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Nick Fury sends Thor to intercept an alien vessel headed for Earth. Thor awakens the ship's protector, Beta Ray Bill and is attacked. Thor is defeated because he changes in Blake, and Bill claims the hammer. Odin summons Beta Ray Thor to Asgard, stranding Blake. Jay's Notes:
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Odin realizes his mistakes and summons the real Thor to Asgard. Bill tells the tale of his people fleeing from a demon horde and that with Mjolnir, he would defeat the horde. Thor objects and they duel it out. Bill is victorious. Jay's Notes:
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Odin consults the dwarves and they will forge another hammer in exchange for the defeat of a tyrant by a woman. Sif volunteers and defeats the dwarf tyrant. Stormbringer is forged. Thor, Beta Ray Bill, and Sif depart to save Bill's people. |
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Sif and Skuttlebutt defend the fleet while Thor and Bill destroy the power source for the demons. They return to celebration in Asgard. Odin restores Beta Ray Bill's humanity through Stormbringer's enchantment. Sif decides to accompany Bill and help his people find a new home. |
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Thor returns to Earth and is swept up in the Secret Wars. He returns from the Beyonder's world and has Nick Fury set him up with a new secret identity, Siguard Jarlson. Lorelei's overconfidence gets her captured by Fafnir the dragon. Fafnir uses her as bait to draw out Thor. Thor rescues Lorelei, but Fafnir escapes. Jay's Notes:
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Thor travels to Antarctica when he is summoned by an ancient Viking call. He discovers an abandoned viking village and battles through traps in a deadly cavern to face a viking warrior. Thor defeats him rather easily and learns that he is an old man. Eilif the Lost tells the tale of his viking ancestors and how they came to this land. |
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The dragon Fafnir is on a rampage hoping to draw out Thor. Thor returns from the antarctic with Eilif, who has impressed the thunder god with courage and boldness, as his shield-bearer. They engage Fafnir, but the dragon's hide is impervious to harm. Eilif sacrifices himself and gives Thor the opportunity to slay Fafnir. Thor erects a viking pyre for the fallen warrior and the Valkyrie escort his soul to Valhalla. |
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Odin summons Balder and assigns him to deliver a letter to Loki in hopes of forming an alliance with him against the looming danger. Balder makes the difficult journey to Loki's castle. Loki forces him to break his pacifist vow to deliver the letter. Loki casually discards the letter without opening it since he has already made an alliance with Malekith. An enraged Balder then decapitates Loki (his sorcery keeps him alive, of course) before exiling himself to the desert. |
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Siguard enjoys some down time with Melody (Lorelei). The dark elves try to track down the elusive human guardian that protects the Casket of Ancient Winters. Malekith the Accursed catches up with the guardian and kills him, but not before getting the location of the Casket. However, the guardian managed to let his son know what was going on. The guardian's lawyer contacts Thor and asks for his help. Jay's Notes:
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The guardian's son, Roger Willis gets his hands on the Casket before Malekith does. A frustrated Malekith summons the Wild Hunt to track down Willis. Thor joins Willis against Malekith and his hounds. Thor injures Malekith with iron, the bane of all faerie folk, and forces him to withdraw. Unfortunately, Malekith detects Melody (Lorelei)'s Asgardian magic and kidnaps her. He wishes to trade the Casket for her life and since Thor has drunken of Lorelei's enchanted mead, he's eager to rescue her. |
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Thor, enamored with Lorelei, and Willis travel to England and breach the entrance to the Faerie realm. Thor is attacked by Algrim the Strong, and they are both plunged into a bottomless pit. Malekith captures Willis and gets his hands on the casket. Meanwhile, Balder, roaming the desert to die, rescues a young woman and earns an audience with the Norns. Jay's Notes:
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Malekith prepares to open the Casket, but Willis disrupts the ceremony. Thor emerges from the pit and rescues Willis. Thor tricks and defeats Malekith. Unfortunately, Malekith shatters the Casket which frees the portal between Muspelheim and the Earth. Surtur destroys the barrier with his sword Twilight and enters the Earth plane. Meanwhile, Balder learns the value of his life and Asgard may soon have need of it. In Asgard, the Warriors Three prepare Asgard's forces for the upcoming threat. |
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The winter fury of the Casket of Ancient Winters spreads across the Earth. Thor brings Malekith to Asgard. Odin tells of how he and his brother ventured into the land of Muspelheim and stole the Eternal Flame. Vili and Ve sacrificed themselves to seal Surtur within his own realm. Now, unfortunately, Surtur makes his way to Asgard seeking the Eternal Flame to empower his twilight sword. Odin summons Beta Ray Bill to Asgard. Jay's Notes:
