Jane Foster. She’s a character who has gone through many changes in the comics as of late. First, she picked up the mantle of Thor, all while dealing with some very serious health issues. Then, she lost the mantle but gained another.
It’s no surprise that this is a woman who has a fierce opinion about life and doing the right thing. As such, she’s had a lot to say on the subject. Some of her quotes as so impactful that we feel they can’t be ignored, and thus we’d like to take a moment to talk about them here.
This list contains spoilers from Thor: Goddess of Thunder and Valkyrie.
10 10. Even Death May Die
“Even Death may die.” -Valkyrie #5
That is perhaps a line you never expected to hear, least of all in the context of Death herself from the Marvel comics. But that is exactly what Jane Foster is talking about her, through her Valkyrie voice.
This was the beginning of a strange new quest, taken on by Valkyrie and other doctors of the Marvel universe. All to save Death – seems counter-intuitive, but Jane and Valkyrie both had important thoughts on that matter.
9 9. Who Knew?
“Who knew dying could be this much fun?” -Mighty Thor Vol. 2
This is probably one of those quotes that doesn't have quite the same impact if you don't know what's going on. Short story: Jane Foster became Thor for a time, but the problem was that being Thor was also killing her, as it eliminated the radiation treatment for her cancer. Yeah, so not great.
8 8. For My FRIEND!
“YOD! You have cost me dearly, Yod! Do you think yourself unbeatable? Not against me! I strike not for Asgard – not for Earth – but for my FRIEND!” -Avengers Vol. 6 #9
Perspective is important. As is motive. Sometimes fighting for one friend, one soul, can make a bigger (personal) difference. As is the case here, since Jane Foster is fairly ticked off – and looking to do something about that fact. Good luck Yod, you're going to need it.
7 7. We Have To Be Better Than This!
“No! You have to stop! All you're doing is giving them reason to hate us! This is not how we end the war! This is how we create more wars! Listen to me, we have to be better than this! We have to behave like Gods!” -Mighty Thor Vol. 2 #23
Jane Foster really does have a way with words, doesn't she? And she's right. There are plenty of reasons out there for the other side to hate us, and vice versa. The way to stop that cycle is to break it, and that means to stop adding fuel to the fire.
6 6. Move Like Lightning
“We operate on all of them. All at once. I am Thor. The Goddess of Thunder. Which means I know how to move like lightning. Stand aside, Doctor Strange. And cover thy ears.” -Mighty Thor Vol. 3 #18
Ah yes, here is a great reminder that Jane was both a doctor and Thor, for a time. That allowed her to do some crazy things. Like surgically removing Mister Misery (a villain from Doctor Strange) from several patients at the same time.
This was one of those crazy moments to witness, where it was a perfect storm combination. This was not a scene that would have worked in many series, or for many characters. Yet it worked here. As did her confidence.
5 5. Save Themselves
“Just because you can't save everyone, it doesn't mean you're a bad god. Sometimes you have to let the humans save themselves.” - Thor: God of Thunder Vol. 1 #12
Ouch. She's not wrong, but ouch. You can't save everyone, it just isn't possible. That is a hard lesson that nearly every hero out there has had to learn. Jane just knew how to summarize that lesson in a poignant manner.
4 4. Not the Answer
“No. I have seen your rage. In all its ugliness. That...is not the answer for these troubled times. We have enough wars...and enough Mjolnirs!” -Mighty Thor Vol. 2 #23
Two excellent points on Jane Fosters part. Fans of Marvel are likely well aware of how many alternate Thors – and thus alternate Mjolnirs – are out there. That's a lot of fighting, bloodshed, and glory. But that doesn't mean it needs to be the solution to every problem, as Jane is trying to point out here.
3 3. Live In The Moment
“Always act on your impulses, Sam Wilson. Life's candle burns too briefly not to live in the moment.” -All-New, All-Different Avengers Vol. 1 #4
We love this quote, even while acknowledging that there is likely a limit for how far one should push this. The sentiment is nice though. There's only so much time to be had in life, so you might as well do your best to live in the moment and enjoy yourself. Jane Foster knows that better than most, between all that she has lost and how close she's come to death herself.
2 2. I Die For Love
“I...I die for...I die for love, Mangog. You die for naught but hate. That is why you lose.” -Mighty Thor Vol. 2
This quote is a rough one for fans, as it came near the conclusion of Jane's run as Thor. This was one of her final dramatic lines, as she took out the mighty enemy that destroyed so many innocents and gods alike. It was a valiant moment and one where Jane truly proved her worth.
1 1. It Is A War That Affects Us All
“The War of the Realms is not just a war of the elves. Or of the giants. It is a war that affects us all. A war that is moving from one realm to the next, setting them all aflame. Will Asgardia wait until its spires are burning before it responds? Or will you act now? Be the Gods the Realms need you to be! The Gods my people once worshiped! The Gods who inspired us to reach for the heavens and imagine our own place among the unimaginable. It doesn't matter who came first or who made who. We need Gods! And you need us.” -Mighty Thor Vol. 1
This was a quote spoken by Jane Foster, not Jane as Thor, or as Valkyrie. Here she was pleading - literally – with the council to actually do something about the War of the Realms. To stand up and save lives before it was too late. To actually be on the right side of history. It's a powerful speech, even if it seemed to fall on deaf ears.