Thor #365
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner or It’s Not Easy Being Green
Transformed into a frog by Loki’s magic, Thor has agreed to help the frogs of Central Park defend their domain from the city’s rat population. With the rodents threatening to poison the reservoir, Thor has ventured into the sewers to investigate reports of dragons that live down there. In reality, these are alligators under the control of the Morlock known as Piper.
Noticing the abnormally large frog carrying dead rats, the Piper commands the gators to bring it to him. Seeing this as an attack, Thor leaps over the alligators and snatches the Piper’s flute from him. Unable to control the giant reptiles, Piper is then forced to flee while Thor returns to the surface with the flute.
Meanwhile, the rats have returned to Central Park with trash bags full of poison they plan to dump into the water supply. However, they find opposition from the frogs who are led into battle by Puddlegulp.
Asgard
The people of Asgard have gathered for the althing to determine who will rule the kingdom following the demise of Odin.[1] Loki, who turned Thor into a frog to secure his chance at the throne is surprised when Thor suddenly arrives at the gathering. The thunder god requests that they take a week long recess as he is still recovering from the injuries he sustained battling Hela.[2] Everyone agrees and as everyone departs, Loki wonders how Thor could have overcome his spell and arrived for the meeting.
Deciding to investigate things further, Loki turns into fly so he can follow “Thor” and Heimdall back to his home and spy on them. However, once they are at Heimdall’s home, the former guardian of the Bifrost bridge goes into a room to speak with “Thor” in private, erecting a mystical barrier to warn them of any eavesdroppers, foiling Loki’s plans to learn the truth.
New York
In Central Park, the frogs lead the rats into the trap Thor has set up for them. The rats are soon confronted by their greatest fears: the alligators that have made the sewers their home. As the rats fight for their lives, the Piper manages to catch up with Thor. Scaring the massive frog off with a rock, the Piper than recovers his flute.
Asgard
Although he is barred from Heimdall’s room, Loki is determined to learn how Thor has managed to return for the althing. Resuming human form, he lifts up Mjolnir with ease, and realizes that this is a replica and the Thor that was present was nothing more than a clever impostor. Deciding to use this to his advantage, Loki then casts a spell on the fake hammer. When Heimdall emerges from his chambers with the fake Thor, Loki discovers that “Thor” was actually Harokin in disguise.[3] Changing back into a fly, Loki escapes out the window when Heimdall opens it for some fresh air.
New York
Seeing how the frogs used his flute to lure the rats into a trap, the Piper is thoroughly impressed with their ingenuity and suspects that there is more going on here than meets the eye. The Morlock decides to return to his home in the sewers, using his flute to summon both the aligators and rats back into the depths with him, ending their threat.
Returning to their homes, the frogs all celebrate Thor for his part in saving them all. They nominate him to be their new king, a suggestion that everyone but Bugeye supports. However, Thor politely declines the offer, saying that he must get back to his own home and suggests they select Puddlegulp instead, since he was also instrumental in the battle. With that, Thor heads back to his chariot in a nearby alley to try and figure out a way to return to his human form and get back to Asgard.
As he departs, Puddlegulp wishes him farewell and reveals that he was once a human. He explains that he ran afoul of a fortune teller who cursed him by turning him into a frog. However, Puddlegulp came to like his new life as a frog and decided to stay that way.
When Thor returns to his chariot he discovers that he can now communicate with his goats, Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder. The pair suggests that Thor try lifting Mjolnir as it might be the key to breaking the spell that has turned him into a frog. Thor tries with all his might as the surviving rats arrive to get their revenge against him. Lifting the hammer proves nearly impossible but ultimately, Thor manages to lift his enchanted weapon. However, instead of restoring him to human form, Thor finds himself transformed into a massive anthropomorphic frog dressed as Thor instead.
This is good enough for the god of thunder who leaps onto the back of his chariot and heads back for Asgard.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Loki, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Harokin, Heimdall, Puddlegulp, Bugeye, Greensong, Piper, Southside, Ratso, Grand Thane, Toothgnasher, Toothgrinder
Continuity Notes
The real Thor’s face was seriously wounded during his battle with Hela circa Thor #360-362.
Harokin and Thor bear a striking resemblance with one another, something Thor once exploited centuries earlier in Thor #129-133.
Topical References
Puddlegulp makes reference to the Steelers and the Rams playing against each other in Superbowl XIX. Since this Superbowl happened in 1984, I shouldn’t have to tell you why this dated sports refrence should be considered topical.