NEW WARRIORS & THOR versus JUGGERNAUT

The New Warriors (Marvel)
Where: Thor #412 When: Mid-December 1989
Why: Tom DeFalco How: Ron Frenz & Joe Sinnott

The Story So Far...
As Loki convinces the ranks of the world's deadliest super-villains to exchange resources & opponents in a series of coordinated "Acts of Vengeance" -- he saved the most unstoppable surprise challenger for his half-brother Thor!

When Juggernaut is plucked from maximum security confinement in England's Crossmoor Prison and teleported back to New York City -- he's more than happy to lay waste to an unprepared God of Thunder who soon succumbs to his might!

Now the only thing standing in the way of Juggernaut and Loki's supreme victory over Thor is an all-new ragtag group of youths called The New Warriors!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Juggernaut 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Night Thrasher 4 (Tactician)
Speed: Nova 7 (Lightspeed)
Stamina: Juggernaut 7 (Unstoppable)
Agility: Speedball 4 (Gymnast)
Fighting: Night Thrasher 4 (Trained)
Energy: Nova 5 (Lasers)
Total: Nova 33 (Super)

The New Warriors are: Night Thrasher, Marvel Boy, Nova, Namorita, Firestar, and Speedball, with Thor.

Thor met his match against an unstoppable force in the previous issue, but lucky for him -- there's a new generation of New Warriors hittin' the streets to make it safe for regular folk like you & me - and freshly clobbered gods of thunder!

The next wave of justice is led by Night Thrasher, aka; Dwayne Taylor: heir to the Taylor Foundation, whose fortune allows him to design & build advanced armor and weaponry. He's a skilled fighter and tactician, hellbent on fighting crime, who can do things with a skateboard you wouldn't believe!

Night Thrasher built a team out of promising young heroes, starting with Avengers hopeful Marvel Boy, whose powerful mutant telekinesis was triggered by his time travelling future-self: Major Victory. He was deemed too inexperienced for the A team, but in an alternate future, he's one of the great Guardians of the Galaxy!

If that sounds pretty cosmic - check out Nova! Richard Rider received the powers of Nova Prime when an alien selected him to inherit the helmet of planet Xandar's intergalactic lawmen. His future exploits will pit him against an Infinity Gauntlet wielding Thanos, the deadly Annihilation Wave, and The Thunderbolts!

One of those T-Bolts was the former Speedball, whose accidental exposure to extra-dimensional forces irradiated him with energy that surrounded his body with a kinetic field. The slightest move can send him into a hyper-ballistic ricochet that turns his ultra-durable body into a living projectile!

Not to be outdone: Namorita soars the skies as easily as the seas, possessing super-human strength, durability, and ankle wing-assisted flight in the same vein as her famous elder cousin - Namor, the Sub-Mariner! The daughter of Namora is at her strongest underwater, but still packs a punch as a team powerhouse!

Her elemental opposite, but a trusted teammate, is  Angelica Jones, aka; Firestar -- a pyrokinetic mutant whose mastery of microwaves can generate intense heat, directed flames, and allows her the means of levitated flight.

An impressive line-up making their combat debut, but they face the magical might of Juggernaut! A force so powerful it has stood up to Colossus, Nimrod, Captain Britain, Hulk, The Avengers, and even DC's Superman and Wonder Woman!

Fortunately for the youngsters, he's also been a proving-ground stalled by seemingly weaker challengers, such as Spider-Man, Siryn & Deadpool, and the Teen Titans! Could the New Warriors join that list? Let's find out!

The Tape: New Warriors Ranking: Juggernaut (#57)

What Went Down...

Juggernaut teeters on the edge of being insulted as he finds himself confronted by a motley crew of young heroes leaping to the aide of a barely conscious Thor!

The New Warriors stand their ground, but Speedball is a little too eager to throw himself into the action. He launches himself like a hyper-kinetic ballistic bouncing ball, but even though he attacks rapidly from different directions -- Juggernaut finds him with the back of his hand!

