Ive read Omega Flight, like mid 2000's I think. There's a Strombreaker mini as well, but I haven't read that yet. Omega Flight is good. Story by Oeming and art by Scott Kolins. It took place during The Initiative, which I never read, but had no problem enjoying the story. It's a bit cosmic but also takes place mostly on Earth if I remember right. It had some Alpha Flight characters, Bill, US Agent, I think and Spiderwoman from Force Works. Nice mix of characters.

Edit: String is correct about Thor Corp in the 90's. The "Corp" was Thor, Bill, Thunderstrike and a Thor from the future. He's the one that comes through time to form the Corp to help him in the future. I remember the art being pretty poor but it's still okay. I wouldn't spend more than a buck an issue if you see it. But it's not Bill's best appearance.

Thor 342

“The Last Viking”

0.60 USD/0.75 CAN @ April 1984

Writer: Walter Simonson
Penciler: Walter Simonson
Inker: Terry Austin
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Letterer: John Workman Jr.
Editors: Mark Gruenwald
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter

Synopsis: In Valhalla, Odin and the Asgardians, Valkyries, and other mortal heroes, await the arrival of the Last Hero, whom they have waited for, for eons. We then join the drama unfolding in the construction site that was decimated by Fafnir in the previous issue. Sigurd Jarlson (Thor) escorted a bedridden disguised Lorelei who was being boarded in an ambulance to be taken to the hospital. She promised to properly repay Thor for saving her if he'll let her, and he agreed. And the ambulance rode off. Thor didn't get her name, and still could not see through Lorelei's magical disguise. But Thor couldn't be bothered with anything right now, as he once again hears a somewhat ancient language calling of his name from far far away. Sigurd (Thor) excused himself from his boss, Jerry, who told Sigurd (Thor) to return Monday. Thor finds an alleyway and took Mjolnir out of his bag and changed to the Mighty Thor. Off he flew... to Antarctica.

In Surtur's land, Surtur was wielding his giant sword, and he sensed the two Ravens sent by Odin in the previous issue to investigate the source of the demons that were attacking Beta Ray Bill's people in previous issues. The two Ravens found out Surtur was the source, but they never got to report to Odin what they have learned as Surtur annihilated them.

In Antarctica, Thor found a hidden valley within the vast landscapes of snow. This one was just cool, but had greenery and more livable than outside the hidden valley. He was very surprised to find huts as he got closer to the valley. There is fresh food on the pot, albeit cool. The deserted village does not appear to be abandoned, but there are no people living in the area. Going through a rocky wall at the far side, it revealed a viking graveyard on the other side. As he continued to walk, he went by the side of a mountain with a cave entrance with a door and walked in. Upon entering, the door closed shut. And inside, Thor was greeted with a booking ancient voice as he entered the labyrinth.

Beyond the walls of Asgard, Balder the Brave sits in front of a fire inside a cave. A hooded person entered his cave, and revealed herself to be the evil Norn Queen, Karnilla. Balder refused her advance, even though Karnilla was very much in love with him. Balder revealed to her that he has been to Hel and has seen the deaths that he has dealt in the past, and is bothered by them, even now. Karnilla asks him to let it go, he cannot carry the responsibility of every death. But if he should get tired of this isolated sanctuary, she offered herself and her kingdom. She thought he might need provisions, and her men left him an abundant of supplies outside the cave... she'll be waiting for him, and left, as Balder sits quietly in front of his flame.

Back inside the the labyrinth in Antarctica, Thor kept going deeper and deeper into it. Until finally he met with an ancient viking warrior who greeted Thor by throwing a spear at him. Thor avoided the spear and attacked his foe, slamming the hammer on his foe's helmet thus dislodging it. Thor was surprise to see the viking warrior's face.

Beneath NYC, Fafnir is nursing is hatred of Thor and knowing Thor cannot hurt him. He kept hammering his hands until he emerged in the South Bronx bellowing that the public bring him Thor while the civilians run in terror.

At a penthouse overlooking Central Park, Lorelei is in the kitchen mixing a brew. It is a special mead for Thor, which will make him think of no one else ever again with the exception of Lorelei.

In Antarctica, underneath the viking helmet is a very very old man, who praised Thor for coming, and to finish him off. Naye the Thunder God told him, and lifted the old man and with Mjolnir he dug through the sediment rocks upwards until they reached the surface. As Thor removed the old man's armor, it showed how feeble the old man's body was, as the bulk was mostly from the armor. He told Thor about the origin of the village, from survivors of a shipwrecked viking ship that ended up in Antarctica, who were themselves survivors of the battle of 1066 Norse invasion of England. They found the valley and settled there and built the labyrinth to hone their warrior skills since they have no enemies in Antarctica. He can now die as he has met the Thunder God. But Thor said, naye, even though his heed has been answered by the gods of the icy north, his life belongs to Thor.

