Thor #291
January 1980"When Gods Have Joined Together!"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Thor #291 - 300
Thor #291
January 1980
"When Gods Have Joined Together!"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Significant Events: 1st Gungnir
Synopsis: Thor returns to Olympia and tells Zuras that he has no other plan. Zuras then begins the ritual, and joins all the Eternals in the Uni-Mind. The Uni-Mind then heads into space to confront the One Above All. Thor, still in Olympia, is confronted by Odin, Zeus, and an army of Olympians. They are there to destroy Olympia, even over the dead body of Thor. Odin changes Thor back to Blake, while the others attack the tower of the Uni-Mind, forcing it back to Earth. It then breaks apart into the Eternals. They then begin to attack the invaders in an attempt to drive them from Olympia. Back in Asgard, Sif watches as the Warriors Three are saved from Fafnir by the Young Gods. Back in Olympia, Thor strikes out at Odin, as the namesakes on each side engage in battle. Odin strikes down Thor, and is poised to end his life.
Thor
#292
February
1980
"If An Eye Offend Thee"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Eye of Odin
Synopsis: Odin is poised above Thor, and is about to kill him, when is overcome. He screams that he'll not kill his son again, and hurls Gungnir away. Thor asks Odin what he meant by "again". Odin tells him a riddle about an eye, and leaves it at that. Odin then retrieves Gungnir and leaves, leaving the Eternals and Olympians to continue the battle if they want. Zeus then gathers his armies and leaves back to Olympus. Zuras returns to his people to tend all their wounds, leaving Thor alone. He ponders Odin's words, and remembers Odin giving up his eye. He then uses Mjolnir to locate the Eye of Odin and finds it attacking a small village of dwarves. Thor intervenes and is attacked himself. Thor overcomes the power of the Eye of Odin, and it tells him that he will answer one question only. Thor asks what Odin meant by "again", and the Eye of Odin tells him that may be the one question which will give him all the answers.
Thor
#293
March 1980
"The Twilight of Some Gods!"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Vali, 1st appearance of Hoenir, 1st appearance of Modi
Synopsis: The Eye of Odin shows Thor the recent past, and further going back to before he was cast as Don Blake. The Eye of Odin then shows Thor a door in his mind's eye, behind which are some of the secrets he seeks. He rips the doors open and sees a vision of Ragnarok, but no any Ragnarok he has ever seen before. He looks back a bit further and sees Asgardians hurling weapons at Balder, but not the Balder he knows. He sees Hoder kill Balder, and Loki leading the Forces of Darkness. He also sees his counterpart die in battle with Jormungand, and Surtur destroy creation. He sees Balder and eight other gods rise from the smoke. The Eye of Odin then shows Thor when this happened, as the flaming Asgard appears as a brightly burning star in the night sky 2000 years ago.
Thor
#294 April
1980
"New Asgards For Old"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Rhine Maidens, 1st appearance of Alberich
Synopsis: Thor continues question The Eye of Odin about the past. He is shown the nine remaining gods wandering around what's left of Asgard, until they come across some figurines of all the fallen gods and foes. Magni and Modi press on until they comes across Mjolnir, which they pick up when working together. They decide that weapons have no place in their new world, and hurl it down to Midgard, where it transforms into the Rhinegold. Meanwhile, Vili, Ve, Vali, and Vidar find Gungnir and all four grasp it. When all four are mystically merged into Odin, and the other five simply vanish. Odin then takes the figurines and forms them into the Asgardians, Giant, and Trolls we know. Odin then tells them of Ymir, Audumla, Aske, and Embla. They then proceed to rebuild Asgard and Odin recreates Bifrost. Odin then desires a bloodson and goes to Midgard. On Earth, three mermaids guard the Rhinegold until it is stolen by someone who has renounced love, such as Alberich. In Asgard, Fasolt and Fafnir are building Valhalla under the premise that they get Idunn. Her cries are heard by Thor and Frey, who begin attack the Giants until stopped by Odin.
Thor
#295
May 1980
"The Price--and the Pride!"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Mime, 1st appearance of Erda
Synopsis: Thor soundly defeats the two Giants until stopped by Odin, who tells Thor of his deal with them. Loki tells Odin of the Rhinegold and the Giants say they will accept the Tarnhelm in Idunn's place, and Odin takes Thor and Loki to get it. Alberich has had Mime fashion the Tarnhelm and a great ring from the gold, both of which grant him great powers. He changes himself into a dragon and attacks, but is stopped by Thor. Loki then tricks him into changing into a frog, where he now has Odin's foot upon him. The gods take the Tarnhelm, all his gold, and the ring for his release. But with the ring comes Alberich's curse that no man or god shall rejoice in possessing the ring until it is returned to his hand. Odin tries to keep the ring for himself until Erda reveals herself and warns Odin to give up the ring. He does so, and Fafnir and Fasolt begin to fight over the ring until Fafnir kills his brother, then using the ring transports himself away.
