> Thor Masterworks Volume 2
 
 

From the Mouths of the Marvels:

"The only emotion I cannot control is...love! I cannot drive his longing for the Earth woman from his heart! Yet I cannot permit him to defy me! You are clever, Loki! I ask for your advice!"

- - Odin, page 2

For a "rich-lookin' old geezer", Odin is one bad dude!

 

Thor and Tales of Asgard
from Journey Into Mystery #104
May 1964 • 18 pages

Publication Date: March 3, 1964

Letters Page: No letters page was published in this issue

I: Feature Story: "Giants Walk the Earth!"

Pages: 13

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Chic Stone
Letters: Sam Rosen

First Appearance: Skagg

Villain: Loki, Skagg, Surtur

Guest Appearance: Odin, Jane Foster, Balder

Cameo Appearance: Enchantress, Executioner, Heimdall

Marvel Milestones: First appearance of Surtur and Balder in current Marvel Universe continuity

Synopsis: Odin calls on Loki to help him understand what to do about Thor's love for the mortal woman, Jane Foster. Loki suggests he go to Earth himself and lay down the law. Odin agrees, and he heads to Midgard. On his way to Don Blake's office, disguised as an elderly gentleman of Earth, a couple of thugs try to mug him...much to their regret, after Odin makes quick work of them!

In Asgard, Loki thrills with the new powers Odin granted to him while he is gone. He hatches a plan to exploit Odin's distance from Asgard, and casts spells to release two of Asgard's greatest foes- the storm giant Skagg and the fire demon Surtur- so they can travel to Earth and create mayhem and destroy Odin and Thor. Heimdall overhears Loki's plan, and sends Balder the Brave down to Earth to warn Odin. Balder finds Thor and passes on the information to him, sending Thor racing back to Blake's office to find his father. He sees Odin in Blake's office and tells him that Surtur and Skagg are on their way. Odin realizes the fate of the world hangs in the balance, and with a passing of his hand he sends all mortals on Earth to another dimension so the gods can do battle on Earth.

Balder confronts Skagg off the coast of the city, splintering his club apart with his sword. But Skagg creates a funnel of water that knocks Balder off his flying horse. Thor chases after Surtur, but the fire demon blasts him with a fire ball. Odin has seen enough, and heads into battle, softening the ground beneath Skagg's feet, causing him to sink deep down. Surtur has to save him, and then he sends a fireball around the planet to the Arctic Circle, hoping to melt the icebergs and flood the planet. Skagg tries to delay the gods so Surtur can enact his plan.

Odin seals the city with a protective dome, then lashes out at Skagg, who is being replenished with power by Loki. Exhausted after beating Skagg, Odin falls, but tells Thor to make sure Surtur can't finish out his plan. Thor chases after him and redirects his fireball by magnetizing a floating asteroid, causing Surtur to pull towards it and stick to it far out in the galaxy. Odin is pleased with his son, and tells him to return to Asgard with him, but Thor refuses. Odin is very upset with him, knowing his heart is weakened by his obsession with mortal love. Meanwhile, Loki is punished yet again for his unfaithfulness.

II: Tales of Asgard: "Heimdall, Guardian of the Mystic Rainbow Bridge!"

Pages: 5

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Don Heck
Letters: Artie Simek

First Appearance: Agnar, Gotron

Featured Characters: Heimdall, Odin, Agnar, Gotron

Emblems of Asgard: Dragon Horn

Synopsis: Heimdall must prove himself worthy of Odin's new post: guardian of the Rainbow Bridge. He goes up against Agnar the Fierce and Gotron the Agile, both of whom have tremendous talents of their own. But Heimdall showcases his incredible hearing by putting his ear to the ground and claiming to hear a tiny plant growing in the desolate Hidden Hills. His competitors scoff, but Odin sends his gardener into the Hidden Hills and sure enough, he finds the plant that Heimdall noted. Heimdall also says his eyesight allows him to look across space and time, to note any oncoming threat. In fact, he sees an army of storm giants heading their way at that moment. Odin leads a war party which takes on the giants before they ever near Asgard. For his incredible abilities and steadfast faith, Heimdall is granted the position of guardian of the Rainbow Bridge.

--synopsis by Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Thor and Tales of Asgard from
Journey Into Mystery #101-110

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.

 
JiM #101 JiM #102 JiM #103 JiM #104 JiM #105
JiM #106 JiM #107 JiM #108 JiM #109 JiM #110

 

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