A World Gone Mad!

Thor has returned to Asgard to assist his people in repelling an army of invaders. Once the battle is over, Thor tells Odin that he has to return to Earth. Odin is furious that his son continues to spend time there because of his love for Jane Foster. However, he knows that his words are falling on deaf ears and allows his son to leave.

Once back on Earth, Thor decides that he can no longer keep his secret from Jane any longer and, after changing back into Don Blake, devices to tell her about his double-life. Going down into his office, Blake tells Jane the startling truth: That he is actually Thor.

Meanwhile, at a nearby museum, a group of archeologists is working to remove mud and debris from a statue that was dredged out from the Hudson River. At first, they think it might be an artifact from an ancient civilization. Unfortunately, they are wrong and learn too late that it is actually the Grey Gargoyle, who had been trapped at the bottom of the river since he was last defeated by Thor.[1] The Gargoyle regains consciousness on the examination table and turns the men who found him into stone so he can escape. Returning to his apartment, the Grey Gargoyle recounts how a formula granted himself with his fantastic powers and begins planning to steal Thor’s hammer again, believing the enchanted weapon holds the key to immortality.

Back in Asgard, Odin is in a foul mood over Thor’s decision to return to Earth. Seeing this, Loki decides to use this to his advantage and suggests that Odin mete out punishment toward his defiant son. Odin decrees that there will be no thunder god anymore, leaving Loki to wonder what the All-Father could have meant.

At that moment, Don Blake prepares to prove to Jane that he is really Thor by tapping his cane on the ground. He is surprised when nothing happens and can’t understand why this isn’t working. Jane thinks that Don is making the whole thing up to try and impress her, and assures him that it’s not necessary because she loves him no matter who he is. That’s when the Grey Gargoyle comes crashing in through the window, ordering Blake and Foster to summon Thor. The pair flee the doctor’s office as the Grey Gargoyle pursues them.

While in Asgard, news of Thor’s situation quickly reaches its warriors and they have decided to act before Odin orders them not to get involved. Balder attempts to leave the kingdom first, but Loki uses his magic to cause Balder’s horse to fall asleep. He then tells them that Odin has ordered them all to go and patrol the eastern section of the kingdom, quashing any plans to help Thor. However, as the warriors follow these orders, none that someone is racing down the Bifrost Bridge to Earth. This mystery warrior arrives on Earth just in time as the Grey Gargoyle has been closing the distance between himself and his prey. This man fires an arrow that, on impact, lets out a powerful flash of light that temporarily blinds the Gargoyle. This allows Don and Jane to flee in a car, but their pursuer manages to catch up.

On foot again, Don pushes Jane away to safety to face the Gargoyle alone. That’s when a hand reaches out and touches Blake’s arm, telling him that he has 30 seconds and to make the best of them. Feeling his powers return, Don transforms into Thor and with his power fleeting connects Mjolnir to the city power grid through a lamp post. Channeling the power through his hammer he manages to fuse the Grey Gargoyle’s limbs together, rendering him harmless. This is not a moment too soon as Thor begins to feel week as his powers begin to leave him and he changes back into Don Blake.

His mystery savior turns out to be Honir the Hunter, who was actually sent to Earth by Odin after he learned of his son’s plight. When Honir reports back his success to Odin, the All-Father is pleased. Even though he is furious with his son, he still wishes no harm to come to him. Loki overhears this conversation but vows to continue trying to ensure his step-brother remains banished to Earth forever.

Back on Earth, Don Blake wakes up and checks on Jane who is fine. He tells her how Thor swooped in and saved them and shows her the Grey Gargoyle’s inert body. Although she is happy that Thor saved them, she admits to him that she’d rather spend her time with Don Blake than Thor any day.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Grey Gargoyle, Loki, Odin, Jane Foster, Balder, Heimdall, Honir the Hunter

Continuity Notes

1. The Grey Gargoyle has mostly been at the bottom of the Hudson after being defeated by Thor in Journey into Mystery #107. Nobody knows that he was actually pulled forward in time briefly to battle the Thor Corps in Thor #440 before being put back in his place following his defeat.

The Boyhood of Loki!

Back when they were ten years old, Thor and Loki watched as the warriors Uller and Volsak practice their fighting prowess. Thor predicts that Uller will be the victor in the match. Loki, ever the contrarian, believes Volsak will win even though Thor is never wrong. In order to hedge his bets, Loki casts a spell that causes Uller’s weapon to shatter in his hands.

The adult warriors immediately know who is responsible and scold Loki. Surprisingly, Thor tells them that if they are to punish Loki they must punish him also as he was witness to Loki’s trickery and allowed it to happen. The Asgardians are impressed by Thor’s honesty and sense of responsibility and decide to let them off with a warning. Loki is anything but grateful and as they ride home he dedicates himself to becoming the most powerful being in the kingdom is he can destroy Thor.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Loki, Uller Volsak