Thor #458 — Nick Peron

May 30

May 30 Thor #458

To the Victor

Thor has been finally freed from his exile and has decided to remain on Asgard and marry his long time lover Sif. This has resulted in Eric Masterson retaining his powers and becoming Asgard’s new Earthly defender.[1] Eric accepted this news, but isn’t entirely sure if he is still worthy to carry the mantle of Thor or its power. Since he has been away from home for a while, Eric decides to switch back to his mortal identity and pop in and visit his son, Kevin Masterson.

When he knocks at the door of his ex-wife Marcy’s apartment, he’s surprised when his former assistant Susan Austin answers. As it turns out, Marcy felt bad that Susan was out of a job since Eric’s architecture job tanked and offered her a job as a nanny for Kevin. When he meets with Marcy, she is deeply upset because her new husband, Bobby Steele, has been having problems recently.[2] Although he’s not a fan of Bobby, Eric tells his former wife that he’s there for her if she needs someone to talk to. That’s when Kevin rushes into the room exited to see his father.

Meanwhile, back in Asgard, Thor is looking forward to finally focusing on his princely duties and marrying Sif. However, Odin is concerned about his giving Mjolnir to a mortal, fearing that such power might be abused if left unchecked. Thor assures his father that they can put their full faith in Eric Masterson as he has seen the depths of his soul and he is an honorable man.[3] Overhearing this, Balder shares the All-Father’s concerns and offers to try and talk Thor into seeing things their way. Odin stops him, however, saying that there are already forces at work to resolve this matter.[4]

Back on Earth, Eric takes Kevin out to play some football in Central Park. On their way home, Kevin mentions how Bobby has been flaking out on him a lot lately, much like when his father would back when he was friends with Thor and Hercules.[5] When Kevin mentions the last time Bobby canceled on him, Eric notes that this was the same day that Bloodaxe was on the rampage. He wonders if Bobby might be the masked vigilante since they have the same build, but dismisses this idea as nothing paranoia and figures he’s been watching way too many TV soap operas.[6]

Later, Eric changes back into Thor and heads for home, he realizes that he needs to move out of Avengers Headquarters if he ever wants to bring the boy home.[7] His thoughts are interrupted when he hears gunshots coming from the 1st National Bank where a robbery is taking place. At first, this turns out to be your run of the mill robbery when Thor is ambushed by the leader of the gang, a guy calling himself Power Glove. When Thor recognizes him as Shatterfist, a villain he fought time a time travel adventure, the crook likes that name better and decides to adopt it as his own.[8] The appearance of this criminal makes Eric suddenly fear for his own mortality, as he was convinced that he would survive at least as long as he hasn’t encountered this new foe yet.[9] This causes him to freeze up in battle allowing Shatterfist to start pummeling him. Luckily, one of the bank security guards is able to get the drop on the crook and forces him to surrender.

Embarrassed by how this all went down, Thor decides to go to Avengers Headquarters and ask for Captain America’s advice on how to conquer the fear of death. Cap is in the middle of a training session but still manages to give a speech about how his desire to see the American Dream realized is what makes him overcome his fear in battle. Thor walks out as Cap finishes his speech as it gives him something to think about. He is then approached by Jarvis, the Avengers butler, who tells him that there is a visitor waiting for him in the garden. Going outside, Eric is surprised to see it is Sif who professes her undying love to him. This comes as a shock to Masterson who thought that Sif loved the real Thor. She then forces a kiss on him, putting Eric under her control. As it turns out, “Sif” was actually the Enchantress in disguise.[10] She then tells Eric to return to Asgard and kill Thor. When he leaves, Odin contacts her telepathically and reveals that he is aware of her trickery.

Moments later, Eric Masterson arrives in Asgard and attacks Thor while he is out in the garden with Sif. The thunder god is reluctant to fight his friend despite the fact that he is trying to kill him over his apparent love of Sif. As the two battle it out, Sif tries to get between the pair in order to get them to stop fighting. When Eric strikes her this puts Thor into a fit of rage and decides that if it is a fight to the death that Masterson wants, he’s going to get it.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Thor (Masterson), Sif, Odin, Balder, Enchantress, Avengers (Captain America, Black Knight, Hercules), Eitri, Shatterfist, Edwin Jarvis, Susan Austin, Marcy Steele, Kevin Masterson

Continuity Notes

Thor was banished for seemingly killing Loki in Thor #432. This resulted in Masterson taking over as Thor. Although the true Thor was restored last issue, he decided to remain in Asgard and allowed Eric to continue operating as Thor on Earth.
Bobby has been facing pressures over his performance on the New York Smashers football team. He has been secretly taking steroids to try and make up for his shortcomings leading to troubles at home, as will be revealed in Thunderstrike #8.
Thor should know as he has been bonded to Eric since Thor #408. He knows Masterson inside out and backwards.
This would be the creation of a new weapon called Thunderstrike which is being fashioned for Masterson, as we’ll see next issue.
Masterson first started associating with Thor back in issue #391. After the two were merged in Thor #408, Hercules came to live with Masterson to help him out with his double life. However, Hercules moved out following the events of Thor #426.
Bloodaxe went on the rampage in Thor #455-456. Eric’s dismissal of Bobby Steele being Bloodaxe proves to be correct. Thunderstrike #22 reveals that she is actually his colleague Jackie Lukus.
After Eric’s apartment was trashed by Stellaris he was evicted by his landlord. Since then, Captain America offered him a room to stay in at Avengers Headquarters. See Thor #438, 443 and 444.
Thor encountered Shatterfist when fighting Zarrko the Tomorrow Man. The time traveler pulled Thor villains out of the past and future to fight him, including Shatterfist in Thor #440.
Eric came to the realization that he couldn’t die until after he met Shatterfist last issue.
As seen last issue, the Enchantress wanted revenge against Heimdall for having the audacity of wanting a monogamous relationship with her. In response, she decided to strike at his sister Sif as a form of revenge. The jean jacket she is wearing here was given to Sif by Eric in Thor #453, Amora stole it last issue as well.

Topical References

One of the bank robbers is wearing a Fred Flintstone mask. This should be considered a topical reference since this is a licensed property not owned by Marvel Comics.
Another robber is wearing a mask based on the DC Comics superhero the Flash. When seeing this, Thor quips that he enjoyed the Flash’s TV show until it was canceled. He is referring to the 1990 Flash TV series that was canceled after just one season. This may not be considered a topical reference since DC Comics and their fictions exist in the Marvel Universe, as evidence in Superman/Fantastic Four #1.

When Odin Commands

With Thor and Eric Masterson brawling outside the palace, Balder races to Odin to tell him of what is transpiring. The All-Father is aware of this and foresaw such trouble as soon as Thor gave the mortal Mjolnir. When Balder insists that something be done to stop the fight, Odin insists that plans are already in motion and that a resolution will be found once he finishes his impending journey.

Odin travels to Nidavellir where he has hired Eitri, the Dwarf King who first crafted Mjolnir.[1] He has come after all these years to have the Dwarf fashion a brand new weapon out of uru metal. Once the molten metal is poured into the forge, Odin charges it with his magic giving this new weapon enchanted powers, as he did with Mjolnir before it. With his enchantments complete, Odin believes that the weapon below is finally ready to sever the strand connecting Thor and Eric Masterson once and for all.