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You are here: Home / Crushing Comics – Guide to Reading & Collecting Marvel Comics / Jane Foster, Mighty Thor & Valkyrie – Definitive Collecting Guide & Reading Order

Jane Foster, Mighty Thor & Valkyrie – Definitive Collecting Guide & Reading Order

The definitive issue-by-issue collecting guide and trade reading order for Doctor Jane Foster comic books as herself, The Mighty Thor, and Valkyrie in omnibus, hardcover, and trade paperback collections. Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated October 2024 with titles scheduled for release through December 2024.

Jane Foster spent 50 years as a minor supporting character before becoming a full-time superhero, but being minor didn’t make her unremarkable.

(Note: This summary and guide contains major spoilers for Jane Foster and for Thor, due to the way their plots relate! If you want a quick, non-spoiler reading list, skip down to the Greatest Hits section.)

Foster was introduced in Thor’s second issue, Journey Into Mystery (1956) #84, as the attending nurse at the private practice of Thor’s human alter-ego, Dr. Donald Blake.

For a woman in Marvel’s Silver Age, nurse Jane Foster is often particularly assertive – especially compared to Marvel contemporaries like Jean Grey and the Invisible Girl. While this established Foster as her own character and an opinionated medical professional, her assertiveness often came at the cost of belittling or patronizing Dr. Blake for being disabled

Jane Foster’s period as Thor’s romantic interest is much more short-lived than you might realize – she is written out of his ongoing comic in January 1967 after a negative first encounter with Odin, less than five years after her debut! In fact, many of her memories of her time with Thor are erased.

It would be almost a decade before her return, in which Jane Foster becomes inextricably tied to Thor’s ongoing Asgardian love interest, Sif. However, this run isn’t as long as it looks on paper – Jane spends the first few issues of it comatose, and she is hardly seen or referenced after Thor (1966) #250 in 1976!

When Foster finally does make an on-panel return in 1983, it’s to be swiftly married off and shuffled off the page save for occasional recaps of her relationship. She next turns up in 1994 towards the close of the first volume of Thor, separated from her husband, caring for her son, and embroiled in a caper involving the High Evolutionary’s AniMutants.

Starting in 1998, author Dan Jurgens casts Jane in a new role – Doctor Jane Foster. There’s no on-page explanation given for when, why, or how Foster completed medical school. The change allows her to drive an ongoing subplot with Thor’s new Earthly alter-ego, as well as make appearances in Iron Man and Avengers as “token medical expert.” There are passing mentions of her husband and son, but they don’t appear.

J. Michael Straczynski and Matt Fraction bring Dr. Foster back as a key player in Thor’s adventures from 2006 to 2011, again relying on her expertise as a doctor to insert her into their subplots.

However, it is Jason Aaron that would bring Jane Foster her most memorable plot and her superheroic turn. She begins as a supporting player in Aaron’s Thor: God of Thunder, revealing to Thor that she has cancer with an uncertain prognosis. As one of several woman supporting characters in the run, she is a prime suspect as the secret identity behind the new female Mighty Thor that debuts in the final pages of God of Thunder and continues to her own Thor (2014) series.

Jason Aaron’s story for Jane and for the new Thor is complex and satisfying as it stretches across multiple series from 2014 to 2018, giving Jane Foster her first true arc as a character as drawn by industry super-star Russel Dauterman. It’s one of Marvel’s true evergreen masterworks of narrative of the 2010s. By the finale, it seems like Foster’s story is complete and completely resolved… but, Aaron and co-writer Al Ewing had more plans for her following Aaron’s Thor finale in War of the Realms, which spun Jane Foster into a new status quo as a Valkyrie!

Jane Foster makes nearly 200 appearances before she transforms into the Mighty Thor, but are any of them worth reading? I did all of the homework so you don’t have to! I read every single Jane Foster appearance, ever for this guide so I could summarize her pre-Mjolnir greatest hits for you as well as give you a summary of her action in every appearance.

Whether you want to read every appearance like I did or just get the summary so you can dive into her time as a superhero, this guide has you covered.

  • Greatest Hits
  • Jane Foster, Civilian (Sept 1962 – Jan 2012)
    • in Journey Into Mystery (1952) (Sept 1962 – Feb 1966)
    • in Thor (1966) (March 1966 – Jan 1967, Nov 1967, Jan 1970)
    • Jane Foster & Sif in Thor (1966) (Jan 1975 – Sept 1983)
    • Jane Foster starts a family in Thor (1966) (Oct 1983 – Aug 1988 & June 1994 – Sept 1996)
    • in Thor (1998) (July 1998 – Oct 2001 & April 2003)
    • in Thor (2007), Thor (1966), & The Mighty Thor (2011) (June 2008 – Feb 2012)
  • The Saga of Jane Foster, The Mighty Thor (2013 – 2018)
    • in Thor: God of Thunder (2012) #12 7 24 (Oct 2013 – Sept 2014)
    • Thor (2014) #1-8 & Annual 1 (Dec 2014 – July 2015)
    • in Secret Wars (2015)
    • All-New All Different Marvel: Mighty Thor (2015) #1-23 & Generations (Jan 2016 – Nov 2017)
    • Marvel Legacy: Thor (1966) #700-706 & At the Gates of Valhalla (Oct 2017 – May 2018)
    • in Thor (2018) & War of the Realms (2019) #1-6 (Aug 2018 – Aug 2019)
  • Jane Foster: Valkyrie (2019 – present)
    • Valkyrie: Jane Foster (2019) #1-10 (July – Aug 2020)
    • King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (2021) #1-5 (Jan – March 2021)
    • Mighty Valkyries (2021) #1-5 (April – Sept 2021)
    • Jane Foster, Valkyrie joins the Avengers
    • Strange Tales: Thor & Jane Foster Infinity Comic (2022) #1 by Tim Seeley & Ramón F. Bachs (Jul 2022)
    • Jane Foster & the Mighty Thor (2022) #1-5 (June – Sept 2022)
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Jane Foster’s Greatest Hits

This condenses Jane Foster’s 180-ish appearances from 1962 to 2012 into just 18 key issues before you continue to her time as Mighty Thor and Valkyrie! Truthfully, you don’t really need any of these appearances to enjoy those modern stories! However, if you want to know who Jane Foster was as a character prior to Jason Aaron, this will give you the entire story in 1/10th of the reading time.

Journey Into Mystery (1952) #84, 99-100, 113, & 124: While none of these issues are significant to Jane Foster’s modern-day character, these issues cover Jane’s arc from attending nurse, through her growing affection for Dr. Donald Blake, to the reveal that he is Thor. She starts in nearly every issue in this period, but many of them feature her simply belittling Dr. Blake or acting as Thor’s damsel in distress.

Thor (1966) #136: This is one of the most-critical issues in Jane’s history, as it shows her first visit to Asgard and how that sets her on a path separate from Thor’s for many years.

Thor (1966) #236, 247, Annual 9, 335: These four issues help to summarize the entire Jane/Sif period of continuity from the mid-70s to the early 1980s.

