WHAT HAS COME BEFORE: Thor defeated Collector, even as Firelord and the Surfer helped stop the Air-Walker’s bid to continue Galactus’ legacy of death. Loki found two mysterious artifacts aboard Galactus’ ship. On Asgard, a menace paves a swath of destruction ever closer to the fabled walls of the Golden City! And Terrax is freed from his imprisonment on Collector’s world by a mysterious figure with his own plans.

alder sits upon his fine white steed, as he makes his way through the wilderness surrounding Asgard. To his right, seated on a jet black horse, sits Hogun the grim, his mace swinging from a leather strap on his side, as he bounces slightly on the back of his horse. Beside Hogun sits Fandral, who is talking to a blond-haired warrior woman two steps behind him. He is taking especial note of the way her body moves with the motion of her horse. On Balder’s other side sits Volstagg, upon a horse that breathes heavily under the weight of the voluminous member of the Warriors Three.

“We hath been riding all day,” Volstagg remarks. “Perhaps our enemy hath heard that the valorous Volstagg would be among the party he faces now, and hath fled in fear.”

Fandral laughs heartily. “Aye,” he adds through controlled laughter, “or perhaps he heard thy roaring stomach and thought he faced the Midgard Serpent!”

“The grumbling might well cease if Balder would deign to let us break for our afternoon meal,” Volstagg offers.

“Afternoon meal?!” Balder returns, shaking his head in disbelief. “Did we not eat a mere hour ago?”

“Perhaps so,” Volstagg returns, “but with such tiny portions…”

“’Tiny’ and Volstagg should n’er be used in the same sentence!” Fandral tosses in, shaking his head.

Their conversation is halted by the sound of thundering footsteps, which echo through the woods, even as they hear the sound of trees—reaching hundreds of feet into the sky—falling with a casual movement from the one they seek.

As the warriors look towards the sound, a dark shadow falls over them, encompassing much of the front line of warriors, and spreading back throughout the following several lines of warriors, even as they look up in surprise, a sense of dread burning in their eyes.

hor lights down on the edge of Bifrost, the fabled rainbow bridge. As he does so, he holds an outstretched palm out in greeting to noble Heimdall, who stands guard at the gates of Asgard. His shield is held down by his left hand, even as his sword swings at the scabbard along his side. His golden armor shines brightly, illuminated by the gold shining along the very gates of the city he has so long vigilantly protected.

“Ho, brave Heimdall!” Thor calls out, moving towards the fabled warrior. “How doth thee fare this day?”

“Thor,” Heimdall returns, standing his ground, as Thor comes towards him. He knew Thor was coming, as he could hear the rustling from Thor’s approach leagues away. “It is good to see thee.”

As Thor walks over to Heimdall, the two embrace as warriors, and Thor holds his hand on Heimdall’s shoulder. “Aye,” Thor responds, nodding. “I hath longed to see the golden gates e’er since our quest did begin for Galactus’ ship.”*

[*See Thor #16-23, for those who have been in hibernation for the last year.]

“’Tis true, Thor,” Heimdall remarks, as he nods calmly. “I hath taken great interest in thy journey. Would that I could have journeyed with thee.”

“Thou hath sacrificed much,” Thor adds, backing away slightly, as he nods. “It must be difficult for thee to stand guard, while battles rage all around thee. Thy reward in Valhalla will be great indeed for thy many sacrifices.”

“I think my waiting will be coming to an end ‘ere long, Thor,” Heimdall responds. “There is a great menace beyond Asgard’s gates, ever ready to strike.”

“Always Asgard faces such menaces, Heimdall,” Thor replies, “and ever is Asgard shown to be ready for the threats.” He looks over at Heimdall. “Is there a new threat even now facing Asgard? Have the giants amassed for a strike? Is Ulik organizing the trolls anew?”

Thor and Odin feel a sudden rush of wind swirling around them. As they turn in unison, they are greeted by the sight of…

“Hermod!” Thor calls out. “What brings thee hither?”

“Thor, Heimdall…” Hermod responds, as he comes to a stop. However, his limbs continue to move, as if they are unable to come to a complete stop. “Thor, ‘tis good to see thee. I bring word from Odin himself!”

“Well-said, Hermod,” Thor responds. “I am ever at Lord Odin’s service. But hath thou seen Loki?”

“He did return before thee, and brought the ship here,” Heimdall explains. “Odin hath the Vizier inspecting it.”

Thor’s index finger runs along the base of his chin, as he takes in this information. He allows a slight smile to cross his face. “’Tis good news indeed,” Thor responds. “I am glad indeed that Loki kept his charge, and did return the ship, as he said he would do.”

“Come, friend Thor,” Hermod urges, motioning for Thor to follow. “Lord Odin awaits.”

