Lest Mankind Fall!

Trapped in a post-apocalyptic future, Thor and Sif have been incapacitated by Pluto and his allies, the dreaded Mutates.[1] With the two Asgardians defeated, Pluto intends to lead the Mutates on an attack of the present day. Recovering from the previous attack, Thor prepares to renew his attack when one of the Mutates threatens to shoot Sif, forcing him to stand down.

Meanwhile, back in Asgard, Balder goes out for a ride on his horse to try and get all thoughts of Karnilla, the Norn Queen from his mind.[2] He passes by Odin who is going through Asgard’s ancient records to find any information regarding the origins of Galactus. Seeing how troubled Balder is, Odin decides to allow him to go to Earth and help Thor in order to try and get Karnilla off his mind. Teleported to Earth, Balder appears before the soldiers who are still stationed outside the time vortex and brought up to speed on what is going on.

In the distant future, Thor gambles Sif’s safety by hurling Mjolnir. The gambit pays off and he knocks out all of the Mutates. While he and Pluto fight each other one-on-one, Sif holds back the regrouping Mutates. Sif soon becomes overwhelmed, prompting Thor to use the power of Mjolnir to shatter the time vortex, bringing them all to the present day. Thor and Sif retreat back to where Balder and the soldiers are waiting and brace themselves for attack from Pluto and the Mutates.

By this time, on Mount Olympus, news that Pluto has left Hades reaches Zeus who decides to intervene. Back on Earth, Thor and his allies fight the invading Mutates despite the fact that these creatures have advanced weapons from the future. Thor faces Pluto, who erects a protective shield of hell-fire. Thor quashes the flames by using Mjolnir to summon a powerful storm. Just before Pluto can renew his attack, Zeus appears before them and banishes Pluto and his Mutates away to Hades, ending their threat. In the aftermath of the battle, Sif remembers that Pluto mentioned there was a being of incredible power within the atomic research facility and fears what it might be. At that moment, the entity in question begins breaking free from its protective cocoon.[3]

Recurring Characters

Thor, Pluto, Sif, Balder, Odin, Zeus, Athena, Karnilla, Him (unidentified)

Continuity Notes

1. This post-apocalyptic future is actually an alternate timeline. Per Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #2 it is designated Earth-6943.

2. Balder spent an extended period as the Norn Queen’s “guest” from Thor #150-157. She tried to force him to be her consort, but he refused. He discovered that he was actually in love with her last issue.

3. This mystery entity is revealed to be Him, aka Adam Warlock, next issue.

Topical References

• All references to the Modern Age taking place in the 20th Century should be considered topical. The Sliding Timescale has pushed the Modern Age forward enough that it now begins in the 21st Century.