I: Feature Story: "The Good, The Bad, and the Uncanny!"

Pages: 39

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: John Buscema
Inks: Sal Buscema
Letters: Artie Simek

Villain: Loki

Guest Appearance: Thor, Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg, Heimdall, Balder the Braves, Sif, Odin

Cameo Appearance: The Hulk, The Thing, Living Totem, Hercules, Zeus

Flashback Cameo: Galactus, Shalla Bal, Mephisto

Setting: Asgard, Cavern of Shadows

Synopsis: Thor's wicked half-brother Loki broods in his chamber, putting together a plan to destroy the God of Thunder. He searches the world over for a champion to fight on his behalf, dismissing for various reasons the Hulk, the Thing and Hercules. He is intrigued by the sight of the Silver Surfer, though, and learns through the stories of his origin that perhaps his immense power might be easily exploited. Loki puts his wicked plan into play by first bragging of it to the Warriors Three (Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg) who warn Thor of the threats against him.

Meanwhile, the Surfer rests in a lush, jungle glade with several beasts which bring fear to normal man: lions, hippos, elephants, alligators and rhinos. They are calm around him, which the Surfer notes as ironic, since civilized man treats him so poorly while the wild creatures are not stirred by his presence. Suddenly, Loki comes into his midst and strikes at him, commanding him to fight that Loki might "gauge the extent" of the Surfer's powers. And so begins a battle between the Asgardian god and the Silver Surfer that takes them all the way to the streets of New York City, where the Surfer is forced to test his mettle. After a while, Loki is determined that the Surfer is indeed powerful enough to take on Thor. He breaks off the battle and begins to weave his tale of lies to the Surfer: his power is needed urgently to safeguard Asgard from an attack by the wretched Thor, who is amassing an army at that very moment. (The vision that Loki shares with the Surfer is indeed of Thor amassing an army, but it is to defend Asgard against Loki!)

Loki offers the Surfer the chance to breach the barrier that binds him to Earth if he will assist him in "saving Asgard". The Surfer agrees, and Loki says he will not go with him so that nobody will suspect his mission. Indeed, Heimdall admits passage to Asgard to the Surfer, assuming him alone and weaponless. Finally, the Surfer is granted an audience with Thor, who is dining with his fellow Asgardians in a large dining hall. Thor invites him in as a guest and hears him out as the Surfer announces his challenge of battle. The Warriors Three spur immediately on to defense - Fandral with broadsword, Hogun with mace, and Volstagg with drumstick and tablecloth! Thor orders them to stand down, and calms the dissension with promise that the challenge will ensue, but only after bread is broken. The Surfer is taken aback by Thor's gentle touch and the obvious reverence his followers have for him, and Thor wonders to himself what the Surfer's true motive is.

The diners enjoy a jousting tournament, and Thor grants the prize of a shining sabre to the champion gladiator. The champion of the tournament is overcome by a mental command from the devious Loki to hurl the sword at the Surfer, which causes a relapse into conflict. The Surfer rampages through the dining hall with a path of cosmic-powered fury in his wake. Thor tries to reason with him, but it is to no avail. Thor's task is made all the more difficult by Loki's influence: his evil half-brother is augmenting the Surfer's power with a heavy dose of his own!

As the battle rages, a messenger sends word to the chambers of Odin. He dismisses the fighting as something that will sort itself out, and goes to bed.

The Surfer and Thor have a final showdown, with Thor's patience straining to bend against the will of the Surfer. In fighting, the Surfer talks aloud about how his power is seemingly unlimited now with the addition of Loki's strength. Thor perks up with mention of Loki's name as Balder and Lady Sif rush to his aid. Thor tells the Surfer he has been serving the master of evil, and after witnessing the devotion of Balder and Sif, the Surfer wonders if this is true. After the misunderstanding is cleared up, Loki casts a spell that sends the Surfer back to his Earthly imprisonment. Thor senses not only that this particular game is over, but that there is much valor to be found in the soul of the Silver Surfer.

--synopsis by Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Silver Surfer #1-6, FF Annual #5 backup story

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