Firestar shows compassion for Speedball as he's launched out of the borough, but Night Thrasher is all business -- condemning his brash teammate while ordering Namorita and Nova to protect Thor from the oncoming Juggernaut.

The flying powerhouses are already one step ahead of their fearless leader, sourcing a nearby iron girder to wrap Juggernaut up in the metal bar!

Carrying each end, they smash into the unstoppable villain, bending the bar around him -- but even with his arms pinned by his sides Juggernaut will not be waylaid!

A simple flex rips both arms free -- reducing the girder to tiny pieces of scrap metal as it shatters and launches concussive shrapnel at Nova and the Atlantean!

Marvel Boy contemplates calling in the Avengers or Fantastic Four, but Night Thrasher is hellbent on proving himself and the team. He tells MB and Firestar to get Thor clear and jumps on his hi-tech skateboard to leap into the fray!

Thrasher ducks under Juggernaut's arm as he zips past at blistering speed, but the amused villain cuts off a comeback and encourages the youngster to go live his best teenaged life -- launching him from his skateboard with a ground pound!

The directed tremor pops rider and board both into the air, but the highly trained Night Thrasher simply redirects his body weight to flip back to his nimble plank -- and drive it base-first into Juggernaut's face!

It's a high impact -- but the magical might of the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak means it barely even registers with the stalking villain.

Night Thrasher keeps up the offensive, skating around the rubble-filled battlefield to keep out of arm's reach, while pelting the Juggernaut with acid bombs and concussion grenades in search of a weakness!

Completely unfazed, Juggernaut simply continues his march toward his target -- flippantly turning his back on the young nuisance.

Enraged -- Night Thrasher rides his board straight for the enemy and leaps onto his shoulders! His obsession with stopping crime is as unstoppable as his foe!

The armored young hero keeps a mounted position over Juggernaut's helmet and unloads with a furious flurry of punches!

For all the good it does, he's playing for keeps: "I won't rest until I've found a way to make you pay! TO MAKE YOU ALL PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!!"

Thrasher's complete focus robs him of the perspective to recognize just how in danger he is! Fortunately, Firestar spots the trouble from the skies over a nearby trainyard, and makes a beeline for her imperiled teammate!

Juggernaut snags Night Thrasher by the ankle and swings him around overhead, but Firestar is there to take custody and fly him to safety before it ends poorly.

The distraction of Firestar flying away gives Namorita and Nova a chance at a second attack!

Two train cars cast a shadow over Juggernaut, but he can't react fast enough to avoid the full brunt of their force as Namorita and Nova hurl them at him!

The trains collapse on impact -- engulfing Juggernaut in dust!

Firestar helps talk Night Thrasher down as they glide overhead, while Speedball makes his return to the rest of the team relatively unscathed. It looks like a clean win, but the New Warriors are counting their victories prematurely.

Juggernaut explodes from beneath the train cars -- filling the air with fragments of wood and metal as he throws them asunder!

It's an impressive display of raw strength, but it also provides Marvel Boy with an entire arsenal of airborne weapons!

The telekinetic mutant directs the wreckage fragments to the lumbering Juggernaut -- surrounding him in jagged pieces of wood, metal, and concrete.

The debris field proves an irritant at best, but otherwise does little to slow the unstoppable. Fortunately, its true purpose was as distraction for the airborne Firestar to get into position!

The Juggernaut is bombarded with microwaves from the sky as Firestar unleashes her mutant powers against his attire!

The intense heat generated by the waves renders Juggernaut's costume glowing white hot -- but still he marches undeterred!

Night Thrasher orders Firestar to direct her microwaves at the villain's heart, but she cannot bring herself to resort to an act of murder. It appears the New Warriors have failed, but then comes the flash of lightning and boom of thunder!

The Mighty Thor has recovered from their first round and draws Juggernaut's attention with Mjolnir raised to summon fire from the heavens!