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Beta Ray Bill and Sif join the warriors of Asgard. Odin rallies his warriors and tells them that Surtur must not reach the Eternal Flame or the Universe is doomed. The warriors intercept Surtur and his forces as they attack Earth. Surtur tricks Thor into revealing the Rainbow bridge. Heimdall sounds the Gjallerhorn with Surtur and his forces at the gates of Asgard. Jay's Notes:
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Thor and his allies battle the endless waves of Surtur's army. The Human Torch and Roger Willis travel to England to deal with the Casket of Ancient Winters. The U.S. Army arrives and pitches in. Meanwhile, Surtur defeats Heimdall with easy and then faces Thor who has left Earth to directly confront Surtur. Surtur destroys the Rainbow Bridge and defeats Thor. Odin emerges from Asgard's city gates and is prepared to battle Surtur. Jay's Notes:
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Odin battles Surtur. 'Nuff said. Meanwhile, Mr. Fantastic shuts down the gateway from Muspelheim. Beta Ray Bill leads the heroes of Valhalla to the transportation devices. Surtur with the twilight sword overpowers Odin and makes his way to the Eternal Flame. Jay's Notes:
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Loki delays Surtur from reaching the Eternal Flame long enough for Willis and the Human Torch to repair the Casket of Ancient Winters, which frees Odin. Odin, Thor, and Loki attack Surtur. Meanwhile, Beta Ray Bill and the heroes destroy the transportation device and send the demons back to Muspelheim. Thor strips Surtur of the Twilight Sword and gives Odin the opportunity to take him on at an equal power level. Odin and Surtur fall into a chasm and an explosion leaves no trace of either being. Jay's Notes:
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Thor, with the disappearance of Odin, surveys the damage done to Asgard. Hela appears bent on appropriating Odin's soul, but Thor takes out his rage on her and drives her off. Thor consults with Sif over the predicament of the Asgardian warriors trapped on Earth because of the destruction of the Rainbow Bridge. Thor takes a journey that he hopes will clear his thoughts. However, Hela has a different idea and buries him underneath an avalanche. Jay's Notes:
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Thor is rescued by a rather large old man, Tiwaz, and is nursed back to health. The old man provides Thor with entertainment by creating icy figures that he brings to life. Thor wrestles with Tiwaz each day and is defeated. Once his health is restored, Thor finally manages to defeat Tiwaz. He leaves the old man's hospitality after he's convinced that the old man isn't Odin. Jay's Notes:
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Hercules, while out on a stroll in Central park with Jarvis, run into a group of children and tells them perhaps one of Marvel's biggest yarns. He tells of a great fictional battle between himself and Thor, and makes a fool out of Thor. He quickly changes his attitude when he learns one of the children is being bullied because he likes Thor. Jay's Notes:
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Thor meets up with Frigga, Odin's widow, and leads them back to Asgard from the refuge they took from the battle against Surtur. Lorelei and Loki plot their latest attempt to destroy Thor. Meanwhile, the warriors of Asgard take in the sights and sound of New York City. Beta Ray Bill and Sif have a run-in with a group of armored bank robbers who mysteriously disappear. |
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Lorelei uses the magical vapors that Loki gave her to put Thor under her spell. She "convinces" Thor that the throne of Asgard should be Loki. Meanwhile on Earth, the armored bank robbers attack again and Beta Ray Bill confronts them. This time, however, he's engaged by the leader who sports a more powerful armor. As it turns out, this "leader" is Soviet agent, Titanium Man, and he's defeated as his accomplices, red-blooded americans of course, attack him. |
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Thor proudly proclaims his support for Loki as the new ruler of Asgard to Heimdall and Frigga. The Enchantress is summoned and not even she can remove her sister's enchantment. Sif returns to Asgard from Earth and confronts Lorelei. Lorelei has Thor strike Sif. The Enchantress convinces Thor to follow Lorelei. He discovers her in bed with Loki. Thor attacks Loki in a furious rage, through which he can temporarily see reason, and "convinces" Loki to remove the enchantment. Thor returns to Earth and with Beta Ray Bill, opens a dimensional portal to Asgard allowing the Asgardian warriors to return home. |
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Balder enjoys the hospitality of the Nornkeep and its master Karnilla, the Norn Queen. A young warrior, Agnar, indebted to Balder, travels to the Nornkeep to inform Balder of Odin's disappearance and Thor's preparations to journey into Hel. Karnilla imprisons Agnar to prevent Balder from leaving her, but he does eventually find out. Balder trains with Agnar to get back in shape and he bids farewell to Karnilla. Jay's Notes:
