COMIC DETAILS
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Comic Description:
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Thor 350 Modern
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Grade:
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9.8
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Page Quality:
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WHITE
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Certification #:
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0781916010
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Owner:
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Thorseface
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SET DETAILS
Owner's Description
Thor no. 350: “Ragnarok and Roll!”
Publication date: December 10, 1984
Census: As of 6/20/23, 108 copies in 9.8 (up by 16), of which 14 are signed (up by 3). No Canadian 9.8 representation yet.
Writer, penciler, inker: Simonson
Letterer: Workman
Colorist: Scheele
Favorite line(s) and some thoughts:
This issue and the next three are so jam-packed with drama and action it is difficult to choose a single most representative line. The stakes of the battle about to unfold are perhaps best illustrated by the unexpected arrival of Skurge, the Enchantress, and the Executioner (along with Hermod, the messenger god of Norse mythology who first appeared only in Thor no. 275) in answer to Odin's summons. So:
"We have come, Lord Odin."
-Skurge
"Though in the past we have clung to the shadows, the coming darkness threatens to destroy us all."
-Amora the Enchantress
"We stand with Asgard."
-Tyr, the Norse god of war
But this is the 1980s, so I can't let this little gem slide:
"What's going on? Have the Russians finally made it across the Atlantic?"
-a Manhattan pedestrian witnesses the terrifying arrival of the Sons of Muspellheim.
An important element of the success of this issue (and those that immediately follow) is the emotional exchanges between the Aesir. They are well written and believable. Bill, who is in love with Sif, suggests that she remain in Asgard to protect Odin (this elicits a knowing laugh from Thor); Thor is secretly relieved that the aged Odin will remain in Asgard rather than join the battle on Earth; Odin, perceiving Thor's thoughts, grieves that he cannot reveal to his son the terrible events that await and regrets the absence of his greatest failure, Loki; the lord of Asgard parts with his wife, Frigga, in a tender moment the likes of which we have never seen before. The latter is due in large part to Walt's reworking of Frigga such that she appears as the elderly, white-haired matron of the gods rather than the raven-haired babe of previous continuity, a decision more in keeping with the spirit of the medieval source material. Subsequent runs ignored this change in ways that I find rather confusing and unnecessary. Frigga will leave Asgard with the children of the gods under her protection. Here for the first time we meet the feisty Hildy (Gunnhild), who was perhaps inspired by a daughter or niece of Walt's (?).
In any event, emotions run high as the hosts of Asgard ride forth over the Rainbow Bridge for Midgard as mighty Heimdall looks on. The half-page panel below, where Thor and Bill lead the mounted host across the bridge, Asgard behind in the distance, has been reworked by Walt several time for charity auctions and the odd commission (see here, for example: https://comicart.tips/walt-simonson-original-art-and-commissions/). It is magnificent. I would give my left eye to own one of Walt's recreations of this scene.
In Avengers no. 249, we witness Thor's arrival at Avengers mansion where he alerts the Scarlett Witch, Captain Marvel, Star Fox, Vision, and the Wasp of the danger at hand. Vision stays behind to summon what help he can and eventually manages to get Reed Richards on the line, while Hercules, his island vacation interrupted, is flown to New York by the US Navy! The rest of Earth's mightiest heroes join the fray with the Thunder God. There was clearly some careful collaboration here between Walt and the Avengers stewards of the day, Roger Stern and Al Milgrom, as we have panel for panel parallels between Thor 350 and Avengers 249 that feature the same action and dialogue. Avengers 249 saw publication one month before Thor 350, so attentive readers knew what was up on their first read of the latter. The Avengers are soon joined by Bill, Sif, the Warriors Three, and the full might of the Asgardian army. With these forces are the Enchantress, Skurge, and Tyr. It is not enough: Surtur tricks Thor into revealing the Rainbow Bridge and gains passage to the Realm Eternal.
Generally speaking, if one were to point to source material for the "Battle of New York" that featured in The Avengers (2012) film, a very strong case could be made for the epic confrontation that takes place in the frozen streets of Manhattan in this issue and those that immediately follow. More on that with Thor 351.
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