Appearing in "The Flames of Battle!"
Featured Characters:
- ⏴ Thor ⏵ (Dr. Don Blake)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Locations:
Items:
- Mjolnir
- Orb of Orikal (First appearance)
Synopsis for "The Flames of Battle!"
Continued from last issue...
Thor has returned to Earth in order to rescue Sif from the clutches of Ulik. In order to search for his foe unnoticed, Thor taps his hammer and changes back into the mortal form of Donald Blake, playing right into the plot that Geirrodur (ruler of the Rock Trolls) had intended for the Thunder God to do. This transformation is picked up by one of the Rock Troll devices and relayed to Ulik who is hiding out with the unconscious Sif in New York's subway system with an army of Rock Trolls.
They use a "Molecular Disperser" to make the street under Donald Blake intangible so that they can grab him and pull him below to a tunnel where they immediately take his walking stick from him. As Ulik demands that Blake explain how the cane works, the Rock Troll holding the cane, deciding to take the power of Thor for himself, quietly asks Blake how the cane works. Taking advantage of the fact that only he may cause the enchantment that changes the stick into his enchanted hammer, Blake explains its operation to the Troll. When the Rock Troll taps the cane, Blake quickly darts a hand out so that he is grasping it as it strikes the ground and he is transformed into Thor once more. Regaining hold of his hammer, Thor renews his battle against Ulik.
While back on Asgard, the Rock Trolls invasion of the realm begins and on they succeed in defeating Asgard's first war party, taking them all prisoner before they can send anyone back to get reinforcements. Informing Geirrodur of the victory, the king of the Rock Trolls decides to check with Orikal to learn of the progress of their team which is digging a secret tunnel into the heart of Asgard itself. Orikal advises Geirrodur that his forces are nearing the city of Asgard and that their attack will begin soon.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Thor and Ulik's battle rages on. Even though Ulik has the advantage of having a small army to help him, Thor manages to beat them all aside. Thor then finds the body of Sif, and begins trying to figure out a way to free her body when one of the Trolls sneaks up behind him with the Orb of Orikal. Thinking that it is a weapon to use against him, Thor throws his hammer and realizes too late what it's meant for: capturing his hammer. Succeeding in collecting Thor's hammer, the Rock Trolls then teleport back to Asgard to join their comrades in their battle against Asgard. As they depart, Sif is freed from the cocoon that she has been trapped in and learns of the grave situation, stuck on Earth with Thor who will change back to Donald Blake in 60 seconds without his hammer, and neither with a way to return to Asgard.
While back on Asgard, the Rock Trolls begin their attack on the kingdom of Asgard with all their forces. Odin sends all his troops to counterattack but they prove unable to stop the advancing attackers and Odin calls to his son for help. Back on Earth, Thor hears these cries but feels only helplessness as he is unable to answer them.
This story is continued next issue...
Appearing in "Tales of Asgard: The Quest for the Mystic Mountain!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Ogur (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Wazir (First appearance)
Locations:
- Hindi (First appearance)
Synopsis for "Tales of Asgard: The Quest for the Mystic Mountain!"
Continued from last issue....
Seeking to get revenge against Mogul for slaying his people, Hogun and his friends Thor, Fandral and Volstagg seek out Wazir, a prophet who knows the location of Mystic Mountain, the home of Mogul. However, in order to get to Wazir, they have to get past the cyclops known as Ogur but he will not let them pass without a fight and attacks the four warriors. After a brief battle, Thor and the Warriors Three manage to battle Ogur into submission until Wazir -- roused from his meditations by the din of battle -- comes from his cavern to know what the commotion is.
Hearing of the warriors plea to be transported to Mystic Mountain, Wazir agrees to teach them the location. He has Thor, Fandral and Hogun hold his wooden staff and they suddenly are imparted with the knowledge of Mystic Mountain's location. Finding themselves now alone in Wazir's cavern, they leave to find Volstagg, whom they left out on watch, fast asleep. However, when they rouse the sleeping warrior, he claims that he was putting on a ruse for any attacker who might happen by.
This story is continued next issue...
Notes
- In the first story, Thor states that immortals can always detect the presence of other immortals. Even as Don Blake, Thor can sense the aura of Sif strongly enough that he can use it like a psychic homing signal. The fact that he can sense her presence indicates that Sif still lives.