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The Mighty Thor #337-345 by Walter Simonson

That is one fight I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near.

Thor #180           September 1970
“When Gods Go Mad!”

Writer:  Stan Lee
Artist:  Neal Adams
Inker:  Joe Sinnott
Letters:  Sam Rosen

Synopsis: 

Continued from last issue…

Loki has switched bodies with Thor, and now seeks to ruin Thor’s good name by terrorizing the people of Earth. He starts by causing havoc in New York City, however his attempts are countered by Thor (in Loki’s body), Balder and Sif who have come to find a way to change the body switch.

While in distant Asgard, hearing that Thor has found Loki, Odin becomes furious that the trickster has not been already brought before him and casts his eyes to Earth. Witnessing the battle, and unaware of the body switch, Odin teleports Thor back to Asgard thinking the Thunder God is really Loki. When Thor tries to explain the situation to Odin, the All-Father refuses to listen and mystically places a clamp over his mouth before sentencing him to be banished to Hades.

While back on Earth, Loki uses Thor’s man powers t ocause a storm and continue terrorizing the Earth. Balder and Sif however attempt to stop Loki but find him too powerful. When Loki grabs hold of Sif, she manages to escape by teleporting back to Asgard, leaving Balder to fight Loki alone, and he is swiftly defeated.

While in Asgard, Sif rushes to get an audience with Odin to tell him of the grave mistake that has been made, however the Grand Vizier tells Sif that Odin is currently preoccupied and that “Loki” had been banished to Hades. The Vizir takes Sif to the Cosmi-Screen where she is horrified to find that the “Hades” that her love has been sent is none other than Mephisto’s realm.

Thinking that Thor is really Loki, Mephisto welcomes the “trickster god” with open hands, however when Mephisto touches “Loki’s” shoulder he feels pain caused by Thor’s inheirent goodness. Looking deep into the soul of the person before him, Mephisto learns the truth and attacks Thor. Unleashing many mystical dangers, Mephisto is denied a victory due to Thor’s basic understanding of Loki’s magical powers.

While back in Asgard, the Warriors Three are fighting off a group of Trolls, once they have defeated them (thanks to Volstagg rolling down a stair case and knocking them all out) they are met by Sif who asks them to help Thor, a requset they gladly help with. Showing the Warriors Three that Thor and Loki have changed bodies, they agree to travel with her to Hades in order to save Thor from the clutches of Mephisto.

Arriving in Mephisto’s realm, the heroes are greeted by the hell-lord, who shows them that they have arrived too late and brings them to Thor’s body which has been forzen in a chunk of ice.

This story is continued next issue…

Thor #179                August 1970
“No More the Thunder God”

Writer:  Stan Lee
Artist:  Jack Kirby
Inker:  Vince Colletta
Letters: Sam Rosen

Significant Events:  This is the final issue on which Jack Kirby served as artist.

Synopsis: 

Surveying the battle done by Surtur, Thor and the Warriors Three encourage the warriors of Asgard to rebuild and repair the damage done. Later Thor meets with Sif and the two have a brief romantic moment before Thor is greeted by Odin, who wishes the Thunder God to go to Earth and search for Loki.

As Odin transports Thor to Earth, Loki has shacked up in a posh penthouse using his magical tricks to make it appear that he is wealthy. He awaits Thor’s arrival as his magician is preparing a special trap to use against the Thunder God. When he spies Thor arriving on Earth and resuming his mortal guise of Donald Blake, Loki drops his disguise and goes to Blake’s office with his specially prepared trap.

Inside the office, Loki finds Thor waiting for him, and before the Thunder God can attack he throws his latest creation: A living mask, which attaches itself to Thor’s face. To Thor’s horror the living mask causes Loki and Thor to trade bodies. Now with Thor’s matchless strength and appearance, Loki manages to knock Thor out and steal the Thunder God’s uniform.

