When Gods Go Mad!

Things looked grim yet hopeful for Thor, the God of Thun... well, that is, Loki, the God of Misch... uh, actually... no, waitaminnit! We're definitely talking about Thor, the God of Thunder, trapped in Loki's form after the God of Mischief launched a mystic mask at his half-brother which switched their forms so that Loki occupied Thor's body and Thor was now trapped in Loki's. No wonder things are confusing--especially for Thor's close friends, Balder and the lady Sif, who at first assumed the worst and attacked Loki... that is, Thor, on sight.

But as the conflict reached its final page, Thor's battle to reclaim his identity was at least partially looking up, as his friends were at last willing to listen as Thor explained his predicament. And just in time, too--because in Thor's form, the God of Evil is now loose in New York City--and with the other Asgardians ignorant of what has occurred, he means to flaunt his new power with impunity by bringing death and destruction to the mortals his hated half-brother was sworn to protect!

As Loki, I was expecting the expression of "Thor" to look more menacing on the story's splash page, rather than what looked like it might be a future poster of Thor for sale at Marvelmania. Obviously story artist Neal Adams differs with cover artist John Buscema on how threatening Loki (as Thor) should look; unlike Buscema, he's also under the impression that New Yorkers are all immaculately dressed, and kids in late 1970 walked around the city wearing sweaters and ties and were groomed like prep schoolers. (Though maybe this kid and his family hail from New England.)

As for Loki, he wastes no time in setting the public straight on just what kind of Thunder God is now in their midst--while Balder and Sif receive the proof they need about the true nature of "Thor" firsthand.

By rights Loki's first casualty should be that poor truck driver, unless it's absolutely normal for a driver to survive not only a speeding impact but also being hurled head-first through the vehicle's windshield only to land on their feet and race from the scene.

Hostilities are also being exhibited in Asgard, where Odin proves he's just as fallible as the rest of us by misinterpreting what he sees and falling for Loki's plan, hook, line and sinker. And man, has he had it this time with his adopted son.

For a god of Loki's vile temperament, it's hard to see that being consigned to the netherworld would be regarded by him as any great punishment to be dreaded--all he'll probably need is a few exotic cabana girls and a mai tai to feel right at home. But since it's really Thor who's been thus sentenced, Odin has ended up committing one of the worst blunders of his immortal life; and as he retires for "brooding" time, as his Vizier puts it, which effectively cuts him off from learning the truth, he remains ignorant of the further turmoil that "Thor" continues to cause on Earth.

That leaves Sif and Balder to carry the fight for the absent Thor.  It's doubtful that either or both of them would be a match for Loki, whose power is formidable when unleashed--while against the power of Thor, our pair fare just as badly.

Did you catch all that, Mjolnir? And you think this guy is worthy to possess the power of Thor?

Meanwhile, in Asgard, Sif discovers from the Vizier the grim fate that Odin has delivered Thor to--while Thor finds that it isn't Pluto who welcomes him to "Hades," but a conniving, merciless demon who also calls this fiery, torturous domain home and who greets this new arrival for the first time. And at first glance, he couldn't be more delighted.

Yet it isn't long before Mephisto pierces the facade of Loki and realizes that it's Thor who is truly before him--and Thor being Thor (only in this case he's Loki, but let's not go through that again), he vows defiance at being kept prisoner in this domain, which Mephisto responds to by launching a series of attacks against him. Thor uses Loki's magic to defend himself, but the odds against him are overwhelming while he battles in Loki's form.

In Asgard, another battle is taking place: the Warriors Three versus a group of deadly trolls. Their odds aren't all that encouraging, either, even knowing their prowess--but the dashing Fandral and Hogun the Grim have yet to unleash their secret weapon. (Which, until now, they didn't know they possessed.)

Before the three can rush off and tackle new foes of Asgard, Sif conscripts them for what anyone else would probably call a suicide mission: the rescue of Thor from the netherworld.

Yet upon arrival, they see that they might have arrived too late, as Mephisto reveals his captive, imprisoned within a block of enchanted ice. (Which, surrounded by flames that would make those of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano seem paltry, must be some trick to pull off.) Can even Asgard's finest prevail against such power? Without revealing too much before you've read the following issue, Thor would owe his release from Mephisto's grasp to the fact that his aura of goodness is more than a match for evil incarnate--while on Earth, Loki is foiled by Thor's dual existence as Donald Blake, which causes the same kind of soul-swapping effect you may remember from Janice Lester's defeat in "Turnabout Intruder." It's a Star Trek world, after all--you and I, as well as the Asgardians, just live in it.

BONUS!

What's this? Neal Adams--swiping??

Mighty Thor #180 Script: Stan Lee Pencils: Neal Adams Inks: Joe Sinnott Letterer: Sam Rosen