Thor
#296
June 1980
"From Valhalla--a Valkyrie!"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Hunding, 1st appearance of Wulf, 1st appearance of Siegmund, 1st appearance of Sieglinda
Synopsis: The Eye of Odin continues it's tale to Thor. He sees a version of himself, but apparently mortal, fighting against a storm, until he sees a dwelling and seeks shelter within. A woman gets him some water when her husband comes home, and offers him his hospitality. Hunding asks for his story and this mortal Thor tells him his name is Woe-King, he had a twin sister and their father's name was Wulf. They had returned home on day to find his mother dead and his sister gone, apparently killed by their enemies, the Neidings. He has since wandered, until he recently came across a clan forcing a woman into a marriage she didn't want. He managed to slay them, but during the fray, the woman is accidentally killed. Hunding then tells him that those were his kinsmen and come the dawn, he will kill him. Later that night, Hunding's wife sneaks out and shows Woe-King a sword imbedded in a tree, put there by a grey-clad stranger, which no one can remove. He pulls out the sword, now named Needful, and reclaims his true name - Siegmund, mightiest warrior of the house of Volsungs. Hunding's wife then reveals that she is Sieglinda, his sister. In Asgard, Frigga in enraged and demands that Siegmund die for the breaking of Hunding's marriage vows. Odin sends Brunnhilda to take back the power of the sword. Back on Earth, Siegmund and Sieglinda take refuge in a cave, until a vision of Brunnhilda tells him that the power is gone from the sword, but his love for his sister moves her, so she says that she will protect them. Hunding arrives and Siegmund gets the better of him, until Frigga demands that Odin intervene. Odin is enraged that Brunnhilda disobeyed him, and he goes to defeat Siegmund himself, through Hunding. Siegmund is slain, and Odin kills Hunding, but swears vengeance against Brunnhilda for forcing him to kill his own son.
Thor
#297
July 1980
"The Sword of Siegfried!"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Siegfried, 1st appearance of Bruin
Synopsis: After slaying Siegmund, the enraged Odin races home to punish Brunnhilda. She seeks help from her Valkyrie sisters, because Sieglinda is pregnant with Siegmund's child. Hildegarde sends her to the great forest where the Giant Fafnir now sits with his golden horde, along with the pieces of Needful. Odin arrives in Valhalla and decides Brunnhilda's punishment. Odin takes her to Earth, there to make her mortal, to be taken by a man and grow old. She begs that only a man of worth find her and Odin grants this last request. He then puts her to sleep and causes a ring of fire to rise up around her, which only one who knows no fear can step through. Elsewhere, Sieglinda dies giving birth to Siegfried, who is raised by Mime. After several years, Siegfried comes of age, and Mime shows him the broken sword Needful. Siegfried reforges the sword himself, and with it splits the anvil and the block it rests on in one stroke. Mime then tricks Siegfried into confronting Fafnir to learn fear. Odin, in disguise, arrives as well to view the confrontation between Alberich, Fafnir, and Siegfried.
Thor
#298
August 1980
"Dragon's Blood"
Writer: Ralph Macchio
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Significant Events: none
Synopsis: Siegfried and Fafnir engage in battle, with Siegfried wanting to learn fear. Siegfried slays the dragon, who returns to his Giant form before dying. During the battle, the Giants blood has gotten all over Siegfried and into his mouth, granting him new awareness. Siegfried removes the Ring of Power, which shrinks down to fit him. He then goes inside and finds the treasure and comes out wearing the ring and Tarnhelm. he is met by Mime who gives him a poisoned drink in hopes of gaining the ring for himself. But with his new awareness, he knows of Mime's treachery and knocks him into a pool of Fafnir's blood, which is like poison to him, killing him. A little bird then whispers to him of a sleeping maid surrounded by a ring of fire. He goes there and is confronted by Odin, in disguise as a wanderer. With Needful, Siegfried breaks Gungnir in two, and Odin takes his leave. Siegfried then scales the mountain, and braving the flames, finds Brunnhilda. He kisses her and she awakens and finds love in his arms.
