Thor #143
— And, Soon Shall Come: The Enchanters!
Thor has stopped at a diner to get a drink. This draws a crowd of young people who have questions about Thor’s homeland of Asgard. He decides to indulge them and tells them how Asgard is defended by Heimdall and ruled by Odin. He then tells them he has to leave and has to fly off when the crowd refuses to disburse. He soon arrives at the office of Doctor Donald Blake where he resumes his mortal guise. Moments later, a patient comes in to get a prognosis on some medical tests. The man is sullen and thinks his life is worthless, but Blake assures him that every life is special and then gives him the good news, the man has a clean bill of health.
Meanwhile, in Asgard, Balder and Sif have traveled to the domain of Ringsfjord. They have come to search for the Enchanters on behalf of Odin. Suddenly, the mountain pass they are traveling across collapses. Leaping from their horses and preparing for a battle they are confronted by a creator conjured up by the Enchanters. After they defeat the creature it disappears in a puff of smoke. They are then greeted by the Enchanters: Magnir, Brona, and their leader Forsung. They are powered by the talismans they wear on their armor and express their intention to use their powers to conquer all of Asgard. As a show of power, they cast a spell to cause the ground beneath Balder and Sif’s feet to turn into quicksand. In order to save themselves, Sif transports herself and Balder down to Earth.
Realizing that the Enchanters are too powerful they decide to recruit Thor for help. However, they have no way to contact Thor in his mortal guise and so they begin holding up traffic in order to draw his attention. Luckily, a police officer happens by and tells them how Dr. Don Blake’s office is nearby and he knows how to contact Thor. When they arrive at Blake’s office, Don reveals that he is Thor by tapping his cane on the floor triggering his transformation into the thunder god. Hearing of the plight facing Asgard, Thor agrees to help his friends stop the Enchanters. Meanwhile, the Enchanters device to split up to assure their victory, Bora and Magnir teleport to Earth while Forsung heads to Asgard to face Odin himself.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Enchanters (Forsung, Magnir, Brona), Sif, Balder
Topical References
Thor is specifically depicted stopping for a drink at a soda shop. With the advent of vending machines and the process to bottle and can soft drinks the soda shop became obsolete. Modern readers can assume that Thor stopped at a retro diner or something to explain this anachronism.
To the Death!
While his comrades are battling the demon riders of Mogul, the voluminous Volstagg has been distracted away by a beautiful local of Zanada. Introducing himself to this woman he learns that she is Shezada, Mogul’s sister. Seeing how easy it is to fool Volstagg, Shezada tricks him into thinking that pulling a cord will summon her brother. This actually activates a trap door, but luckily, Volstagg grabs Shezada and pulls her down into the dungeon with him. The pair soon find themselves confronted by Mutaurus, a bull creature that lives in these dungeons.
Both flee deeper into the dungeon where Shezada tries to use an enchanted rod to destroy the monster. Unfortunately for her, the rod is to large and heavy for her to wield. That’s when Volstagg takes the weapon and uses it to destroy Mutaurus with the rod’s wizard power.
Meanwhile, on the surface, Thor continues to battle the demon riders along with Fandral and Hogun. Although these warriors are undead, Thor and his comrades vow to keep fighting until death if necessary.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Shezada