Thor (1966) #394: A definitive recap of Jane’s relationship with Thor based on the current state of continuity.

Thor (1966) #476 & 480: While Jane Foster’s mid-90s plot with the AniMutants is marginal at best, it’s one of her most-extensive brushes with the fantastic, as well as the only on-panel time for her son Jimmy. These two issues have the best of her plot moments, although #476 re-recaps much of what we saw covered in #394.

Thor (1998) #5, 12 & Annual 2000: Doctor Foster is an ongoing co-star in most issues from #5 through #21 and Annual 2000, but that includes many repeated plot beats. These three issues streamline her suspicions about Thor’s new mortal identity through the end of the plot, which includes some payoffs to her extended continuity (and to Thor #136, in specific).

Thor (2007) #8: While this isn’t a good Jane Foster issue, it represents an essential shift in her status quo.

Thor: God of Thunder (2012) #12: A significant issue, both for solid Jane Foster scenes and for setting up multiple facets of her upcoming change in status quo. You might also decide to read issue #24, which includes one further development for Dr. Foster.

Jane Foster: The Saga of the Mighty Thor (2022 paperback, IBSN 978-1302934873 / digital)
Collects Thor (2014) #1-8 & Annual 1 (2nd story); Mighty Thor (2015) #1-5, 8-11, 13-14, and Generations: Unworthy Thor and Mighty Thor (2017) #1. This collects all of the introduction and build-up of Jane’s story, but the climax and transformation is in the next volume.

Jane Foster: The Saga of Valkyrie (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302934828 / digital)
Collects Mighty Thor (2015) #702-706, material from Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla (2018) #1 and War of the Realms: Omega (2019) #1, and Valkyrie: Jane Foster (2019) #1-10. This won’t read as well as a standalone as it does with the build-up from the “Saga of the Mighty Thor” volume, but it is fantastic material!

Jane Foster, Civilian (Sept 1962 – Jan 2012)

in Journey Into Mystery (1952) #83-125 (Sept 1962 – Feb 1966)

Jane Foster debuts in Journey Into Mystery as a high-qualified nurse who has some romantic feelings for her Doctor, Donald Blake, but not as strong as her romantic feelings for the swarthy Asgardian Thor – who comes repeatedly to her rescue.

Jane appears in Journey Into Mystery (1952) #84-93, 95-100, 103-111, 113-117, 120-122, & 124-125, as well as in several issues of Avengers and in comics flashing back to this period. See Guide to Thor, The Odinson for collection information.

Click to expand a summary of every Jane Foster appearance in this period.

We see some flashbacks of Jane prior to her debut in : Avengers (2015) #1, Thor (1966) #704, 415, 479, Journey Into Mystery (1952) #-1, and Thor (1966) #502

Journey Into Mystery (1952) #84: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Jane is introduced in issue #84 as a nurse attending to Dr. Donald Blake’s physician rounds who volunteers to accompany him on a medical mission to war torn San Diablo. While he years for her but assumes she will be disinterested due to his disability, she wishes he would show some form of affection towards her – and falls for the dashing Thor when Blake summons him to save the day.

Journey Into Mystery (1952) #85-93 & 95-96: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Jane continues as Donald Blake’s attending nurse and main supporting player on Earth, witness various instances of Thor saving the day or Dr. Blake returning from the same while she suspects nothing. She is often used in the final panel for an “if only she knew” sort of punchline for Blake/Thor. Jane is occasionally the main damsel in distress, as in #89 & 95, but there’s not any particular plot development for her other than her pining over Thor. While she does show some agency, it’s often at the expense of belittling or mocking Dr. Blake due to his disability (whether that’s out loud or in her thoughts). By issue #96, she is outright berating him for his inattentiveness to his medical practice (due to his adventures as Thor), though she complements his work as a surgeon by the close of the issue.

During this period (during #89?): in Amazing Spider-Man (2014) #1.4 we see a young Spider-Man snapping photos of Thor flying Jane through the air

After #96: in Avengers (1963) #1 we see Jane silently attending Dr. Blake in his office: Also in Avengers: Origin (2010) #1

Journey Into Mystery (1952) #97-98: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Donald Blake is on the verge of confessing his secret of being Thor (and his feelings) to Jane, but when he pulls back at the last moment she resolves to move on – quickly accepting a job with another doctor. She quickly returns to Blake’s employ after a display of cowardice from her new employer (and bravery from Thor), still none the wiser of Blake’s secret.

After #98: in Avengers (1963) #3 we get a typical panel of Jane pitying Dr. Blake for his disability.

Journey Into Mystery (1952) #99-100: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Thor is confronted with Mr. Hyde just as Dr. Blake and Jane finally go on their first on-panel date. Here, we see that Jane does have feelings for Blake, as she willfully interferes with Thor in his battle with Hyde thinking that doing so will save Blake’s life.

After #100: in Avengers (1963) #5, Jane brings Dr. Blake his lunch and – in a nice bit of continuity with Journey Into Mystery – denies that she loves him. Official sources places Thor: Godstorm (2001) #1-2 here, but I feel they should be directly after #98. We see Jane ably assisting Dr. Blake with a mysterious patient and asking to go out to dinner -which he spurns. That doesn’t make any sense after JIM #99-100.

Journey Into Mystery (1952) #103-111: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. By issue #103 we’re meant to understand that Jane and Dr. Blake have progressed from casual dating to a more serious relationship, as we see her tending to him in #103 while wondering when he will propose marriage (only to believe it’s because of his “relationship” with the always-meddling Enchantress). That leaves them estranged in #104-105 while still working together, as Jane suggests she is heading out on a date with someone else. Then, in #106-107, Jane assumes Dr. Blake has betrayed Thor and Thor plays along. Loki kidnaps Jane in #108, though she plays an especially passive role (mostly unconscious). Jane and Dr. Black are back to dating in #109 while Thor faces off against Magneto, presumably with Thor having resolve their various disputes off-panel. She’s back to passive, unconscious damsel in #110-111

After #109: in Marvels (1994) #2, Jane cameos on a date with Dr. Blake at an Alicia Masters art showing. In Avengers (1963) #9 she cameos alongside Dr. Blake as he studies Wonder Man’s X-Rays.

After #111: in Untold Tales of Spider-Man (1995) Annual ’97, Jane cameos telling Dr. Blake to destress before he sneaks away to transform into Thor.

Journey Into Mystery (1952) #113-117, #120-122, & 124-125: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Issue #113 is the big reveal – Dr. Blake confesses his secret identity as Thor to Jane! Except… it doesn’t quite go as planned and Jane doesn’t believe him. However, it does resolve their on-again, off-again relationship, making Jane a more-straightforward, passive romantic lead beginning in #114-115. She is nearly kidnapped by Executioner and Enchantress in #116 before being saved by Balder (in regular civilian garb) at the top of #117. They are estranged in as of issue #120-121 after Thor has been away tending to his hammer. They reunite in #122, but in #124-125 Jane is wracked with anxiety that Blake may again disappear without a trace, which leads to a final, unquestionable reveal of his identity in #124. Issue #125, a battle with Hercules (who Jane finds entrancing), continues into the following Thor run.

