Thor #378
When Loki Stood Alone!
Loki has kidnapped the mutant known as Iceman in order to use his powers to restore the diminished might of the Frost Giants.[1] Unfortunately, this plan has backfired as now the giants have stormed his castle to claim Iceman for themselves and take over Asgard.
Loki tries to repel the invaders but the crippling cold had made them stronger than ever before. Needing time to plan anew, Loki seals off the room containing Iceman. Having just brought Thor to Asgard, Loki teleports him out into the hallway to keep the Frost Giants busy, confident that the curse put on him by Hela will prevent the thunder god from dying.[2]
When the trickster goes to check on Iceman, he discovers that the mutant has stopped fighting the spell that is forcing him to unleash his powers. The sudden rush of cold make the Frost Giants forget all about Thor and they race into the next room to steal the source of the cold. Loki tries to stop them and even succeeds in melting two of the Frost Giants with a fireball. Unfortunately, he is soon swarmed and pinned to the ground.
It’s then that Thor finally wakes up and seeing his step-brother in danger, decides to step in and stop the Frost Giants despite the curse that has been put upon him.[3]
While in the palace of Asgard, Balder receives a dire warning from Ularic that there is a danger that threatens the entire kingdom. Suddenly, the elderly wizard becomes ill and collapses to the ground. When Balder races to Ularic’s side he finds that he too is being stricken by the same malady.
Back at Loki’s castle, Thor collapses the ceiling from the Frost Giants and retreats into the lab with an unconscious Loki. There he finds Bobby Drake, who has finally managed to stop his ice powers and return to human form.[4] Before passing out, Drake explains how Loki used a device to kidnap him from Earth to exploit his mutant powers. Recalling how Loki has used this device in the past,[5] Thor decides to use it to save Loki’s life since he owes the trickster for his part in defending Asgard from Surtur.[6] Thor uses the device to teleport the armor he was building in Pittsburgh to him. Then, summoning lightning with Mjolnir, Thor engraves the runes needed to complete the enchantment on the armor.
Elsewhere, Mick and Kevin — two mortal boys adopted by Volstagg — are helping Hogun, Sif, and Hildy return to their home after they have mysteriously fallen ill.[7] When they arrive, they discover that Volstagg, his wife Hildegarde, along with all the other children are sick as well. The only ones unaffected by this illness, Mick and Kevin begin to worry about what to do next.
Back at Loki’s castle, the Frost Giants manage to force their way into Loki’s lab. There they are ambushed by Thor, now wearing his new enchanted armor. The suit allows the thunder god to move freely and use his full power even though many of the bones in his body are broken. Thor succeeds in sending the Frost Giants fleeing from the castle. However, despite this victory, Thor still feels despair and that his very heart and soul will be tested in the coming days.
As the Frost Giants flee back into Jotunheim their leader, Grundroth, vows to get revenge and decides that they are going to awaken Loki’s son, Jormungand the Midgard Serpent, and unleash the monster upon Thor.[8]
Recurring Characters
Thor, Loki, Iceman, Ularic, Heimdall, Enchantress, Sif, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Hildy, Hildegarde, Alaric, Rolfe, Gudrun, Flosi, Gundroth, Kartak, Kevin Mortensen, Mick Mortensen
Continuity Notes
The Frost Giants were shrunk down in size following a clash with Balder in Balder the Brave #1-4. Iceman was kidnapped from Earth last issue.
Hela sought revenge against Thor following her defeat at his hands in issue #361 and cursed him with brittle bones in issue #373. This curse will remain on him until Thor #382.
Here Thor mentions his recent battles with the Absorbing Man and Grendle, see issues #375-377.
Bobby recounts how Thor recently saved the life of his teammate Angel. That happened in Thor #373-374.
This device was previously used to transport the Absorbing Man to Earth after he was exiled in space. See Journey into Mystery #115 and 120.
Loki came to the aid of Asgard when Surtur threatened to destroy all life in the universe. See Thor #350-353.
Mick and Kevin were orphaned when their mother was murdered by the Zaniac. They were subsequently adopted by Volstagg. See Thor #371-372. The Zaniac entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #13 states that their last names are Mortensen.
According to Norse mythology, the Midgard Serpent is the son of Loki and Angerboda. This origin has not been confirmed in the Marvel Universe and could be considered suspect since Asgard goes through various cycles of death and rebirth with each new reincarnated coming into being in varying ways. See Thor #293-294 for more on that.
