Every week we spotlight the various characters, phrases, objects or events that eventually became notable parts of comic lore. Not major stuff like "the first appearance of Superman," but rather, "the first time someone said, 'Avengers Assemble!'" or "the first appearance of Batman's giant penny" or "the first appearance of Alfred Pennyworth" or "the first time Spider-Man's face was shown half-Spidey/half-Peter." Stuff like that. Here is an archive of all the When We First Met features so far! Check 'em out!

Today we look at the supporting cast of the Mighty Thor!

First up is Nurse Jane Foster, who is Doctor Don Blake (Thor's human persona)'s nurse. In Thor's second appearance in Journey Into Mystery #84, the dynamic between Don and Jane is quickly established...



This set-up would drive many early Journey Into Mystery stories. "Oh, Don, if only you weren't a wimp." "Oh, Jane, if only I could tell you I am not a wimp!"

Next is Thor's evil brother, Loki, who debuted in Journey Into Mystery #85, along with the first appearance of another Asgardian, Heimdall (anyone who guessed "Heimdall" as the first heroic Asgardian to appear in an issue of Thor, congrats, you were improbably correct!)



Later in Journey Into Mystery #85 we ostensibly first meet Balder and Odin...



That seems like a bit of a cheat, though, doesn't it?

The next issue gives us a proper introduction to Odin...





Balder has to wait until the Tales of Asgard back-up in Journey Into Mystery #102 to get his proper introduction...



and even there, that's not really much in the way of a PROPER introduction. So I think the main feature in Journey Into Mystery #104 is REALLY Balder's first appearance...



That same back-up story in #102 is also Sif's first appearance...



but when she makes her first PROPER appearance in Thor #136, that earlier story is practically ignored (note that Thor remembers her as raven-haired, not blonde)....



Finally, last but certainly not least, the Warriors Three!

They debuted in the Tales of Asgard back-up in Journey Into Mystery #119...





but it was not until a letters page in Thor #244 (over a HUNDRED issues later!) that they are first referred to as the Warriors Three...



And their solo feature in Marvel Spotlight #30 is their first proper introduction as the Warriors Three...



One thing I was unable to find out (and I was sick of flipping through Thor back issues to find it) was when they were first identified INSIDE of a comic as the Warriors Three. If anyone knows, e-mail me at bcronin@comicbookresources.com and I'll add it into the piece (crediting you, of course)!

If you have suggestions for FUTURE When We First Met features, e-mail me at bcronin@comicbookresources.com