Holocaust and Homecoming!

Thor’s search for Odin has come to a tragic end with the All-Father dead and K’rll of the Soul-Survivors now powered by his power.[1] As Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three prepare for battle, the Rigellian Recorder stands on the sidelines to document the battle. In the ensuing battle, Thor’s hammer doesn’t return to him when thrown for the second time in recent history.[2]

In short order, the powerful K’rll takes down Thor, Sif, Hogun, and Fandral like they were nothing. Surprisingly, Volstagg — ever the coward — finds some newfound courage to confront K’rll directly. In his powerful form, the Soul-Survivor finds this amusing as he does not see overweight Asgardian as much of a threat. However, Volstagg shocks everyone when he is suddenly able to fire bolts of mystical force from his hands that not only cause K’rll pain, but also begin to weaken him. Eventually, the machine that powers his Odin-Force form overloads causing it to dissipate. Furious over this defeat, K’rll vow to kill the Asgardians with his bare hands if need be.

Meanwhile, Thor and his allies try to make sense of Volstagg’s newfound powers. As the rotound member of the Warriors Three approaches Odin’s lifeless body, there is an energy transfer from Volstagg to Odin’s lifeless body. That’s when K’rll tries to ambush them but Thor grabs the alien and instinctively wills Mjolnir to to return to his hand. When the hammer response to this command, Thor realizes that the enchantments have been restored. Miraculiously, Odin has come back to life. The All-Father explains he managed to cheat death by secretly transferring the last of his lifeforce over to Volstagg. With the All-Father alive, Thor spare K’rll’s life per Odin’s demands. However, Odin is still weak from his ordeal so Thor constructs a bed for his father so that he might enter the Odinsleep as they make their way back home to Asgard.

When they finally return to the golden realm it is to much fanfare as the people of Asgard cheer the return of their long lost king. Odin is quickly taken off to his room to continue his slumber. Still thinking Balder is in charge, Thor goes to the throne room to relieve him of his duity. There, the thunder god and his allies are shocked to discover Loki sitting on the throne instead!

Recurring Characters

Thor, Loki, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Sif, Odin, Recorder, Soul-Eater, Enchantress, Executioner

Continuity Notes

1. Odin had been missing in Thor #243, he was a prisoner on the Doomsday Star the whole time as explained last issue. The alien race who call themselves Soul-Survivors here Deonists per Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #3. K’rll’s form is later identified as the Soul-Eater in Quasar #35.

2. The last time Thor’s hammer failed to return was in Thor #261.