“Aye,” Thor returns. “My musings on my brother shall have to wait.”

erhaps Thor’s musings on Loki will have to wait, but you won’t have to. For, across the Golden City, seated on the edge of the great woods, and at the beginning of the Uru Mountains, seated upon a narrow mountain peak, the subject of Thor’s thoughts owns a castle. Within those walls, Loki walks with determination past an ornately-decorated throne. His eyes fix on his throne for a moment, as his nose wrinkles, his upper lip turning upward, as his eyes narrow.

Loki carries a small chest, tucked under his right arm, as he walks down a hallway that is lit only by a series of candles, mounted at forty-five degree angles along the upper wall. He continues walking, his face betraying nothing other than the urgency that is also reflected in his fast steps.

As he reaches the end of the hallway, he is greeted by a small troll, standing outside the doorway. The troll is hideous, with warts along his nose and across his arms. His back is hunched slightly, and his neck creaks lightly as he turns to see his master.

“Master Loki!” the troll comments, eager to gain his master’s appreciation, as he takes an involuntary step back, seeing the anger burning in Loki’s eyes. He has seen that look before. “I have prepared the room, as you asked.”

“I asked nothing, fool!” Loki responds, as he walks towards the small troll. Despite himself, the troll lets out a sigh of relief as Loki starts to pass him in the hallway, turning towards the room. “Forget not thy place here.”

The troll starts to turn into the room, following Loki, when he sees a swift, sudden movement. Loki turns quickly, casually back-handing the hapless troll, striking him on his jaw and sending him crashing into the stone wall, where he hits head-first, and falls to the ground.

“Did you think I would be unaware of your effrontery?” Loki asks, his eyes flaring with anger. “I could smell thy stench in the very fabric of my chair.”

The troll gets to his feet, quivering involuntarily, stunned that Loki realizes that he sat in his chair while he was gone. He starts to speak, but quickly realizes that there is nothing he can do to assuage Loki’s anger, and he certainly doesn’t want to do anything to make matters worse.

“Get thee to my chair, Grunter!” Loki demands. “Sterilize it thoroughly, ‘ere I hath to remove thy stench in a…less pleasant manner.”

Grunter makes no response, even as Loki turns back towards the room. However, the sound of Grunther’s fleeing footfalls against the castle’s hardwood floors is sufficient response.

Loki walks into the room, where he is greeted by the sight of two large wolves. Their grayish-white manes shine in the candlelit room, even as they walk up to their master. Loki places the small chest on a large wooden table, even as he turns his attention, temporarily, to his large wolves.

“My most loyal subjects,” Loki remarks, looking down at the wolves, which look back up at him through their red eyes. “Thou hath guarded well my castle in my absence. Worry not. Thou will both dine well tonight.”

hor walks into the great meeting hall of Asgard, where Odin holds court. As he does so, his cape trails behind him. Slightly before him walks Hermod, who has just slowed down from racing into the meeting room. As Thor walks into the room, he is immediately greeted by the sight of Odin, seated upon his throne. At his side is the lovely Sif, who sees him and immediately rushes over to him.

“Odin!” Thor calls out, bowing slightly in the sight of his father. “Faithful Hermod hath informed me that thou doth seek an audience with me.”

“Indeed, my son,” Odin returns, even as Sif has made her way over to the thunder god. “I bid thee—approach.”

Thor holds Sif in his arms, feeling the warmness of her back in his powerful hands. He and the lovely Sif, who each have an arm around the other, then make their way to the throne of Odin.

Thor reaches the throne, even as Odin takes two steps down, where he is level with his son. He reaches out, placing both his hands on Thor’s shoulders. “Thor,” Odin comments with unmistakable pride in his regal voice. “Thou hath done well. The ship that once belonged to the world-devourer is now safely in our possession, and the Collector hath been thwarted from whate’er scheme he did plan.”

“My thanks, father,” Thor returns.

“Normally, my son,” Odin continues, removing his hands from Thor’s shoulders, as he stands before him, “’twould now be the time for great celebration. However’ a new threat hath risen to challenge us anew.”

“What threat, my father?” Thor asks, concerned by the tone in his father’s voice.

“A very dire threat, my son,” Odin explains. “Even as thou did traverse the universe, in search of Galactus’ ship, our territory was breached by a powerful foe. He did lay waste to some of Asgard’s finest warriors. Even now, the Warriors Three, and Balder the Brave, do lead a band of Asgardian warriors ‘gainst this threat. If they fail, the golden city itself will be next in his path.”

“Do you know who this threat is, sire?” Thor asks.

“The warriors have only seen him,” Odin responds. “But I think it is our old enemy returned.”

INTERLUDE

eep in the mountains of Colorado, far from normal traffic, there is a prison designed specifically for super-powered criminals. With the Rocky Mountains providing a barrier from prying eyes, and giving it a strategic position to defend from any attack, the Vault has been a success in maintaining the super-villain population since it was opened some time ago.