Juggernaut remains confident as ever: "C'mon, pal. You may as well accept the inevitable! Nothing can stop the Juggernaut from squeezing the life out of you!"

Thor is no more concerned than he, dropping humbly to one knee as he calls upon the fury of the storm from the skies overhead. They respond to the gods' call, sending devastating lighting crashing to the earth where Juggernaut stands!

For a moment the New Warriors are blinded by the light, but when it dissipates they find the Juggernaut still standing -- smoldering and annoyed!

He begins the march toward his opponent, but Thor is no longer willing to indulge his enemy.

Where lightning alone failed -- the very god-force that flows through Thor's veins unites with the power of his enchanted hammer to unleash an unbridled energy the likes of which has challenged Galactus and The Celestials!

The destructive blast does not obliterate the Juggernaut -- but it does push him back -- defying the magic of the Crimson Gem that renders him unstoppable!

As he plants his foot to try to regain forward momentum -- the concrete foundation beneath him gives way -- and Juggernaut falls into a massive sinkhole!

Nova and Namorita leap into action, flying armfuls of steel girders into the gaping void. Then Firestar reduces them to a slurry of molten slag that quickly fills every nook and cranny until it rapidly cools under a frigid wind summoned by Thor -- and encases Juggernaut in a metal prison!

Knowing full well that Juggernaut will break free soon enough; Thor uses his hammer to warp the fabric of time & space itself -- banishing the massive metal shard to an unknown asteroid in distant outer space.

The Hammer...

When Juggernaut explodes out of his temporary metal prison moments later -- he's already been deposited alone in the starry void of space by Thor. Mission failed, as far as Loki's concerned.

Juggernaut was unwittingly recruited into the Acts of Vengeance by the trickster god, who plucked him out of British maximum security after a run-in with Captain Britain and Excalibur, in the hopes his unstoppable power would destroy Thor -- Loki's half-brother.

As per the setup for today's featured fight; Juggernaut made a pretty good go of catching Thor unprepared, and from the floating asteroid he's been deposited on, he vows to inevitably find a way back to Earth to get even with the thunder god!

Long time readers will know Acts of Vengeance has always been one of my favourite banner events from Marvel Comics - and this particular issue has always beamed brightly as a personal favourite. An issue I grabbed off the racks back in those heady days of a monolithic wall of new releases at the local newsagent!

It's a small wonder I've never made the time to pull out my second copy -- a back issue purchased at a reasonable price a few years ago, to replace a well worn, and possibly lost, original copy. It's a bona fide favourite, but I suppose those are the ones I sometimes keep away for myself, or for special occasions.

Over on X (aka; Twitter), the fine purveyor of NewWarriors.com was kind enough to go out of their way to recommend our humble Fight Club to the comic book masses still hanging tough on the micro-blogging social media service. That was enough of an excuse for me to finally dig this issue out and go hog wild!

In case you somehow haven't been checking out the dedicated dotcom [I'm sure you will now!]: Thor #412 serves as the first full appearance of the New Warriors - in action after their debut cameo at the end of Thor #411.

It's a pretty darn strong debut for a new group, comprised of a small handful of Marvel's youthful odds & ends, and their newly created leader - Night Thrasher!

Thor #412 certainly ingratiated the team with me as a young reader, who might've only vaguely recognized one or two of the characters from chance encounters with some other stray appearances, or promotional artwork in something like Marvel Age.

I suppose Firestar had some shine coming from the Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends animated series, and Speedball was a still-recent conceited effort to create a new young hero with his own title -- having brought Steve Ditko back into the Marvel fold some twenty years after he helped create icons like Spider-Man and Doctor Strange -- but the rest were pretty obscure to a young reader in early 1990. Hangovers from the seventies and issues of Defenders or Sub-Mariner.