Thor
#299 September 1980
"Passions and Potions"
Writer: Mark Gruenwald
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Chic Stone
Letters: Joe Rosen
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Gunther, 1st appearance of Gutruna, 1st appearance of Hagen, 1st appearance of Grane
Synopsis: Brunnhilda sends Siegfried back out into the world, and with last shred of her power, grants him invulnerability in battle unless he turns his back on a foe. Siegfried arrives at the stronghold of the Gibichung Clan. There he is bewitched by Hagen with a potion that makes him forget Brunnhilda and fall in love with the first woman he sees - Gutruna. Siegfried asks for her hand in marriage, but he can have it only after rescuing Brunnhilda for Gunther to wed. All of this is a plot by Hagen to get the Ring of Power for himself. Siegfried has scaled the mountain of fire again, but this time has made himself look like Gunther, using the power of the Tarnhelm. He wrests the ring from her finger, and after she has passed out, he heads back towards the city. There, they prepare for the weddings. During the ceremony, Brunnhilda comes around, and announces that Siegfried is her beloved, not Gunther. She tells that startled crowd that he even shared his manly company with her for a night. Gunther believing that their blood oath has been broken, summons his men to kill Siegfried. Siegfried cuts through all the men easily, and Brunnhilda reveals the reason why - the enchantment she gave him. Gunther proposes a truce that Siegfried wed Gutruna and leave his kingdom, while Hagen plots his death.
Thor
#300 October
1980
"Twilight of the Gods"
Significant Events: Origin of
Destroyer, Origin of
Odinsword,
Gaea reveals
herself as Thor's
mother, 1st appearance of
Vishnu
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Gene Day
Letters: Joe Rosen
Appearances:
Synopsis: The
Eye of Odin continues it's tale.
Siegfried meets the
Rhine
Maidens, and is then met by
Gunther
and Hagen,
who appear to wish to make amends. They dine about a campfire, until
Hagen
takes the opportunity to stab
Siegfried in the back, killing
him. His body is returned to
Siegfried's castle, and there
Hagen
kills Gunther
as well in a bid for the
Ring of Power.
Only it will not come off, and
Hagen is taken by the guards.
Brunnhilda has a pyre built for
Siegfried, then hurls herself into
it as well. They are ushered to
Odin who then
restores them to life and their true forms, taking away their memories of mortal
life. Odin then takes the
Ring of Power
and snaps it in half. He then goes to
Yggdrasil, impales himself on
Gungnir, and
has himself nailed to the tree by the ring halves. There he hangs for
several days, until he is visited by a green-robed woman, that shows him the
Celestials ship.
He then frees himself, and goes to ask
Mimir
of the ship's significance.
Odin then meets with the other
skyfathers of the world, and tells them of the
Celestials plans for the world. They all
agree to go to them and let them know they will fight for their world. In
Peru, their ship has arrived, when they are met by
Odin,
Zeus, and
Vishnu.
They are greeted by
Ajak, who tells them of the
Celestials
purpose. The three gods strike at
Arishem, but
to no effect.
Arishem then threatens to cut them off
from the Earth forever, unless they swear not to interfere, which they are
forced to do.
Odin then returns to
Asgard and has
the Destroyer
armor created and then imbued with a portion of every skyfather's power.
Then takes the ring halves, and transmutes them into the
Odinsword.
Finally learning the true past,
Thor takes
the
Eye of Odin and returns to
Asgard to make amends to
Odin.
Thor
arrives and finds
Heimdall dead on
Bifrost. Everywhere he looks, its the
same: Odin,
Sif, - all dead. He then finds the
Odinsword is gone as well,
and goes to find
Mimir for answers, He finds nothing but a small flicker
left, that craves the essence of
Odin's eye, which had shrunk to normal.
Mimir tells
Thor that
Odin took all the life forces of the
Asgardians, and entered the
Destroyer, and
took the Odinsword to fight the
Celestials. At that moment, the
Destroyer,
having grown gigantic, is in the Andes with the
Uni-Mind. They breach the
dome and are met by the entire Fourth Host. They being their battle with
the Uni-Mind falling almost immediately, and they then begin to attack the
Destroyer, driving it back.
Thor
arrives and summons a storm to cloud the vision of the
Celestials, but to no
avail. The Celestials then destroy the
Destroyer.
Thor, in
his grief, begins to attack, but to an even lesser effect.
Thor then
hurls Mjolnir and shatters
Arishem's pylons, toppling him. He then picks
up the Odinsword, and hurling it, impales
Arishem.
Arishem calmly removes
it after analyzing it, then reduces it to slag. As
Arishem reaches for
Thor, he
is stopped by a woman appearing, pleading with the
Celestial. She calls
Thor her
bloodson, and reveals herself as
Gaea. She then offers the
Young Gods to
the Celestials as the pinnacle of human achievement.
Arishem then deems
that the Earth shall live. The
Celestials and
Young Gods leave, with only
Thor and
his newly discovered mother behind.
