Thor (Eric Masterson) and Balder teleport into the
Underworld where they are met by the savage Sif, who has given herself to
Mephisto in hopes of claiming the Soul Shroud and freeing her beloved Thor
Odinson. She appeals to the men to flee lest she hurt them as she is pledged
to. She whomps on Balder, leaving Thor to face a band of demons which he,
despite his lack of Thor’s strength, can still call down lightning to disperse….
In the palace in Asgard, the evil Odin and Karnilla the Norn
Queen are plotting, the former frustrated that Eric Thor isn’t dead yet and the
latter desirous of rescuing her beloved Balder. Their scheming is overheard by the
soldier Arko who hurries off with duty to Asgard on his mind….
Thor is now faced by a blind demon but he is able to use strategy
and his magic hammer to defeat it. The battle between Sif and Balder is growing
dire as Thor confronts Mephisto, demanding the Soul Shroud….
In New York, Dr. Gary Paretsky escorts Susan Austin out where
she is greeted by her friends with a surprise party. All of her pals are there:
Ed Marrero, Jackie Lukus, Marcy Masterson, Kevin M, Bobby Steele,
Samantha Joyce, and Jerry Sapristi. Everyone but Eric Masterson. The mystery one who is
the host of Bloodaxe [spoiler: Jackie Lukus] vows revenge against those who
harmed Susan….
Thor is being overwhelmed by a horde of small demons and he
manages to repel them with Mjolnir. Balder turns to warn him and Sif thumps him
in the back of his head and is overcome with shame for the cowardly blow. Angered,
she throws herself upon Thor and begins beating him with a staff. Then a remote
spell by Karnilla saps Thor of his ability to control the storms. Then in
Asgard, Arko returns with the Warriors Three who confront the villainous Odin
[continued in this issue’s second story]….
In the Underworld, Thor does the only thing he can: he
changes back to Eric Masterson, knowing that not even Mephisto could force Sif
to kill a helpless mortal. But she is fighting for Thor and so pummels him
until he asks her would she even commit murder for Thor? She drops her staff and
falls to her knees, asking Eric’s forgiveness. He embraces her and promises to
help her find Thor and they kiss—which enrages Mephisto. He then gives them what
they want and hands over the Soul Shroud. They open it and a living essence is
freed but it is not Thor—but then Mephisto never said it was….
“Betrayed!”
Writer: Tom DeFalco. Pencils: Geof Isherwood. Inks: Danny
Bulanadi. Colors: Rob Tokar. Letters: Rick Parker.
Synopsis: The Warriors Three and Arko confront the traitorous
Odin and he dispels them with a blast of magic. They fight but Odin and Karnilla’s
magic warriors defeat them….
Amora the Enchantress visits the slums of lower Asgard and
finds Tongar the thief and asks where she can find a healer for the wounded
Heimdall and informs the thief that the Odin who sits on the throne is an impostor….