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Thor greets the return warriors and declares a triumphant end to the war. However, Thor announces a new quest to rescue the humans trapped in Hela's realm by the dark elves. Thor consults Odin's rune stones and summons the deadly Angerboda and learns the way to the realm of the dead. Balder joins his quest, as well as the Executioner who has been rejected by the Enchantress in favor of Heimdall. Before leaving, Thor tries to make amends with Sif for having struck her. |
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Thor leads his band of warriors past Garm, the guardian of the gates of Hel, and into Hel. Hela's dead attempt to trick the warriors, but Thor reveals their deception and challenges Hela to personal combat for the human souls she has captured. Thor prevails but not before having his face disfigured by Hela's Hand of Glory. |
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Thor and the warriors make their way out of Hel. However, Hela is not willing to let them go and sends the legions of the dead after them. The Executionner sacrifices himself to hold off the dead while Thor and the warriors escape with the human souls. |
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Thor returns to Earth and release the human souls. Meanwhile, the Beyonder continues to toy with Kurse, formerly known as Algrim (see Power Pack #18 for more info), and sets him up against Thor. Beta Ray Bill and Power Pack join the battle. Katie Power absorbs the power of Mjolnir and Stormbringer, and unleashes it on Kurse. The Beyonder, taking Thor's advice, transports Kurse to Hela's domain, Hel. Loki's latest scheme has Thor changed into a frog. Jay's Notes:
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Thor tries to adjust to his new frog form and becomes involved in a rat-frog war in Central Park. Thor seeks out help and finds alligators and the Morlock known as the Piper. Meanwhile in Asgard, Frigga calls a meeting to decided on a new lawgiver in the absence of her husband, Odin. |
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Thor, still trapped in the form of a frog, frees the alligators from the Piper's control. The alligators persue Thor and he leads them to the unsuspecting rats. The Piper returns and notices something special about Thor's frog form and decides to let the rats in to the Morlock Tunnels. Meanwhile in Asgard, Heimdall manages to temporarily stall the proceedings. |
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While still in his frog form, Thor is able to tap into Mjolnir's power and become a powerful frog-man. He makes his way to Asgard and seizes Loki, taking him to a remote location to confront him. Loki refuses to admit to any wrong doing, even when Volstagg and his daughter destroy his source of power and Thor is restored to his proper form. Thor addresses the citizens of Asgard and renounces his claim to the throne in view of his duties on Earth. He nominates Balder as the new ruler. |
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The Frost Giants, led by Utgard-Loki, trick Karnilla and successfully storm the Nornkeep. Balder and Agnar return to the Nornkeep and find it deserted. They make their way to Jotunheim, realm of the Giants, to rescue Karnilla who has been taken captive and treated as a slave. |
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Balder sneaks into Utgard-Loki's fortress and finds Karnilla, but unfortunately, the Frost Giants find him. Balder is forced into combat against the giant Hagen who wields the Sword of Frey. Balder defeats him and grabs hold of the Sword of Frey. |
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Balder hands off the Sword of Frey to Agar before Balder is recaptured as he is helpless with the Frost Giants hold Karnilla hostage. Balder escapes and frees Karnilla and unleashes the power of his heat and light on the Frost Giants. Balder returns to the Nornkeep with Karnilla and learns that he has been chosen to rule Asgard in Odin's absence. Balder bids farewell yet again to Karnilla and returns to Asgard to assume the responsibilities of the throne. |
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Balder is summoned from Karnilla's realm, Nornheim (see Balder the Brave limited series) and he makes his way to Asgard. Malekith puts in motion a plot to seize control of Asgard, but Kurse interrupts the coronation ceremony and apparently kills Balder. Jay's Notes:
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As it turns out, Malekith had assumed the form of Balder in hopes of ascending to Asgard's throne, but now he's dead at the hands of Kurse. Thor and the Warriors Three set off in search of Balder. Meanwhile, Balder has fallen prey to three witches disguised as damsels in distress. Thor follows in Balder's footsteps and meets the three "damsels". |
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The three "damsels" attack Thor and they pit him against Balder, who's under their control. Thor battles Balder until he can free Balder from their influence. The "damsels" reveals themselves as Troll Hags. Thor and Balder destroy them only to confront the Troll Mother. They defeat the Troll Mother and make their way back to Asgard. Jay's Notes:
