Rebirth!

In the town of Rutland, Vermont, a pair of young boys are fishing when they spot what appears to be a meteor crash land nearby. Going to investigate they witness a man crawl out of the remains of what appears to be amber.[1] When they try to run away to tell someone, the mysterious figure manages to immobilize them. This entity then fires bolts of energy into the sky, which ark down some distance away, reviving the Absorbing Man, who has been buried alive following his last battle with the Hulk.[2]

While in New York City, the mighty Thor patrols the city. However, nothing can stop his feelings of depression after he and his allies were exiled from Asgard by Odin himself.[3] Returning to Avengers Mansion, Thor learns that his friends — the Warriors Three, and Balder — have gone on a camping trip while the Avengers have gone away on a mission.[4]

Sif and Hildegard, meanwhile, have taken a trip to the Hudson River. There they witness the arrival of Absorbing Man, who is being forced to come to New York and seek out Thor. In order to make the pain in his mind subside, Crusher Creel begins going on the rampage, drawing out the police. Retreating back to their borrowed craft, Sif and Hildegard change into their warrior’s armor to battle this villain. Back at Avengers Mansion, Thor receives word of the Absorbing Man’s arrive and races off to face him as well. When he arrives, Sif has already been knocked out and quickly races to her side. Although she is still alive, the fact that she was injured fills the thunder god with a growing anger.

Back in Rutland, Tom Fagan calls his dogs — Satan and Diablo — back in when they start barking at a strange man limbering down the street. Seeing that this man is in rough shape, Fagan invites him in for some food and some rest, telling him to stick around for the party he’s throwing for Halloween the following evening. The stranger thanks Tom for his hospitality and goes inside.

While in New York, the battle between Thor and the Absorbing Man begins in earnest. Absorbing Man boasts that Thor cannot defeat him because, as usual, he absorbs Thor’s powers whenever they touch. As Hildegard and Sif watch on the sidelines, Odin’s vizier and Karnilla observe the battle from Asgard. There is not much they can do because Thor and the others have been exiled by Odin. The vizier is particularly disturbed by how Odin has been acting since then, decreeing that nobody in Asgard even mention the name of Thor and his allies. Karnilla is deeply upset because this exile has separated her lover, Balder the Brave, from her and wishes he didn’t choose to stand by Thor’s side. Elsewhere on Earth, the Warriors Three are enjoying their camping trip and try to get Balder to join in their revelry. Unfortunately, his is too depressed to partake because he missing Karnilla and Asgard.

By this time, the pain in Creel’s head has gotten so strong that he feels compelled to flee back to Rutland, Vermont. After knocking Thor into a nearby shop, the Absorbing Man takes off. Seeing his foe take off, Thor vows to hunt him down and bring him to justice. When Crusher returns to Rutland, he arrives outside the home of Tom Fagan where he is greeted by Loki who has enslaved his guest. The trickster god explains that he revived Creel to assist in the destruction of Thor and then the Earth.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Absorbing Man, Loki, Hildegarde, Sif, Balder, Karnilla, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Edwin Jarvis, Tom Fagan

Continuity Notes

1. This mystery man is revealed to be Loki next issue. He was trapped in amber by Mangog in Thor #195.

2. The Absorbing Man was last seen fighting the Hulk in Incredible Hulk #125.

3. This story happens chronologically after Avengers #105, meaning that the Avengers were away fighting the Grim Reaper and the Space Phantom circa Avengers #106-107

4. Odin exiled Thor, the Warriors Three, and Balder from Asgard when the thunder god protested the All-Father’s scheme to create a new race of gods using the power of Ego-Prime. See Thor #203.

Topical References

• The appearance of Tom Fagan in this story is not considered a topical reference. His appearances in Marvel comics are governed by the same rules as Marvel creators who appear in these stories: they exist in the Modern Age in their relative prime.