| Thunderbolt Jaxon | |
|---|---|
 Thunderbolt Jaxon on the cover ofKnockout Annual 1960. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Amalgamated Press Fleetway Publications WildStorm |
| First appearance | Thunderbolt Jaxon Comics #1 (1949) |
| Created by | Jacques Pendower Hugh McNeill |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Jack Jaxon |
| Species | Human |
| Abilities |
|
Thunderbolt Jaxon is a fictionalAustralian-BritishGolden Agecomic booksuperhero. He first appeared inThunderbolt Jaxon Comics #1, published in Australia byAmalgamated Press in1949. While the character debuted in an Australian comic it was created by British staff working at Amalgamated Press' UK headquarters. The character has since appeared intermittently in British comics, and was revived by Wildstorm in 2006 for a five-issue mini-series written byDave Gibbons with art byJohn Higgins.[1]
With their Australian wing struggling to keep up with a rash of imported American titles Amalgamated Press editor Edward "Ted" Holmes was instructed to devise strips specially for that market.[2] The result was Thunderbolt Jaxon, devised by the prolific Jacques Pendowner (under his JCH Jacobs pseudonym) and drawn by Hugh McNeill. Holmes later wrote material for the strip himself. Despite the character having the powers of the Norse God Thor, Thunderbolt Jaxon's costume was more ancient Greek in style, with a close-fitting, short-sleeved shirt, short skirt and laced boots.
Adventures of the character appeared in AP's British titleThe Comet after they purchased it from J.B. Allen and reoriented it to an action comic. Debuting in the 13 August 1949 edition, theThunderbolt Jaxon strip only lasted a few weeks before being dropped. The Australian series was similarly short-lived, being cancelled after six issues. After a long hiatus,Thunderbolt Jaxon returned in another AP title,Knockout. This time the character's adventures lasted 18 months, from August 1958 to January 1960 (including being the subject of the cover for the 1960Knockout Annual), with new material including art byIan Kennedy. A second revival followed in 1964, where the strips were modified slightly and published asJohnny Samson in the pages ofBuster until 1965.
In1989 the character made a guest appearance inGrant Morrison's2000AD stripZenith as one of a large number of multiversal superheroes battling theLloigor. Thunderbolt Jaxon joins a force of superhumans sent to Alternative 257, a parallelEarth. There he is killed by the Lloigor-possessed Wyvern when his belt fails to activate.[3]
The character was one of many Amalgamated Press/Fleetway/IPC characters licensed toDC Comics viaWildStorm in 2005; however, Thunderbolt Jaxon did not appear in theAlbion mini-series. Instead a reimagining of the hero appeared in a 2006 spin-off mini-series "from the world ofAlbion", written byDave Gibbons, who also provided covers for the five issues. Interior art was byJohn Higgins.[4]
Buckle on this won'rous belt,
Thine is my magic and my power,
Thus speak I, the Mighty Thor,
Thunder Lord of Valhalla's Tower.
Orphan Johnny Jaxon is under the care of his unpleasant uncle Jasper until his guardian frames him for a crime. He is sent toborstal, where he finds the magic belt of theNorse GodThor. Putting the belt on gives him the powers of Thor himself, transforming him into a large superhuman - as long as he is acting for good. As Thunderbolt Jaxon his first adventure sees Jasper put behind bars. He later tackles saboteurs, kidnappers and prehistoric monsters, among others.
When wearing the belt of Thor, Jaxon has incredible strength and endurance, as well as the ability to fly.[5]
| Thunderbolt Jaxon | |
|---|---|
 The cover toThunderbolt Jaxon #1. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | WildStorm |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | April – September 2006 |
| No. of issues | 5 |
| Creative team | |
| Written by | Dave Gibbons |
| Artist | John Higgins |
| Letterer | Todd Klein |
| Colorist | Wildstorm FX |
| Collected editions | |
| Thunderbolt Jaxon | ISBN 9781401212575 |
With the rise ofChristianity the powers of thePagan Norse Gods ofAsgard are waning. Unable to overcome the Christian host they strike a deal that sees theAesir and the giants ofJotunheimen renounce their godhood and objects of power. However Odin's son Thor eschews the deal and walks away from immortality.
1500 years later local teenagers Jack, Billy and Saff are out treasure hunting at Vigrid Cove when they findViking artefacts - a belt, a necklace in the shape of a cross and atorc. After returning by bus they split the items between them. Jack is attacked by his vicious stepfather Larry, who then joins up with local gangster O'Dunne and his men, who violently thwart a drug deal being struck by the rival gang ran by Garrod. Jack meanwhile puts on the belt and is transformed into a musclebound adult. The following morning Jack awakens to the sound of Larry beating his mother. He hits Larry with the belt - unmasking him as the AesirLoki. Jack gets his mother clear and drops her off with relatives before heading to Saff's house, while Larry tricks his way into Billy's home and tries to take the torc. Jack again puts on the belt and becomes Thor but struggles to maintain control, allowing Larry to kidnap Saff. She is taken to O'Dunne's Rainbow Club, and he tells her of his history asOdin. Before Larry can start beating her for information Garrod's menfirebomb the club in retribution.
Jack once again assumes the role of Thor, with Billy helping him to maintain control long enough to get Saff to safety. He returns to normal but the trio are captured by Garrod. They then realise the necklace taken by Saff is actually the hammerMjollnir, and Jack breaks free as Thor just as O'Dunn's gang arrives at Garrod's hideout. With Jack back to normal the trio get the bus to Vigrid Cove, planning to rebury the objects. They are pursued by both gangs, who have dropped the pretence and are now openly the Aesir and the giants. Even though O'Dunne and Larry ram the bus they make it there. The battle spreads to consecrated ground and an angel appears, unleashing theMidgard Serpent and triggeringRagnarok. The Aesir and the giants are all wiped out apart from Thor. Billy pleads for Jack's life and the angel relents, instead simply removing Thor's personality. This leaves Jack as a mortal but in full control in either form. He rights the bus and Billy comes up with the name Thunderbolt Jaxon for their friend.