Back on Asgard, Balder has fully recovered from his ordeal of rescuing Odin from the Sea of Eternal Sleep. Not wishing to sit idle, he and Sif decide to go to Earth in order to help Thor capture Loki. They appear in Donald Blake’s office to find what they think is Loki (but in reality Thor in Loki’s body) and attack. Thor tries in vein to convince them that he is really their friend trapped in their enemies body, however Balder and Sif refuse to believe it.

Meanwhile, the battle is being watched by Loki who finds perverse enjoyment in watching it’s outcome. As Balder and Sif are busy battling who they think is Loki, the real Loki in Thor’s body decides to go about and ruin Thor’s good name by rampaging across New York.

Finally, as the battle between Thor and Balder rages outside of Blake’s office, Thor is forced to use Loki’s magical powers against Balder. In his weakened state Balder is knocked out, and Thor is mortified that he has possibly killed his best friend. When Sif arrives on the scene she sees “Loki’s” grief, and when Balder revives, the two are convinced that the person before them could not possibly be Loki and the trio band together to find the real Loki and reverse the change that has been done to Thor.

This story is continued next issue… 

Thor #178                July 1970
“Death Is a Stranger”

Writer:  Stan Lee
Artist:  John Buscema
Inker:  Vince Colletta
Letters: Artie Simek

Synopsis: 

Following the defeat of Surtur, Odin has reclaimed the throne in Asgard, although there is much celebration, Sif notices that Thor is concerned over when Loki may return to attack Asgard anew.

While in the deep reaches of space, the Abomination rematerializes on the Stranger’s world following his defeat at the hands of the Silver Surfer. Finding himself outside of the Stranger’s citadel, the Abomination sneaks into it to try and find a means of defeating his captor so that he might escape. Spying the Stranger using his space scanner, he witnesses the Stranger detecting a new and interesting specimen for the taking and so the Stranger departs to investigate and teleports away.

The Abomination notices that the Strange had left his scanner on and that it’s turned it’s attentions to Thor. Deciding that the Thunder God would make an ideal opponent to crush the Stranger, the Abomination uses the Strangers devices to teleport Thor to the Stranger’s citadel. The Abomination tricks Thor into helping him, convincing the Thunder God that he is just a helpless prisoner of the Stranger. Thor is then taken to the holding cells where many other alien creatures have been imprisoned by the Stranger. Thor frees them all when suddenly the Stranger appears, prompting all his captives to flee across the planet.

Thor battles the Stranger one-on-one, however he finds that the Stranger’s powers are many and that he could quite possibly be more than his match and so he decides to flee the scene to determine a new strategy. While back in Asgard, Odin is troubled that Thor has gone missing and agrees to allow Sif to seek him out.

While back on the Stranger’s world, Thor decides the best thing to do is lay low and decides to transform himself back into Donald Blake in order to maintain a low profile. This ends up working against him when he happens upon the Abomination, who has rallied together all of the Stranger’s captives. Blake overhears the Abominations true intentions, that he’s not beneficent as he originally pretended to be and that he intends to take over the Stranger’s citadel for his own evil ends. Spotting Blake, the Abomination and his cohorts easily over-power the lame doctor and take away his cane before he can strike it on the ground. Finding the weakling doctor weak, they toss Blake aside and plot their attack.

Wondering what to do next, Blake is relieved when Sif arrives and gives him his cane back. Changing back into Thor, the two gods attack the Abomination and his minions and easily defeats his opponents. However the battle alerts the Stranger of their location, who arrives still craving vengeance against the Thunder God. Realizing that such a powerful being would be a threat to the realm of Asgard, Thor uses his mystical hammer to travel back in time to the point when the Abomination first summoned Thor to the Stranger’s world.

This time, when the Abomination tries to rally Thor to his side, the Thunder God easily knocks him out and returns the gamma monster back to his cell. Returning to Asgard before the Stranger returns he is reunited with Sif whom he embraces in a kiss.

