Thor #260
The Vicious and the Valiant
After defeating the space pirates aboard the Bird of Prey, Thor has the Rigelian Recorder scan their databanks in the hopes of finally learning the location of the Doomsday Star, the place where Odin was taken when he was kidnapped.[1] The process puts the robot at risk of overloading, but luckily Thor was able to pull him away before the damage can be done.
Meanwhile, back in Asgard, an army summoned by the Enchantress and the Executioner continue their silent vigil outside the castle walls. Desperate to learn more about this army, Balder sneaks out in a disguise to spy on them. Finding a group resting by a camp fire, Balder is unnerved by the fact that they sit motionless and silent. Unfortunately, he is discovered and attacked by the silent soldiers. As Balder defends himself, he discovers that these “soldiers” are nothing more than empty armor animated by a spell. As he makes this realization he is blasted from behind by a mystical bolt.
Back aboard the Bird of Prey, the Recorder was able to parse the data and has found the location of the Doomsday Star. By this time, the Warriors Three have cannibalized some of the warship’s weapons so their own craft, the Starjammer, is better armed in the journey ahead. In Asgard, Balder discovers the ambush came from the Enchantress, who then unleashes the Executioner on the foe. The Executioner looks forward to defeating Balder after his last humiliation by his hands.[2] Although Balder destroys the Executioner’s battle axe, he is quickly knocked out in hand-to-hand combat.
Countless lightyears away, the Starjammer reaches the section of space that is home to the Doomsday Star. They are shocked to find massive humanoids that are strapped to large tombstones and realize that they are in some massive cosmic graveyard. However, not all of these stone effigies are as lifeless as they appear as one of them raises a hand and blasts the ship with a bolt of energy.[3] While back in Asgard, Balder is saved at that last minute by Karnilla who takes down the Enchantress while Balder deals with the Executioner. They are shocked when Thor suddenly appears before them and says that he has come to claim their lives.
Back in space, Thor and his allies use fight back against the massive monolith with the Starjammer’s weapons. Ultimately, Thor shatters it with Mjolnir. Continuing on their way to the Doomsday Star, they discover the planet that obits it is sealed off by a massive wall.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Sif, Balder, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Recorder, Karnilla, Enchantress, Executioner, Kroda (disguised)
Continuity Notes
Odin has been missing since Thor #243. For more details on why, see Thor #250 and 262.
The Executioner had his ass handed to him by Balder back in Journey into Mystery #117. The pair refer to a master here. This turns out to be Loki as we’ve seen in Thor #264. That same issue reveals that the “Thor” that Balder and Karnilla encounter is actually Kroda in disguise.
According to sources, it is here that Thor is plucked out of time by the Collector. As explained in Avengers #175, he pullled Thor out of time to help keep the Avengers alive until the Collector could add them all to his collection. As such, Thor’s appearances in Avengers #165-166, 175 (a flashback), Super-Villain Team-Up #14, Thor Annual #6, Avengers Annual #7, Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2, Captain Marvel #57, and Avengers #167-168 all happen between pages 10 and 11 of this story. When Thor was put back to his proper place in time, all memory of these events are erased.