After #117: in Thor: Blood Oath (2005) #1 & 6 we see Jane assisting an attending Dr. Blake as he sees to patients in a hospital, where they discover one of their charges is a young mutant. This portrays Jane as much more inquisitive than she is in the actual Silver Age comics, proposing that they attend a genetics conference together. Apparently he stood her up, because she won’t speak to him when she cameos at the end of issue #6.

in Thor (1966) #126-136, 146, & 172 (March 1966 – Jan 1967, Nov 1967, Jan 1970)

In this period, we see Jane pull away from Thor in #136 in a critical issue for her character after her first somewhat super-heroic position in #133-135.

Jane appears in Thor (1966) #126-136, 146, & 176. She does not make any guest appearances in this period.

Click to expand a summary of every Jane Foster appearance in this period.

Thor (1966) #126-127: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. The Hercules story continues from Journey Into Mystery (1952) #125 into #126-127. Thor thinks himself unworthy of Jane due to his loss to Hercules, but Odin appears to Jane in a vision and urges her to pursue him. He rebuffs her and departs.

Thor (1966) #129-135: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Thor returns to reunite with her in #129 only to find she has an odd new roommate, Tana Nile. In #130, Tana commands Jane to get as far away from Blake/Thor as possible, she complies. This leads into an extraterrestrial fight for Thor, with Jane only appearing sporadically in #131-132 as she distances herself from her old home, only to be recruited by the High Evolutionary in #133-135 as a nursemaid and caretaker of his peculiar flock.

Thor (1966) #136: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Thor finally brings Jane to Asgard! Odin turns Jane into a goddess in a bid to force her to prove her love. She eventually demands to be returned to Earth, and so Odin sends her back… seemingly without her memory of Thor! (All in the name of setting Thor up with Sif.)

Thor (1966) #146: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Thor glimpses Jane in the crowd at a circus, seemingly on a date with another man (which makes sense, since she doesn’t remember Thor!). Thor (1966) #279 (flashback)

Thor (1966) #172: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Dr. Jim North, who Jane briefly worked for in #97-98, summons Donald Blake (known friend of Thor) to report that Jane has been abducted. By the end of the issue, it’s clear to the reader and to Thor that Jane and Dr. North are in love – he leaves them to their lives.

Jane Foster & Sif
in Thor (1966) #231-232, 235-236, 237-250, Annual 9, & 335 (Jan 1975 – Sept 1983)

This period begins with Thor rushing to the side of an unconscious Jane Foster in issue #231, which leads his Asgardian lover Sif to realize how deeply her still cares for Jane. To save Jane from the brink of death, Sif voluntarily shares her lifeforce with Jane.

At first, it seems Sif has disappeared entirely, and we’re left with a more-adventurous version of Jane Foster. However, by issue #250 the true nature of Jane & Sif’s connection is revealed – which leads to us not seeing any more of Jane until this plot is resolved in Annual 9 and issue #335.

Jane appears in Thor (1966) #231-232, 235-236, 237-250, Annual 9, & 335. Sif’s appearances between issue #250-335 are not tracked as part of this guide. Jane does not make any guest appearances in this period.

Click to expand a summary of every Jane Foster appearance in this period.

Thor (1966) #231-232 & 235-236: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Thor attends to the bedside of a comatose Jane in #231-232, sending Sif into a fit of jealousy. Thor is utterly distraught at the thought of losing Jane permanently, even if she has no memory of their time together. Sif resolves to take matters into her own hands at Jane’s beside in #235, and in #236 she sacrifices her own lifeforce to merge with Jane’s (who seemingly remembers Thor in the process).

Thor (1966) #237-241: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Issue #237 finds us returned to an earlier status quo – Jane and Dr. Blake together both at the office and romantically with no hint of Sif remaining… save for Jane’s sudden assertive adventurous streak in #238 & 240-241 as she works to reunite him with a disappeared Odin. We get hints of a change in #237 which are confirmed in #239 – Jane is now more enamored with Thor than she is with Dr. Blake.

Thor (1966) #242-250: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Jane is assaulted and plays the damsel upon their return home in brief appearances in the time-travel plot in #242-245, though she does briefly take up a sword in battle in #244… and for a moment seems to take on the form of Sif! Jane plays hostage again in a jungle adventure with Fire-Lord in #246-247, though again she seems much more capable of defending herself than ever before – including a thrilling life-or-death duel in #247! She appears only for a panel in #248, but upon taking up Sif’s sword in defense of Asgard #249 she transforms to Sif! #250 resolves with Sif still in control and no glimpse of Jane.

After #245: a flashback to this period in Unworthy Thor (2017) #4

Thor (1966) Annual 9: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In a confrontation with the Sorceress Umar, we confirm that Jane still exists somewhere within Sif when she is briefly recalled during their conflict. However, at the end of the issue she transforms back to Sif.

Thor (1966) #335: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. This issue is the climax of an ongoing attempt to restore Jane, who has now been separated from Sif and contained within a mystic runestaff. By the end of issue, Jane is restored to her own body – but, with only a dim memory of her relationship with Thor compared to her memories of Dr. Blake. She is reunited with Dr. Keith Kincaid, leaving Thor and Sif to their own devices.

Jane Foster starts a family
in Thor (1966) #336, 372, 394, & 475-502 (Oct 1983 – Aug 1988 & June 1994 – Sept 1996)

Freed of her connection with Sif, Jane immediately becomes engaged to Dr. Keith Kincaid and starts a family with him as seen in issues #372 and 394.

That’s the last we see of her for over half a decade until she makes a surprising return alongside her son but without her estranged husband in #475. This begins a plot that is an extended reference to #133-135, but also seeks to reawaken and ultimately resolve Jane’s feelings for Thor.

In this period, Jane appears in Thor (1966) #336, 372, 394, 475-477, 480, 482-484, 486, 488-489, & 502. During the latter portion of that, she makes a handful of guest appearances.

Click to expand a summary of every Jane Foster appearance in this period.

Thor (1966) #336: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Jane and Keith are engaged to be married, and Thor promises to return for their wedding, which he does – arm and arm with Sif – in the back-up story.

Thor (1966) #372: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. We get a brief flash of Jane and Keith at home in Chicago, where Jane is visibly pregnant. Her life is at risk from a murderous misogynist villain, but Thor saves the day. Thor (1966) #476 (flashback)

Thor (1966) #394: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. A screenwriter trying to crack the perfect Thor plot visits Jane in her suburban home, where she tends to her toddler. The writer quizzes Jane on her relationship with Thor, and we get a definitive recap of what exactly Jane recalls about their ongoing relationship in the wake of her multiple memory losses along the way.

Thor (1966) #475-477: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In #475, Thor discovers a captured Donald Blake (long story), and Jane Foster and her son are used as bait for them both. Once they are out of danger, Jane reveals she is separated from her husband. In #476, Jane gives a recap of her history to both Thor and Blake, each suffering from an amount of memory loss. She decides to stay behind with her son to tend to the High Evolutionary’s AniMutants (for whom she has been responsible in the past!). She spends a few pages getting to know her new charges in #477.

