find in 9.4, but I have never seen either of the two 9.6s or two 9.8, which top the census. We acquired our 9.4 from the 12/14/2011 Pedigree Comics Auction.
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