How Jane Foster Became Thor In Marvel Comics

(CNN) — Depending on who you ask, the “Thor” movies are either a love story about a boy and his hammer, or a love between a boy and his brother, or a boy and a brilliant, beautiful scientist, or, more recently, a boy and a intergalactic raccoon.

“Thor: Love and Thunder”, the latest film focused on the Asgardian avenger, introduces a new edge in this well-known story: there is a new Thor on the scene, and her name is Jane Foster. His is a new story to tell.

With the new movie, the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces a Jane Foster version who first appeared in the comics nearly 10 years ago. But how did this former love interest of Thor become a godlike heroine?

Before seeing Natalie Portman as a superpowered Jane Foster in “Thor: Love and Thunder”, catch up on its origins in comics. His story may not be the same on screen, but just like in the comics, he will most likely mercilessly defeat villains.

When did Thor stop being Thor?

Before Jane Foster could become a superhero, Thor had to lose his hammer.

Thor fans know that the God of Thunder uses his beloved hammer, mjolnir, to summon the elements and defeat countless enemies. Only those considered “worthy”, that is, with a solid moral character, can wield the weapon and use its power. (In the movie “Avengers: Endgame”, Captain America was deemed worthy and used Mjolnir to help defeat Thanos).

But Thor hasn’t always been worthy. In the 2014 comic “Original Without“, an evil Nick Fury whispers three words in Thor’s ear: “Gorr was right”, which causes Thor to lose the ability to lift his hammer. Gorr the “butcher of gods” believed that the gods destroyed universes and did not deserve his impressive power (viewers will meet Gorr in the new movie, played by Christian Bale).

How did Jane Foster get Thor’s hammer?

Since the gods were no longer considered worthy to possess such power, it made sense that the next person to wield Mjolnir would be a kind-hearted, super-intelligent human (other than Steve Rogers, that is).

In a “Thor” comic series which was also published in 2014, Jane Foster encounters the hammer and, as “there always must be a Thor”, is able to pick it up and access Thor’s powers (superheroic strength and endurance, summoning lightning and thunder, etc. ). According to MarvelEntertainment, he uses it to take on familiar foes like Odin and Loki, as well as frost giants and dark elves. He even resembles the original Thor: when he wields Mjolnir, he suddenly sports a flowing blonde mane.

But there’s a twist: in this comic series, Foster has cancer and being Thor wears her down to the point that if she keeps fighting, her superheroism will end her life.

Natalie Portman (left) as Thor hangs out with Chris Hemsworth’s original Thor in a Thor-reception moment.

When did Jane Foster stop being Thor?

Determined to save Asgard (Thor’s homeland) and defeat the fearsome MangogA living manifestation of a billion beings who had been slaughtered by Odin, Jane Foster decided to take up Mjolnir one last time. She knew she would kill her, but she went into battle anyway and naturally defeated Mangog.

“She was a mortal named Jane. A woman who left everything to stop you. Remember that,” he said before his death in the 2018 edition “The Death of the Mighty Thor”.

As a reward for her bravery and sacrifice, Foster was resurrected as one of the Valkyries, a league of female warriors who defend Asgard. And when her tenure as Thor ended, the original God of Thunder himself took over her again.

Tessa Thompson hooded as Valkyrie (left) converses with Natalie Portman’s Thor.

What awaits Jane Foster’s Thor in the film?

The MCU tends to remix comic book origin stories for characters that jump from page to screen, and “Thor: Love and Thunder” could do the same for Jane Foster’s Thor. Given the current focus on the multiverse in the MCU, it’s possible that this female version of Thor is from a different universe altogether, or maybe she’s been worthy all along.

Devoted Marvel fans will have to wait to see how director Taika Waititi brings Jane Foster’s Thor to life when the film hits theaters this weekend.