—HerculesHercules has always loved cities! It is there where the crowds are--where reveling and merry-making are to be found! And who can enjoy the good life as much as an Olympian god?!! Take me then to your city! Hercules commands!
Appearing in "When Meet the Immortals!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Charlie (bystander) (First appearance)
- Charlie (musician) (First appearance)
- Marvin (First appearance)
- Willie (First appearance)
- Unnamed talent scout working for J.B. Stardust (First appearance)
Races and Species:
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "When Meet the Immortals!"
Meanwhile in the United States, Hercules has awoken from his first evening on Earth to the sound of a train that cannot progress further down the line due to a fallen tree on the tracks. Hercules decides to use his great strength to toss the tree aside, and asks that the engineer take him to the city that the train is destined to. While back in Asia, Thor plugs the enemy cannon with his hammer, causing it to backfire, causing an explosion powerful enough to knock everyone but Thor unconscious. Using this opportunity, Thor reclaims the Norn Stone from the Demon, stripping him of his enhanced powers and his army soon flees.
Thor transports himself to Asgard to turn the Norn Stone over to Odin. Thor soon realizes that Odin is furious at him for breaking his decree when he revealed his identity to Jane Foster. The angry Odin refuses to allow Thor to return to Earth unless he passes the Ritual of Steel where he must fight not only against his best friend Balder, but an army of Asgardians all ordered to slay him.
Back on Earth, Hercules has been enjoying New York City, eating a grand meal in a dinner club and attracting the attention of beautiful women. He has been spotted by a talent scout for movie executive J. B. Stardust, who wants Hercules to play himself in a Hollywood. While playing the guitar, the club is attacked by masked robbers. However, all present -- who figured Hercules for an actor playing the role of the famous Demigod -- soon realize that they are dealing with the genuine article when Hercules easily defeats the robbers.
Hearing the commotion from her hospital room just as she is being discharged, Jane Foster believes that it's coming from Thor who has kept his promise to return to her the next day. However, when she goes to the streets she finds that it is Hercules, who is taking the glory and praise for stopping the crooks. Finding Jane to be very striking, Hercules leaves with the girl, and when Stardust's representative tries to take him to Hollywood, Hercules stuffs the man in a garbage can and leaves.
Back on Asgard, Thor has managed to fight off his fellows, even fighting past Heimdall and escaping across the Bifrost Bridge to Earth. When Balder throws himself at the mercy of Odin for failing to slay Thor, Odin forgives him and decides instead to watch what his son intends to do on Earth. There, Thor finds Jane in a restaurant with Hercules and finds that Jane is upset at Thor for once again abandoning her. When Thor tries to explain himself he sees who she is out with and becomes jealous.
When Hercules greets his old ally Thor insults him, which leads to the Prince of Power striking the Thunder God, and thus the first blow in a battle between Thor and Hercules is struck.Appearing in "Whom the Gods Would Destroy!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Hercules (Heracles)
- Odin
- Balder
- Jane Foster
- Heimdall
- Unnamed talent scout working for J.B. Stardust
Antagonists:
- Seidring (First appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "Whom the Gods Would Destroy!"
Thor and Hercules are fighting over Jane Foster, both mens egos preventing an end to the fight, however the two appear to be evenly matched. While in Asgard, Odin is still furious over Thor's disobedience in first revealing his double identity to Jane and returning to Earth against Odin's wishes. The All-Father then begins thinking of a suitable punishment for his disobedient son.
Back on Earth, Thor and Hercules' battle takes them across the city, as each man tries to out match the other, accomplishing nothing more but a lot of collateral damage to the city around them. Their battle eventually leads them to a construction site. As the battle rages, on Asgard, Odin has called forth Seidring the Merciless to exact a punishment on Thor: to gradually drain his strength to half power. In spite of Seidring's reservations, he complies with Odin's wishes, striking Thor with a mystical bolt that will weaken the Thunder God just as Odin commanded.