Of course, Night Thrasher is a brand new creation, so it's little wonder he gets the most time to shine in the fight, even as the rest of the team have their moments. He's in danger of appearing unhinged or reckless, but they maintain the fine line of creating interest without rendering the hero a lost cause.

I'm sure the cover had a great deal to do with drawing me in. Obviously Thor was an established major attraction, but the colourful group of characters ripping through a bold turquoise background surely popped off the stands when I was browsing the wall to make my choice for a single comic purchase as a small boy.

Joe Sinnott is credited with finished art over Ron Frenz story & pictures, and while I can't accurately break down the division of labour, I can say that images from this comic left an impression on me for years to come.

Mark Bagley will arguably take ownership of the characters as soon as the New Warriors series launches a few months later, but the first impression made here is indelible. The storytelling - keeping a dazed Thor at the centre of concern - is economical yet urgent. The action is bombastic, but always easy to follow. The renderings of characters clean & attractive, especially in the big heroic spreads that open the issue. It all comes together to make a very strong impression.

It's kind of the same playbook used years later to introduce The Thunderbolts in Incredible Hulk #449, before the group spun-off into their own first issue a few months later. You've got a similar rub of appearing in a marquee series, albeit without the title character also being the overwhelming challenge they face. I think the New Warriors did it much more convincingly, though.

Of course, as much as the New Warriors are the big breakout heroes of the story -- this appearance of Juggernaut was also massively informative to my impression of the character moving forward.

Ever since Spider-Man fought the unbeatable foe, and won, in Amazing Spider-Man #230, Juggernaut has kinda been ripe for taking an L to put other characters over. I wonder if writer Tom DeFalco and his artists were conscious of that when putting the issue together, because right from that opening splash page: a slightly bewildered Juggernaut, gazing blankly out from under his reflective red-brown helmet, looks big, strong, and not to be trifled with!

He's rarely been as convincingly unstoppable as he is in this issue, even if it's under opposition from heroes who are largely in one, two, or even three weight classes below him. The palpable danger he presents only goes further to enhance the young heroes who are making their debut, and doing everything they can just to stop him getting hands on a severely dazed Thor.

So, who actually won? This one gets a little tricky...

Juggernaut will always come back eventually, but lets assume we all understand that a fight can end with simple defeat, rather than permanent incapacitation.

Spider-Man secured his famous win by submerging Juggernaut in construction concrete -- not dissimilar from what happened in today's fight. The only difference is, we know Juggernaut broke free from the hardened steel within moments of being sealed, ready to fight on. It then becomes a question of whether or not teleporting him to a distant space body constitutes an act of victory, or avoidance.

Because Juggernaut never really showed significant signs of defeat, and was very much ready to continue brawling when he emerged from his steel cocoon -- I'm inclined to call this one a draw. Thor and the New Warriors did their best to get the better of Juggernaut, but he was barely even stalled. Tough break!

If you'd like to see more from Thor, Juggernaut, or the New Warriors, consider supporting the site via Patreon. Secret Wars on Infinite Earths has recorded over 700 battles and ranked well over 1,000 characters!

Dive into the Secret Archive for a complete index of every battle recorded, in order of publisher, series, and issue number. Or follow links throughout this and every other post to discover more from your favourite characters & topics!

Get free daily links to fights inspired by the topics of the day by subscribing to Twitter and Facebook, or by becoming a freebie follower on Patreon. Don't forget to smash that like, fave, and share -- and keep your eyes peeled for the week's top trending battles every Sunday on Twitter, Patreon & Discord!

Winner: Inconclusive (Draw)
#19 (--) Thor
#125 (+2) Nova
#503 (new) Firestar
#504 (new) Namorita
#505 (new) Night Thrasher
#462 (--) Speedball [+1 assist]
#518 (+84) Marvel Boy (Vance Astro)
#57 (--) Juggernaut

THOR versus THANOS

The Final Morning (Marvel)
Where: Thor #25 When: July 2000
Why: Dan Jurgens How: John Romita Jr

The Story So Far...
At the very dawn of time an alien sorcerer named X'Hoss foresaw the coming of The Designate and the elevation of all life to greatness.

