Marvel Double-Shot #1 (Jan. 2003):
“Dear Thor...”
by Marlan Harris, Kia Asamiya

BELOW: Elise Erickson writes to Thor: "Every night I say a prayer to you...": As demonstrated by her prayers to him, Elise Erickson's relationship to Thor at this point must certainly be characterized as sincere worship. Elise is an unusual character because she was definitely not raised to worship Thor or have Norse/Teutonic pagan beliefs. (In fact, her father actively discouraged this.) Elise appears to have become a Thor worshiper completely on her own, acting counter to cultural and family expectations. In her letter, the now-adult Elise alludes to a tormented childhood, but she tells Thor: "You gave me hope." Elise later states that finding some of the letters she wrote as a child "give [her] hope for a brighter future. Elise promises Thor that she will raise her own son "believing in" him.

Source: Marvel Double-Shot #1 (Jan. 2003): "Dear Thor...", pg. 4. Written by Marlan Harris. Art by Kia Asamiya. See also: prayer; superhero worship; belief; hope; Norse/Teutonic paganism; Thor (Donald Blake); Elise Erickson

BELOW: Elise Erickson writes to Thor, who she humbly worships: "Thank you for watching over us and granting us this contentment.": Elise Erickson's feelings about Thor as a genuine religious deity are further illustrated by this letter that she wrote to him. She notes the good things that have happened in her life recently - moving away from her dysfunctional family, her marriage to a "wonderful man" and generally having a good life with her husband and son. She thanks Thor for watching over her family and for "granting" her and her family "this contentment." This goes beyond simple appreciation to a super-hero for specific acts of heroism. Elise's sentiments are analogous to a prayer of gratitude a person might say, thanking God or Jesus for the blessings in their life.

Source: Marvel Double-Shot #1 (Jan. 2003): "Dear Thor...", pg. 5. Written by Marlan Harris. Art by Kia Asamiya. See also: gratitude to God; Norse/Teutonic paganism; Thor (Donald Blake); Elise Erickson