Thor #177                June 1970
“To End in Flames”

Writer:  Stan Lee
Artist:  Jack Kirby
Inker:  Vince Colletta
Letters:   Artie Simek

Significant Events:  First appearance of Igron

Synopsis:

Continued from last issue…

While seeking to escape the destruction of Asgard at the hands of Surtur, Loki and one of his followers escape to Earth, however they find that Surtur’s coming has also caused environmental upheaval on Earth itself, leaving Loki to hope that his hated half-brother finds some way to defeat Surtur.

While back in Asgard, the royal city has been set ablaze by the coming of Surtur, prompting Thor to gather an army of warriors to fight against the fire demon. They rally together and with the help of Thor’s mystical hammer, they break through the flame barrier erected in front of the city and charge toward Surtur himself.

While elsewhere, Balder and Sif seek out Igron, an evil mystic loyal to Loki who was responsible for sending Odin to the Sea of Eternal Night. They tell them of their quest to free Odin and explain that if he does not help them all of Asgard would be destroyed by Surtur. While back in the battle field, Thor takes on Surtur on his own, and despite his great strength and mystical hammer can only do so much as keep Surtur on the defensive, but the noble Thunder God refuses to give up.

While back at the lair of Igron, Balder agrees to being transported to the Sea of Eternal Night, even though that he will rapidly wither away within moments of his arrival. Although growing rapidly old with every passing moment, Balder manages to make it to the capsule where Odin slumbers and manages to awaken the All-Father, who proclaims that his Odinsleep has ended.

In the battle field, Odin is finally joined by the other warriors who lend their might to keep Surtur back, even going so far as dropping a large meteor on him, but to no avail. As the battle rages on, Balder brings Odin back, however at a terrible price: Balder has aged to frail and deathly state, however Odin is alive and well and vows to Sif that he can restore Balder anew.

Finally back in the battle field, Thor’s army is unable to stop Surtur, and are forced to use their last resort A frost gun, however this only momentarily staggers Surture, who uses all his power to blast everyone into unconsciousness, leaving only Thor the only one standing to face him. However before the battle can continue, Odin arrives and banishes Surtur back to his realm. When the reviving warriors realize who saved them they all raise their weapons in honor of Odin. 

Thor #176                May 1970
“Inferno!”

Writer:  Stan Lee
Artist:  Jack Kirby
Inker:  Vince Colletta
Letters: Artie Simek

Synopsis: 

Continued from last issue…

Loki has seized the Odinring, making him the ruler of all of Asgard, and Thor is forced into loyalty to his half-brother to insure that Sif remains unharmed. However in spite of this, Thor argues that he will someday soon stop his mad brother, to which Loki decrees that Thor be sequestered to the dungeons forever more, and guards attempt to take Thor away. Spying on the situation, the Warriors Three come out of hiding upon learning the news and battle Loki’s loyal guards however they are soon overpowered and imprisoned themselves.

Meanwhile in the outskirts of Asgard, two riding soldiers come across a flaming sigel in the shape of Odin’s mark, upon their discovery of it it suddenly erupts in a giant explosion. While back in Asgard proper, Thor and the Warriors Three are locked in a cell (although the guards have a slight difficulty fitting Volstagg through the door.) They are left to their own and wonder how they might escape and overthrow Loki’s rule when Balder arrives in the dungeon and sets them free. Broken out of their cell, Thor and the Warriors Three team up with Balder to go and save Sif.

While upstairs, Loki asks Sif to be his bride, a request which she declines. For her refusal, Loki forces her to do battle with a female troll. While back at the magical flames, the warriors stare in absolute horror as Surtur, finally free of his imprisonment by Odin rises from the flames and appears in Asgard. The fire demon has decided that he will destroy first Asgard, then the entire universe, marking his arrival by setting the very sky ablaze.

Back at the palace, Sif battles the female troll until Thor and the others arrive to put a stop to the fight. Loki is once more challenged, however he stays his opponents weapons once more when he uses a enchanti-screen to show them that he has plased Odin in a capsule and sent it to the Sea of Eternal Night, a realm that for those who enter it, sleep for all eternity. With no way for Odin to awake from his Odinsleep, Loki boasts that he will rule the kingdom forever.