This of course turns the tide of battle in Hercules' favour who begins to beat Thor in combat. However, Hercules realizes that Thor has been weakened and no longer desire to fight an inferior foe. Angered by this, Thor continues his fight even though his strength is at a low ebb. In trying to defeat Hercules, Thor lifts a heavy construction vehicle and finds that his strength is insufficient to keep the device aloft, prompting Hercules to kick it out of his hands, Thor then collapses to the ground.
With the battle over, Hercules is swarmed by spectators, including the talent agent trying to convince Hercules to go to Hollywood and star in a Hercules movie. This time Hercules accepts the offer and departs. When Thor revives he finds that the crowd has lost interest in him and mock his easy defeat at the Prince of Powers hands. Feeling the rejection, Thor is confronted by Jane Foster who says that she only went to lunch with Hercules to make Thor jealous and that she is true to the Thunder God. Feeling that he has lost honour in the face of this defeat, Thor leaves Jane telling him he will not return to her until he has restored it in his eyes.
Jane is upset, until she contacted telepathically by Odin, who tells her that Thor has fought like a true Asgardian and that he is remorseful toward his son and tells Jane to go to him. Heeding this command, Jane follows after the Thunder God.
This story is continued next issue...Appearing in "The Hammer and the Holocaust!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Asgard
- Stardust Studios (First appearance)
Items:
Synopsis for "The Hammer and the Holocaust!"
Believing that he has lost his honor, Thor is confronted by Jane Foster who tries to get him to forget restoring his honor and that she loves him. Thor is embittered by being the subject to Jane's pity and leaves. Before Jane can do anything more, someone is struck by a car, sending her rushing to this stranger to give them medical aid.
While in California, preparations for a new Hercules feature film are under way at Stardust Studios. When some of the workers stop to comment on the set designs, they are scared back into their work by the studio owner, J.P. -- who is in reality Pluto, the Olympian God of Death and ruler of Hades. With his workers gone, he checks with one of his slaves in Hades to make sure all is well. Satisfied that nothing there demands his attention, Pluto begins preparing for the arrival of Hercules.
Elsewhere, Thor stops to ponder his lot and how to restore his honour, unaware that he is being watched by remorseful Odin who feels fully responsible for doing this to the Thunder God. Odin is then struck down from behind by Seidring who is attempting to take over Asgard. With Odin defeated he does just that, and when Balder enters the room to investigate, Seidring announces that he is the ruler of Asgard.
When Thor returns to Asgard, he finds Heimdall encased in a block of Ethereal force, and rushes into the city of Asgard to learn what has happened. There he finds his fellow Asgardians all have been incapacitated, including Balder. Suddenly, Thor is surrounded in a ring of fire erected by Seidring, who demands that Thor pledge an allegiance to him or suffer the same fate as his comrades. Thor refuses, and walks through the flame to battle Seidring.
While back on Earth, Pluto continues his plot against Hercules, joined by Hippolyta who is in on the charade, pretending to be an actress playing the role of herself. Pluto creates an Olympian Pact, a document that makes an eternal pact between those who sign it, the key to Pluto's plot against the Prince of Power.
Back on Asgard, Seidring and Thor battle, Seidring using his superior mystical powers against Thor who finds himself initially out matched and fighting on the defencive. Finding himself unable to defeat the Odinpower enhanced Seidring, Thor escapes to the chaimber of the Oversword. Braving all of Seidring's mystical attacks, Thor grabs the handle of the sword and threatens to bring about Ragnarok if Seidring refuses to surrender back his usurped power to Odin.
Not wishing to have his life ended, Seidring returns the power to Odin, who tells Seidring to leave and that his punishment will come later. Odin then scoops up the exhausted Thor, and carries him off, convinced that his son is still the most noble of all Asgard.Appearing in "The Power of Pluto!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Races and Species:
- Asgardians
- Rock Trolls
- Human-Olympian Hybrids
- Olympians
- Humans
- Titans (First appearance)
- Beast-Fish (First appearance)
Locations:
- Asgard
- City of Asgard
- Marmora Sea
- Earthspace
- Olympus (Mentioned)
- Netherworld (Mentioned)
Items:
Synopsis for "The Power of Pluto!"
