Thor #239: Review

Sep 1975

Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema

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Story Name:

Time Quake!

Review & Comments

Rating:

Thor #239 Review by Peter Silvestro (September 12, 2023)

Review: The Ulik/trolls story has been a bit disappointing so it’s dealt with rather hastily, Herc is sent off into another book, and Don and Jane start bickering. The only hope was for something interesting to happen in the Odin subplot. So, Gerry Conway had a pyramid full of Egyptian gods erupt from the ground in the middle of California Wine Country. That’ll do it. And so we move into the next issue as this one ends with a clueless Thor flying through space.

Comments: Part three of three parts (Troll story). Part one of two parts (Odin story). First appearance of the Egyptian gods Horus, Isis, and Osiris in a Marvel comic. Herc’s invitation to lecture on Greek myths at UCLA leads him into the short-lived THE CHAMPIONS (1975) team book; his next appearance here will be issue #289. Though last seen on fire, Geirrodur’s next contemporary appearance is in issue #253. Final appearance of Detective Lieutenant (he’s been promoted) Ralph Blumkenn in THOR; he makes one last appearance in DOCTOR STRANGE (1974 series) #30. Judith refers to the movie EARTHQUAKE (1975), made in the process called “Sensurround,” which used amplifiers to shake the theater during the quake scenes; I was there and it was a hoot. Jane quotes the final line of GONE WITH THE WIND and turns out to be a fan of the TV sitcom RHODA (1974-1978). This issue acknowledges that Troll King Geirrodur’s name was mistakenly spelled “Gierrodur” last issue.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Thor #239 Synopsis by Peter Silvestro

Ulik proclaims victory over Geirrodur, making him the new troll king and he forecasts a successful conquest of the surface world with Thor’s aid. Thor, however, says him nay, as their alliance lasted only so long as Jane Foster was their hostage. Now she is free so Thor is leaving. Ulik challenges him to a fight and the God of Thunder defeats him in a page and a half. Ulik’s hordes return and Thor takes them down in less than a page. The captive Geirrodur calls for his enchanted spear, explaining how Jane was able to seize him with it. Thor tosses it into the river where it explodes, setting the cavern on fire. Thor and Jane run away, him telling her not to look back as the troll hordes flee, leaving the bound Geirrodur to the fires behind….

Hercules and the police are standing around the hole in the street created by the trolls. Herc and Lieutenant Blumkenn are surprised when Thor and Jane emerge from the pit. Herc tosses debris into the hole and Thor seals it up with a blast from Mjolnir. Herc is approached by a scholar asking him to come to UCLA to lecture on Greek mythology; Herc has always wanted to visit the fabled California so he agrees. Thor turns back into Dr. Don Blake and accompanies Jane home….

In California, grape picker Tomas Camaro is rallying his striking workers when the big boss’ goons arrive, led by tough guy Connors. Orrin (amnesiac Odin) stops them from ganging up on Tomas and steps back to watch the brawl continue on fair terms. And then the ground shakes and a pyramid rises from the ground. Odin is hypnotized by the sight….

Back in New York, Jane realizes that Don is brooding over the news that his father Odin is missing and tells him to go ahead and look for him. Don becomes Thor and takes off. Then Jane, brooding over his leaving, turns on the TV and sees the news about the pyramid in California and recognizes Odin. Odin, under the pyramid’s spell, brushes off soldiers trying to keep him back; a door opens and the Egyptian gods appear: Horus, Osiris, and Isis. Horus raises his staff and repels the soldiers. Odin walks into the pyramid and the door closes behind him….

And Thor heads elsewhere in his search….

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