Thor #371 September 1986"Peace on Earth"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Albert Blevinson
Letters: John Workman
Thor #371-380
Thor #371 September 1986
"Peace on Earth"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Albert Blevinson
Letters: John Workman
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Justice Peace, 1st appearance of Charles, 1st appearance of Larry, 1st appearance of Kellen, 1st appearance of Marvin, death of Ruby, death of Brad Wolfe
Synopsis: In Asgard, Balder is crowned ruler of all Asgard. But instead of taking Odin's throne, he's had a smaller one built for him. On Earth, Thug has moved in with Ruby and her two sons, against her will, and he has a job for her. Elsewhere, Justice Peace comes through the timestream on a vital mission. But not so vital he doesn't have time to correct some errant jaywalkers. Thor arrives and attacks him for assaulting citizens. Justice's Hopsickle launches a missile at Thor then ensnares him in a restraining device. Justice Peace roars off to complete his mission, but Thor manages to escape. In Skraggmore Penitentiary, Ruby slips something to Charles, who then works it to Brad Wolfe. Brad takes his package outside and puts the mini gasmask on, while a helicopter flies overhead, dropping teargas. Brad grabs the hook and is pulled to his escape. Kellen brings Brad to Ruby's house to meet Thug. They free him from his manacles, and he promptly kills Ruby. Kellen shoots Brad to death, but the vermin inside burst out and go after Thug, transforming him into the new Zaniac, with a thirst for Jane Foster's blood.
Thor
#372
October
1986
"Without Justice There Is No Peace"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Albert Blevinson
Letters: John Workman
Significant Events: 1st appearance of the Mayor of Brooklynopolis, 1st appearance of Justice Mills, death of Thug Thatcher
Synopsis: Thug has become the new Zaniac, and goes to kill Jane Foster. In Chicago, Justice Peace arrives to find he's too late, Thor is right behind him though, and strikes him down. Justice Peace finally has no choice, and tells Thor his story. Thor realizes that Jane is now the Zaniac's target, but Mick and Kevin wake up. Before they can see their mother's dead body, Thor takes them and puts them back to bed and causes them to fall into a deep sleep. Thor and Justice Peace then race to Highland Park Chicago, but they are too late again, Jane Foster is dead. But one slim hope remains. If there is enough temporal enchantment left in Mjolnir, he can recharge Hopsickle, and travel back in time a couple of hours when before Zaniac arrived. They arrive before Thug became the new Zaniac, and kill all the vermin, but Thug dies of a heart attack anyway. Thor places his body on a park bench so he will appear to be just another vagrant that didn't survive the night. Justice Peace returns to the future, while Thor checks on Jane. Thor then takes Mick and Kevin to Asgard since they have no other family. There, they are adopted by Volstagg into his own family. Elsewhere, Hela prepares to strikes at Thor in revenge for his humiliating defeat of her.
Thor
#373 November 1986
"The Gift of Death"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sal Buscema
Letters: John Workman
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Tina Sapristi, 1st appearance of Ernesto Sapristi, 1st appearance of Pietro Sapristi, 1st appearance of Giovanni Sapristi, 1st appearance of Maria Sapristi, 1st appearance of Rosa Sapristi, 1st appearance of Gabriella Sapristi
Synopsis: Thor soars the dimensional rift headed to Earth, when he is struck by a mystic bolt from nowhere. Seeing no one, he continues to Earth. Once there, he tries to travel to Muspelheim to see if his father is there, but the way is blocked. He never took the time to fully establish his Sigurd Jarlson identity, with nothing but a mattress on the floor as his only furniture. He rests, overlooking Central Park when he spots a mugging and stops it. In Asgard, Heimdall is overseeing the construction of a great sheath for Twilight. Elsewhere, Volstagg tells Kevin and Mick that their mother is dead, and they live with him now. Back on Earth, Sigurd Jarlson looks up his old boss Jerry. He tells Jerry that his father is missing and he has no other family nearby, so Jerry invites him home for dinner. After dinner, they offer Sigurd to stay the night, and as thanks, he offers to take the kids to the park the next day. In Asgard, Munin delivers a single feather to Balder. Balder then rushes off leaving Heimdall to watch over things. In the park the next day, Sigurd tells the children a story of Thor and his father Odin. Puddlegulp and Bugeye come out of the reservoir and speak to Thor, telling him of a massacre in the tunnels. The children are surprised that he can understand the frogs, but shock him in return by telling him that they know he's Thor. Thor then uses Mjolnir to send the kids home to Cobble Hill, then heads down into the tunnels. He comes across several dead bodies as well as the Marauders torturing Angel. Thor manages to drive them off, and is surprised to find Angel still alive.