While in California, Hercules is taken to the set of a new Hercules movie being made by Stardust Studios, the Prince of Power is completely unaware that this studio is in reality a front made by Pluto and Hippolyta, who hope to trick him into signing an Olympian Pact. Under the guise of Stardust Studio owner J.P., Pluto has Hercules do a screen test by fighting a mechanical giant. Passing the "test", Pluto rewards Hercules by giving him a large feast.
Back in Asgard, Thor beings his recovery, even though he's still confined to a bed Thor is taken out to the frozen sea of Marmora by Balder to do some ice fishing. However the outing is marred when Thor misses one of his targets -- a gigantic amphibian creature -- and it attacks their boat, forcing Balder to fight it off and flee the scene.
While back on Earth, Hercules is asked to sign a contract for the movie deal during his feast. Hercules, brashly signs the document, and Pluto reveals his true self and explains that Hercules has signed an Olympian Pact. Both Pluto and Hippolyta boast about how Hercules blindly signed a contract to take over the role of ruling Hades for all eternity.
As Hercules is forced to fight Pluto's hordes, in Asgard, Thor has fully recovered and requests Odin to allow him to return to Earth so that he might have a rematch against Hercules. Odin, having put aside his differences agrees to the request and send Thor to California where he finds Hercules battling the hordes of Pluto. Seeing his rival fighting overwhelming odds, Thor decides to lend a hand and jumps into the battle fighting with Hercules side-by-side. Observing the battle, Pluto and Hippolyta boast about their victory, and having accomplished their goal teleport away.
When the two finally defeat the horde of attackers, Hercules tells Thor what has happened, and understanding Hercules' fate, Thor decides that there isn't time for their final battle and departs.Appearing in "The Verdict of Zeus!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Taxi Driver (Unnamed)
- Dionysus
- Zeus
- Hera, Queen of the Gods
- Artemis (First appearance)
- Hephaestus (First appearance)
- Ares (First modern age appearance)
- Hermes
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Earthspace
- Earth
- United States of America
- New York
- New York City
- 75th Street (First appearance)
- Town Towers (First appearance)
- 75th Street (First appearance)
- New York City
- New York
- Anzio (Mentioned)
- United States of America
- Earth
- Heaven (Invoked)
- Olympus
- Netherworld (Mentioned)
- Asgard
- Limbo
Items:
Vehicles:
- Hermes' Flying Chariot
Events
- World War II (Mentioned)
Synopsis for "The Verdict of Zeus!"
Thor returns to New York City where a crowd of people ask him questions about his going feud with Hercules. Thor finds that crowds questions to pressing and is given a escape when a taxi driver offers to get him out of the scene. As Thor has the driver take him to the apartment building where Jane Foster lives, the cab driver waxes philosophical with him.
Meanwhile, in far off Olympus, Zeus is being entertained when suddenly Pluto arrives to hand over the signed Olympian Pact, that has made Hercules ruler of Hades thereby freeing Pluto from his centuries long rule of the domain. When Zeus believes this to be a trick, Pluto shows him the signed document and presses the ruler of the Olympian Gods to follow the rule of the pact. Elsewhere, Hercules has arrive in Olympus to seek his fathers aid, his travels are slowed when he must fight off a Titan that gets in his way. When Hercules finally reaches Olympus, he finds that he is too late and Zeus demands that he honor the pact and go to Hades and rule. Zeus gives Hercules an opportunity to get out of his bind, all he need do is find someone who is willing to fight for him.
Back on Earth, Thor arrives at Jane Fosters apartment and meets her new roommate Tana Nile, whom Thor finds very strange. Tana admits that she is from a far away place, however doesn't explain her origins, and when Thor presses Jane for more information she unfortunately does not know much else about her new roommate either. Thor once more pledges his love with Jane, and expresses his interest in marrying her. Because a God cannot marry a mortal, Thor decides to go to Asgard one last time and demand his father take away his godly heritage so that they may wed. A decision that Jane is happy with, but is concerned. The couple are unaware that the whole time Tana has been secretly listening in on their conversation and has plans for Thor, plans of which require his godly might and she plots to insure that Thor does not return to Earth.
