Thor #468
Distant Thunder
In Asgard, Odin is in silent contemplation when he is visited by Balder. The All-Father tells Balder that he is concerned for Thor’s well being since he was sent on a quest to rediscover himself. As this was caused by Thor being forced to live double-lives over the years, Odin can’t help but wonder if he is to blame for what his son is going through. Although he thinks sending Thor away was the right thing to do, he admits that he really misses his son and wonders how he is faring alone in the universe alone and without purpose.
However, Thor is far from alone as he has been travelling with a female companion this whole time, the seductive Valkyrie. She has convinced Thor to renounce his Asgardian heritage and — blaming his father for everything that has happened to him — the thunder god now wishes to return to Asgard and slay his father. Valkyrie encourages this course of action and the pair pause long enough to share in some romance.
Little does Thor know that he has been found by Sif and Beta Ray Bill. They are surprised that Thor hasn’t seen them yet. They decide that they need to confront the thunder god now as time is running out for them to find a cure for his Warrior’s Madness before Zeus is forced to inform Odin of Thor’s mental illness.[2] Handing Bill some of her Norn Stones, Sif heads down to confront Thor. Seeing his former lover, the thunderer tells Sif to get lost as he doesn’t need her or Asgard anymore now that he has the love and support of Valkyrie. Sif is confused and asks who he is speaking of. Thor angrily can’t understand why she can’t see Valkyrie standing by his side. Sif tries to tell him that there is nobody there, and tries to convince her beloved that this Valkyrie woman is all in his head. Thinking Sif is jealous of his brand new love, Thor lashes out at her.
However, before any harm can come to Sif, Beta Ray Bill steps in to fight Thor in her place. Thor reminds Bill how easily he defeated him during their last encounter but is glad to do it again. As Thor and Bill clash, Sif watches from the sidelines in tears until she can handle it no more. Drawing her sword, Sif lunges into the middle of the brawl but is struck down by debrish from a boulder that Thor shatters with Mjolnir. Having grown tired of the conflict, Thor tells them that he intends to get his revenge against Asgard and then resumes his attack on them. With Thor completely out of control, Beta Ray Bill hands Sif the Norn Stone and tells her to find help. After she teleports away, Thor attacks Bill with such force that he shatters the planetoid they are standing on, knocking the Korbinite out in the process.
But, before Thor can slay Beta Ray Bill, the Silver Surfer arrives and warns the thunder god to stay his hand or face his wrath!
… This story continues in Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #86.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Valkyrie, Sif, Beta Ray Bill, Odin, Balder, Silver Surfer
Continuity Notes
Thor has been suffering from the Warrior’s Madness since Thor #460 because his life has constantly been balanced against alter-egos, forced merges, and others adopting his identity. These instances are:
When Thor needed a lesson in humility, Odin banished him to Earth in the mortal guise of Donald Blake for years until he learned his lesson. Thor was able to regain his powers but limitations to them had to juggle his life with that of Don Blake for years. Ultimately, he broke free of this cycle when the enchantment that allowed him to change into Blake was transferred to Beta Ray Bill’s hammer, Stormbreaker. See Journey into Mystery #83, Thor #159 and 339.
Beta Ray Bill was not only able to lift Thor’s hammer and obtain his power, but as I said above, he was also given his own hammer and similar powers. See Thor #336-339.
More recently, Thor was bonded to Eric Masterson and had to share a life with him from Thor #408 until issue #432 when the thunder god was banished to Eric’s subconscious. He was finally freed and separated from Masterson in issue #457.
Next issue, it is revealed that Valkyrie is a figment of Thor’s imagination and a personification of his growing insanity. As such all the scenes involving the thunder god in this story are happening in his head.
Sif and Bill has been trying to find a cure for Thor’s Warrior Mandess since Thor #461. She sought the aid of Zeus in issue #466-467. While the lord of Olympus refused to aid he agreed to give Sif three days to find a cure before telling Odin the truth.
Blood and Thunder Reading Order
Thor #468, Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #86, Warlock Chronicles #6, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #23, Thor #469, Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #87, Warlock Chronicles #7, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #24, Thor #470, Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #88, Warlock Chronicles #8, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #25, Thor #471