Thor #128
The Power of Pluto!
Thor is recovering after he saved Asgard from Seidring when he stole the Odinpower. Odin comes to check on his son and learns that he is recovering and he will soon be at full strength. Odin then returns to his throne room to decide what punishment Seidring should face for his failed coup. Stripped of his armor and power, Seidring pleads for mercy. This falls on deaf ears, and he is banished to another world across the universe where he will live out his days ruling over a species of rock trolls.
Back on Earth, Hercules arrives at Stardust Studios and is impressed that it has been renovated to resemble Olympus. Hercules is then introduced to the leading lady of the picture he is to appear in. Little does he know the “actress” he is meeting is the real Hippolita. Hercules is then attacked by a robot fashioned to look like one of the titans of Olympus. After a brief battle, Pluto appears before him disguised as the director for the film. Impressed with Hercules’ battle prowess, Pluto then takes him to a feast laid out in the demigod’s honor so they can start talking business.
Meanwhile, in Asgard, Thor passes the time by going hunting for beast-fish on the frozen sea of Marmora. Thor’s aim is off and Balder has to protect him from the attacking beast-fish. Thor is still too weak but he assures his friend that his full strength will soon return and then he will get revenge against Hercules.
In California, Hercules is wined and dined and entertained to the point where he is fully distracted. It’s then that Pluto tricks him into signing the Olympian Contract, convincing him that it is for the film they are pretending to make. Once Hercules has signed the contract, Pluto and Hippolita reveal their true identities to him and reveal that he just agreed to take over as ruler of Hades.[1] Pluto then opens a portal to Hades, but Hercules resists going down the stairs into the netherworld. In response, Pluto summons some real titans to fight him into submission.
Back in Asgard, Thor wins a jousting match and deems that he is back in full fighting form. He approaches Odin and asks for permission to return to Earth to seek a rematch with Hercules. Odin gives his son his blessing and Thor returns to Earth right away. He arrives at Stardust Studio in time to witness Hercules fighting for his life against the titans. Refusing to allow such a cowardly attack to continue, Thor leaps in to assist Hercules in battle. Realizing that Hercules will not go willingly into Hades, Pluto decides to return to Olympus and get Zeus to force his son to honor the contract. Meanwhile, Thor and Hercules fight off their attackers and use a giant pillar to seal the portal to Hades.
When Thor learns that Hercules is trying to avoid being forced into ruling Hades, Thor realizes that these is no point fighting his foe again as he has bigger problems to contend with and leaves the demigod to his fate.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Pluto, Odin, Hercules, Balder, Volstagg, Hippolita, Seidring
Continuity Notes
Hippolita states here that she is seeking revenge against him for spurning her “long years” ago. He has been resisting her advances since the labors of Hercules when he attempted to steal her mystical girdle. These events are depicted in Incredible Hercules #122.
Topical References
Dated pop-culture references: Steve Reeves
Aftermath!
Volla continues vision of the future which foretell the twilight of the gods known as Ragnarok. In this vision, Asgard has fallen to chaos as the gods fight among themselves. In the end, the Midgard Serpent will launch one final attack that will decimate the rest of Asgard and kill the remaining gods still standing. After the violence has ended the demon god Surtur will rise and burn the remains to Asgard to a cinder that will smolder for years. In the ensuing centuries the seas will return and soon plant life will return. Finally, a new race of gods will emerge and form a brand new society that will enter into a golden age.[1]
With Volla’s story completed, Odin asks what the other gods think about this vision of the future. Most everybody is in stunned silence except for Loki, who thinks these visions are the insane ramblings of an old hag and that Ragnarok will never come to pass. Odin agrees with Loki, but not in the way he thinks. However, Odin reminds his step-son that Volla cannot tell a lie and that Ragnarok will happen and Loki will be the cause.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Odin, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Balder, Loki, Jormungand, Surtur
Continuity Notes
This account of Ragnarok differs from others. The reason for these differences is explained in Thor #292-300 which revealed that Asgard goes through cycles of death and rebirth. It has also been suggested by others that this story was Jack Kirby’s precursor to the New Gods, which he would take over to DC Comics after he had a falling out with Stan Lee in the 70s. This was notably suggested by Ronin Ro in his book Tales to Astonish: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and the American Comic Book Revolution. While other websites take this at face value, there is nothing official confirming this supposition and is a case of the internet not comprehending what the fuck they’re reading.
