Female Thor (more commonly known as The Mighty Thor) actually first appeared all the way back in August 1978 in the tenth issue of Marvel's What If series. The series explored alternative realities to the stories we all know
However, it was in 2014 that Jane got to take over the mantle of Thor in her own series by Jason Aaron, Thor: Goddess of Thunder. This series not only started Jane Foster's legacy as Thor but was also the direct inspiration for Thor: Love and Thunder writer and director, Taikia Watiti, to bring this version of Thor into the MCU!
At the beginning of this story, the original Thor, Thor Odinson, had been deemed unworthy to wield his beloved Mjolnir due to events in the Original Sin event. Without a hero to wield the hammer, Mjolnir was just left for many to try (and fail) to pick it up.
So how does Jane Foster get to Mjolnir? She's a simple human? First, you need some back story.
Jane is sadly diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her husband and son are killed in a car accident. After her diagnosis, Odinson offered her a place on Asgard's Congress of World's to represent Midgard (aka Earth).
She then takes up residence in Asgard while also undergoing treatment for her cancer in the realm. However, she refuses any magical or non-Earthly treatment for her illness.
Unlike the other schmucks, Jane didn't test her luck and pick up Mjolnir on a whim. It called to her in the night and she discovered she was worthy.
Now for, what I think, is the most interesting part of the Mighty Thor's story. Every time Jane picks up the hammer she is completely transformed into a new person, she is transformed into the Goddess of Thunder and gains all the typical superpowers associated with a Thor (control over lightning, superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, flight). She also has a control over Mjolnir like no previous wielder has had.
Despite all of that, Jane still puts the hammer down at the end of every fight transforming her back into cancer-ridden Jane. Every time she picks up and then puts down the hammer, all of the treatment she has undergone is erased. She risks everything because she knows the world needs a Thor, all with the world having no idea that she wields Mjolnir.
Thor Odinson is hesitant at first about who is not only wielding his hammer but also his mantle. He attempts to find out her identity but ultimately lets go of his search when he sees how worthy she is. Instead, he gives up his mantle of Thor, allowing the Goddess to wield it alone, and goes by Odinson.
There we have it, there's no need to worry, there is enough room in the MCU for both Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman. Heroes side by side. Let's take after Odinson and support this new version of Thor.
The story of Jane Foster's Thor is incredibly heart wrenching and inspiring and I for one cannot wait to see how this is portrayed on the big screen.
If you want to see more of my thoughts on the Thor: Goddess of Thunder series, you can read my review here!
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