Journey Into Mystery Vol 1 121

While trying to learn what happened to Jane Foster, Thor finds himself attacked by the recently revived Absorbing Man. As the battle rages, the Absorbing Man attempts to wrest Thor's hammer away, however the enchantment that makes it return to Thor whenever he throws it prevents this from happening. While, in Asgard, Loki watches the battle with eagerness however is briefly interrupted by Balder the Brave who has come to make sure that Loki isn't up to mischief, however Loki manages to convince the trusting Balder that he is not up to anything before resuming his watch of the battle between Thor and the Absorbing Man.

Back on Earth, the Absorbing Man attempts to gain the upper hand by absorbing the height and properties of nearby skyscrapers making him grow titanic in size, however the Thunder God is still able to keep the Absorbing Man on the defensive and ultimately the Absorbing Man resumes his natural size and the battle rages on. Watching the battle on TV and witnessing the carnage from outside of a window is Jane Foster, who is asked to not be seen by the mysterious hooded man who has brought her to this location, and tells her that he will explain why he has gathered her in due course before leaving her alone once more.

While back on Asgard, Loki is finally left alone and checks on Ularic to insure that the Warlock is still subdued, and makes sure that both Balder and Odin are preoccupied with other matters before plotting his ultimate revenge. Elsewhere still on Earth, the one Norn Stone dropped by Thor is still left unattended, an omen of trouble ahead.

Back in New York City, Thor continues his battle against the Absorbing Man, who briefly becomes very vulnerable when he accidentally absorbs the property of glass and has to flee. He seeks refuge in a bank vault (assuming the property of it's steel) before Thor smashes through and continues their battle. As the battle takes them out into the streets once more, the police scramble to get the crowd away. When a young child gets in the middle of the battle, Thor takes his attentions off the Absorbing Man long enough for his foe to land a powerful blow that knocks the Thunder God out.

Appearing in "Maelstrom!"

Featured Characters:

⏴ Thor ⏵

Supporting Characters:

Balder

Antagonists:

Loki

Other Characters:

Numerous unnamed Asgardians
Utgard Dragon (First appearance)
Odin (Mentioned)

Races and Species:

Utgard Dragons (First appearance)
Asgardians
Asgardian Dragons
Frost Giants

Locations:

Asgard
- Sea of Fear (First appearance)
  - Pillars of Utgard (First appearance)

Items:

Mjolnir

Vehicles:

Dragon Ship

Events:

Ragnarok (Referenced)

Synopsis for "Maelstrom!"

Why is Loki not in command?? Surely he would have set sail for home by now!

—Unnamed Argonaut

Continued from Journey Into Mystery #120...

On a voyage to learn the cause of the Oversword's slow destruction, Thor has led an army of his fellow Asgardians on a voyage to determine it's cause and prevent Ragnarok from occurring. Entering the Sea of Fear, they have to pass the Pillars of Utgard in order to continue on their voyage. As a storm rages, Thor rallies his men to maintain course and fight the storm, in spite of Loki's bleak outlook on the situation.

As the ship is battered through the rapids, Balder the Brave climbs the masthead of the ship with a great horn on some grave purpose that will save his fellows from doom.

Notes

Continuity Notes[]

During this time, Thor was at some point attending the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm in Fantastic Four Annual #3 and subsequently takes part in the fight against an army of supervillains manipulated by Doctor Doom which included Super-Skrull among others.

Publication Notes[]

References: Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 and Journey Into Mystery #120

Links and References

References

Journey Into Mystery Vol 1 121

Appearing in "The Power! The Passion! The Pride!"

Synopsis for "The Power! The Passion! The Pride!"