Comic Browser:

Thor #418

Jun 1990

Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz

Story Name:

Fear Kills

Synopsis

Thor #418 synopsis by Peter Silvestro

Rating:

Hercules has a nightmare that he is being beaten up by the villainous Goliath (Erik Josten) and then the Wrecking Crew and Mr. Hyde join in until he wakes up in a fright. Eric Masterson offers to turn into Thor but Herc feels he would be shamed in the Norse god’s eyes. He explains that ever since he was rescued from the Black Galaxy, he has felt something missing and he is frightened. In a rage, Herc smashes the balcony which awakens Kevin. Eric comforts his son and puts him back to bed, worried about losing him to his ex-wife….

On a Colorado back road, the Wrecking Crew ambushes a heavily armed truck transporting prisoners to the superhuman prison known as The Vault. They are there for their leader Wrecker but not to free him: Thunderball wants his enchanted crowbar so he can be the new leader of the gang. But Thunderball miscalculated: the crowbar is only a conduit for his power; Wrecker breaks free and crushes Thunderball’s hand when he shakes it. He then announces he is still head of the Wrecking Crew and brings along his fellow prisoner: Ulik. Wrecker teleports them all to New York City, a trick taught him by Ulik. He can also teleport them to the vicinity of their first target: Hercules. They are soon laying an ambush for Herc on a city street, jumping out and beating him down. When Herc sees who it is he nearly panics. Wrecker lights up the sky….

Lawyer Samantha Joyce stops by Eric’s apartment with some bad news about the custody battle. From his apartment window, Eric spots the Asgardian energy Wrecker is giving off and, making excuses to Sam, he dashes out and changes to Thor. Arriving at the scene of battle, Thor decides on a difficult course: he allows the Wrecking Crew (Ulik has already deserted them) to beat him up. At this, Hercules flies into a rage, bashes Piledriver and Bulldozer together by their heads and crushes Thunderball’s iron ball in his hands before beating Wrecker to a pulp. Thunderball talks Wrecker into doing the smart thing and teleporting them away from there. Hercules announces he has regained his confidence and is ready for any adventure—even in the Black Galaxy….

And the Thor Replicoid is still heading for Earth….

“Where Lies My Loyalty?”
Writer: Tom DeFalco. Pencils: Gary Hartle. Inks: Mike DeCarlo. Colors: Nel Yomtov. Letters: Michael Heiser.
Synopsis: The Grand Vizier has discovered a mystical barrier blocking Asgard from the mortal plane. Lady Sif has agreed to marry Leir, Celtic God of Lightning, if he will accompany her to Midgard to tell Thor of this barricade. Grand Vizier goes to inform Odin of this new development but the All-Father has turned evil and strikes down his Vizier. Odin then commands Heimdall to stop Sif and her party from going to Earth via the gateway created by Dagda (last issue). Leir and Caber put up a good fight but it’s only Sif telling her brother he must kill her to stop them that halts the mighty warrior. Sif and company head through the portal and Heimdall tells Odin he has failed. Odin forgives him and we see that he has imprisoned the Grand Vizier in a transparent cube….

Review / Commentaries

Thor #418 Review by Peter Silvestro (August 17, 2021)

Review: The Wrecking Crew returns—to get wrecked. These four construction-themed supervillains are always good in a battle of strength against a powerful hero or heroes just for the sheer spectacle of brute power versus brute power. In fact, there almost as much fun seeing beaten up as Mister Hyde (my personal favorite punching bag for heroes). It would be a lot nicer and more instructive to the villain if there were to be outwitted by a smarter breed of hero but for now bashing is what makes for fun. Anyway, we’ve gotten Herc’s private funk out of the way, restoring him to his usual boisterous, battling personality in time for a new sci-fi story arc, the Black Galaxy Saga. Tune in next time!

Comments: First story: Ron Frenz and Tom DeFalco collaborated on the plot. Herc’s nightmare is based on the beating he received from those villains in AVENGERS #273-276. Ulik was captured at the end of issue #414. Wrecker was apparently captured after IRON MAN #251. Second story: Part two of nine parts.

> Thor comic book info and issue index

::: click cover to ENLARGE it :::

Excelsioring your collection:

Kotobukiya Marvel Universe: Thor The Bronze Age ARTFX Statue, Multicolor

Holy smokes, Batman!
(The Boy Wonder)

Tom DeFalco

Ron Frenz

Joe Sinnott

George Roussos

Ron Frenz (Cover Penciler)
Joe Sinnott (Cover Inker)
Unknown (Cover Colorist)

Additional Credits

Letterer: Mike Heisler.

Listed in alphabetical order. All stories.

Hercules
(Heracles)

Thor
(Odinson)

Wrecker
(Dirk Garthwaite)

Plus: Kevin Masterson, Leir (Lord of Lightning), Samantha Joyce, Wrecking Crew.

The Marvel Heroes Library is a fan Marvel Comics site

Version 14.8.23 (Nov 19, 2024. VS22)

Characters are copyright © Marvel or their respective owners. All portions of this Marvel fansite that are subject to copyright are licensed under a creative commons attribution 3.0 unported license All rights reserved

Top Menu

Thor #418

Fear Kills

Synopsis

Review / Commentaries

Additional Credits