The Mighty Thor
# 371-380

September 1986
The Mighty Thor # 371: "Peace on Earth ..."
Writer: Walt Simonson
Penciller: Sal Buscema 
Inker: Albret Blevinson
Jay's Rating:
JJ
Synopsis:
Balder's coronation is complete and he takes his rightful place on the throne of Asgard. Thor returns to Earth and has an encounter with a police officer from the future, called Justice Peace (enter Judge Dredd wannabe). Meanwhile, one of Thor's old foes Thug Thatcher releases the villain known as Zaniac from prison. Zaniac is killed accidentally, but he's just a host for parasites. One of these parasites enters Thug Thatcher and is out to kill Jane Foster, based on Thatcher's desire for revenge against Thor's former girl friend.

October 1986
The Mighty Thor # 372: "Without Justice, There is no Peace!"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Penciller: Sal Buscema 
Inker: Albret Blevinson
Jay's Rating:
JJ
Synopsis:
Thor and Justice Peace battle again, but this time they realize their after the same thing: Zaniac. They track down Thatcher/Zaniac, but they're too late. Thor powers Justice Peace's time hopsikle and stop Zaniac from possessing Thatcher. The encounter is too much for Thatcher who suffers a fatal heart attack.

November 1986
The Mighty Thor # 373: "The Gift of Death"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema 
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Thor returns to Earth and spends some time with his former foreman, Jerry Sapristi, and his family. The visit does Thor some good as his father's lost weights heavily on him. Thor then comes to the Angel's rescue deep within the Morlock tunnels.

Jay's Notes:

  • Mutant Massacre crossover.

December 1986
The Mighty Thor # 374: "Fires of the Night!"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Thor fends off the Marauders, who are the assassins responsible for the Mutant Massacre, and gets the Angel back to X-Factor. Thor also learns that his bones have been cursed by Hela, who's still upset over his invasion of Hel (see Thor #261-262). Thor summons down a massive barrage of lighting to give the Morlocks a Viking funeral and to cleanse the tunnels. 

Jay's Notes:

  • Mutant Massacre crossover.

January 1987
The Mighty Thor # 375: "Shadows of the Past" 
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
Tony Stark provides Thor with an armored cast for his broken arm. Loki learns of Thor's condition and creates replicates of Thor's past foes using people. By the time Thor catches on and decides to battle defensively, Loki pits him against the real Absorbing Man.

February 1987
The Mighty Thor # 376: "Heroes Always Win ... Don't They?"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Jay's Rating:
JJJ
Synopsis:
Loki manipulates the Absorbing Man in his battle against Thor. Thor is seriously injured during the battle, but before he passes out, he manages to exile the Absorbing Man to another dimension. Meanwhile, Loki forges an alliance with the Storm Giants as his puts his next plan to seize power in Asgard into motion.

March 1987
The Mighty Thor # 377: "This Hollowed Armor!" 
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Thor forges an armor of Asgardian steel to help him cope with his cursed condition. Unfortunately, the process threatens to destroy the realm of the dark elves and they send the monster Grendell to stop Thor. The battle goes poorly for Thor and Loki has to rescue him. Loki then kidnaps Ice Man and uses him to restore the Storm Giants to their proper size (see Balder the Brave limited series as to why they were in that state). The ungrateful giants decide to turn against Loki.

April 1987
The Mighty Thor # 378: "When Loki Stood Alone!" 
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Loki battles against the Storm Giants who have breached Loki's hall. Thor rescues Loki and frees Ice Man from Loki's machine. Thor retrieves his armor from Earth and dons it to face the giants. The giants are forced into retreat.

May 1987
The Mighty Thor # 379: "There were Giants in Those Days (or, a Discussion Between Heroes and Villains)"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Sal Buscema
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
While Thor returns Ice Man to Earth, the Frost Giants also make their way to Earth to awaken the Midgard Serpent Jormungand to let it known of Thor's debilitated state. Unfortunately, they awaken the dragon Fin Fang Foom who decides to check out Thor. Foom meets up with Thor, but doesn't recognize him in his new armor, but they do decided to battle. Foom reveals himself as Jormungand and Thor announces himself to the serpent.

June 1987
The Mighty Thor # 380: "Mjolnir's Song"
Writer: Walt Simonson
Artist: Walt Simonson
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Destiny begins to fulfill itself as Thor and Jormungand meet in their final battle. Their battle is monumental as both Thor and Jormungand unleash the full extent of their powers. In the end, Jormungand is mortally wounded and Thor's armor lies apparently empty.

Jay's Notes:

  • This story is told solely with one-panel pages.
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