Abandoned on Earth!

With the Magnir and Brona of the Enchanters defeated, Thor turns them over to the NYPD to be contained. This leaves Thor, Sif, and Balder to find out why their own powers have failed. Hearing Thor and Sif being so close makes Balder once again envy the love that the thunder god has in his life.

Meanwhile, in Asgard, Odin has won his battle with Forsung, the leader of the Enchanters. With Forsung dead at his feet, Odin goes into a rage over how he is the all-powerful ruler of Asgard and none may stand in his way. To punish the rest of the Enchanters, Odin uses his power to banish Magnir and Brona to limbo.[1] By this time, Thor and his allies have returned to the office of Donald Blake to figure out their next move. That’s when they are contacted by Odin who orders them all to return to Asgard. Sif and Balder return without question, but Thor asks to remain on Earth. This angers the All-Father that he decides to exile Thor on Earth and strips him of all his powers except for his Asgardian-born strength. The process causes Thor to collapse to the floor and he is later found by the janitor who cleans the building. Thor dismisses the janitor’s concern and leaves the building. Unable to change back into Don Blake, Thor now needs to find out a new way to make a living while he is exiled on Earth.[2]

The following day, Bruto of the Circus of Crime injured himself on the job. This leaves the Ringmaster without a strongman when they are planning a caper. They begin holding auditions for replacement strong men but nobody fits the bill until Thor comes looking to apply for the job. He is ambushed by Princess Python’s snake and easily overpowers the massive boa constrictor. The Ringmaster is impressed by Thor’s feats of strength. After a battery of tests, the Ringmaster uses his special hat to hypnotize Thor. He then commands the former thunder god to lift a massive lead statue carved to look like a bull. When Thor does so easily, the Ringmaster is convinced they can use him as a new strong man when they steal the golden bull, a statue that is on display a the nearby museum. Ordering Thor to forget everything he has just done, the Ringmaster snaps his finger to end the hypnotic trance and tells the thunder god that he has the job.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Circus of Crime (Ringmaster, Princess Python, Clown, Human Cannonball, the Great Gambonnos, Bruto the Strongman), Sif, Blader, Odin, Enchanters (Forsung, Magnir, Brona)

Continuity Notes

1. This is not the last we see of the Enchanters. Forsung is among dead Thor foes who are recruited by Kurse in Thor #486-488. Magnir and Brona will be freed from limbo by Enrakt in Thor (vol. 2) #14-20.

2. Thor will remain powerless until Thor #151.

The End!

Volstagg is reunited with Thor, Fandral, and Hogun following their battle with the demonic hordes of Mogul. With the battle over, Alibar the thief returns the battle standard to Hogun, explaining that Mogul made him ride into battle with it as a final mocking jesture. With the immediate battle over, they then race for Mogul’s palace to stop the evil wizard.

However, Mogul has since left the palace on his magic carpet. Now he flies over the village where he has kept Hogun’s people prisoner. He intends to commit an act of genocide by unleashing the spotted plague on the villagers.

By this time, Thor and his allies have entered Mogul’s chamber and find it empty. Alibar then operates viewing crystal. Seeing Mogul flying over Hogun’s people with a bottle of spotted plague, Alibar quickly casts a spell that appears to destroy their foe, ending his threat and freeing Hogun’s people.[1]

Recurring Characters

Thor, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Mogul, Alibar

Continuity Notes

1. Although seemingly destroyed here, Mogul survives and will return to threaten Asgard anew in Thor #474.