New Ends the Universe

Soaring over New York City, Thor feels an impending doom in the air. The skies are filled with storms leading him to believe that Ragnarok may be upon them. Although the signs are all around him, Thor does not know why his father — Odin — doesn’t call him back to Asgard. He then races back to the hospital where Sif has been recovering following her surgery.[1] Speeding along her recovery with the mystical properties of Mjolnir, the pair then immediately depart for Asgard.

While in the kingdom of the Norn Queen, Balder continues to refuse to become Karnilla’s consort. In retaliation, she reanimates the Legion of the Lost — warriors who previously denied her love whom have been trapped in suspended animation. While balder fights for his life, the Colonizers of Rigel begin picking up deadly pulsations from across the universe.[2] They dispatch the Recorder into the Black Galaxy to investigate. When he reports back that the activity is not due to Ego the Living Planet. The robot is then heads further into the universe as he detects the source as coming from elsewhere.

Back in Asgard, unaware of the impending danger, the Warriors Three are engaged in a bar room brawl to deal with their boredom. That’s when Loki comes in and orders them to stand down. Now that he is in command of the Asgardian throne and tells the Warriors Three that they are to go out battle Mangog and prevent him from reaching the kingdom. Fandral and Hogun are more than willing to go into battle for Asgard, but have to drag Volstagg along with them when he tries to wiggle out of his duty. Loki then returns to his throne, pleased that he sent three of his foes to their death. When his assistant, Toag, suggests they summon Thor, Loki dismisses the idea outright.

Unfortunately for him, Thor and Sif have just arrived. Thor is shocked to see Loki sitting on the throne, but is quickly informed that while Odin is in the Odinsleep, Loki is in charge. Loki refuses to lead the battle. Thor can’t understand why Loki is willing to risk the entire universe for the sake of keeping power.

Meanwhile, Mangog continues to make his way to the city of Asgard. Along the way he crosses paths with some Storm Giants. Despite their superior size and numbers they are no match for him. Reaching an Asgardian outpost, Mangog withstands all the their weapons, including the powerful Force Arrow. As he rips the outpost to shreds, Mangog vows to unsheath the Odinsword and bring about Ragnarok. This is heard by Thor and Loki who are watching Mangog’s progess on a visi-screen. With all life hanging in the balance, Thor goes to check on Odin who is still deep into his Odinsleep.[3] Without the power of Odin, Thor has to face Mangog on his own — as is his duty. When Sif tries to accompany him, he charges her with the task of staying behind and defending Odin in his absence.

Thor rides out to the site of the Asgardian outpost where he finds a dying soldier who tells him Mangog continued onward. Thor follows the creature’s path of destruction finding many wounded soldiers along the way. He eventually comes upon the Warriors Three who have been trapped in a prison of rocks. Before Thor has a chance to free them, he is ambushed by Mangog who looks forward to killing the son of Odin.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Mangog, Sif, Balder, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Karnilla, Loki, Odin, Recorder, Ego, Toag

Continuity Notes

1. Sif was injured protecting Don Blake from Loki in Thor #153.

2. Stan Lee really phones in the reference here with his usual “I think it was this issue, but I can’t be sure” shtick. However, I’m not that much of an asshole. You can read about the Regellians and Thor’s clash with Ego the Living Planet in Thor #131-133.

3. Odin was last underwent the Odinsleep in Journey into Mystery #118. It is said that Odin needs to enter this sleep state once a year. Per the Sliding Timescale, it’s been just about a year between that story and this one.