The Verdict of Zeus!

Thor has returned to New York City, where news of his battle with Hercules in California has already reached the east cost. However, he has little interest in answering the requests of the crowd that has gathered around him. A nearby cab driver offers to take Thor away from the scene and drives him up to Town Towers on 75th Street. Along the way, the cabbie tries explain how he and the thunder god have a lot in common. However, he’s not happy when Thor stiffs him on the fare. Thor cares little for other mortals as he is more focused on being reunited with his love, Jane Foster.

Meanwhile, in Olympus, Zeus and the others gods are reveling as they have no enemies to fight. That’s when Pluto teleports into the realm. Zeus demands to know why Pluto has left Hades. Pluto reminds Zeus that he is allowed to leave the netherworld once he has found a suitable replacement and he has, in Hercules, and presents the Olympian Pact that he tricked the Prince of Power into signing.

At that moment, Hercules is climbing up Mount Olympus in order to petition his father to allow him to get out of the contract he signed with Pluto. Once atop the mountain, he finds a yellow-crested titan blocking his path. With no time to waste on meaningless battle, Hercules quickly knocks out the titan so he can get to his father. However, as he enters the outskirts of the kingdom of Olympus, Zeus stops him in his tracks. Zeus tells his son that there is no way to get out of the contract he signed with Pluto unless he can find someone who will fight on his behalf.

Back on Earth, Thor arrives at the apartment of Jane Foster where he is introduced to Jane’s new roommate, Tana Nile. Thor instantly notices that the woman is not American due to her exotic accent and senses something regal about her and kneels in her presence. When Tana leaves to give them some privacy, Thor asks more about Jane’s new roommate. Jane admits that she doesn’t know much about Tana, who just recently moved in after Foster put an ad for a roommate in the paper. Thor dismisses this as unimportant and tells Jane that he is going to return to Asgard and petition his father once more to allow him to marry Jane. He tells her that he is even willing to give up his godhood and be Don Blake for all time if it means being able to be married.[1] Spying on their conversation, Tana Nile views Thor as a threat to her plans.[2]

Going to the roof of the building, Thor spins Mjolnir to create a vortex that teleports him to the Bifrost Bridge. There he finds Balder waiting for him. Balder tells him that Odin is asking for his presence as a moment foretold in the Book of Enchanters is about to pass. Thor visits his father, but when he tries to ask about Jane Foster, Odin tells his son that they will discuss his wants after he completes the quest foretold in his book. Thor is travel through the Doorway to all the Worlds as it is the Day of the Three Worlds. Thor accepts this quest and is transported to limbo where he is instructed to wait until he receives a call for help from someone in need.

Back into Olympus, Hercules tries to find someone to fight on his behalf. When he asks Ares, he is rejected outright because the god of war has no love for Hercules. Spotting Hermes about to leave on his flying chariot. However, he fails to catch up to the speedster in time to plead his case. Eventually, time runs out and Pluto tells Hercules that it is time for him to take his place in Hades. Summoning a portal, the minions of Pluto emerge from it to drag Hercules down into Hades. In Limbo, Thor suddenly hears Hercules pleas for someone to help him and suddenly finds himself transported to Olympus. Witnessing Hercules being pulled through the portal and hearing Pluto’s boasts, Thor steps in and announces that he will fight for the freedom of Hercules.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Hercules, Pluto, Jane Foster, Balder, Odin, Tana Nile, Dinoysus, Zeus, Hera, Artemis, Hephaestus, Ares, Hermes

Continuity Notes

1. Jane Foster found out that Thor and Don Blake are the same person in Journey into Mystery #124.

2. Tana Nile is a member of the Rigellians, an alien race that colonizes planets. For more on this see Thor #131-133.

The Hordes of Harokin!

Having been given a glimpse of the future and the twilight of the gods, Odin has learned that Loki is the driving force behind Ragnarok. In order to prevent this from happening, Odin orders Loki locked away in a chamber filled with gas that will place him in suspended animation.[1] Thor tries to plead mercy for his step-brother, but Odin insists that this is necessary. He then summons the Warriors Three and tells them that they are to accompany Thor on a mission to Muspelheim to recover a powerful weapon called the Warlock’s Eye from a monistary, as the artifact could also bring about Ragnarok.

What Odin doesn’t know is that, at that very moment, the monastery is being attacked by the warriors of Harokin. Gainting the Eye for himself, Harokin then uses it against those who oppose him.

As Thor and the Warriors Three head off on their mission they have no idea of the deadly threat they will have to face.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Harokin, Odin, Loki

Continuity Notes

1. Loki’s imprisonment in suspended animation proves short lived. His next chronological appearance in the 4th story in Thor #400.