Thor #243
Turmoil in the Time-Stream
Thor, Jane Foster, and the Warriors Three have just finished a battle with the massive robot called Servitor. They then joined by the robot’s master, Zarrko the Tomorrow Man who has come to seek Thor’s help to stop a threat that will destroy the Earth.[1]
Getting ahead of himself, Zarrko decides to begin his story, after his last defeat at the hands of Thor.[2] Zarrko returned to his own era of the 23rd Century. Deciding to live up to his name as the “tomorrow man”, he created Servitor by redesigning a mining robot of his era. Then, using his timeship, Zarrko went forward in time. Through his travels he saw the rise and fall of many civilizations. Eventually, he found himself in the 50th Century where he set himself up as the ruler of that era.[3] However, this ear is under threat of being destroyed by entities he calls the Time-Twisters. These creatures have been travelling backward in time every 30-odd centuries. Zarrko has discovered that the creatures have destroyed the 80th Century, and after the 50th Century falls, Thor’s era will be the next.
As the Time Twisters are a threat to life across multiple centuries, Thor and the Warriors Three agree to assist Zarrko. As the Servitor summons the time ship, Jane insists that she accompany them on this mission. Although Thor protests this, he agrees to let her accompany him when she reminds him that the spirit of Sif lives on inside her and she can handle herself.[4] As they board the time-ship they are unaware that Odin and his vizier are observing Thor’s activities from Asgard. Odin is still furious that Thor has denied her decree that forbid the thunder god to pursue a romance with Jane Foster.[5] When the vizier tries to get Odin to reconsider Thor’s exile, but Odin will hear nothing of it. Even the news that Sif was merged with Jane Foster. Angrilly, Odin assures the vizier that he knows exactly what he is doing.[6]
When Zarrko and his newfound allies enter the time stream they hit a pocket of turbulence and are forced to stop. Hearing something attacking the ship outside, Thor goes out and finds a tyrannosaurus rex is attacking the ship. He quickly defeats the giant thunder lizard, sending it back through time. Soon he and the Warrior Threes have begin fending off attacks from various armies from across history including an army of Mongolian warriors, an American fighter jet, and army of futuristic warriors. When these threats are dealt with, Zarrko is able to continue their trip into the 50th Century.
When they arrive, Thor and his friends are shocked to discover that this is a futuristic world in decline. Although it was an advanced society, it is in ruins and the people here live in poverty. This is at the whim of Zarrko who refuses to power their futuristic machines while he lives in opulence. Zarrko tries to justify this by explaining that if he gave people the power they needed, they would revolt against his rule. Before they can argue this any further, the Time-Twisters — three incredibly tall alien creatures with massive heads and big black eyes — suddenly appear in the middle of the city.[7] Zarrko warns Thor and the others that if they don’t stop them now, the entire world is doomed.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Zarrko the Tomorrow Man, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), “Odin”, Servitor, Jane Foster, Time-Twisters
Continuity Notes
Zarrko the Tomorrow Man’s 23rd Century future is actually an alternate reality. All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #12 identifies it as Reality-6297.
This is a reference to the events of Marvel Team-Up #9-11, which saw Zarrko go to war with Kang the Conqueror, a battle which also included Spider-Man, the Inhumans, and the Avengers.
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #3 identifies this 50th Century world exists in Reality-7613.
When Jane was on death’s door, Sif used the Runestaff of Kamo Tharnn to merge with Jane and save her life. See Thor #231-236 for all the details. They will remain merged until Thor #334-335.
Thor had a long standing love of Jane Foster dating back to Journey into Mystery #83. Odin forbade the idea of the pair getting married until Thor #136 when Odin tested her to see if Jane was worth of godhood. She failed, and Odin separated the two. Odin exiled Thor in Thor #242 when he learned that they were together again.
This is not actually Odin, but Mangog in disguise, for how he took Odin’s place see Thor #250. The real Odin will remain missing until Thor #262.
The Time-Twisters themselves come from Reality-761243 per Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #5.
Topical References
References to the Modern Age of the Marvel Universe takes place in the 20th Century should be considered topical references. The Sliding Timescale has pushed it forward in time that it does not begin until after the start of the 21st Century. As such, the Time-Twisters leap back in time every 30 centuries might actually be push forward to 31 centuries instead, either that or these time jumps are not as precise.
