Thor #466
Odin’s Tale
The Infinity Crusade continues from Warlock Chronicles #5…
In far off Asgard, Odin holds a massive feast in the royal palace. Many of the realm’s greatest warriors and noble people have come in attendance. As everyone feasts (especially Volstagg), everyone misses Thor who has been away for some time on a personal quest.[1] In the absence of the thunder god, Odin decides to regale everyone with a story about his son’s youth.
The tale begins back when Thor was just an inexperienced young man. Odin had decided that his son needed to go on an adventure and see the entire realm of Asgard and experience things for himself. Seeing his son up with a horse and supplies he sent him out into the Nine Realms. On his travels, Thor conversed with the mermaid Undine in the Alfheim Sea of Marmora, skirted the Forests of Enchantment, visited the foreboding Skornheim Stronghold, and wandered around the roots of Yggdrasil, the world ash. He ventured far and wide so that the world of Asgard was well known to him.
On his way home, Thor stopped at a lake in the Mountains of Vanaheim so his horse could drink. There, a troll was also drinking from the waters. Seeing the young thunder god, the troll tried to intimidate Thor and make him leave, claiming ownership of the water. Thor, however, would politely explain that nobody can own water. The troll continued to insist that he was the owner of all the water in the lake, yet despite the constant provocation and anger from the troll, Thor still remained polite and matter of fact. Thor even went so far as to demonstrate this by showing how impossible it is to grab even a handful of water as it will spill out from between ones fingers. Seeing that the troll won’t relent, Thor decided that it was best to leave rather than face a fight. The troll however, persisted by stating that if he doesn’t own the water someone else must.
Thor admitted that if anyone owned the water it would be his father, Odin. Hearing the name of the All-Father sets the troll into a fit of rage and hurls a string of insults about him. It was only when Odin’s name was spoken in vein that the young Thor pulled his hammer and taught the troll a lesson in manners.
The entire time Odin is telling this story, the present day Thor is in deep space savagely battling Drax the Destroyer. His berserker rage a stark contrast to the level headed young god Odin was speaking of.[2]
While in Olympus, Pluto has convinced Zeus that he and Ares were victims of an unprovoked attack by Thor.[3] Deciding that retribution must be paid, Zeus is preparing to make a trip to Asgard to make his demands to Odin. However, before the Olympian ruler can leave, Sif teleports before them with the Norn Stones and asks for Zeus’ help.[4]
… The Infinity Crusade continues in Warlock and the Infinity Watch #21.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Odin, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Balder, Drax the Destroyer, Zeus, Pluto, Sif
Continuity Notes
Thor left Asgard in Thor #460 on a mission of self-exploration due to a personality crisis.
This entire brawl is featured in one page splashes. For context on this battle, Infinity War #4 shows that an assembly of heroes against the Goddess’ plans to bring peace to the universe (by destroying it) attacked Paradise Omega. This leads to Thor’s battle with Drax, the full outcome of which is detailed in Warlock and the Infinity Watch #21. There is no clear victor in this battle as the Goddess appears to pull off her mad scheme (but doesn’t really because she was tricked into thinking she succeeded because Infinity Crusade is a bad story. See Infinity Crusade #5-6)
In reality, Pluto and Ares attacked Thor first to try and get revenge for his interference in their past schemes, as seen in Thor #461. Although they got the shit kicked out of them, Pluto was able to convince Zeus that this was an unprovoked attack in the following issue.
Sif is seeking allies to help her cure Thor of the Warrior Madness, which he has been suffering from since Thor #460. She saw this madness first hand in the following issue. The reason why she is seeking allies outside of Asgard is because of a law that states that anyone who falls victim to this mental illness must be banished from Asgard forever.
Infinity Crusade Reading Order
Infinity Crusade #1, Iron Man #294-295, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #18, Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #54, Alpha Flight #122, Marc Spector: Moon Knight #56, Terror Inc. #13, Thor #463, Avengers West Coast #96, Thor #464, Warlock Chronicles #1, Infinity Crusade #2, Web of Spider-Man #104, Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #55, Thor #465, Alpha Flight #123-124, Darkhawk #30, Warlock Chronicles #2, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #19, Cage #17, Web of Spider-Man #105, Marc Spector: Moon Knight #57, Infinity Crusade #3, Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #56, Avengers West Coast #97, Darkhawk #31, Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #16-17, Warlock Chronicles #3, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #20, Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #83, Infinity Crusade #4, Warlock Chronicles #4, Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #84-85, Infinity Crusade #5, Deathlok (vol. 2) #28, Web of Spider-Man #106, Warlock Chronicles #5, Thor #466, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #21-22, Infinity Crusade #6, Deathlok (vol. 2) #29, Thor #467