A Scale Not Always Seen

Thor #343 (Marvel, May 1984, 60 cents)
"If I Should Die Before I Wake..." Art and story: Walter Simonson, Lettering: John Workman, Jr., Colors: Christie Scheele, Editing: Mark Gruenwald, Editor in Chief: Jim Shooter.

The dragon Fafnir rampages in the South Bronx calling for Thor while the sorceress Lorelei watches on TV, but Thor is far away, in Antarctica with Eilif the Lost, "last survivor of a Viking community that has been hidden here for centuries." Thor calls on Cloudrider, Valkyrie's proud steed, and his own chariot, drawn by Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder, so they can ride into battle. Eilif, questioning his age and strength, wounds the dragon.



Simonson's artwork is grand, representative of his run on the title. There are several highlights: The slightly Kirby-esque splash of Fafnir on page 1, page 5's summoning of the steeds, the dragon's stance on p. 11, the sequence of panels showing Eilif's rising on p. 18, and the ascent to Valhalla on p. 23. There are a couple of narrative touches that will come into play in future issues: Lorelei's interest in Thor, Karnilla's tending to the Loki-ruined Balder, and the forging of the sword called Twilight.

Read Also: Thor #342.