“How do you
make someone stronger than the strongest person? It finally came to me: Don't
make him human — make him a god.” Stan Lee, Creator of ‘Thor’, Former President
and Chairman of Marvel Comics.
This is where the evolution of Thor as one of Marvel comics’
most loved characters began. For the generic film-goer or the average
blockbuster lover, 2011’s ‘Thor’ was a delicious treat, whetting appetites in
anticipation of what has become one of this year’s most successful films and
the third highest grossing in the history of cinema, ‘The Avengers.’ For
devourers of the glorious ancient mythologies of Scandinavia and the world at
large, ‘Thor’ was a taste of the grandeur, nobility and sheer utopia of a world
and people so unlike our own.
The storyline is classic in its depiction of power and
bashfulness combined to create a force that is both feared and desired in turn.
In fact, Marvel’s character biography for Thor is one which is uncannily
reminiscent of an on screen symbol that transcends all modern interpretations
of metahuman aptitude – enter DC Comics’ Superman.
An alien, God-like being, sent to earth, taught to live with
humility and for the love and protection of humanity, Thor and Superman share
personable similarities which have made the latter an icon for the last eight
decades, and the former, a younger but worthy heir to the sub-human throne. The
son of Odin, ruler of the capital of the Nine Worlds in Norse mythology,
Asgard, Thor symbolizes much more than the flowing golden locks and shining
armour of the Norse Gods. Thor stands as an emblem of hope for those with their
hearts and minds firmly planted in the worlds of fantasy and mythology; an
unashamed form of escapism to a story that continues to plant seeds of faith in
a goodness beyond human capacity or understanding.
Note: Read the full article on the best of Marvel at the Doha Film Institute website, here.
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