Thor
#374
December 1986
"Fires of the Night"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sal Buscema
Letters: John Workman
Significant Events: none
Synopsis: The Marauders have returned and attack Thor, but he once again drives them off. Thor then carries Angel off seeking to save his life. In Asgard, Balder traverses the Endless Desert, seeking Wyrd. He finds her and she gives him a vial of water from the Well of Life. He pours it over the feather Munin brought him, and Hugin is reborn. With Balder's gratitude, they return to Asgard. Thor comes across Artie, but before they can move, Blockbuster has returned. He lands on Thor's arm, shattering the bones. Thor is in stunned agony, and Blockbuster is about to strike again, but Angel comes to and manages to distract him long enough for Thor to recover. Thor knocks him out with a single blow. Artie tells Thor that he knows where help is, and they head out. In Asgard, Volstagg checks in on Kevin and Mick, and tells them they should come downstairs and eat. He introduces them to his own children, and they are excited to meet kids from Midgard. Back on Earth, Artie leads Thor to Cyclops and Jean Grey. Cyclops and Jean help Thor by making a splint for his broken arm. They then leave to get Angel some medical help and leave the dead for Thor to deal with. After checking the tunnels for survivors and finding none, Hela appears to Thor. She tells him of her curse on him. His bones are now as brittle as an old woman's, and when broken they will not heal, nor can he die for she has cast him out. Enraged, Thor calls down the lightning, causing a raging inferno. And when it finally burns out, all that's left is Thor, alone.
Thor
#375
January 1987
"Shadows of the Past"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sal Buscema
Letters: Bob Pinaha
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Thakrad, 1st appearance of Howie Bridger
Synopsis: In Asgard, Loki broods on saving Asgard from Surtur, yet not gaining the throne. He looks in on Thor and sees him seeking help for his broken arm. Thor is with Tony Stark, seeking a remedy for his cursed bones. He invents an armored arm, that functions much like Thor's own, yet will protect it and keep the bones from shifting. Sensing her hand, Loki visits Hela. He tells her that he enjoys her curse on Thor, but he's got his own plans for the game. On Earth, Thor is flying overhead when he spies the Man-Beast on a rampage, and flies down to stop him. In Asgard, Kevin and Mick are playing ball with the Asgardian children, when Kevin gets hurt because they are not as strong. Hogun and Fandral arrive and take the boys to tech them a few tricks. Thor battles the Man-Beast, when suddenly he collapses and transforms into a seemingly old man. A nearby cop recognizes him as Howie Bridger, but Howie's not old, he's only 24. Whatever happened to him aged him decades and drained him of life, leaving him dead. In Asgard, Heimdall pays a visit to Amora, who's still brooding over the death of Skurge. He promptly picks her up, throws her over his shoulder, and takes her outside for some sunshine. Elsewhere, Thor spies the Wrecker tearing up a city block. Thor battles him as well, until he too, transforms back to an aged mortal. In Jotunheim, Loki is paying a visit to the shrunken Frost Giants of Utgard-Loki. He tells them of his plan to render Thor helpless. He then shows them an image of Thor, now battling the Absorbing Man. Thor will hold back his hand thinking it's another mortal, not realizing that he's the real Crusher Creel until it's too late.
Thor
#376 February
1987
"Heroes Always Win Don't They"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sal Buscema
Letters: John Workman
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Henri, 1st appearance of Martin, 1st appearance of Sheila
Synopsis: Thor realizes that he is facing the real Absorbing Man. Suddenly, Titania appears and begins attack Thor as well. Thor backhands her, accidentally breaking her neck, enraging the Absorbing Man. But what Creel doesn't realize is that it's not Titania, it's another altered human. Thor has no choice but to flee, afraid of striking back for killing anyone else. And it's all on the news for everyone to see. In Asgard, Loki continues telling the giants of his plan, while Balder oversees the sheathing of Twilight. Back on Earth, Thor continues to dodge the Absorbing Man, while news crews get it all on film. Loki creates a potion and prepares to unleash it on Asgard, while Heimdall consoles Amora. Elsewhere, Hogun gives Kevin and Mick a small slice of the apples of Idunn. While on Earth, Thor continues to take a brutal beating at the hands of Creel, and opens a dimensional vortex to get away. Thinking it's a trick, Creel absorbs the vortex, and is transported to another dimension. Thor goes to leave, headed towards Avengers mansion to get help, while being hounded by reporters, and he collapses from his wounds. In Asgard, Loki unleashes his spell.
