Odin Must Die!

While investigating what has been killing their people, Thor and Balder have ventured below the city of Asgard where they have been ambushed by Annihilus, ruler of the Negative Zone. The monster has come to Asgard just as the realm has drifted into his domain so that he can feast upon the immortals life forces so he can prevent his own death.[1] With Thor defeated, Balder is forced to fight the monster alone. Unfortunately, he too is knocked out by Annihilus who then departs in order to slay Odin himself.

Back on Earth, the Mongoose and his mysterious master have examined the DNA sample they recently took from Thor.[2] It is a perfect specimen that will bring them closer to creating a new race of gods. However, they need more and so the Mongoose is sent back out into the world to collect more.

Meanwhile, Thor has dug himself free of the battle rubble and revives Balder. Learning that Odin’s life is in danger the pair head back to the surface. At that same moment, Odin holds contemplates the dire situation in Asgard. He must enter the Odinsleep to replenish his power, a process that could take years to complete. However, he does not want to under go this process until he confirms that Thor will remain to defend Asgard. He also fears that if Thor decides to remain on Midgard he will be trapped there as Asgard drifts further and further away from its dimensional axis. His thoughts are interrupted by Sif, who has come to plead Thor’s case. Even though she would also like Thor to remain, she reminds Odin that as a champion of life and liberty he cannot force his son to stay if he wants to return to his adopted home. That’s when the Grand Vizier rushes into the room to tell Odin that Annihilus has breached the gates of the palace.

On Earth, Eric Masterson is at home with his son Kevin, and his assistant Susan Austin. Eric is worried about the current custody battle with his ex-wife, Marcy, who wants full custody of Kevin. Since Marcy has remarried, Eric is starting to wonder if Kevin would be better off in a home with a mother and a father. Susan tries to convince Eric that he is a suitable parent and secretly wishes he would see her as more than his assistant. That’s when the Mongoose comes crashing in through the window. Unable to find Thor, the villain has come to threaten the Masterson’s so he can force the thunder god to come out of hiding. Eric tries to defend his son and Susan and is knocked out for his trouble. Taking Eric prisoner, the Mongoose then orders Susan to deliver a message to Thor on his behalf.

Back in Asgard, Annihilus is fighting his way through Odin’s elite soldiers, the Crimson Hawks, thanks to the power of his Cosmic Control Rod. With the battle raging outside, the Grand Vizier tries to convince Odin to get to cover since he is still in a weakened state. That’s when Thor and Balder finally arrive to defend the palace.

By this time, the police have arrived at the Masterson home and while Susan answers questions, Kevin runs to his room to cry. He prays for Thor to come and rescue his dad, triggering the connection made between his toy hammer and Mjolnir.

With his hammer starting to glow, Thor realizes that there is trouble on Earth and begins fighting with renewed strength in order to bring the battle to a quick end. That’s when Odin arrives and uses his power to banish Annihilus from the realm. When the All-Father tells Thor that he must stay while he enters the Odinsleep, Thor insists on returning to Midgard to help Eric Masterson. Odin decides to allow him to go, giving Mjolnir enough power for one last return trip to Asgard, telling his son that after that he will no longer be able to travel between worlds. Odin then transports Thor back to Earth, where he materializes through the Negative Zone portal at the Four Freedoms Plaza. This alerts the Fantastic Four, who wonder how and why Thor came through the portal.[3] With no time for explanations, Thor races to the Masterson home where he meets with Susan and Kevin. There, Susan tells Thor the message left for him by the Mongoose. It’s a single word: Wundagore.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Annihilus, Balder, Odin, Sif, Grand Vizier, Eric Masterson, Kevin Masterson, Susan Austin, Crimson Hawks, Mongoose, Count Tagar, Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, Ms. Marvel, Ben Grimm),

Continuity Notes

1. Asgard has become unmoored from its cosmic axis ever since Surtur destroyed the Bifrost Bridge in Thor #351. It will eventually be restored in issue #426.

2. This DNA sample was collected in Thor #403. Mongoose’s master is revealed to be Count Tagar in issue #406.

3. Ben Grimm, appearing here in human form, wishes he still had his powers to face whatever threat is coming through the Negative Zone portal. This story happens shortly after Ben was de-powered in Fantastic Four #327. This will remain the status quo until issue #350 of that series.

This Lethal Land!

Thor and the Warriors Three have been sent to the Land of Always Night in order to recruit Ulagg the Grand Enchanter for Odin. The wizard has appeared as a shaft of light to the four warriors and demands to know what they want. Refusing Odin’s summons, he threatens to destroy the young gods if they don’t leave his domain immediately.

Naturally, Thor refuses and Ulagg uses his power to animate the ground, rock, and trees all around them. While Thor, Fandral, and Hogun are busy fighting off these threats, Volstagg takes the rear like his usual cowardly self. Not far away from the battle, Volstagg comes upon Ulagg who is too distracted with his spell-casting to notice the rotund warrior’s arrival until it is too late.

When the mystical attacks suddenly stop, Thor and his friends double back to find Volstagg and are amused to see that he stopped the wizard by sitting on him. With Ulagg’s surrender, Thor is pleased that they can complete their quest for Odin.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Ulagg