After #477: in Fantastic Four Unlimited (1993) #9, Jane and Jimmy appear alongside the AniMutants when they are summoned by the F4, which is a nice bit of continuity.

Thor (1966) #480, 482-484, 486, 488-489: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Issue #480 is largely a domestic issue amongst the AniMutants, with a number of Jane scenes. She makes progress with the AniMutants, but more importantly she talks to Thor about how he is without Sif and she is separated from her husband. They almost share a kiss, but it fizzles at the final moment. She is mostly a prop in #482, leaving her son behind for an interstellar mission with Thor and Donald Blake, only to help move the plot along so that Thor and the (fake?) Dr. Blake would remerge, and she appears in just one panel of #483 to recap that. Having lost both Blake (to being absorbed) and Thor (to being reunited with Sif), in #484 Jane tells her son Jimmy it’s time to go home. Yet, she’s still with the AniMutants and High Evolutionary in #486, sad about losing both men. She skirts the edges of a mega battle in #488 and has a brief cameo in #489 – after which she is presumably back to her regular life.

Thor (1966) #502: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson, or Marvel Universe Events: Onslaught. Jane gets one final moment of resolve with Thor in #502 acting as a mobile triage nurse in the midst of Onslaught.

After #502: in Heroes For Hire (1997) #5 Jane Foster is looking after Sersei while a distraught Black Knight looks on. She confirms she is not yet a doctor here. A scene with Jane as a nurse in a hospital in NYC in the epilogue of 1985 (2008) #6 may also fit here.

Doctor Jane Foster in Thor (1998) #1-40 & 60 (July 1998 – Oct 2001 & April 2003)

Thor returns to the Marvel Universe in the wake of Heroes Reborn with a new status quo and we quickly discover a new status quo for Jane Foster as well – she is now Doctor Jane Foster!

This evolution of the character allows Jane to have more agency as a supporting player in Thor’s title, where she is a driver of the sub-plot of Thor’s civilian identity. It also gives her reason to appear throughout other Avengers titles to dispense medical advice and care.

Though Dr. Foster makes many appearances in this period, ultimately they aren’t particularly plot-significant for her, save for Annual 2000. She appears in Thor (1998) #1, 5-6, 8, 10, 12-16, 19-21, Annual 2000, 26-27, 29-31, 35-37, 39-40, & 60, as well as several appearances in Iron Man (1998) and Avengers (1998).

Click to expand a summary of every Jane Foster appearance in this period.

Thor (1998) #1: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Jane is relieved to see Thor alive after Onslaught when he drops off an ailing ally to her care, and she reveals she is now Doctor Foster!

After #1: in Heroes For Hire (1997) #13, Dr. Foster reports on the condition of an unconscious Iron Fist. This could be placed prior to Thor #1, but it would ruin her Doctor reveal there, so it’s easy to place it here. In Quicksilver (1997) #11 and Heroes For Hire (1997) #16, she seems to have taken up a side gig at the infirmary at the team’s headquarters at Oracle, Inc – though we never get any explanation or follow-up on this.

Thor (1998) #5-6, & 8: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In #6, Dr. Foster runs into Thor’s new alter-ego, Jake Olson – an EMT. He almost reveals his identity to her immediately. She continues from that scene into a sub-plot about pharmacy thefts at her hospital. However, he gives a strong hint later in the issue, when Dr. Foster talks him through a procedure remotely and he makes references to Donald Blake and some Asgardian ticks of speech. She pursues her suspicions in #6, cornering Jake for a conversation. She receives a patient from his ambulance in #8.

It’s not clear where Jane’s action in Avengers (1998) #11 and Iron Man (1998) #11-13 fit, but it’s somewhere in this period. In Avengers (1998) #11, Jane is implied on the other side of a phone call reporting Tony’s condition. Then, in Iron Man (1998) #11, she pays a housecall to Tony Stark and exposits impressively for an entire page about how injured he is. It’s not a significant issue, but it’s probably the most sheer medical competence we’ve seen from Jane Foster on page to this point. She continues to supervise his treatment in Iron Man (1998) #12. She is also in a panel of #13, but it’s ostensibly a flashback to her scene in #11.

Thor (1998) #10, 12-13: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In #10, Doctor Foster’s suspicions are all but confirmed when Jake slips away from a conversation when the visage of a captive Sif is projected over the city. She is the featured character of the first third of #12, questioning Jake’s mortal fiancé and later interrogating Thor about his flimsy deception (though she doesn’t get a response). He confirms her accusation in #13 when he returns with a cure for her patient, but they leave the conversation about what he will do about his fiancé unresolved (and Dr. Foster has some thoughts on that.)

After #13: in Iron Man (1998) #15, Jane has a one-line cameo to explain Tony is (mostly) recovered. Then, in Avengers (1998) #17, it seems that Tony has summoned her to Avengers Mansion to run tests on Justice – who has a concussion.

Thor (1998) #14-16: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In #14, Dr. Foster is shocked when the new case she admits to the E.R. is Jake Olson – and even more shocked that he’s under investigation as the drug thief from her dangling subplot! The rest of the issue flashes back to show us how he got to that point. In #15, Jake confesses he’s stuck in human form, and Dr. Foster agrees to help him evade arrest. She briefly goes on the run with Jake at the top of #16, but he leaves her behind to locate his hammer.

Thor (1998) #19-21 & Annual 2000: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In #19, she’s back to regular doctor duties, relieved that Jake is seemingly exonerated, though that’s cast into doubt in #20 as Dr. Foster prods Jake’s fiancé on how well she really knows her man. In #21, Dr. Foster refuses to let Thor solve the mystery of Jake Olson without her, so she impetuously grabs a hold of him just as he is transporting himself to Asgard – only her second trip! As Thor battles Mangog, Dr. Foster tends to wounded Asgardians – including her former body-double, Sif! Annual 2000 pays off many Dr. Foster subplots, not only resolving the Jake Olson story, but also giving her moments with Sif (for the first time since they were separated!) and a confrontation with Odin (for the first time since he tricked her into being a goddess!).

Thor (1998) #26-27: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In #26, a comment in Dr. Foster’s brief cameo implies she reunited with her estranged husband, Dr. Keith Kincaid! She briefly assists Thor in his fight with Crusher Creel and Titania in #27, despite Dr. Kincaid being injured in the fight.

After #27: In Avengers (1998) #24, Dr. Foster makes a house call to take a cast off of Justice’s leg.

Thor (1998) #29-31: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In #29, Dr. Kincaid remains in a coma and Dr. Foster is called to tend to an injured Hogun of the Warriors 3. Both plots continue to brief scenes in #30-31.

After #31: In Avengers (1998) Annual 2001, the teams summons Dr. Foster to examine a critically injured Hank Pym, and she appears throughout the issue. Them, in She-Hulk (2005) #14 we see several pages of flashback of Thor battling a creature while its creator holds a clearly-referenced “Doctor” Foster captive.