Thor
#377 March 1987
"This Hollowed Armor"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sal Buscema
Letters: John Workman
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Grendell, 1st appearance of Grundroth, 1st appearance of Bitterhand, 1st appearance of Doctor Caley, 1st appearance of Mr Braedon, 1st appearance of Schlonsky
Synopsis: In Svartalfheim, the Dark Elves are blown back by a series of explosions. Using the Mirror of Finvarra, they view a figure on Earth forging enchanted steel. A few days earlier, Thor is recovering in Roosevelt Hospital, and is told by Doctor Caley that he will need six to eight weeks rest. Thor tells him that his enemies know he's hurt and will destroy the hospital to get at him. He checks himself out, and heads to Damascus Steel, where he reforged Mjolnir years earlier. He "rents" the foundry from Mr Braedon, and there begins his forging. But he is attacked by Grendell and the Dark Elves before he can finish. In Asgard, Loki uses a device to kidnap Iceman in his plans to renew the Frost Giants. Elsewhere, the gods begin to grow feverish and collapse one by one. Back in the steel mill, Grendell and the Dark Elves prove too much for the weakened Thor. But before the final blow can be struck, Thor is saved by Loki. He wants to prolong his suffering for his own enjoyment. But Loki now has another problem. The Frost Giants have grown enormous, and they want more of the cold from Iceman.
Thor
#378 April 1987
"When Loki Stood Alone"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sal Buscema
Letters: John E. Workman
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Thor's armor (2nd costume), 1st appearance of Kartak
Synopsis: Loki has underestimated the Frost Giants desire for cold. They break through the doors, and attack, driven mad in their lust. Loki fends them off, and sends the unconscious body of Thor out to them to distract them, but they are drawn by something else. Iceman has regained consciousness, and is focusing his cold, forcing the machinery holding him to overload, sending ice racing throughout the castle. Loki casts fireballs at the Giants, destroying a few, but the rest overwhelm him. Thor awakens just in time to decide to help Loki. He collapses one of the walls on them, driving them off for the time being. Elsewhere in Asgard, more and more of the Asgardians are falling ill and collapsing. Thor rescues Iceman, and uses Loki's device to bring the armor her was making from Earth to Asgard. He uses Mjolnir to summon lightning to finish the armor, and just in time. Grundroth and the rest of the Giants have recovered and returned to destroy them all. But with his enchanted Asgardian armor, Thor easily bests them all, and sends them fleeing. But they have a plan for revenge - Jormungand.
Thor #379
May 1987
"There Were Giants in Those Days"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sal Buscema
Letters: John Workman
Significant Events: 1st appearance of Snotri
Synopsis: Loki awakens to discover his castle destroyed. He casts a spell to look into the past and sees Thor saving his life, disgusting him. He then looks to the Giants and sees their plan to raise Jormungand. Loki has another idea of his own, and flies to Earth. Coming upon the site in the Andes where the last Celestial Host landed, he spots his prize, a gleaming pool of solidified metal. In Asgard, Kurse hears the sound of children crying, and goes to investigate. He discovers Kevin and Mick crying over the fallen forms of the Asgardians. He picks them up and carries them off to find Balder. Balder has collapsed as well, but is conscious enough to tell Hugin and Munin to get the Elixir he got from Wyrd, and give it to the boys. On Earth, the Giants have aroused a dragon, Fin Fang Foom. They tell him of Thor and he decides he will see for himself this "hero". He flies to a park in Brooklyn, and finds him there, but doesn't recognize him as Thor. He apologizes for his attack and introduces himself. He says that if Thor does not show, he will have to destroy the city. Thor does not identify himself, but states that he is a hero and will have to stop him. Fin Fang Foom challenges him and says that if the little hero can lift his foot, they will fly away for their battle to a deserted area. He does so and they fly off, followed by news helicopters. The dragon is impressed by the hero's feat, and out of respect, tells the little hero his true name - Jormungand. As the world serpent sheds his disguise, time around the world comes to a stop. The Giants recognize this sign and go to see the battle for themselves. Thor finally introduces himself to his destined foe - Vingthor the Hurler, Longbeard's son, Hrodr's foeman, Feur, Hrungnir's playmate, Hloriddi, Thor Odinson, the Thunderer, Jormungand's fear!
Thor
#380 June
1987
"Mjolnir's Song"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Walt Simonson
Inker: Sal Buscema
Letters: John Workman
Significant Events: none
Synopsis: There are no words adequate enough to describe this issue. It is one of, if not the, single greatest comic ever written. Would you know more?