Thor meanwhile, travels back to Asgard where he finds Balder waiting for him. Balder explains to Thor that something has Odin disturbed and that he has been sent out to find Thor as quickly as possible. Odin, not allowing Thor to explain his intended plans tells the Thunder God that he must travel to the realm of Limbo to prepare through the Doorway of All Worlds as a prophesy that will effect three worlds is about to pass. Thor has no choice but to agree and allows Odin to transport him to Limbo to wait until he is needed.
Back in Olympus, Hercules attempts to get aid from his fellow Gods to fight for him. Hercules attempts to get the aid of his enemy Ares to fight on his behalf, to which the God of War refuses. When his time to find someone runs out, Pluto appears to gloat as his minions rise out of Hades to take Hercules to his new realm. However, it's at this moment that Odin dispatches Thor from Limbo, having him appear in Olympus. Thor arrives believing that Odin wishes him to battle Hercules, however when the Thunder God witness the Prince of Power being dragged into Hades by the minions of Pluto, Thor realizes what he must do, and challenges Pluto and fight on Hercules' behalf.
This story is continued next issue...Appearing in "Thunder in the Netherworld!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Pluto
- Cerberus (First appearance)
- Tana Nile
- Legion of the Netherworld
- Crusher (First appearance)
- Numerous unnamed members
Other Characters:
Races and Species:
- Asgardians
- Olympians
- Hellhounds
- Rigellians
- Humans
- Human-Olympian Hybrids
- Horses (Referenced)
Locations:
- Olympus
- Hades
- Earthspace
- Asgard (Mentioned)
- City of Asgard (Mentioned)
- Rainbow Bridge (Mentioned)
Items:
- Mjolnir
- Cosmic Cannon
Synopsis for "Thunder in the Netherworld!"
Thor has been transported to Olympus to fight on the behalf of Hercules, who has been caught in an Olympian Pact to take over rule of Hades from Pluto. Accepting the challenge, Pluto transports the Thunder God to Hades where he is to fight Pluto's hordes and prevent Pluto himself from crowning Hercules with the Crown of Hades, which would consummate their pact. Travelling through Hades, Thor is confronted with the first of many battles: With the being known as Cerberus. This a battle easily won by Thor who manages to over power the giant.
While on Earth, Jane Foster worries about Thor and fears the worst. When her roommate Tana Nile hears of her situation, she suddenly is able to hypnotize Jane and commands her to go on a long journey and not return.
Back in Hades, Hercules is brought before Pluto who is about to crown the Prince of Power with the Crown of Hades when Thor suddenly bursts in to stop the ceremony. When Hercules breaks free and tries to aid, he is struck down by Zeus who orders Hercules to let his chosen champion determine his fate. Thor battles Pluto's forces, defeating every obstacle in his way until he is caught in a Turbulence Chamber which threatens to destroy him.
Meanwhile on Earth, still under Tana Nile's control, Jane packs her things and leaves New York City. Leaving Tana, who is really an alien invader to begin her preparations for an Earth invasion. Back in Hades, Thor withstands the Turbulence Chamber and manages to break free, fighting Pluto's warriors, including the super strong Crusher. Thor continues to fight through these armies, causing massive damages to the realm. Seeing the destruction of the empire that he took centuries to build up, Pluto calls an end to the combat and agrees to cancel the Pact that Hercules signed. Witnessing Pluto tearing up the contract causes Hercules to rejoice a little too much and he almost causes the room to fall on their head.
When Hercules is about to start a fight with Pluto, Thor stops him and convinces the Prince of Power that to battle Pluto would be do act as a weaker man. Hercules thanks Thor his aid, and the two Gods leave Hades as comrades.Notes
- This issue includes a pin-up of Thor and his supporting cast drawn by John Buscema printed on the inside front cover:
- No month in issue.
