The Harvest of Seasons

Balder has been selected to be the next ruler of Asgard. As he prepares to leave the domain of the Norns, his beloved Karnilla gives him an insignia ring to remember her by.[1]

Back in the kingdom, Thor thinks about how he has changed following a battle with Hela that saw his face horribly scarred.[2] He wonders what his late father, Odin, would think about some of his choices.[3] Looking at himself in the mirror, Thor remarks the beard that he has grown to cover up his facial scars and notes that he looks much more like the Thor of Norse legends but wonders if he is still the same god.[4]

Elsewhere, Beta Ray Bill and Sif are discussing their future together. Bill needs to return to his people and wants Sif to accompany him on the journey. Sif still finds herself conflicted between her feelings for Bill and her feelings for Thor, and he tells her that he can’t wait forever.

The somber conversation is interrupted when Hogun and Agnar return with a warning that the Frost Giants of Jotunheim are preparing for war against Asgard. Hearing this, Heimdall heads to the top of Hlidskjalf to see what’s going on. Gazing across the land, Heimdall sees that the giant’s stronghold of ice has been melted and the giants themselves reduced down to the size of rodents. This is all the handiwork of Balder the Brave, who Heimdall sees is now on his way back to Asgard.

Loki is also observing Balder’s travels and begins hatching his next scheme to try and usurp the throne. He summons Uglitha the Troll for his plan. After explaining her mission, Loki is interrupted by Lorelei who continues to dote after him, much to his frustration. When he kicks her out of his private chambers, the dispondent Lorelei is met with Malekith the Dark Elf who tells her that has a love potion that will finally get Loki to love her as she loves him. In reality, Malekith drugs both their drinks so the two gods are knocked out allowing the elf to carry out his own agenda.

Meanwhile, the reconstruction of Asgard continues unabated. One of the guards on duty is getting bored when he spots what appears to be Malekith and knocks the elf out. I turns out that the villain had come to Asgard to plant explosives to destroy all their hard work. When Thor is alerted of the situation, he has the palace guards quickly shackled Malekith to prevent him from using his magics and has the Dark Elf tossed into the dungeon of no escape.

Moments later, Balder finally arrives in the kingdom and Thor is there to greet him. However, when the thunder god suggests they finally have a toast to Skurge the Executioner — who sacrificed his life so they could escape Hela’s domain — Balder turns him down.

Soon, the people of Asgard begin preparing for the coronation of Balder the Brave as the newest ruler of Asgard. Volstagg and his large family get especially dressed for the occasion. His eldest daughter, Hildy, has the joy in going to the event with her crust, Hogun the Grim.

Meanwhile, Heimdall pays another visit with the Enchantress and when she tells him to begon because she is expecting the Executioner he realizes that nobody told her that Skurge is dead. When he tells her the truth, Amora refuses to accept this and throws Heimdall out of her home.

While in the dungeon of no escape, the man who appears to be Malekith tries to think of a way to escape from his cell when, suddenly, Kurse comes crashing in through the wall to get his revenge.[4] With his mouth gag removed, Malekith pleads with Kurse to stop, telling him that Balder is the one he wants revenge on.

As the crowds gather for the coronation, Thor finds Sif in the crowd and once again asks for his forgiveness for striking her earlier.[5] Thor’s profession of love leaves Sif more conflicted than ever and she wonders how he can tell him that she has decided to leave Asgard with Beta Ray Bill. Their discussion is interrupted by Lorelei who has come to mock Thor for spurning her love for him, prompting Sif to knock her out with a single punch.

Soon, the coronation begins and as Balder is addressing the people of Asgard, Kurse fights his way through the crowd. Fighting off every guard in his path, the single minded monster mounts the stage and snaps Balder’s neck, killing him instantly.[6]

Recurring Characters

Thor, Kurse, Balder, Karnilla, Beta Ray Bill, Sif, Hogun, Agnar, Heimdall, Volstagg, Hildy, Gudrun, Enchantress, Loki, Lorelei, Uglitha, Malekith, Einar

Continuity Notes

1. A footnote here reminds readers that this story takes place after the events of Balder the Brave #1-4.

2. Thor and Hela duked it out over some stolen soles in Thor #360-362.

3. Everyone thinks Odin died protecting Asgard from Surtur in Thor #350-353. He survived and has been made a prisoner of Seth as we’ll learn in Thor #398-400.

4. Norse mythology describes Thor as having a beard. This was true of Thor’s previous incarnation as we saw in Thor #293.

5. Algrim the Strong was a minion of Malekith that was dropped into a pit of lava by his master in an attempt to destroy Thor, see Thor #345-348. He was later revived and had his power increased by the Beyonder in Secret Wars II #4 and has been seeking revenge on Malekith since Thor #363.

6. Thor, under a love spell, struck Sif while he was under its influence in Thor #359. This was fallout from Lorelei’s grand scheme to enthrall Thor that began back in issue #340.

7. This is obviously not the real Balder, but Malekith in disguise as we’ll learn next issue.