Sir!

Even though he has been transformed into a frog, Thor journeys back to Asgard. However, the process takes days as the dimensional gulf between Earth and Asgard has been made more treacherous following the destruction of the Bifrost Bridge.[1]

Meanwhile, in Asgard, Loki meets with a mysterious benefactor to assure him that nobody will oppose his claim to the throne of Asgard during the althing and that they will rule together.[2]

While at the edge of the rainbow bridge, Heimdall meets with Sif, Beta Ray Bill, and the Warriors Three. They all know that Loki is responsible for Thor’s disappearance and it somehow ties into the energy he has been drawing from Surtur’s Twilight Sword. However, the only person who knows where the weapon is hiding is Volstagg’s daughter, Hildy, who has fallen ill following her discovery.

Concerned for his daughter well being, Volstagg decides that the only way to save her is to take the sickly girl out with him to find the massive weapon. Strapping Hildy to his chest, Volstagg then begins following her directions out of the city.

Soon, the recess called upon the althing has come to an end and the people of Asgard gather together in the great colosseum once more. Once again, Harokin poses as Thor to cover for the fact that the real thunder god has gone missing.[3] Loki is aware of this and has worked on a scheme to convince the people of Asgard to choose him as their new leader. Having enchanted the fake Mjolnir wielded by Harokin to prove himself worthy. Snatching the weapon from Harokin’s hand, Loki then holds it up and tosses it as it will return to his hand after being thrown.

However, rather than the fake Mjolnir, Thor arrives one the scene with the real one. As Thor and Loki begin slugging it out, Heimdall suggests that Harokin ditch his disguise before anyone notices that there are now two Thors. Soon the people of Asgard race to see the conclusion of this battle.

Meanwhile, in Hel, Hela comes upon Kurse who has been sent to her domain to hunt for Malekith. Suspecting Thor’s hand in this, Hela vows to get revenge against the thunder god for this, and her earlier defeat at his hand.[4]

Back in Asgard, Thor continues to battle Loki, demanding that the trickster return him to human form. Although Loki refuses to do so, Thor is far from harmless even though he is trapped in the form of a frog.

By this time, Volstagg and Hildy have found the Twilight Sword and there Volstagg becomes sick just light his daughter. Stumbling, Volstagg knocks down some rocks that cause a massive avalanche that shatters the device Loki had hooked up to the Twilight Sword. With the machine destroyed, both Volstagg and Hildy make an immediate recovery.

While at the scene of the battle, Thor suddenly returns to his human form, as Loki was drawing magic from Twilight to power his spell. Although Thor is back to normal, Loki believes that he has already succeeded in convincing the people of Asgard that he is worthy to lead them. When the people arrive, Thor demonstrates how Loki has tricked them by tossing Mjolnir at his step-brother. When Loki fails to hold the weapon aloft, his deception is exposed.

While the people of Asgard would like Thor to rule them, the thunder god turns down their request. He tells them that he must devote his time to both Asgard and Midgard, the home of his mother, Jord.[5] In his place, Thor suggests that they choose Balder the Brave to be their next ruler. Since Balder is still away in Karnilla’s domain, Thor sends Hogun to bring him back. Although he his immediate plans have been foiled, Loki still believes he can wrest victory, having gotten inspiration from Heimdall.[6]

Recurring Characters

Thor, Loki, Heimdall, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Harokin, Alaric, Hildy, Grand Thane, Kurse, Malekith, Hela, Toothgnasher, Toothgrinder

Continuity Notes

1. The Bifrost Bridge was destroyed by Surtur during the Surtur War, the same conflict that seemingly took the life of Odin. See Thor #350-353. However, Odin didn’t actually die and will turn up alive again in Thor #398-400.

2. This mysterious ally is revealed to be Malekith the Dark Elf next issue.

3. Thor ventured into Hela’s domain to recover stolen souls. See Thor #360-362.

4. Harokin has been posing as Thor since last issue due to the fact that he and Thor resemble one another. See Thor #129-133.

5. Aka Gaea the spirit of Mother Earth, as we learned in Thor #300-301.

6. Loki’s inspiration is from Heimdall using Harokin to pose as Thor. Loki then has Malekith pose as Balder next issue as we’ll learn in issue #368.