Comments: Thor is a New York Mets fan. Page 3 panel 3, Sigurd Jarlson, Thor's alter ego told the construction man that perhaps Thor is really a Mets fan and returned to NYC. Having Thor say that, Walter Simonson has just went from top ten and jumped into my top three favorite comic book writer of all time.

You have a main story where only several pages were devoted to it, as more than half the pages were devoted to other subplots. The ominous presence of Surtur, and killing Odin's ravens brings forth some future impending doom. And Balder's conscience is still bothering him, but there is an evil queen that is deeply in love with him, how will that pan out? And what of Lorelei's magical mead for Thor, will she finally get him. And finally, we are looking for that sloberknocker rematch between Thor and Fafnir.

Beta Ray Bill is very similar to ROM: An ordinary but noble man who sacrifices his humanity (er, his usual species-identification), becoming a super-knight to save his people from catastrophe and defend them against evil aliens. Even if he wins, he can never go back to what he was. Captain America is the Golden Age prototype, but he became much better than he originally was. Bill fits more with the ethos of Marvel's tragic heroes of the Silver and Bronze Age. Silver Surfer is a point of comparison as well.

Thor 344

“Whatever Happened to Balder the Brave?”

0.60 USD/0.75 CAN @ June 1984

Writer: Walter Simonson
Penciler: Walter Simonson
Inker: Walter Simonson
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Letterer: John Workman Jr.
Editors: Mark Gruenwald
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter

Synopsis: Outside Norn Queen Karnilla's hom, Nornkeep, Odin's wolf, Geri approached and entered the castle. He went straight to the throneroom and to Balder the Brave to give him a message. A summons from Odin.

In Asgard's throne room, a brooding Odin was approached by his wife, Frigga, who wanted him to share his troubles with her. He told her that he summoned Balder home for only Balder alone can accomplish what must be done, but may not be forgiven by Balder for what he is about to do. He told her that he met Heimdall, the guardian of the Raibow Bridge, who found and nursed an injured Muninn, one of Odin's ravens. The other, Huginn has not returned from their mission to penetrate the burning galaxy to obtain their secret. Odin spokewith Muninn for a long time and learned what he needed to know. The danger is greater than he feared and he's sending Balder into the lion's den to avert all the danger and save what the Asgardians have done.

Later on, Balder has returned and in Odin's presence received his orders. He is to take a message from Odin to Loki, the God of Mischief responsible for his death and who hates him almost as much as he hates Thor. But Odin explained even Loki knows the word of Balder. Balder agreed and that he also has no stomach for killing anymore, and will not take a life, even for Asgard. And he's on his way.

In Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Lorelei in her civilian disguise is massaging Thor, in his civilian disguise. She was about to offer him the mead that she magically enchanted, when he started snoring as he fell asleep. Annoyed, she let him sleep and vowed to get him next time.

Meanwhile, beyond the fields of Asgard, Balder the Brave thundered across with his steed. He encountered many dangers, from fallen rocks, to vines that tried to grab him in a forest, to trolls who ambushed him and took him to their master.

And beyond Asgard, a great figure in the lakes of brimstone on every side is tempering his gigantic sword.

Inside Loki's castle, a bounded Balder the Brave is brought by trolls to his presence along with his guest, Malekith the Dark Elf. It is Malekith's trolls that capture Balder, and it was foretold it was Malekith that will destroy the Asgardians. It appeared Loki and Malekith have reached an agreement, that when the powers that be is destroyed there will be plenty left over to be seized, and as a token of good faith, he presents the head of Balder the Brave. As the trolls try to chop off Balder's head, he avoided it and untangled himself he tried to escape and wouldn't even take a life of a single troll. Until he is surrounded at the tip of their weapons. They poised to attack and Balder screamed at Loki telling him not to force him to do it.

At the construction site near the Hudson River, Sigurd, a disguised Thor, is working, but his feat of strength and movement showcased that he is no ordinary human. His boss thinks he's a metahuman, and guessed that he was Spider-Man.

Back at Loki's castle, Balder the Brave drew his sword, and swung and slashed for a long time. Killing a horde of trolls, he made his way to Malekith and Balder, but Malekith vanished as he slashed his sword towards the Dark Elf. Balder finally approached Loki and presented him Odin's letter. Loki tossed the letter aside without opening it. Loki already accepted Malekith's offer. Furthermore he gloated to see a pacifist slay thousands. Enraged, Balder threatened to behead Loki, which Loki told him that Balder didn't have the mettle to do the deed. And Balder swung the sword and beheaded Loki.

