“King Thor”
Writer: Jason Aaron. Art: Timothy Truman. Colors: Frank Martin.
Synopsis: King Thor is depressed over the death of the last of the Elves. Abandoning his courtiers he heads down to the rejuvenated Midgard to tend his garden. His granddaughters the Girls of Thunder plan a surprise for his birthday. Searching the worlds for the right ingredients they cast a magic spell and present Thor with something amazing: they have filled Earth with animals, inexact copies of the ones that once inhabited the lands and seas. Thor is choked up and adds the one thing that would make his world complete: two new humans, Jane and Steve.
“Thor”
Writer: Noelle Stevenson. Art: Marguerite Sauvage.
Synopsis: New female Thor is hanging out at a tavern in Asgardia, the Warriors Three wary of this newcomer who has usurped their friend’s place as God of Thunder. A fight breaks out and the trio joins in with her and they are ejected from the place. They want her to prove she is worthy of Mjolnir by recreating some of Thor Odinson’s great deeds. First, she must steal a golden goblet from the hoard of a mighty multi-headed dragon. She enters, the monster awakens, she sends her hammer into a wild spin that conks all of the dragon’s heads and walks out with the prize. Second, she must cut a lock of golden hair from the head of the sleeping Elf Queen Aelsa. [Thor Odinson failed at this.] She approaches, awakens the Queen, befriends her, and asks nicely for the lock which s granted her. After a few other tests which the new Thor accomplishes while taking in stride, they all celebrate together. The guys accept her as the new Thor and she thanks them for the enjoyable adventure.
“Young Thor”
Writer: CM Punk. Art: Rob Guillory.
Synopsis: Centuries ago, young Thor was engaged in a drinking contest with the Warriors Three and an annoyed Loki. As they celebrate Thor’s triumph over all comers, Loki steps out and encounters Mephisto, who thinks he can defeat Thor while he is young and intoxicated and thus bring him and Mjolnir under his control. Loki makes a suggestion as to how they can help each other…. Soon the devil walks into the tavern and challenges Thor to a drinking contest. They are served one hideous concoction after the other which Mephisto has increasing trouble keeping down. For the final round, a drunken Mephisto produces a jar of his own liquid; Loki pores out two drinks and enchants the mess when no one is looking. The contestants imbibe and Mephisto, sick to his stomach, vanishes; Thor, who only pretended to drink and spits the goop in Loki’s face. Thor, believing a drinking contest should prove him worthy to lift Mjolnir, tries once again to raise the magic hammer and once again fails. As for Mephisto? He is the one to face the Avengers on their first adventure in Loki’s place….