The Hammer and the Holocaust!

With his powers halved, Thor has lost a battle against Hercules. He now sees himself as less of a man and as a matter of pride, not worthy of love from Jane Foster. Jane tries to convince him that his strength is not important, but Thor refuses to listen. All he cares about is restoring his lost honor. Jane has to stop pursuing Thor when a man is run over in the street and needs medical attention.

Meanwhile, at Stardust Studios, the facility is being redesigned to look like Olympus in anticipation of Hercules’ arrival. This is on the behest of producer, who is only known as Pluto. The gossiping workers are dismissed by Pluto, who turns out to be the ruler of Hades, the Olympian underworld. With the workers gone, he checks on things in Hades and confirms that everything is as it should be. He then waits for Hercules to arrive as he plots to have Hercules take his place as the ruler of the netherworld.

Back in Asgard, Odin watches as his son laments over his situation and feels bad for punishing his son so harshly. However, the All-Father has neglected to retake the Odinpower he gave to Seidring the Merciless. Seeking to usurp the throne, Seidring then uses Odin’s own powers against him. After striking Odin down with a blast of energy, Balder and the other guards try to stop Seidring but also fail. By this time, Thor has arrived on the Bifrost Bridge on his way to petition Odin to get his full strength back. He is shocked to find Heimdall, the guardian of the Bifrost, trapped in a block of ethereal force. Heimdall quickly tells him how Seidring stole the Odinpower and now seeks to conquer the realm. Rushing into the kingdom, Thor sees that all of the other warriors of Asgard have been either restrained in mystical energy or placed in suspended animation. He is then surrounded in mystical flame by Seidring who seeks to defeat Thor in combat. However, Thor refuses to surrender even against such impossible odds and braves the flames set around him.

Meanwhile, at Stardust Studios, Pluto is joined by Hippolyta who has joined up with him to get revenge against Herucles. She intends to pose as an actress portraying herself to help sell the idea that they are a legitimate film production. Pluto then uses his magic to create an Olympian pact disguised as a film contact. He intends to trick Hercules into signing this contract, which is virtually unbreakable, to force the demigod to take his place in Hades.

In Asgard, Thor continues to resist Seidring’s attacks from falling meteors to swirling pools of liquid wolfbane. Realizing that he will eventually perish against the Odinpower, Thor runs for the Odinsword. He then threatens to pull the massive sword out of the scabbard and dash it on the ground, thus bringing an end to the universe. Unwilling to face oblivion and knowing that Thor is not bluffing, Seidring agrees to return the Odinpower to its rightful place. Thor collapses due to the injuries sustained in battle and Odin — restored to his full power — proudly carries his son away to get him medical attention.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Hercules, Pluto, Odin, Balder, Heimdall, Jane Foster, Hippolyta, Seidring

The Meaning of Ragnarok!

Thor and his crew of agonauts have been ordered to return home at the command of Odin. There they are brought to them to Volla, an old crone who can divine the future. Thor explains to the others that Odin sent them to fight the flying trolls of Queen Ula as they had grown rusty in battle due to lack of action and to also prepare them for what Volla intends to show them. Volla then begins telling them of her visions of the future, the so-called twilight of the gods known as Ragnarok!

Volla’s visions tell her that first Asgard will suffer a brutal and unending winter storm. Soon after this, tempers will flare and the people of Asgard will begin fighting among one another. As the kingdom of Asgard is in chaos, Loki will lead an army of Asgard’s enemies against his own people. The surprise attack will see the destruction of the Bifrost Bridge and Heimdall will be the first to fall in battle.

Soon, both Odin and Thor will lead the warriors of Asgard in battle. However, many will fall and as Thor and Loki lock in battle, the kingdom will crumble around them. With the kingdom of Asgard destroyed, the Midgard Serpent will then rise from the waters around the fallen kingdom to consume it whole.[1]

Recurring Characters

Thor, Loki, Odin, Volla, Balder, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Jormungand, Heimdall

Continuity Notes

1. This version of Ragnarok is quite tame compared to other tellings, probably due to limitations set out by the Comic Code Authority. That said, an explanation for all the differing accounts of Ragnarok can be chalked up to the fact that Asgard has gone through many cycles of death and rebirth. See Thor #292-300.