Customer Reviews

The Mighty Thor - Enter Hercules & Battle of the Gods [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The latest round of Marvel Super Heroes video releases by Fox Home Video missed a golden opportunity by not realizing the audience for these videos. Released twice before (as kiddie videos) by Prism Entertainment in 1985 and Best Film and Video in 1992, I can tell you first hand that modern kids don't like these the way 1966-68 kids did. Instead, Fox should release these as a comic collector's edition targeting the original audience now grown up. This Thor tape is an adaptation of the comic books, "Journey into Mystery" #124 & 125 (Enter Hercules) and "Journey Into Mystery" 103 & 104 (Battle of the Gods). The art is recognizable as that of Jack Kirby, Don Heck, and Joe Sinnott. The animation is bad, but the art is great as are the voice characterizations. Fox should look for the entire "Marvel Super Heroes" tv series including the original "Merry Marvel Marching Society" theme song and make a proper box set with historical notes and credits to the writers, artists and voice actors. Each is an adaptation of a silver-age comic book. They have no kid value, but these videos do have historical value if Fox would work a little harder. I saw these cartoons originally on "Captain Satellite" from KTVU San Francisco, and KCRA in Sacramento in 1966. Fox really missed the boat. These videos have value, but not for the kids of today. How about a box set Fox? Do it right!

I keep hearing complaints that this is less than average animation. First of all it was made in the late 1960s. Second of all its probably the only cartoon available of Thor. I used to rent this at a store that has long since moved on. After the store closed I thought I would never see them again, so I was very happy to see them rereleased. This video and others like, Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider Man, and Sub Mariner are all classics. They are basically the moving art of Jack Kirby. These videos are entertaining and provide some laughs. Highly recommended, especially for true fans of the classic Super heroes. If youre expecting Pokemon or Beetleborgs, dont buy this.

I don't remember a better Thor show, even looking way back when he was on TV each week after school. Naturally, the animation is a bit behind the times however.

From what I've seen of this reissue series (Thor and Hulk), it's a great example of exuberantly shoddy Sixties science fiction - in terms of lovable cheeziness it compares well with Star Trek, its hallowed contemporary. In fact, I suspect Bruce Banner's lab and Doc McKoy's sick bay shared a few sound effects.

Everything about the cartoons is laughable by today's standards, of course, but that's what makes them so darn funny. Hercules' dialogue had me flopping off the couch in tears, slack with laughter. And the fights aren't as goofy as you'd expect, either!

Good stuff.

good but wish it had a longer running time, more than one story line