Thor (1998) #35-37: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In #35, Dr. Foster is surprised to greet Jake Olson’s mother at the hospital, and relieved that Dr. Kincaid awakens from his coma. She and Sif watch over a critically injured Jake Olson in #36. We briefly glimpse Dr. Foster fleeing from a battle with The Destroyer in #37.

Thor (1998) #39-40: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Issue #39 begins with Dr. Foster treating two patients in one – both Jake Olson and Thor! When she deems the latter’s injuries outside of her powers to resolve, he transports her to Asgard. She returns to her apartment in #40 to find her newly non-comatose husband missing. This plot goes unresolved,  (Jane is listed in #41, but I think it’s a mistake – it doesn’t make sense for her to be at the funeral in the issue based on where we left her just prior).

After #40: In Captain America (2004) #7, a “one year ago” flashback has Dr. Foster delivering bad news to Jack Monroe, the former Nomad.

Thor (1998) #60: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Dr. Foster cameos giving Jake Olson approval for another field procedure. Then, in She-Hulk (2005) #11-12, she plays a generic doctor looking in on two different patients from She-Hulk’s supporting cast.

After #60: In Civil War (2006) #4-5, Dr. Foster has a pair of blink-and-you-miss-them cameos tending to the wounded on Cap’s side of the conflict.

Doctor Jane Foster in
Thor (2007), Thor (1966), & The Mighty Thor (2011) (June 2008 – Feb 2012)

This period begins with Thor back from Ragnarok and Dr. Foster continuing her residency in a NYC hospital. However, as Thor’s new story continues and Asgard comes to the mortal realm in Broxton, Oklahoma, Dr. Foster finds herself increasingly embroiled in Thor’s life… as well as the life of Dr. Donald Blake!

In this period, Dr. Foster appears in Thor (2006) #8 & 11, Thor (1966) #600, 602, 604, 606, 615, 617-621, and Mighty Thor (2011) #8-9, as well as making a handful of guest appearances.

Click to expand a summary of every Jane Foster appearance in this period.

Thor (2007) #8 & 11: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. After a long absence for Thor, in #8 he returns to Earth in mortal guise to visit Dr. Foster in the hospital – where she is unknowingly caring for a familiar patience. A tense and out-of-character conversation ensues where Dr. Foster tells the story of her recent divorce. She cameos in #11 at dinner with a restored Dr. Blake.

A flashback in Thor (1966) #704 shows a scene immediately following issue #8

Thor (1966) #600, 602, 604, 606: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. In #600, Dr. Foster cameos to call Thor in to a confrontation in NYC. In #602 she realizes the secret of her familiar patient and summons Thor once again. In #604 she shares a phone call with a very human Dr. Blake. She arrives in Broxton, Oklahoma in #606 just prior to Siege to find Thor seemingly back to his Asgardian self.

After #606: In X-Factor (1986) #209, the team runs into Dr. Foster in Vegas while on the hunt for Hela (she’s there for an AMA conference), and she calls Dr. Blake to send in Thor for some support.

Thor (1966) #615, 617-621: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Matt Fraction takes over Thor, and begins to steer some of the plot and supporting characters in the direction of the first MCU film, which means Jane Foster is back – and… reconnecting with Dr. Blake? We briefly catch her loading her car with files in Broxton in #617, chatting with Tony Stark in #618, being told to flee by Thor in #620, and seemingly experiencing the end of the world in #621.

After #621: In Captain America (1968) #607, Dr. Foster pays a house call to Avengers tower on Captain America’s request to check on Winter Soldier.

Fear Itself (2011) #7.2: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson or Marvel Universe Events: Fear Itself. While triaging a never-ending series of patients in Broxton, we see Jane receive the news that Thor is (seemingly) dead.

The Mighty Thor (2011) #8-9 (implied in 10): See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Dr. Foster is back to her medical practice in #8, though seemingly without Dr. Blake (despite his name still being on the door). She cameos briefly in a scene with Kid Loki in #9. Dr. Blake jousts with her new love interest over her in #10, but she remains unseen.

The Saga of Jane Foster, The Mighty Thor (2013 – 2018)

While Jane Foster’s story as Thor doesn’t properly begin until Thor (2014) #1, it is one of the major structural elements of Jason Aaron’s multi-year, multi-title run on Thor, which begins two years earlier in Thor: God of Thunder (2012)

If you’re just looking for Jane Foster content you don’t have to start with God of Thunder! However, because Marvel has recollected all of Jason Aaron’s run comprehensively across both Thor the Odinson and Jane Foster as Thor, for some options for collecting Foster’s run you’ll find up with some of God of Thunder as well.

Broadly, if you want to collect all of Jane Fosters’s major stories in just two volumes, you can buy these:

Jane Foster: The Saga of the Mighty Thor (2022 paperback, IBSN 978-1302934873 / digital)
Collects Thor (2014) 1-8 & Annual 1 (2nd story); Mighty Thor (2015) #1-5, 8-11, 13-14 and Generations: Unworthy Thor and Mighty Thor (2017) 1. This collects all of the introduction and build-up of Jane’s story, but the climax and transformation is in the next volume.

Jane Foster: The Saga of Valkyrie (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302934828 / digital)
Collects Mighty Thor (2015) #702-706, material from Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla (2018) #1 and War of the Realms: Omega (2019) #1, and Valkyrie: Jane Foster (2019) #1-10. This won’t read as well as a standalone as it does with the build-up from the “Saga of the Mighty Thor” volume, but it is fantastic material!

Jane Foster in Thor: God of Thunder (2012) #12 & 24 (Oct 2013 – Sept 2014)

Jane Foster makes just three appearances in this series – in issues #12, 24, & 25. The first two to set up her status quo as a civilian, the final one introduces her as Mighty Thor (though we as readers don’t know that at the time).

in a single omnibus oversize hardcover…

Thor by Jason Aaron Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302934859 / digital)
Collects Thor: God of Thunder (2012) #1-25, Thor (2014) #1-8 & Annual 1, Thors (2015) #1-4, and Mighty Thor (2015) #1-12

in deluxe oversize hardcovers…

#1-11: Thor: God of Thunder, Volume 1 (2015 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785191131 / digital)

#12-25: Thor: God of Thunder, Volume 2 (2015 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785198000 / digital)

recollected in paperback complete collections…

#1-18: Thor by Jason Aaron Complete Collection, Vol. 1 (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302918101 / digital)

#19-25: Thor by Jason Aaron Complete Collection, Vol. 2 (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923860 / digital)
Also collects Thor (2014) #1-8 & Annual 1 and Thors (2015) #1-4

as originally collected…

For the originally-released hardcover and trade paperback collections of Thor: God of Thunder, see Guide to Thor, The Odinson

Journey Into Mystery (1952) #652: This appearance is hard to place, because we see Sif visit a seemingly-healthy Dr. Foster. Yet, in the next appearance, we hear she has been ill for six months – and she seems very open about her illness. Either this issue needs to be placed much earlier in Marvel NOW, or it’s a continuity goof, or Jane is specifically concealing her condition while at work.