In the Fortress of Karnilla, the Norn Queen told her servant that she doesn't trust Odin's orders to Balder. An alarm sounded and she saw from afar Balder emerging from Loki's castle. He has the look of the damned in his face. He rode his steed seeking death in Karnilla's wasteland.

Back at Loki's castle, his body picked up his fallen head and attached it back to his neck. A sorcerer learns to make himself difficult to kill and having this humorous thing of his head being chopped off by Balder is worth the price of a stiff neck for a day or two. And still he gloated and laughed at Balder.

Comments: This is a Mighty Thor issue without the appearance of the Mighty Thor. There was a cameo appearance by Sigurd, which is the civilian disguise of the Mighty Thor. But even without Thor's appearance, it didn't diminish the strength of the story and definitely did not diminish the entertainment value on this issue.

This issue is a Balder the Brave issue. We see the honorable Balder the Brave accept the order from his leader after being summoned. Even if he didn't agree with the job, and it being perilous, nonetheless, he accepted the job. It shows you the mettle of Balder the Brave. It showcased Balder the Warrior, and a dangerous warrior at that, by taking down thousands of trolls out to kill him at Loki's castle. The descent into madness by Balder makes him a dangerous individual, willing to kill even his leader's adopted son. And then his death wish at the end, looking for death by going through the dangerous wasteland of the Norn Queen's realm.

We are introduced to a new character, Malekith the Dark Elf. It is interesting what dangerous mischief he and Loki will be doing together in future issues of this title.

Lorelei's and Thor's civilian guise and encounters have been comedic during the Walter Simonson run, and this issue's brief encounter proves to be another brief comedic scene. It's something to look forward to as well just to see how they're sub plot pans out.

Although I did buy Walter's first issue and did like it, I didn't pick up another till #344 and then I was hooked. I may have peeked at the last page in the store before I bought it, because I think that's what made me want to buy it and see the story that led up to it.

Thor 345

“That was no Lady!”

0.60 USD/0.75 CAN @ July 1984

Writer: Walter Simonson
Penciler: Walter Simonson
Inker: Walter Simonson
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Letterer: John Workman Jr.
Editors: Mark Gruenwald
Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter

Synopsis: In Dr. Willis's office, Ms. Ordway the secretary was summoned, and was attacked and tied up to a chair by him. Then he told her about joining him in an experiment on the nature of mortals, so he took out a hamburger and french fries, which he dropped a piece. Then he forced her to open her mouth and eat the burger. She screamed which was heard by patrolmen outside who broke in to Dr. Willis's office with guns drawn. Only, there's no sign of a screaming woman other than the doctor by the chair and what appeared to be ropes and women's clothing and some sort of dust. The cops asked the janitor who told them it's Ms. Ordway's clothing who came in that morning but was not seen since. The two cops read the doctor his rights and took him down to police headquarters.

Later that day, Sigurd and Melodi take a horse ride around Central Park. All the time Lorelei plots in her mind that she'll have Thor drink the magical meade given to him by her disguised self as Melodi, thus gaining total control over him.

At the precinct jail, policewoman Grier offered the jailed Dr. Willis if he wanted something to eat, but instead asked if he can make a phone call to his lawyer.

She made a phone call and received instructions. She suddenly had cookies which she distributed to her fellow police officers, and in the cell, she offered some to Dr. Willis and also telling him that she is an obedient servant of his deadliest enemies. No one can help him as all the cops have tasted the special cookies and are now soulless and obedient as she is.

At the law office of Strother and Martin, his secretary informed Atty. Strother that his client, Dr. Willis was held in the precinct for murder. And according to instructions, Atty Strother opened the Q-File and arranged to deliver it in Long Island to Dr. Willis's father.

In the vast wasteland in Asgard, Balder has released his steed, Silverhoof to go home while he walked the wasteland in search of death. Unknown to him, he is being watched by someone who will bring his sword to kill Balder when the opportunity arises.

In Melodi's apartment overlooking Central Park, Melodi is trying to seduce Sigurd. And apparently, a disguised Lorelei's charms are working on a disguised Thor.

Meanwhile in Long Island, Roger received a sealed note from his father that was couriered by the Strother and Martin law firm. It contained a message from his father stating he received the message therefore he is already dead, and detailing why they had a strained relationship as father and son, and that he is entrusting his son Roger, the safety and trust the human race has ever known, and that he will do the right thing and guard it with his life like his father did. Roger went to find his pistol, then headed to the Long Island Railroad.