Even the Vault has its different wings, arranged by virtue of the criminal population it is housing. And, in the Vault, the most secure wing is the Maximum Security wing, which houses the Vault’s most powerful, most dangerous villains. These are the ones with significant powers, who—if free—could wreak havoc on the rest of the Vault, and ultimately on society itself.

It is in one of these cells, where special attention is given to insure that the inmate cannot leave—even at tremendous cost to the government funding this facility—that we now find Emil Blonsky. Once a Soviet spy, Blonsky was transformed by Gamma Rays into the Abomination, a hideous green monster, who fought the Hulk on several occasions.**

[**Ever since Tales to Astonish #90, in fact.]

Now, however, Blonksy—who has the power to destroy a city  in a matter of minutes—sits in his cell, even while the Vault has come under attack by the Super-Adoptoid, and Doctor Octopus has planned his own takeover.***

[***See The Vault series for the thrilling details.]

His cell was painstakingly crafted particularly for this powerhouse, who is easily one of the strongest beings on a planet populated by super-heroes and super-villains. The walls to his cell are four-feet thick, and crafted from adamantium. The only opening in the ceiling of the cell is a single air vent, which has two purposes: to allow enough air into the cell to keep the inmate alive, and to send neuro-gas into the chamber to keep the Abomination in a constant state of drowsiness so that he cannot utilize his impressive strength to launch an attempted escape.

In the time he has been locked up in the Vault—has it been days, weeks, or even months…the days seem to run together here—he has had ample time to think. And he has thought about his current situation, as much as his cloudy mind has allowed him to think…with the drugs they keep forcing into his cell. His face contorts and a snarl crosses his bestial lips, but he cannot form the energy to act on it.

He thinks of his former wife, and her betrayal when he became trapped in this body. He thinks of how his former country has changed radically in his absence, and disintegrated, even as he sits against a hard, metal chair with his head in his hands.

Emil Blonsky.

“What?!” Abomination asks, looking around from side to side, as if to determine where the voice is coming from.

Are you prepared to leave this place?

“All right!” Abomination exclaims angrily, his rage starting to build, as he stands on his feet. “What the hell kind of joke is this?!”

This is no joke, Blonsky. Do you not remember me?

Abomination’s eyes start to flare with rage. “If this is a guard trying to be funny,” Abomination exclaims, traces of his accent coming through, despite his training from years ago, “you won’t be laughing when I rip your head off your shoulders.”

Blonsky…I do not have time for your empty threats. I can get your out of this prison now.

A hint of recognition starts to dawn in Abomination’s eyes. “It’s not possible.”

You worked for me before. Are you prepared to work for me again? I can free you, restore you to your former level of power. All I require is your service. What is your answer?

Something resembling a smile crosses Abomination’s hideous face. “Yes,” he says softly. “Get me out of here.”

Instantly, the image of the Abomination starts to fade, as he starts to laugh, nodding with satisfaction. It will be some time before the guards realize that he is missing. By that time, he will have crossed a large section of the universe.

END OF INTERLUDE

eyond the walls of Asgard, the mightiest warriors in the Golden Realm are being engaged in battle with a powerful, deadly enemy. Laser cannons fire, sending force blasts that are capable of pulverizing mountains at the coming foe. The blasts explode with tremendous force, as concussive forces of light illuminate the darkened forest, filling the air with energy. However, as spears and lasers continue to assail the oncoming foe, he still comes, his footfalls thundering with sounds akin to thunderclaps.

As Thor flies onto the scene, he is instantly greeted by the sight of many fallen warriors, as an additional wave prepares to march forward, after the laser cannons have finished firing.

Thor lands in the midst of the action, as Balder looks up, visibly relieved to see him joining them. “Thor!” Balder exclaims. “’Tis good indeed to see thee!”

“Balder!” Thor returns, greeting his friend. He assesses the situation, noting that Fandral and Hogun are amassing a new wave of warriors in preparation for the next wave of attack.

Thor then turns his attention to the foe that led the warriors here. As he looks through the smoke, he sees a familiar figure making his way forward, laughing mockingly at the warriors, as he looks down, seeing Thor in their midst.

“It is a good day indeed,” the figure remarks, stepping forward. He is utterly monstrous in appearance. His brown face has large horns, extending from his nose, along his eyebrows and protruding in opposite directions , pointing upward. His body is yellow, and huge. His two hands have three metallic claws, which reach out menacingly. His only clothing is a pair of purple trunks. His large legs stretch out, as his large feet, also with three metallic claws passing for toes, smash everything in their wake. He towers over Thor and the others, as his large, crooked teeth add to his own unnatural, hideous smile. “I did not expect you to be here so soon, Thor. Your presence here will only make my vengeance complete…the vengeance of MANGOG!”