#12: Thor visits Jane Foster in Broxton, where he is shocked to discover her diagnosis.

#24: Thor recruits Dr. Foster to a more active role on Asgard.

#25: We see the new Thor debut in a single splash page, as read in a book on the history of Thor in the far future.

Thor (2014) #1-8 & Annual 1 (Dec 2014 – July 2015)

Jane makes her debut in Thor in the second volume of Jason Aaron’s ongoing run on Thor. In this period, The Mighty Thor remains relatively contained as a character, making limited additional appearances as the mystery of her identity plays out in this title.

in a single omnibus oversize hardcover…

Thor by Jason Aaron Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302934859 / digital)
Collects Thor: God of Thunder (2012) #1-25, Thor (2014) #1-8 & Annual 1, Thors (2015) #1-4, and Mighty Thor (2015) #1-12

in a single deluxe oversize hardcover (volume numbering continues into the next series)…

Thor by Jason Aaron & Russell Dauterman, Vol. 1 (2016 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302900670 / digital)
Note that some stores do not list this as “Vol. 1”

recollected in a single paperback complete collection (volume numbering continues into the next series)…

Thor by Jason Aaron Complete Collection, Vol. 2 (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923860 / digital)
Collects Thor: God of Thunder (2012) #19-25, Thor (2014) #1-8 & Annual 1, and Thors (2015) #1-4

in a “best of” re-collection…

Jane Foster: The Saga of the Mighty Thor (2022 paperback, IBSN 978-1302934873 / digital)
Collects Thor (2014) 1-8 & Annual 1 (2nd story); Mighty Thor (2015) #1-5, 8-11, 13-14 and Generations: Unworthy Thor and Mighty Thor (2017) 1. However, it does not continue to the renumbering in Marvel Legacy, which contains the end of Jane Foster’s run as Thor! So, you will be missing the climax of the story with this book.

as originally collected…

#1-5: Thor, Vol. 1: The Goddess of Thunder
(2015 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785192381 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785192398 / digital)

#6-8 & Annual 1: Thor, Vol. 2: Who Holds the Hammer?
(2015 hardcover, 978-0785197843 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785197850 / digital)
Also collects What If? (1977) #10

with guest appearances integrated…Click to expand a summary of every Jane Foster appearance in this period.

We get flashbacks that fill in some blanks prior to this run in Unworthy Thor (2017) #4 and Thor (1966) #705

#1-4: Thor, Vol. 1: The Goddess of Thunder
(2015 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785192381 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785192398 / digital)

Annual 1: Thor, Vol. 2: Who Holds the Hammer?
(2015 hardcover, 978-0785197843 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785197850 / digital)
Also collects What If? (1977) #10

After issue #4: Nova (2013) #25, S.H.I.E.L.D. (2015) #1, All-New X-Men (2013) #36

After Annual: Guardians Team-Up (2015) #1-2, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) #5 & 7-8, S.H.I.E.L.D. (2015) #6, Howard The Duck (2015) #5

#5: Thor, Vol. 1: The Goddess of Thunder
(2015 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785192381 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785192398 / digital)

#6-8: Thor, Vol. 2: Who Holds the Hammer?
(2015 hardcover, 978-0785197843 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785197850 / digital)
Also collects What If? (1977) #10

After #8: Hulk (2014) #15-16, Nova (2013) #31, Loki: Agent Of Asgard (2014) #14

Note: Beware the book titled “Marvel-Verse: Jane Foster, The Mighty Thor”! The solicited contents of this book are NOT what it actually contains.

in Secret Wars (2015)

See Marvel Universe Events. These appearances are not strictly in continuity. Jane appears in the “Last Days” prelude to the event in Captain America & The Mighty Avengers (2015) #9 as well as in Secret Wars (2015) #1, 3-5, 7-9 & Thors (2015) #4.

All-New All-Different Marvel: Jane Foster in Mighty Thor (2015) #1-23 (Jan 2016 – Nov 2017)
& Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor (2017) #1 (Oct 2017)

Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman continue their run on Thor in Marvel’s 2015-16 line-wide relaunch, All-New, All-Different Marvel.

The difference is that in this period, Jane Foster Thor is much more central to the Marvel Universe as an anchoring member of the Avengers. That means she appears not only in almost every issue of All-New All-Different Avengers (2015), but she also appears anywhere the Avengers turn up – which includes the majority of Marvel Events.

in omnibus oversize hardcover…

#1-12: Thor by Jason Aaron Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302934859 / digital)
Collects Thor: God of Thunder (2012) #1-25, Thor (2014) #1-8 & Annual 1, Thors (2015) #1-4, and Mighty Thor (2015) #1-12

#13-23: Not collected in this format

in deluxe oversize hardcover…

#1-12: Thor by Jason Aaron & Russell Dauterman, Vol. 2 (2017 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302903800 / digital)

#13-23: Thor by Jason Aaron & Russell Dauterman, Vol. 3 (2019 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302917388 / digital)
Collects Mighty Thor (2015) #13-23, Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor (2017) #1, Thor (1966) #700-706, and Mighty Thor: At The Gates of Valhalla (2018) #1, thus concluding Jane’s arc as Thor.

recollected in paperback complete collection…

#1-19: Thor by Jason Aaron Complete Collection, Vol. 3 (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302923877 / digital)

#20-23: Thor by Jason Aaron Complete Collection, Vol. 4 (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302929916 / digital)
Collects Mighty Thor (2015) #20-23, Unworthy Thor (2017) #1-5, Generations: Unworthy Thor & Mighty Thor (2017) #1, Thor (1966) #700-706, and Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla (2018) #1, thus concluding Jane’s arc as Thor.

in a single “best of” re-collection…

#1-5, 8-11, 13-14 & Generations: Jane Foster: The Saga of the Mighty Thor
(2022 paperback, IBSN 978-1302934873 / digital)
I have confirmed in this actual book that it cuts off at #14 prior to Generations. Collects Thor (2014) 1-8 & Annual 1 (2nd story); Mighty Thor (2015) #1-5, 8-11, 13-14 and Generations: Unworthy Thor and Mighty Thor (2017) 1. This collects all of the introduction and build-up of Jane’s story, but the climax and transformation is in the next volume.

as originally collected (volume numbering continues into the next series)…

#1-5: The Mighty Thor Vol. 1: Thunder In Her Veins
(2016 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785195221 / 2017 paperback, ISBN 978-0785199656 / digital)

#6-12: The Mighty Thor Vol. 2: Lords of Midgard
(2016 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785195238 / 2017 paperback, ISBN 978-0785199663 / digital)
Note: Issues #6-7 are a flashback story that do not included Jane.

#13-19: The Mighty Thor Vol. 3: The Asgard/Shi’ar War
(2017 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302903084 / 2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302903091 / digital)

#20-23 & Generations: The Mighty Thor Vol. 4: The War Thor
(2018 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302906580 / 2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906597 / digital)

with guest appearances integrated…Click to expand a summary of every Jane Foster appearance in this period.

