Thor #406
War Within Wundagore!
Eric Masterson has been kidnapped by the Mongoose who has taken him back with him to Wundagore Mountain, home of the High Evolutionary’s New Men. Learning of this, Thor races to the nation of Transia to save his friend.[1]
The Mongoose orders a missile to be fired at the thunder god, assuring his master that Thor will be destroyed allowing them to harvest all the genetic material they could ever want. However, Thor easily shatters the missile with a single blow from Mjolnir.
As Mongoose heads out with a team to investigate, his master goes to check on their prisoner, Eric Masterson. Introducing himself as Count Tagar, he explains to the bewildered architect all about the New Men. He explains that they are hyper-evolved animals created by the High Evolutionary.[2] However, in more recent times, Tagar’s master sought to shape the destiny of humanity to evolve humanity to its final form. This was opposed by Earth’s heroes and ultimately, both the Evolutionary and Hercules were hyper-evolved to the point where they became discorporate beings.[3] Tagar has been searching the known universe for sign of his master ever since, but to no avail. He fears it may be too late to stop the madness of the Mongoose.
Meanwhile, the distant home world of the Rigelians has been rocked by powerful earthquakes. Concerned for his people’s survival, the Grand Commissioner meets with the Supreme Scientist to find out the cause. The scientist has determined that the earthquakes are being generated from a source deep within the Black Galaxy, home of the Bioverse and, in order to save their world, it must be utterly destroyed.
Back on Earth, the Mongoose and the Knight of Wundagore search the snow capped mountains for Thor and are ambushed by the thunder god. They are no match for Thor, who easily shatters their cosmic steeds, but rescues those who are at risk of falling to their deaths. That’s when the computer within the Citadel locate High Evolutionary, prompting Tagar to call for a cease of all hostilities. Unaware of Tagar’s discovery, the Mongoose wonders what’s going on an decides to slink into the background to find out and plan his next moves. Thor is then invited in and Tagar apologizes for the Mongoose’s treachery and willingly releases Eric Masterson from his cell.
When Tagar explains that he and his Knights have located the High Evolutionary’s essence in the heart of the Black Galaxy, Thor insists on accompanying them so he can find his long lost friend, Hercules. Intrigued by the idea of seeing another part of the universe, Eric also insists on tagging along. As preparations are being made, the Mongoose begins plotting a scheme to make sure they never make it back from the Black Galaxy alive.
Meanwhile, Eric uses a holographic projector to contact his son Kevin and his assistant, Susan Austin. He assures them that he is safe and that he will be returning home after he assists Thor on his mission. Kevin is completely blown away with the idea that his father is going to help out his hero, but Susan worries that their lives may not ever be the same again.
After Eric is fitted with an exo-suit that will allow him to survive the rigors of space, Count Tagar uses a device to teleport their team into the heart of the Black Galaxy. Once they materialize in the Bio-Verse they are shocked to see the massive disincorporated form of Hercules has become one with the Black Galaxy.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Mongoose, Grand Commissioner, Scientist Supreme, Knights of Wundagore (Count Tagar), Hercules, Eric Masterson
Continuity Notes
A foonote here states that the Citadel of Science had been restored to its former glory by the New Men. The original Citadel of Science was converted into a spaceship that the High Evolutionary used to leave Earth way back in Thor #135.
Tagar’s recounting of the High Evolutionary is as the story was originally told back in Thor #135.
The High Evolutionary’s failed attempt to further evolve humanity was part of the Evolutionary War event which took place in X-Factor Annual #3, Punisher Annual #1, Silver Surfer Annual #1, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #22, Fantastic Four Annual #21, Uncanny X-Men Annual #12, Web of Spider-Man Annual #4, West Coast Avengers Annual #3, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #8, and Avengers Annual #17.
Let There be Life!
Thor and the Warriors Three have succeeded in recruiting Ulagg the Grand Enchanter on an important mission for Odin. Setting sail in a massive ship, they leave Asgard immediately. As they head to a dead world, Ulagg begins preparing a mystical brew, leaving Hogun to wonder what the purpose of their mission could be.
Once they arrive at the dead planet, Ulagg completes his mystical brew which creates a fireball that strikes the planet sparking long dormant volcanos and melting ice. This causes the formation of new land masses and the rapid growth of plant life all over the globe. Soon the planet is teeming with life. As the victorious heroes return home to Asgard, Thor can’t help but feel that this planet will have a special place in his heart. Thor’s feelings turn out true as this world will one day be known as the Earth.[1]
Recurring Characters
Thor, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Ulagg
Continuity Notes
This story is in direct contradiction to Journey into Mystery #103, another story where Thor was allegedly responsible for the creation of the Earth. This also greatly contradicted by Thor Annual #11 which states that the current incarnation of Thor was born after the creation of the Earth. See below.
Creation Myth
As with any creation myth, this story is rife with contradictions with other stories.
The immediate contradiction is with the aforementioned Journey into Mystery #103, which is another story that states that Thor had a hand in the creation of all life on Earth. In that tale, Thor went on his mission without the Warriors Three and enlisted the aid of King Mimir.
Later on, in Thor #293-294 it was revealed that Asgard goes through cycles of death and rebirth with a new iteration of the gods. That story states that the events in Journey into Mystery #103 were actually false memories implanted in the minds of the reborn gods to fill the gaps in their memories.
Further more, Thor Annual #10 and 11 state that the Earth was not created by the gods of Asgard, but by the Big Bang. The planet was later seeded with life that first begat the gods, including Gaea, the Earth Mother, who would later be impregnated by Odin and give birth to Thor sometime after the birth of Jesus Christ.
One explanation for the differences between this story and Journey #103 is provided in Thor: God of Thunder #3. In that issue, it is explained that a draw back to the Asgardian’s immortality is that their brains have a limited capacity for memory and eventually older memories either grow dim or are forgotten. This, on top of the fact that these memories could have been implanted could explain why the two tales are so wildly different.
On the other hand, Odin has always been a master of manipulation so both events could be true in the sense that Thor was tricked into thinking he created life on Earth on two different occasions. For someone subject to constant deaths and rebirths, implanted memories, and a brain incapable of remembering thousands of years of memories could have all come into play to sell this idea. Hey, if Wolverine couldn’t remember most of his life for years, how could Thor be any different?
Anyway, for more on this, I have a whole blerb about the contradictions of Asgardian myth that can be found here.