Back in the prison cell, Dr. Willis was talking to police officer Grier, luring her close to the jail cell, and when she was within arm's distance, placed the one french fry in his pocket earlier to her mouth. And she disintegrated immediately leaving her police uniform and keys on the ground, which Dr. Willis grabbed.

Soon, on a bus-ride on the way to Long Island, Dr. Willis is trying to get to Roger, before the pursuit starts (The Hunt), otherwise both he and his son is dead. Who could he turn to to become the Guardian of The Caskets? He disembarked on the bus stop, and not realized a car was driving and getting near him as we walked the sidewalk in deep thought.

Back at Melodi's apartment, she told Sigurd to help himself to the "enchanted" drink he prepared for him which was next to the telephone, while she changed into something more comfortable. Sigurd called Avengers Mansion and spoke to Jarvis if he, Thor, received any messages. Jarvis told him one message from Atty. Strother regarding a Casket of Ancient Winters, and alarmed, Thor demanded the lawyer's address. He rushed out of Melodi's apartment brushing past her saying that he had to take care of something important. Outside, he took Mjolnir out of the bag and stuck it against the wall and transformed to The Mighty Thor and flew out to find the Ancient Evil that was released from his father's enchantment. Who could have done it?

Back in Long Island, Dr. Willis was now running away from the car chasing him, when another one was heading his way as well. Trying to prevent The Hunt from being started, they stopped and pursued him on foot when he entered an alleyway, and that was his chance. The men separated, and Dr. Willis was able to sneak up and knock the guy out, but there's too many of them, and he ran away from them. Then a woman driving a car passed by him telling him to get on board as the men pursuing him are catching up. He barely got on board and they sped away as the men barely almost got a hold of the car. Dr. Willis thanks the woman, who replied that her name is Angel and saving people in distress is her specialty.

Overhead in Manhattan, Thor arrived at Atty. Strother's address and entered through an open window. He told him re received the message about the "Casket of Ancient Winters." And that is the name which is about the Dark Elf, Malekith The Accursed.

Back in the car ride in Long Island, Dr. Willis felt relaxed after the narrow escape. He told Angel he somehow felt at peace like he's known her all his life. Perhaps, she added that they have met in dreams and have been waiting to meet each other for a long time. Confused, he looked at her as if something's familiar about her. Perhaps it's the car music waving in his mind, but he told her he's never seen a more beautiful woman. She stopped the care in the middle of the road and turned to him telling him that he wanted to kiss her. Under some sort of trance he told her yes and that he loved her. Before giving the kiss, the woman asked him where he has hidden the "Casket of Ancient Winters" and he told her the secret and she knowing the information she was about to kiss him.

Elsewhere in the beyond, Surtur was filled with ecstasy as he raised the Sheathless Sword claiming it was finished and the anvil's work is done. Then he slammed the sword downward, thus shattering the anvil.

Back in Long Island, the woman, Angel, got out of the car and as she told Dr. Willis that she will now find her son and destroy the last traces of his knowledge, and Manhattan will yield his ancient treasure and get possession of the Casket once again and call the Wild Hunt, she transformed into Malekith the Accursed, and flew away saying that beware who stood in his way. Back in the car, you see the deceased corpse of Dr. Willis with only a deformed dressed skull and bones sitting in the car.

Comments: There's an important lesson shared in this issue. If you ever come across a MacBurger and fries, try not to eat it, or even get in contact with it... you will disintegrate into dust. Is that a social commentary on the contents of McDonalds burgers and fries? There are tests and results where the McDonalds burgers do not spoil even if you leave it in your jacket pocket for a month, or even several months. The chemical contents are what's preventing it from spoiling. Also, there are news items where people that suddenly died or had a heart attack showed autopsies and revelations where the person was known to eat McDonalds foods for an entrire month straight, and doctors highly recommend this not be done, as eating McDonalds meals and doing so for a month can actually kill a person.

I like the pacing of the different scenes and the order the scenes were put together in this issue. It adds additional suspense as the story progressed, and it kept building and increasing the danger. Ultimately, we have Malekith about to be in possession of an item that once belonged to him that is a danger to Midgard. The danger must be great as Thor forsake meade and have a great time with a woman for the sake of finding and stopping Malekith The Accursed.

That is the current storyline, but the foreshadowing of the story to come and what ominous things Surtur and his newly created sword will bring in the coming future issues felt like that particular forthcoming danger is more dangerous than anything Malekith has to bring forward.