Avengers: Rage Of Ultron OGN (2015): See Avengers Flagships, 2012-Present. This OGN is one of the first post-Secret Wars stories in the Marvel Universe.

Before the start of this series: flashback in Daredevil (2016) #19, All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #2-3, Free Comic Book Day 2015: Avengers (2015). Also, possibly Avengers: Ultron Forever (2015) #1 – need to place this appearance more accurately.

Mighty Thor (2015) #1-5: Vol. 1: Thunder In Her Veins
(2016 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785195221 / 2017 paperback, ISBN 978-0785199656 / digital)

All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #4-6: See Avengers Flagships, 2012-Present

After #5 and ANAD6: Ms. Marvel (2015) #1, Vision Vol. 3 (2016) #5-6, Gwenpool Special, Illuminati (2016) #3-4

Standoff & Assault on Pleasant Hill: See Avengers Flagships, 2012-Present or Marvel Universe Events. Jane appears in All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #7, Uncanny Avengers (2015) #7-8, All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #8, Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #8, and Avengers Standoff: Assault On Pleasant Hill Omega (2016)

After Standoff: Illuminati (2016) #6, Ms. Marvel (2015) #4, Spider-Gwen (2015) #3, Vision Vol. 3 (2016) #8-9 & 10-11, Silver Surfer (2016) #3-4, Spider-Woman (2016) #1, A Year Of Marvels: Incredible (2016), Spider-Man/Deadpool (2016) #4, Angela: Queen Of Hel (2015) #6-7, Totally Awesome Hulk (2016) #5-6, Rocket Raccoon And Groot (2016) #4, Spider-Man (2016) #1 (and implied in #2), All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #10-12, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats Up The Marvel Universe (2016) (and implied in her issue #13), Invincible Iron Man Vol. 2 (2015) #1 & 10-11, Captain America: Steve Rogers (2016) #4

Civil War II (2016): See Marvel Universe Events

Jane appears in Civil War II (2016) #1, New Avengers (2015) #12, Civil War II: Gods Of War (2016) #1, Nova (2016) #8, Captain America: Steve Rogers (2016) #5, Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #14-15 briefly with the Avengers fighting Regent, Civil War II (2016) #2, Uncanny Inhumans (2015) #11, Spider-Man (2016) #8, Civil War Ii (2016) #3, Uncanny Avengers (2013) #15, The Accused (2016) #1, Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #10, All-New All-Different Avengers (2016) #15, Power-Man & Iron Fist (2016) #10, Unbelievable Gwenpool (2016) #2, Guardians f the Galaxy (2015) #12, Civil War II (2016) #4-5, Captain America: Steve Rogers (2016) #5, Civil War II (2016) #6, Captain America: Steve Rogers (2016) #6

After Civil War II: Champions (2016) #1, Great Lakes Avengers (2016) #1, Avengers (2015) #1-6, Vote Loki (2016) #1-2, Doctor Strange (2015) #17-18

Monsters Unleashed: See Marvel Universe Events. Jane Foster is one of the featured heroes in this event, appearing throughout in Monsters Unleashed! (2017) #1-5 as well as in Avengers Vol. 6 (2015) #1.MU and Doctor Strange Vol. 4 (2015) #1.MU.

After Monsters Unleashed: Civil War II: The Oath (2017), Guardians Of The Galaxy (2015) #16, Vote Loki (2016) #4 (this final appearance continues through Mighty Thor #12)

Mighty Thor (2015) #8-12: The Mighty Thor Vol. 2: Lords of Midgard
(2016 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785195238 / 2017 paperback, ISBN 978-0785199663 / digital)
Note: Issues #6-7 are a flashback story that do not include Jane.

#13-19: The Mighty Thor Vol. 3: The Asgard/Shi’ar War
(2017 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302903084 / 2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302903091 / digital)

After #14: Gwenpool Holiday Special (4th story), Spider-Man/Deadpool (2016) #12, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mother Entropy (2017) #5, Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #19

After #19: Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015B) #16 (and implied in #20), Spider-Woman (2016) #17, Doctor Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme (2017) #6-8, Avengers (2015) #7-8, Captain America: Steve Rogers (2016) #14

Secret Empire: See Marvel Universe Events. Jane Foster only makes a few appearances during this event – a cameo in #0, and then in 4 & 9-10. It is not at all critical for your read of her character.

During Secret Empire: First, cameos in Secret Empire (2017) #0, Amazing Spider-Man (2015) #29, Uncanny Avengers (2015B) #24, and U.S.Avengers (2017) #6. Then, Free Comic Book Day 2017: Secret Empire (2017), Avengers (2016) #9, and Secret Empire (2017) #4 & 9-10

Generations: Unworthy Thor & Mighty Thor (2017)#1: The Mighty Thor Vol. 4: The War Thor
(2018 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302906580 / 2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906597 / digital)
Technically, this occurs during the final pages of Secret Empire #10.

After Generations:Minor appearances in Captain America Sam Wilson & Captain America Steve Rogers (2017), Marvel: Legacy (2017) #1, Doctor Strange (1968) #381

Avengers/Champions: Worlds Collide: See Avengers Flagships, 2012-Present or Champions. Jane appears in every issue of this crossover through Avengers (1963) #672, Champions (2016) #13, Avengers (1963) #673, Champions (2016) #14, Avengers (1963) #674, and Champions (2016) #15

After World’s Collide: Iron Man (1968) #593

Mighty Thor (2016) #20-23: The Mighty Thor Vol. 4: The War Thor
(2018 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302906580 / 2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906597 / digital)

Marvel Legacy: Jane Foster in Thor (1966) #700-706 (Oct 2017 – April 2018)
& Mighty Thor: At The Gates of Valhalla (2018) #1 (May 2018)

In late 2017 in the wake of Secret Empire, Marvel converted most of their long-running franchises to “Legacy” numbering.

That means that Marvel renumbered each major title so that the numbering continue the issue count of their original Silver or Bronze Age original series plus the numbering of the many relaunched series along the way.

This also marked the return of several titular heroes to their original roles alongside Legacy heroes who took them over – such as Odinson as Thor alongside Jane Foster.

However, in the case of Jason Aaron’s overarching Thor narrative, he still had one more arc of stories to tell with Foster before wrapping up.

in a single deluxe oversize hardcover…

#700-706 & Gates of Valhalla:
Thor by Jason Aaron & Russell Dauterman, Vol. 3
(2019 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302917388 / digital)
Collects Mighty Thor (2015) #13-23, Generations: The Unworthy Thor & The Mighty Thor (2017) #1, Thor (1966) #700-706, and Mighty Thor: At The Gates Of Valhalla (2018) #1, thus concluding Jane’s arc as Thor.

recollected in a single paperback complete collection…

#700-706 & Gates of Valhalla: Thor by Jason Aaron Complete Collection, Vol. 4
(2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302929916 / digital)
Collects Mighty Thor (2015) #20-23, Unworthy Thor (2017) #1-5, Generations: Unworthy Thor & Mighty Thor (2017) #1, Thor (1966) #700-706, and Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla (2018) #1, thus concluding Jane’s arc as Thor.

in a single “best of” re-collection…

#700-706 & material from Gates of Valhalla: Jane Foster: The Saga of Valkyrie
(2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302934828 / digital)
Note that this solicit says it begins from issue #702, but this may be an error. Also “material from” the Gates one-shot just means it omits material from the issue that didn’t relate to Jane. Collects Mighty Thor (2015) #702-706, material from Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla (2018) #1 and War of the Realms: Omega (2019) #1, and Valkyrie: Jane Foster (2019) #1-10. This won’t read as well as a standalone as it does with the build-up from the “Saga of the Mighty Thor” volume, but it is fantastic material!

as originally collected…

#700-706 & Gates of Valhalla: Mighty Thor Vol. 5: The Death of the Mighty Thor
(2018 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302906603 / 2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906610 / digital)

with guest appearances integrated… Click to expand a summary of every Jane Foster appearance in this period.