Before Thor and the others can attack Loki, Surtur announces his impending arrival and begins showering Asgard with flames. When Loki realizes Surturs power he flees like the coward he is, leaving Thor, Sif, Balder and the Warriors Three to band together. While Thor and the Warriors Three rally troops to battle Surtur, the Thunder God sends Balder and Sif on a mission to wake Odin.

This story is continued next issue…

Thor #175                April 1970
“The Fall of Asgard!”

Writer:  Stan Lee
Artist:  Jack Kirby
Inker:  Bill Everett
Letters: Artie Simek

Synopsis:

When a series of truck hijackings have been hitting the city, the police employ the help of Thor to round up the thieves by setting a trap for them, which with the aid of the Thunder God lands an easy capture. While in the land of the Norns, Balder and the Warriors Three have recovered from their injuries and pay their leave to Karnilla. Balder and Karnilla have another exchange about how Balder cannot give up his loyalty to Asgard and love Karnilla and the quartet depart. Haag taunts Karnilla over her softness toward Balder and is chased out of the room.

Enrout back to Asgard, Balder and the others pause when they spot Mountain Giants, in the employ of Loki who are heading to attack Asgard. Spotting Loki’s involvement, Balder and the Warriors Three decide it’s best to contact Thor as soon as possible. Thor meanwhile has returned to the office he owns as Donald Blake, however before he can change back to his mortal guise, Thor spots Sif on a nearby roof top and joins her. Sif tells Thor that Odin has once more entered the Odinsleep and that Loki is about to amass an attack on Asgard.

Thor transports himself and Sif back to Asgard, where Thor sends Sif to guard Odin while he joins the other Asgardian warriors in defending the realm. As Thor is preoccupied, Loki manages to infiltrate the palace and fight his way into Odin’s sleeping chambers. When Sif and the warriors at guard inside attempt to stop Loki, Loki uses his royal heritage to order the warriors to stop fighting him and subdue Sif.

As the battle rages on, Thor and the Warriors Three do their part in fighting off the Mountain Giants. However, as the battle reaches an end there is a sudden blare of trumpets signaling a call to end the battle. To everyone’s surprise, Loki, now garbed in regal attire decrees that he is now in charge of all of Asgard, showing that he has removed the Imperial Ring of Asgard from Odin’s hand and now wears it upon his finger.

When Thor attempts to rally the people of Asgard to overthrow Loki, they cannot bring themselves to disobey Asgardian law that dictates that whomsoever wears the Imperial Ring rules the land. Thor himself decides to take on Loki on his own, however is forced to back down and claim loyalty to Loki as the Trickster God has Sif as his prisoner.

Finally at victory, Loki decrees that he will spread evil across the land.

This story is continued next issue…

Thor #174           March 1970
“The Carnage of the Crypto-Man!”

Writer:  Stan Lee
Artist:  Jack Kirby
Inker:  Bill Everett
Letters:  Sam Rosen

Appearances:  The Crypto-Man

Significant Events:  1st apperance of Crypto-Man, 1st apperance of Jasper Whyte

Synopsis:

While patrolling the skies, Thor spots three strange lights in the sky and goes to investigate them. He is struck by a stun ray created by inventor Jasper Whyte. Whyte then uses a device to steal half of Thor’s strength and flees the scene before Thor can come around. Returning to his lab, Whyte transfers the stolen strength into his creation: A robot known as the Crypto-Man. With the robot activated and the power transfer a complete success, Whyte begins the next part of his plans.

Meanwhile, a weakened Thor returns to his office and sees that there is a patient inside waiting for him. Thor instead goes to the roof to change back into his mortal form of Donald Blake before entering his office conventionally. Blake recognizes the patient as Mrs. Whyte, and she explains that her son Jasper has gone missing. She explains to Blake that Jasper was a brilliant scientist that made his colleagues jealous. She asks for Blake’s help in trying to find him.

