Thor #313
Serpent from the Heavens
Thor has returned to Asgard to find out why Tyr, the god of war, attacked him on Earth and force him to return to his homeland. Bringing the defeated warrior before Odin, Thor demands answers from his father. Odin explains that there is an old law in the books that states that an Asgardian requires the majority vote from his fellows in order to be allowed to return to venture to Midgard. Thor is furious because Tyr did not tell him any of this when he attacked him unprovoked earlier, an accusation that Tyr denies. Regardless, Odin says that the law must be obeyed and he will summon the other gods to decide if Thor should be allowed to stay on Earth.
When Sigyn hears the news, she rushes to tell her husband Loki who is currently in exile for crimes against the kingdom.[1] Trying to please her husband, she suggests that they both vote for Thor to remain on Earth. Although his wife’s attempts to please him disgust the trickster god, Loki likes this idea and he begins plotting a scheme to ensure that everyone votes to keep Thor out of Asgard. He goes to a nearby cave where he has imprisoned a cave troll named Maurglon for centuries. Recalling how he was defeated by Thor in battle long ago, Maurglon is eager to be free of his prison if it means getting a chance to fight his enemy again. With that, Loki teleports the troll to Earth where the creature goes on the rampage in an effort to draw Thor back to Midgard.
Meanwhile, the gods have all been called to the great hall to vote on if Thor should stay in Asgard or be allowed to return to Earth. The vote turns out to be equally divided among the gods who showed up to vote. This puts Odin in the position of being the tie breaker and he struggles with his desire to have his son by his side and Thor’s desire to protect his second home. That’s when a soldier comes rushing in and tells everyone about Maurglon’s attack on New York City, making Odin’s decision even harder to make. Thankfully, the decision doesn’t have to be his as Sif, who was absent until now, arrives to cast her vote. She reveals to everyone that Tyr’s motivation in having this vote was an effort to try and win Sif’s love. Sif then tells everyone that she is eternally devoted to Thor and Thor alone and although she wants him to stay in Asgard by her side, she understands how important it is for him to defend the world of mortals. With a tear in her eye, she votes for allowing Thor to return to Midgard, breaking the tie. With the vote decided, Odin decrees that Thor shall remain, but when he tries to punish Tyr for his treachery, Thor surprises everyone by asking Odin to be merciful to the war god because he was acting out of love.
With that, Thor is allowed to leave and he heads back to Earth to deal with Maurglon. When Sigyn reports back to her husband, Loki is annoyed to learn that he didn’t have to unleash Maurglon but has other tricks up his sleeve to deal with Thor when the time comes.
When Thor arrives in New York City he begins searching for Maurglon and comes upon a couple in an alley named Johnny and Lisa. Johnny has been offered a new job in Boston but doesn’t want to take it because it means leaving Lisa behind. He tells her that he loves her and that being together is worth more than a better paying job in another city. This tender moment is interrupted by Maurglon who begins wrecking the alley, causing Johnny to fall from the fire escape. Lisa manages to grab him but she cannot hold him for long. Thor, meanwhile, has leaped in and is battling Maurglon. The creature proves no match for Thor and he easily knocks the monster out and saves Johnny before he can fall. Moments later, Maurglon is teleported away by Loki.
In the aftermath of the battle, Thor tells the young lovers to follow their heart. On his way back to his apartment, Thor is glad her was able to return to Midgard and stop this latest menace. Later that day, Don Blake gets a phone call from Lionel Jeffries. He tells Don that the inquery into Don’s conduct has been dropped because the Westside Clinic is having its budget cut making it a mood point.[2] As a result, Lionel has to cut staff and since Don was their most recent hire he is going to be let go and offers his apologies. Don understands but now that he is out of a job, Blake wonders what he is going to do next.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Odin, Grand Vizier, Sigyn, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Sif, Heimdall, Balder, Tyr, Loki, Enchantress, Lionel Jeffries
Continuity Notes
Loki was banished to the outskirt of Asgard in Thor #307 for his part in trying to trigger Ragnarok. See Thor #273-278.
After performing surgery on a gunshot victim, Don Blake left his patient to deal with a riot that was forming outside the clinic in Thor #311. The patient died due to a serious heart condition. Although there was nothing that could have been done, Jeffries still thinks that Blake abandoned a patient and put him under review.
Last Flight of the Valkyries!
The Valkyrie have been reformed by Odin to liberate Valhalla from Hela the goddess of death.[1] Sent in ahead of Odin, the female warriors have just pierced the veil between life and death. There they are attacked by a massive army of warriors loyal to Hela led by Harokin. First blood goes to Harokin when he slays Leita, who was the Valkyrie who brought him to Valhalla centuries earlier.[2] Grimgerta is the next to fall when she is stabbed from behind by another warrior.
That’s when Hela’s legion of archers let arrows fly, slaying Ortlinda, Hecara, Rossveissa, and Sygnet in rapid succession. This leaves only Valtrauta, Hildegarde, and Krista who watch in horror a the souls of their fallen comrades rise from their bodies and join Hela’s legions. The three remaining Valkyrie don’t stand a chance.
A short while later, Odin arrives on the scene and sees that his valiant shield maidens have all been slain. Cursing himself for holding back to conserve his strength, the All-Father vows to avenger their deaths by defeating Hela herself. Somewhere beyond the scene of the battle, the death goddess hears this and smiles.
Recurring Characters
Valkyries (Valtrauta, Hildegarde, Grimgerta, Hecara, Leita, Ortlinda, Rossveissa, Sygnet, Krista), Odin, Harokin, Sleipnir
Continuity Notes
Following a period in a state near death, Balder reported that Valhalla was overtaken by Hela in Thor #301.
This is not entirely accurate. As seen in Thor #133, after being defeated by Thor Harokin was brought to Valhalla by the Stallion of Doom and Hela. One could assume that Hela then turned him over to Leita.
