Synopsis
Thor, wearing a mask to hide his disfigurement (see last issue) and the Einherjar arrive at the great ship Naglfar, made of the fingernails of the dead. As they attempt to leave, Hela appears before them and produces Skurge and Amora, the warrior who abandoned them. When the always-truthful Balder warns him of an illusion, Skurge strikes Amora and she stands revealed as the sorceress Mordonna. Hela insists that Skurge is a traitor and must accompany her to conquer Asgard; he denies it and destroys Naglfar with his axe. A battle ensues and the heroes make their escape. The creatures of Hel rise against them and Harokin and his men unleash the Earth weapons they have brought: assault rifles. Thor, riding his goat-drawn chariot, crashes through the enemy ranks, leading them to Gjallerbru, the covered bridge that marks the boundary of Hel. Thor plans to sacrifice himself to stop the enemy pursuit but Skurge knocks him out and orders the others to ride off with him. The Executioner stands in the breach and fires the Earth guns until he is finally overwhelmed and killed by the forces of Hel—but the heroes have gotten away. They race through the Cave of Darkness and Thor clobbers Garm the Hel-Hound with a blow from Mjolnir. Harokin and Einherjar head to Asgard, a melancholy Balder returns to Karnilla, while Thor delivers the rescued souls back to Midgard.
CharactersGood (or All)Plus: Harokin.