Thor (1966 series) #404

The disobedient Thor has been brought before Odin who rebukes him for failing to protect Asgard during the recent invasion of Seth (issues #395-400) and he refuses to listen to Thor’s desires to protect Midgard. Odin has another spell of illness but hides it from Thor as he wants Thor to assume his responsibilities out of a sense of duty, not guilt….

Elsewhere in Asgard, two guards discover a citizen dead, his body drained of its life force—and then they are attacked by a winged assailant….

On Earth, the police take the powerless Brute Benhurst away but Jerry Sapristi can’t answer any of their questions. And Kevin Masterson tells his dad Eric he is worried about Thor….

At a party in Asgard, Thor broods while the others, including Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun) make merry—or as merry as Hogun can ever make. A goddess asks Thor why he is so gloomy, he responds with his concern for the people of Midgard, a concern she can’t fathom so she walks off. Thor notices Balder is also brooding and his friend starts to tell him of the guilt he feels over his failure to save Asgard, when a scream interrupts the party. The winged assailant has carried off the goddess whom Thor was talking to and killed her companions. Footprints point to a narrow passage in the walls so Thor and Balder pursue while Volstagg is forced to take the long way around. The heroes walk through a grisly greenish tunnel beneath the city and come upon the missing Asgardians, trapped in cocoons and hanging from the ceiling. They are then confronted by the villain: Annihilus who attacks them with energy bolts from his Cosmic Control Rod; Thor’s hammer counteracts the force and causes the monster to be laid low by feedback. Then all Asgard shakes as it enters the Negative Zone and Thor is buried alive under a collapsing tunnel. Annihilus tells Balder his plan is to destroy all intelligent life after absorbing the life force of Odin himself….

“Ulagg the Grand Enchanter”
Writer: Tom DeFalco. Pencils: Tony DeZuniga. Inks: Tony DeZuniga. Colors: Mike Rockwitz. Letters: Mike Heisler.
Synopsis: Thor and his companions the Warriors Three are interrupted in the midst of a tavern brawl by Balder, summoning them to Odin’s throne. Odin commands Thor and his pals to go to the land of Always Night and bring back Ulagg the Grand Enchanter to perform a sacred service. The heroes travel to that land and the ground itself rises against them until Thor quells it with a blow from his mighty hammer. A shaft of light comes down from the dark sky and a voice tells them to leave. Thor repeats Odin’s summons but Ulagg refuses and sentences Thor and his companions to death….