#700-706 & Gates of Valhalla: Mighty Thor Vol. 5: The Death of the Mighty Thor
(2018 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302906603 / 2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302906610 / digital)

Venomized (2018) #1-3: See Guide to Venom. This is between #700-701.

Avengers: No Surrender in Avengers (1963) #675-690: See Avengers Flagships, 2012-present. This is still prior to #701.

Damnation: See Guide to Doctor Strange. Jane Foster is one of the featured heroes in this event.

During Damnation: Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) #1, Doctor Strange (1968) #386, Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider (2017) #15, Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) #2-3, Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider (2017) #16-17, Doctor Strange (1968) #388-389, Doctor Strange: Damnation (2018) #4

After Damnation: Despicable Deadpool (2017) #300

After #704: Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015B) #44

Dr. Jane Foster in Thor (2018) & War of the Realms (2019) (June 2018 – June 2019)

After the resolution of her time as The Mighty Thor, Dr. Foster continues into the Marvel Fresh Start era as a supporting character through the finale of Jason Aaron’s run on Thor in his Thor (2018) and War of the Realm (2019).

Thor (2018) #1, 8-9, & 11: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson. Dr. Foster appears entirely in a civilian capacity in these stories.

War of the Realms (2019) #1-6: See Guide to Thor, The Odinson or Marvel Universe Events. Dr. Foster appears in every issue of this six-issue event, plus in War of the Realms: War Scrolls (2019) #1 (3rd story) during issue #2, War Of The Realms: Journey Into Mystery (2019) #5 during issue #4, and Thor (2018) #14 during issue #6. War of the Realms: Omega (2019) #1 sets her in her new direction.

After War of the Realms: in Thor (2018) #16 Jane briefly appears as Valkyrie giving a toast to Thor, which places it into the next era (after issue #2).

Jane Foster: Valkyrie (2019 – present)

Valkyrie: Jane Foster (2019) #1-10 (July 2019 – Aug 2020)

Jason Aaron and explosive fan-favorite Al Ewing continue Jane Foster’s story past the end of Aaron’s run on Thor in this solo series with stunning art by CAFU and Ramon Rosanas. Torunn Gronbekk joins as co-writer in the back half, and she will stick with Jane for several years to come. [Ed. Note: This is an incredibly strong series – I highly recommend it!]

#1-5: Vol. 1: The Sacred and the Profane (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920296 / digital)
Also collects material from War of the Realms (2019) Omega #1

#6-10: Vol. 2: At The End of Things (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920302 / digital)

Also in this period, Valkyrie Jane Foster appears in Fearless (2019) #1, Gwenpool Strikes Back (2020) #3-4, Thor: The Worthy (2019) #1, King Thor (2019) #4, Incoming (2019) #1.

King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (2021) #1-4 (Jan – March 2021)

After a brief gap at the end of her prior series, Jason Aaron returns to Jane Foster (and several other Valkyries) along with her ongoing author Torunn Gronbekk. Though this is part of King In Black, the climax of Donny Cates’ run on Venom, it can be appreciated on its own without the event.

#1-4: King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302928087 / digital)

Also in this period she appears in King in Black #2, Avengers (2018) #40-44, Thor (2020) #10-13.

The Mighty Valkyries (2021) #1-5 (April – Sept 2021)

Jason Aaron and Torunn Gronbekk continue their tale of the Valkyries alongside super-stunning photo-realistic artist Mattia de Iulis alongside Erica D’Urso.

This volume has my hearty endorsement! It was one of my favorite comics of 2021!

#1-5: The Mighty Valkyries (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302930196 / digital)

In this period, she also appears in Thor (2020) #16. After this run, she appears as a solo character in Death of Doctor Strange (2021) #3 and X Deaths of Wolverine (2022) #1-2. She then cameos in Avengers (2018) #50 to set up the next run. She also makes a continuity-lite appearance in It’s Jeff Infinity Comic (2021) #1 and Alligator Loki Infinity Comic (2022) #1 & 4

Jane Foster, Valkyrie joins the Avengers (2022 – present)

Black Panther calls in Jane Foster, Valkyrie during a time of need in Avengers (2018) #53-54. Her membership is formalized in issue #55.

Avengers (2018) #53-56: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2012 – present. Her membership continues through her next series in Avengers (2018) #57-59

Also in this period: Thor (2020) #22 & 24. She also makes a continuity-lite appearance in Alligator Loki Infinity Comic (2022) #10

Strange Tales: Thor & Jane Foster Infinity Comic (2022) #1 by Tim Seeley & Ramón F. Bachs (Jul 2022)

#1: Not collected

Jane Foster & The Mighty Thor (2022) #1-5 (June – Sept 2022)

This five-issue mini-series from recurring Jane Foster writer Torunn Gronbek finds Jane Foster re-encountering Mjölnir to become The Mighty Thor in a time of need … that coincidentally lines up with her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut!

#1-5: (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302946944 / digital)

Also in this period, she is in The Marvels (2021) #12.

Avengers (2018) & Avengers Assemble: See Guide to Avengers Flagships, 2012 – present. During and after this Jane Foster & The Mighty Thor (2022) series she is also in Avengers (2018) #57-59. After this series, she continues in Avengers (2018) #62, Avengers Assemble Alpha (2022) #1, Avengers (2018) #63-65, Avengers: Forever (2021) #14, Avengers (2018) #66, Avengers: Forever (2021) #15, and Avengers Assemble Omega (2023) #1.

After this series and likely prior to the conclusion of Avengers, she is also in Avengers Unlimited Infinity Comic (2022) #39, Daredevil (2019) #9-10

Thor (2018) #31-35: See Guide to Thor – Odinson.

Also in this period in Cosmic Ghost Rider (2023) #2-5, Marvel Age (1983 / 2023) #1000, Who Is… Ms. Marvel Infinity Comic (2023) #1, Avengers Inc. (2023) #2-3, in cameo in Marvel Unleashed (2023) #4, Immortal Thor (2023) #4-5, Women of Marvel (2024) #1, Spectacular Spider-Men (2024) #2-3, and in a continuity-lite appearance in Alligator Loki Infinity Comic (2022) #29

Didn’t find what you were looking for?
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