Comic Browser:

Thor #258

Apr 1977

Len Wein, Tony De Zuniga

Story Name:

If the Stars Be Made of Stone!

Synopsis

Thor #258 synopsis by Peter Silvestro

Rating:

As the Starjammer continues on its quest for Odin, the ship is attacked by a band of space pirates led by the Grey Gargoyle. Thor and his companions, including the Recorder from Rigel, battle the humanoid animals that are the crew. When the Gargoyle realizes he is facing his old enemy Thor he enters the fray, turning the Asgardians one by one into stone. He forces Thor to surrender by threatening to smash the petrified Sif into bits….

Back in Asgard, Balder is heading a council of war to decide how best to engage the hostile forces surrounding the kingdom. Soon their front gate is broken down and the enemy leaders enter: the Enchantress and the Executioner….

After his petrifaction has worn off the heroes, Grey Gargoyle outfits them with slave-shackles around the neck that deliver painful shocks should they try to escape. He then sends them to work in the bowels of the Bird of Prey where the cosmic furnaces need to be constantly replenished. The Asgardians show compassion for the other slaves who are victims of the Gargoyle’s pirates. After a while, the Recorder figures out how to remove the slave-shackles without harm and so Thor is ready to lead a rebellion—when the Grey Gargoyle arrives, ready to put them down….

Review / Commentaries

Thor #258 Review by Peter Silvestro (November 4, 2014)

Review: The issue is a throwback to the zany days of Lee and Kirby where “Norse gods in space” and “animal-men space pirates led by a guy who can turn people to stone” were more common. This issue doesn’t quite carry it off with that much panache, but it’s still enjoyable. And the Asgardians act like heroes by caring for their fellow slaves and easing their burdens. Only one thing doesn’t wash: that’s Thor being afraid of Grey Gargoyle—the final line is even “And his is the single power that none of us that none of us can hope to withstand!” Really, Thor said that? He didn’t seem to worry very much on his first two encounters with the baddie—in fact he beat him as Don Blake once. Cap and Spidey also whupped GG in MARVEL TEAM-UP #13, after Cap defeated him on his own. And the odd thing is…Thor doesn’t get to face him in the next issue. Stay tuned.

Comments: Part one of two parts. Part four of “The Quest for Odin.” Thor previously encountered the Grey Gargoyle in JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #107 and 113, the villain’s first two appearances.

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(The Boy Wonder)

Main/1st Story Full Credits

Len Wein

Tony De Zuniga

Glynis Wein

Jack Kirby (Cover Penciler)
John Romita (Cover Penciler)
John Verpoorten (Cover Inker)
John Romita (Cover Inker)

Additional Credits

Letterer: Joe Rosen.

All stories. Listed in alphabetical order.

Balder
(Balder the Brave)

Karnilla
(Norn Queen)

Odin

Sif

Thor
(Odinson)

Warriors Three
(Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg)

Enchantress
(Amora)

Executioner
(Skurge)

Grey Gargoyle
(Paul Pierre Duval)

Plus: Recorder from Rigel.

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