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An off-beat tale set in the wild west where a young man gets involved in a mysterious quest. Loki has stolen the apples of Idunn, which grant the Asgardians their eternal youth (and not immortality). However, his agent has betrayed him and has contacted Thor. The young man aids Thor is defeating Loki and recovering the apples of Idunn. Jay's Notes:
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September 1986 |
Balder's coronation is complete and he takes his rightful place on the throne of Asgard. Thor returns to Earth and has an encounter with a police officer from the future, called Justice Peace (enter Judge Dredd wannabe). Meanwhile, one of Thor's old foes Thug Thatcher releases the villain known as Zaniac from prison. Zaniac is killed accidentally, but he's just a host for parasites. One of these parasites enters Thug Thatcher and is out to kill Jane Foster, based on Thatcher's desire for revenge against Thor's former girl friend. |
October 1986 |
Thor and Justice Peace battle again, but this time they realize their after the same thing: Zaniac. They track down Thatcher/Zaniac, but they're too late. Thor powers Justice Peace's time hopsikle and stop Zaniac from possessing Thatcher. The encounter is too much for Thatcher who suffers a fatal heart attack. |
November 1986 |
Thor returns to Earth and spends some time with his former foreman, Jerry Sapristi, and his family. The visit does Thor some good as his father's lost weights heavily on him. Thor then comes to the Angel's rescue deep within the Morlock tunnels. Jay's Notes:
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December 1986 |
Thor fends off the Marauders, who are the assassins responsible for the Mutant Massacre, and gets the Angel back to X-Factor. Thor also learns that his bones have been cursed by Hela, who's still upset over his invasion of Hel (see Thor #261-262). Thor summons down a massive barrage of lighting to give the Morlocks a Viking funeral and to cleanse the tunnels. Jay's Notes:
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January 1987 |
Tony Stark provides Thor with an armored cast for his broken arm. Loki learns of Thor's condition and creates replicates of Thor's past foes using people. By the time Thor catches on and decides to battle defensively, Loki pits him against the real Absorbing Man. |
February 1987 |
Loki manipulates the Absorbing Man in his battle against Thor. Thor is seriously injured during the battle, but before he passes out, he manages to exile the Absorbing Man to another dimension. Meanwhile, Loki forges an alliance with the Storm Giants as his puts his next plan to seize power in Asgard into motion. |
March 1987 |
Thor forges an armor of Asgardian steel to help him cope with his cursed condition. Unfortunately, the process threatens to destroy the realm of the dark elves and they send the monster Grendell to stop Thor. The battle goes poorly for Thor and Loki has to rescue him. Loki then kidnaps Ice Man and uses him to restore the Storm Giants to their proper size (see Balder the Brave limited series as to why they were in that state). The ungrateful giants decide to turn against Loki. |
April 1987 |
Loki battles against the Storm Giants who have breached Loki's hall. Thor rescues Loki and frees Ice Man from Loki's machine. Thor retrieves his armor from Earth and dons it to face the giants. The giants are forced into retreat. |
May 1987 |
While Thor returns Ice Man to Earth, the Frost Giants also make their way to Earth to awaken the Midgard Serpent Jormungand to let it known of Thor's debilitated state. Unfortunately, they awaken the dragon Fin Fang Foom who decides to check out Thor. Foom meets up with Thor, but doesn't recognize him in his new armor, but they do decided to battle. Foom reveals himself as Jormungand and Thor announces himself to the serpent. |
June 1987 |
Destiny begins to fulfill itself as Thor and Jormungand meet in their final battle. Their battle is monumental as both Thor and Jormungand unleash the full extent of their powers. In the end, Jormungand is mortally wounded and Thor's armor lies apparently empty. Jay's Notes:
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The Storm Giants come across Thor's armor containing the (possible liquid) remains of Thor's cursed body. Loki, who feels indebted to his step brother for having saved his life, unleashes the Destroyer to keep the giants busy. The Destroyer then attempts to absorb Thor's soul, but Thor resists and actually overwhelms the Destroyer's spirit. Thor's spirit then takes full control of the Destroyer's armor. Meanwhile on Asgard, a strange plague ravages the populace and Utgard-Loki amasses his warriors to take advantage of the situation. Jay's Notes:
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Thor, within the Destroyer's armor, makes his way to Hel and begins to "flex a bit of muscle". Hela is no match for the Destroyer's destructive fury and is forced to restore Thor's body and remove her curse. Meanwhile, Balder and Kurse defend Asgard from the invading giants. After humbling Hela, Thor returns to his restored body and then "persuades" the giants to leave Asgard. In the aftermath, Thor pays Loki a visit and has a nice little "chat" with his step brother. Jay's Notes:
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