Thor #368
The Eye of the Beholder
Asgard
Balder has seemingly been murdered by Kurse in the middle of the coronation to make him ruler of Asgard.[1] However, this doesn’t make any sense to Thor, who notes that Kurse was obsessed with getting revenge against Malekith the Dark Elf.[2] Suspecting that something is amiss, Thor has Agnar touch “Balder’s” body with his sword. This breaks an enchantment, revealing that this was really Malekith in disguise.[3]
This leaves the question: What happened to the real Balder? Thor decides to follow his trail and learn the truth, promising Agnar that he will return with their friend. Leaving Kurse in the care of Heimdall, Thor and the Warriors Three head down into the dungeon to find out what transpired there. In one of the cells they discover Loki shackled up in the place of the man they believed was Malekith. Apparently, Loki’s scheme to take over the throne of Asgard backfired on his spectacularly when the real Malekith betrayed him and took Balder’s place. Learning that his betrayer is dead, Loki is pleased and teleports away. Thor and the Warriors Three then backtrack on Balder’s trail to try and figure out what happened to him. When they come at spot where the road forks in four directions, the heroes split up to search each trail for sign of their missing friend.
New York
Thug Thatcher has been released from Ryker’s Island after serving his sentence. A man with a grudge, Thatcher immediately takes a cab to JFK International Airport as there is someone he has to see.[4]
Asgard
While on the trail between Asgard and Nornheim, Thor decides to stop and rest by a nearby tree. There he is visited by an old woman who tells him that there are a trio of damsels that are being held prisoner in the castle of Slaggnbir the Troll. Thor decides to put aside his search to find Balder to rescue these maidens and rides out a mile off the beaten path. Following a trail of red flowers, he finds Slaggnbir’s castle floating in the sky. On the scene he is confused when he comes across the skeletal remains of a troll. That’s when the sun glints off something in the grass catches his eye.
At that same moment, Loki has returned to his castle and he too begins to wonder what really happened to Balder. Using the Vapors of Urd, he calls up a vision of the past. Through the vapors he witnesses as Balder comes across the same old crone on the path and told the same story about the damsels being held prisoner by Slaggnbir. The chivalrous warrior then located the castle and got inside by climbing a rope bridge that carried him up in the sky. There he found the three maidens — Kossi, Unn, and Gertha — tied to one of the castle towers. Angered by the sight, Balder demanded that Slaggnbir to face him. In the ensuing battle, Balder won by sending his foe crashing into one of the castle walls, sending the troll falling to his death. Freeing the women, Balder is given three golden gifts: a ring, a belt, and necklace. These put the warrior into the women’s thrall and he forgets his past life. Rennaming him Annar, the women then make him throw away the ring given to him by Karnilla as it could potentially make him remember his past and free him from her control.
Karnilla’s ring turns out to be the very object Thor has seen glinting in the sunlight, confirming that Balder has been this way. Using Mjolnir to fly up to the castle. Inside, he is surprised to see the three damsels are free and they invite him to enjoy their company, promising that he will find ever delight he could possibly desire.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Balder, Agnar, Kurse, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Heimdall, Malekith, Loki, Thug Thatcher, Lorelei, Uglitha, Kossi, Unn, Gertha, Widowind
Continuity Notes
Balder was chosen in Thor #366 to take over following the apparent death of Odin in issue #353. Odin’s not really dead, we’ll discover he is alive in Thor #398-400.
Originally Algrim the Strong, Kurse was sacrificed by Malekith in Thor #347. He was resurrected into Kurse in Secret Wars II #4 and has been after Malekith since Thor #363.
This is not the end of Malekith. He will attempt to escape Hel in Thor #485-489.
Thug Thatcher’s full name is not given here. The Zaniac entry in Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #13 reveals that Thatcher’s first name is Andrew. Thatcher was captured by Thor back in Journey into Mystery #89. Per the Sliding Timescale, Thatcher was locked away for about seven years.