While elsewhere in the city, has sent his Crypto-Man out on a rampage, terrorizing the city, to which the police cannot deal with. When Blake hears of the robots rampage, he changes into Thor to stop it, wondering if there is a connection between the robot and Jasper. Finding the robot, Thor goes into battle against it, but finds that their equal strength makes them an even match. The Crypto-Man manages to defeat Thor and escape.

As Thor pulls himself out of the rubble of their battle, Jasper Whyte approaches the Thunder God and boasts over his creations defeat. Undaunted Thor continues after the creature, with Whyte trailing behind mocking the Thunder God the whole way. Traveling in the sewers, Jasper tells Thor that he instructed the Crypto-Man to destroy an atomic power plant. Thor finds that the Crypto-Man has made it to his location, and Jasper boasts that he will succeed. However, when Thor tells Jasper that the Crypto-Man may cause an explosion that will harm thousands of people, including Whyte’s own mother, Jasper reconsiders his revenge and goes in after the Crypto-Man.

Turning his control beam device to maximum power, Jasper attempts to stop the Crypto-Man before Thor can fight it. This causes an explosion that ends the Crypto-Man’s menace and seemingly kills Jasper in the process. Later, after resuming his Donald Blake guise, Thor breaks the bad news to Mrs. Whyte. However, instead of telling her the whole story, he tells in such a way to suggest that Jasper had died a hero saving the city. With his recounting done, Blake leaves the woman to grieve the loss of her son privately.

Thor #173                February 1970
“Ulik Unleashed”

Writer:  Stan Lee
Artist:  Jack Kirby
Inker:  Bill Everett
Letters: Artie Simek

Synopsis: 

Donald Blake has just finished treating Thor — or rather a strong man who dresses as him as part of a circus troupe. He finds that the strong man had injured himself lifting something very heavy. However, unfortunately for the inquisitive mind of Donald Blake, this circus happens to be the one owned by the Ringmaster, leader of the Circus of Crime, who promptly dismisses the questioning doctor. Recognizing the Ringmaster from their previous encounter, Donald Blake decides to investigate the situation as Thor.

While in far off Asgard, Loki has gathered a band of malcontents who wish to overthrow Odin and defeat Thor. Among their numbers is the Rock Troll Ulik, who wishes to get revenge against Thor. Finding Ulik a fitting tool to use against Thor, Loki transports the Rock Troll to Earth, sending Ulik to the circus where Thor now stalks. Ulik’s sudden appearance and demands for Thor to appear brings the Circus of Crime who all try to attack him and are easily defeated. When the Ringmaster arrives, however, he easily puts Ulik into his thrall using his hypnotic hat.

When Thor stumbles upon the scene, he is spotted by Princess Python, who mistakes Thor as the strong man who pretends to Thor as part of his act. Thor decides to use this to his advantage to find out what it is the Circus of Crime is up to. Participating in the act, Thor is shocked to see that Ulik is present and under the Ringmaster’s control.

When Ulik is commanded to lift a one ton weight and put it on a flat-bed truck, Thor realizes that this must be part of the Ringmaster’s scheme. Thor then rouses Ulik out of the Ringmaster’s thrall, making Ulik drop the weight and turn his attentions against Thor. After a brief battle, Thor uses the magic of his hammer to banish Ulik back to Asgard.

With Ulik gone, the Ringmaster attempts to put Thor under his control, however the Thunder God anticipated this move and knocks off the Ringmaster’s hat. Just then the police arrive and the Circus of Crime is rounded up and taken into police custody. When the Ringmaster demands proof of wrong doing, Thor smashes open the weight revealing that it has a stolen defense computer within.

As the Circus of Crime members are being escorted by police, Princess Python asks Thor why he wouldn’t get in league with them as they would have paid him well to go along with their scheme. Thor responds that his actions are never the consideration of monetary gain and that of truth and justice before departing.