The End of the Battle!

With second before he reverts back to Don Blake, Thor has leapt into one of the massive furnace where the Rock Trolls disposed of his enchanted weapon. With second before the enchantment on the hammer changes the thunder god into a normal human, he recovers his hammer in the nick of time. When Thor emerges from the flames he discover that Ulik and the other Rock Trolls have vanished from the scene. He is then greeted by Queen Ulla, who helped save Thor’s life. She tells him that Ulik and the other warriors are now staging an attack on the surface world.[1] She then points the tunnel where Ulik and the others went.

As Thor follows the trail, Ulik leads a war party up to the surface where they launch an attack on New York City. While down below, Thor loses his way and begins using Mjolnir to blast through the rock until he finds the tunnel leading to the surface. Deep in the Rock Troll’s domain, Geirrodur returns to his throne room where his advisors warn that Ulik may try to use a victory on the surface to usurp control of the throne. They also take issue with the way Queen Ulla helped Thor during his earlier battle. Annoyed, Geirrodur orders his aides away and comforts his deeply upset wife.

Back on the surface, the NYPD has responded to the Troll invasion by sending every SWAT team at their disposal. However, the tear gas has no effect on Ulik and his minions and they continue their rampage unabated. When news of the battle reaches Avengers Mansion, Jarvis informs Fandral and Hogun of the situation as they are the only ones home.[2] While Tana Niles and Silas Grant watch the situation unfold on television. They also decide to lend a hand. Tana looks forward to it since she can finally drop her human disguise that she has taken on since she has been stranded on Earth.[3]

By this time, Thor has emerged from the tunnel and begins battling Ulik and his invading forces. However, Thor has to stop fighting when a building is damaged to the point where it is on a verge of collapsing, threatening those trapped inside. Thor is able to brace the building thanks to the arrival of Fandral, Hogun, Tana, and Silas Grant. Once the building is saved, Thor returns his attention to Ulik who he pummels until the Rock Troll and his forces retreat. With the battle now over, Thor can now return his attention to tracking down Balder and Sif. That’s when Fandral reveals that Balder has returned to Avengers Mansion and that something has driven him insane.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Ulik, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Silas Grant, Tana Nile, Ulla, Geirrodur

Continuity Notes

1. This story leaves the reader to believe that the Rock Trolls live beneath the Earth’s surface. However, it has been established since Thor #137 that the domain of the Rock Trolls is actually beneath Asgard. Marvel Graphic Novel #15 goes further by clarifying that it is located beneath the realm of Gundersheim. Since Asgard has a number of portal ways to Earth, one could assume that one exists that connects the realm of the Rock Trolls to a spot beneath New York City.

2. Chronologically, this story takes place between the events of Avengers #109, between the time Hawkeye quit the Avengers and their later battle with Imus Champion. So the absence of the Avengers can be attributed to a specific event. Probably, individual members of the team are off on personal business.

3. Thor and the Warriors Three have been exiled on Earth since Thor #203, this also left Tana Nile stranded as well. A footnote here reminds readers that Tana and Silas were last seen in Thor #205.

Topical References

• Tana Niles and Silas Grant are depicted watching the news on a black-and-white CRT television.