Thor #360: Review

Oct 1985

Walt Simonson, Walt Simonson

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Story Name:

Into the Valley of Death!

Review & Comments

Rating:

Thor #360 Review by Peter Silvestro (January 14, 2014)

Review: Another transitional issue which closes out the previous epic and sets up the next one. Walt Simonson takes the opportunity to build up a lot of character conflicts, especially Thor-Sif and Amora-Skurge.

Comments: Part one of three parts. Only appearance of Angerboda, mother of Fenris Wolf and the Midgard Serpent, as of 2013. BALDER THE BRAVE #1 takes place at the same time as this issue.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Thor #360 Synopsis by Peter Silvestro

The exiled warriors of Asgard return from Midgard via a portal which closes just as Volstagg makes it through. Thor calls an assembly where his mother Frigga reveals that Asgard has been destroyed and Odin has sacrificed himself to defeat Surtur. She also announces that a successor must be chosen for the throne. Before that, Thor says, the Einherjar, the heroes of Valhalla, must journey to Hel to rescue those who have been trapped there by the magic of Malekith (issues #345-348). Harokin reveals that he has brought Earth weapons back to Asgard; Thor dispatches Agnar to summon Balder to battle. The Thunder God is ashamed to face Sif after hitting her last issue while under Lorelei’s spell and walks away; Heimdall tries to persuade his sister to forgive….

Thor takes the Runes of Odin to the top of a mountain and uses them to summon Angerboda the witch to learn the path to Hel. The runes encircling her neck force her to reveal the way but do not prevent her form transforming into her skeletal form and attacking the hero. Thor shatters the runes and she is forced back to Hel.

Amora sets herself to charming Heimdall into her power but they are interrupted by a jealous Skurge (the Executioner). Amora takes him off and literally roots him to the ground so she can pursue her objective. Meanwhile, Balder has arrived and relates to Thor his grim experiences in Hel when his trapped spirit fought the armies of the dead to escape from Hela’s clutches (issue #301-302). Balder volunteers to join Thor on his quest. Frigga bids her son farewell and Thor is unable to explain himself to Sif; Frigga counsels the warrior lady to be careful of both Thor and Beta Ray Bill. Skurge joins the heroes of Valhalla as they ride to Hel….