Thor #195
In the Shadow of Mangog!
Following Loki’s banishment from Asgard, Thor and his allies celebrate Odin’s return to power.[1] While Thor and Sif speak of love and the possibility of marriage, Odin observes the festivities grimly. This is because Odin knows that a new threat, one powerful enough to destroy Asgard, will be arriving soon. Seeing how grim his father looks, Thor asks the All-Father what’s wrong. Odin refuses to go into detail but explains that he must send Thor away to the World’s End to seek the waters from the Twilight Well. However, Odin warns his son that there will be danger as the well is defended by Kartag the Keeper. While Thor accepts this latest mission, this is protested by Sif as she fears she will lose her beloved forever. Unfortunately, Odin’s word is final and he soon teleports Thor and the Warriors Three away on their mission.
Sif continues to plead her case, but Odin refuses to listen, telling her that she too must be sent away to a distant place called Blackworld. He then summons Hildegard, a massive female warrior, to join Sif on this secondary mission. When Sif continues to plead, Hildegard knocks her out with one powerful slap. Soon they are both teleported to Blackworld. When Sif wakes up she finds herself on a baren world and begins to cry. Hildegard tells Sif to suck it up, as she too has been separated from her own liver and suggest they find some cover for the evening. When Sif inquires who Hildegarde’s lover might be, the warrior woman tells Sif they will talk about it later.
Meanwhile, Thor and the Warriors Three appear at the World’s End. Thor notices that Hogun is acting more grim than usual, this is because he has been separated from his love. Like Sif, Thor is curious about Hogun’s lover, however Hogun — like Hildegarde — keeps it to himself. The four warriors venture deeper into the World’s End until they come upon an massive arachnid creature. This is the first of many guardians in Kartag’s realm and it tries to prevent them from passing. After a brief battle, Fandral and Hogun are knocked off the creature’s web. Thor quickly knocks the creature into the waters below while also rescuing his two friends.
Back in Asgard, Odin has begun preparing to face the foe that will threaten Asgard. To this end, he has summoned his old friends Whitemane, Khan, Bulwar, and Rongor from their retirement to aid in the battle. Although they went into seclusion so the younger generation of gods could grow legends of their own, they are eager to return to battle. Odin takes his oldest friends to the visi-screen so he can show them what threatens the Golden Realm this time. He shows them the world that Loki was banished following his failed coup. Realizing where he was, Loki freed the imprisoned Mangog — who still exists even though the alien race that comprised his body were freed from Odin’s punishment. Mangog, who still seeks to destroy Asgard, shows how grateful he is by using his power to trap Loki in a massive chunk of amber. With the identity of their threat revealed, Odin asks his friends if they will fight by his side. They agree to fight to the death for both Odin and Asgard.
By this time, Thor and his allies have stopped to rest when they spot some Yrrl-Beasts. They quickly tame four of these creatures so they can ride them the rest of the distance across the World’s End. Entering a forest, they are ambushed by an army of trolls that live in the trees. Thor and the Warriors Three make quick work of their attackers. When one of them gets trapped in some quicksand, Thor shows mercy by saving his life. The trolls is grateful and agrees to lead the four Asgardians to the Twilight Well.
While in Blackworld, Hildegard and Sif are shocked to discover a medieval village where none should be. Seeking answers, they discover the villagers have locked themselves inside their homes out of fear of some entity of great power. Unfortunately, nobody will answer their questions or let them inside.
Back in Asgard, Odin stands on his balcony looking out on his kingdom. His thoughts are interrupted by his vizier who has come to warn the All-Father that Mangog has arrived in the kingdom. Odin prepares to head out and fight for Asgard even if it means death. While not far away, Mangog smashes through the first line of defense with easy. The defeated warriors are then slaughtered by the creature that seems totally unstoppable.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Mangog, Loki, Sif, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Odin, Hildegarde, Whitemane, Khan, Bulwar, Rongor, Kygarr
Continuity Notes
Loki’s most recent coup of Asgard happened in Thor #191-194.
Odin punished an entire alien race for attacking Asgard by merging them into a single being which became Mangog. For more on this see Thor #154-157. However, Mighty Thor (vol. 2) #701 suggests that these aliens may have merely insulted Odin rather than outright attack Asgard. In issue Thor #197, it is explained that while the alien race was freed their collective hatred for Asgard remained, allowing Mangog to continue existing.
