Thor #135
The Maddening Menace of the Super-Beast!
Due to an error the High Evolutionary has accidentally hyper-evolved a wolf into the pinnacle of man and beast. Calling itself the Man-Beast, this creature is filled with nothing but hate. When it comes upon Thor and Jane Foster, the Man-Beast attacks the thunder god with fighting skills that are a million years more advance than current day humanity. Although Thor is staggered by these opening attacks, he still stands ready to fight them monster.
That’s when the High Evolutionary and his Knights of Wundagore arrive on the scene. The Evolutionary uses his sub-sonic discordian to bombard the Man-Beast with an onslaught of sound that only it can hear. The creature then flees into another part of the Citadel of Science. When Thor tries to follow, the High Evolutionary convinces him to stop. He then demonstrates that the Man-Beast erected a barrier of anti-matter by tossing some junk at the wall. This causes a massive explosion. The geneticist realizes that the Man-Beast is locked in with his equipment and fears what it might do with it while left unattended.
Meanwhile, in Asgard, Odin is being entertained by Balder the Brave who is fighting in a jousting tournament. However, the All-Father is distracted. When the battle is over, Balder notices that his king is distracted and asks what troubles Odin. The king of the gods has a premonition that some dire disaster will threaten his son, the mighty Thor.
Back on Wundagore Mountain, the Knights of Wundagore circle the Citadel of Science. They see the rays of life beaming out from the top of the building, signaling that the Man-Beast is using the High Evolutionary’s evolutionary machines to create more New-Men. Fearing that these new creatures will be just as evil as the Man-Beast, the High Evolutionary plugs a vibra-beam into a wall panel as it will drive his rogue creation from his hiding place. While this causes the Man-Beast to drop the anti-matter screen this allows his new army of loyal New-Men to attack Thor, the High Evolutionary and the Knights of Wundagore. Watching from the control room are Sir Porga and Count Tagar. The Count can no longer stand by and do nothing and after putting on his cathode-gloves and leaps into the fray.
Eventually, the Man-Beast joins the battle and attacks his creator. Seeing the High Evolutionary in danger, Thor leaps in to fight the Man-Beast. Thor withstands the Man-Beast’s mind blast and pummels the creature into unconsciousness. With their leader defeated, the rouge New-Men are easily defeated by the Knights of Wundagore. All the renegade creatures, including the Man-Beast, are herded into a space shuttle that is then launched into space. The High Evolutionary explains that they will be sent to the Dromisana system where they can start their own civilization. With the battle over, the High Evolutionary takes off his mask, revealing that he is a normal human being.
The Evolutionary explains that he is a research scientist who invented a genetic accelerator many years ago. However, those in the science community thought he was reckless to tamper with evolution. Pushing on, the man who would become the High Evolutionary used his device to evolve his pet dalmatian. However, tragedy struck when a hunter shot his beloved pet, killing it. Deciding to continue his experiments in isolation, he discovered a supply of uranium on Wundagore Mountain and built his Citadel of Science and started creating his New Men and formed the Knights of Wundagore. He would then send Count Tagar and Sir Porta, his most trusted creations, to venture into the outside world to gather supplies and gather information. This is how the Evolutionary came to bring Jane Foster into his home, as he needed a teacher. Now, after this recent fiasco, the High Evolutionary realizes that he must take his New-Men someplace else.[1]
Thor and Jane then leave the Citadel of Science and watch as it blasts off into space. Thor hopes that wherever they may go, the High Evolutionary and his Knights can find a place to call home.[2]
Recurring Characters
Thor, Man-Beast, High Evolutionary, Jane Foster, Odin, Balder, Knights of Wundagore (Count Tagar, Sir Porga, Sir Lyan, Sir Osslot, Sir Lepard), Dempsey (flashback)
Continuity Notes
The High Evolutionary gives a very abridged version of his origins. It is expanded upon in X-Factor Annual #3, Punisher Annual #1, Spider-Woman #1 and 37, Silver Surfer Annual #1, Avengers #186-187 and 234, Tales to Astonish #94, New Mutants Annual #4, Fantastic Four Annual #21, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #22, Scarlet Spider Unlimited #1, Uncanny X-Men Annual #12, Web of Spider-Man Annual #4, Giant-Size Avengers #1, Marvel Spotlight #32, Uncanny Origins #2, Excalibur (vol. 3) #14, Iron Man (vol. 5) #10, Incredible Hulk #149, Thor #479, Uncanny Avengers (vol. 2) #4-5, and (probably) Spider-Woman: Origin #1-5. There is a lot going on behind the scenes in the origin story is what I’m trying to say. The High Evolutioary’s name is revealed to be Herbert Wyndham, his dalmatian was named Dempsey. The High Evolutionary learned his craft from Maelstrom and Mr. Sinister. He’s also directly tied to the origins of Spider-Woman, the Puppet Master, Werewolf by Night, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch.
This story is expanded upon in West Coast Avengers Annual #3.
The Fiery Breath of Fafnir!
Thor and the Warriors Three have come the wasteland of Nostrond to make sure no life endures in the region. The following morning, Thor, Fandal, and Hogun wake up and discover that Volstagg has gone missing and are now searching for him. They are ambushed by Fafnir, the former ruler of Nastrond, who has been transformed into a massive dragon.
Although Fafnir manages to grab Thor, Fandral and Hogun attack the massive creature and eventually Thor struggles free. However, despite their strengths, nothing seems to harm Fafnir. Watching this battle on his Universal Mirror, Odin tells his advisors that this battle against Fafnir must end in victory for the god of thunder if there is ever to be life in Nastrond ever again.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Fandral, Hogun, Fafnir, Odin
