From the Mouths of the Marvels:

"Even now, my brain forms a scheme - - so cunning, so clever, that only Loki could have conceived it!"

- - Loki, page 3

Behold...The Destroyer!!!

Thor and Tales of Asgard
from Journey Into Mystery #118
July 1965 • 21 pages

Publication Date: May 4, 1965

Letters Page: No letters page was published in this issue

I: Feature Story: "To Kill A Thunder God!"

Pages: 16

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Vince Colletta
Letters: Artie Simek

First Appearance: The Hunter/The Destroyer

Villain: Loki, The Hunter/The Destroyer

Guest Appearance: Kim

Cameo: Odin

Marvel Milestones: Dungeon of No Escape, Sleep of Life, Temple of Darkness

Synopsis: Thor hands Kim over to American forces while he returns to his mission: bringing back the Norn Stones to Asgard as proof of Loki's treachery. Loki is watching from Asgard, however, and knows it will mean his doom if Thor proves he won the Trial of the Gods by mischief. He finds a hunter down in the jungle near Thor - a hunter who has evil in his heart by nature - and influences him to attack Thor. The hunter fires a tranquilizer dart at Thor, bringing him down to sleep. He ties Thor down, then turns his attention to a collection of treasures he stumbled upon while hunting. His servants warn him that the treasures are cursed, but he wanders out in to the jungle to find more.

Eventually, the hunter arrives at an incredibly massive temple, concealed beneath the rubble of heavy rocks. He wanders inside the temple, all at Loki's unknown urgings, and comes across a stoic and unmoving figure- the Destroyer, the creature created by Odin to defend Earth at a time of unparalleled crisis! Loki's trap is set- he blends the hunter's evil spirit with the Destroyer's body, animating him into action!

Thor awakens and frees himself from his bonds, and finds his way to the Temple of Darkness. Thor immediately clues in to the ominous portents of the scene, knowing this was the place where Odin housed the Destroyer! He finds the hunter, standing stock still in suspended animation. Suddenly, the Destroyer is upon him! Thor realizes this is the most terrible foe he has ever faced- or will ever face! He hurls his hammer at the Destroyer, but the menace catches it and throws it back at him!

Loki realizes now the gravity of what he has done. He realizes he must save Thor from the Destroyer, or else Thor's death will be traced back to him. He rushes to tell Odin that the Destroyer is loose, but Odin has entered the Odinsleep, and cannot be disturbed. Loki insists, but Odin's guards throw him into the Dungeon of No-Escape, where Loki must sit and stew.

At the Temple of Darkness, Thor does his best against the mighty Destroyer. He regains his hammer, but deadly force beams blast at him, and cut his hammer in two!!! He must fight without his hammer, but Thor is more emboldened than ever to face whatever fate awaits him. Loki tries to escape from his prison cell, but is overcome by the guards.

On Earth, Thor is stuck into the ground, which is fused around him by the Destroyer's power blasts. He sets his sights on Thor, sending power blasts directly towards him in his final bid to kill the Thunder God.

--synopsis by Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Thor and Tales of Asgard from
Journey Into Mystery #111-120 and Annual #1

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.

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