Where Did The Amora First Appear In Comics?

The Amora, better known as the Enchantress, first popped up in Marvel comics back in 'Journey into Mystery' #103, way back in 1964. Created by the legendary duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, she burst onto the scene as one of Thor’s earliest and most captivating foes. What’s wild is how she’s evolved from this mischievous, love-struck sorceress into this complex, sometimes tragic figure who’s just as likely to team up with heroes as she is to betray them. Her debut was pure silver age magic—literally—with all the dramatic flair and over-the-top dialogue that era’s known for.

I’ve always found it fascinating how her character design hasn’t strayed too far from those early days. That green and gold outfit? Iconic. Kirby’s art gave her this regal yet sinister vibe that’s stuck around through decades of reinterpretations. What really hooks me, though, is how her motivations have deepened. Early on, she was mostly about wooing Thor or causing chaos for fun, but later writers fleshed out her backstory—her ties to Asgard, her rivalry with the other witches, that whole mess with the Executioner. It’s one of those rare cases where a villain’s longevity comes from being more than just a one-note threat.

Re-reading her first appearance now, there’s this cheeky charm to her schemes that modern versions sometimes lose. Current comics tend to amp up her darkness or tragic elements, which I enjoy too, but there’s something delightful about how unabashedly campy she was originally. Like, she’d turn New York into a medieval fair just to impress a guy. No apocalyptic stakes, just pure, petty magic. Kind of refreshing compared to today’s universe-ending plots.

Funny thing—I once stumbled upon that issue in a bargain bin, cover barely hanging on, and it felt like unearthing a relic. You can practically smell the newsprint and see where Kirby’s pencil lines went wild. It’s crazy to think that this flimsy little comic introduced a character who’d eventually headline her own arcs, show up in animated series, and even make the jump to live-action in 'Thor: The Dark World' (even if that version was… controversial). Makes you wonder what other B-list villains from the ’60s might still have surprises up their sleeves.