Into the Dark Nebula!

Learning that Sif and Karnilla are somewhere in the Dark Nebula, Thor heads a rescue body aboard the Starjammer, an Asgardian sailing ship that can travel through space. Accompanying him on this quest are his father Odin, Heimdall, Fandral and Hogun of the Warriors Three, the female warrior Hildegarde, and their allies Silas Grant and Tana Nile. As they head to the Dark Nebula, Hildegarde fills Tana Nile in on the circumstances that led to this search: The disappearance of Sif and Karnilla during Thor’s recent battle with Loki, and learning of their location from Sssthgar on the Golden Star.[1]

Their approach was detected by three aliens named Kaag, Quellor, and Rothgar. They are mining a nearby meteor to find something they call the Jewel. Fearing that the approaching ship contains raiders Kagg sends Quellor and Rothgar to intercept them. Although the attack is swift, the Asgardians easily destroy their one man ships. With the two aliens prisoner, Thor explains that they have not come for the Jewel they seek, but are searching for their two missing comrades. Quellor and Rothgar take them back to the meteor where their story is told to Kaag. The three miners claim to have not encountered either Sif or Karnilla and suggests that another mining crew — on that uses slave labour — are the ones most likely to be holding Thor’s allies.

Before Thor and his allies can leave, the astroid is attacked by Mercurio the Fourth Dimensional Man and an army of his people. He is seeking the Jewel as it can save his planet from destruction.[2] Thor and his comrades are surprised to see that Mercurio survived their last encounter and a raging battle begins between both sides. While the others battle the invading aliens, Thor battles Mercurio one-on-one. As the battle rages, the three miners are only concerned with protecting the Jewel they have sought to uncover and make preparations to escape with it.

Meanwhile, as he battles Thor, Mercurio explains how his “death” on Earth had resulted in being shunted to another level of space beyond the realm of understand. He was driven insane until his body collided with a massive crimson jewel that could speak. Upon contact, Mercurio found himself teleported back to his homeworld with his mind intact. He suddenly knew that the jewel in question could save his endangered world and set out to find it. Suddenly, the jewel in question erupts from the surface of the meteor and Thor is shocked to discover that both Sif and Karnilla are trapped inside. Speaking out, the Jewel warns Thor that the its two prisoners provide it with energies it needs to carry out its mission and that tomorrow all human kind shall fall.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Odin, Heimdall, Fandral, Hogun, Hildegarde, Sif, Karnilla, Mercurio, Xorr the God Jewel, Tana Nile, Silas Grant, Kaag, Quellor, Rothgar

Continuity Notes

1. Sif and Karnilla went missing while searching for Balder post Thor #207. The battle with Sssthgar that revealed the pair’s location happened in issues #212-213.

2. A footnote here reminds readers that Mercurio previously menaced Earth in Thor #208. The identity of his race is not identified here. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #4 identifies them as the Gramosians.