To protect The Designate from those that would attempt to destroy her, he crafted three objects of immense power: The Illumination Stone, The Map of All-Ending, and The Chalice of Ruins.

These artifacts were soon corrupted by demonic forces so that their union with the tears of The Designate could command power over death itself. It is this knowledge that leads The Mad Titan, Thanos, on a new quest to indulge his obsession and flatter the attentions of Death herself.

In league with the loathsome Mangog; Thanos has brought the universe to the brink of Ragnarok. On a tiny ice planet, Thor lies beaten and broken, but across the gulf of space his poisoned father Odin conspires to arm him with one final reprieve. He need only survive long enough to receive it...

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Draw 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Thanos 5 (Professor)
Speed: Thor 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Thanos 7 (Unstoppable)
Agility: Thor 2 (Average)
Fighting: Thor 6 (Warrior)
Energy: Thanos 6 (Mass Destruction)
Total: Thanos 34 (Super)

Everyone knows Thor is one of the most powerful Avengers -- but even a God of Thunder is given grave pause by the cosmic malice of Thanos!

For a time it was thought Thanos could not die: true after he was rejected by Death herself. The notion was temporarily challenged however when Drax had his long awaited revenge by removing Thanos' heart in Annihilation #4. It took a cosmic cube to put him back down after being briefly resurrected in Guardians of the Galaxy #25. A more lasting return soon followed.

In today's battle Thanos has become a bringer of death. He has collected fabled artifacts of grim power and potential: The Chalice of Ruins, The Map of All-Ending, The Illumination Stone, and even the tears of Tarene The Designate. From this collection his will now becomes a vast coda to life itself!

All hope seems lost, but this isn't the first time Thanos has brought the universe to the brink of extinction. In his most famous quest The Mad Titan achieved nigh omnipotence by assembling the cosmic infinity stones into the Infinity Gauntlet.

Eric Masterson was in command of Mjolnir, and the might of Thor, at that time, lending his hammer to a fruitless first wave which convinced Thanos to indulge in a fairer form of combat. Thor's godly strength was then used to batter Thanos convincingly until he put distance between them by flinging the erstwhile Thor into space. When the stand-in Thor returned to fight by the side of Spider-Man, he was turned to glass and shattered for his trouble.

This time it's the one true Odinson going into battle -- but there may be some doubts about the nature of the Thanos he faces.

It's alleged in the 2002 Infinity Abyss mini-series that Thanos created a series of duplicates intended to test potential enemies and allies. These "Thanosi" clones were deemed imperfect, carrying out lesser visions of his plan. This basically seems like a device for explaining away inconsistent portrayals of Thanos.

The genocidal Titan that Thor's facing today clearly lives up to Thanos' most terrifying potential. His scheme and its destructive threat is not dissimilar from Infinity Gauntlet and you should not look upon this version as greatly inferior.

Thor has confronted many cosmic adversaries over the years, finding mixed results. The supposed daughter of Thanos, Nebula, proved capable of holding him at bay in Avengers #315, while Drax fought a mad Thor to an inconclusive result in Warlock and The Infinity Watch #21. An Ego-powered Ronan The Accuser went one better, swatting him aside in Maximum Security #3!

The potential for cosmic adversaries to subvert Thor's enchanted hammer is an eventuality that cannot be overlooked. Champion of the Universe was able to move Mjolnir by manipulating space around it in Marvel Two-In-One Annual #7. The most famous example remains Beta Ray Bill, who proved worthy of wielding Mjolnir and turning its power against its master in Thor #337.

Thanos seems unlikely to lift Mjolnir any time soon, but The Mad Titan has enhanced himself with considerable magic and cosmic power. The odds seem very much stacked against Thor, having already been beaten severely, and forced to battle Thanos' ally Mangog. Let's see how he does...

The Tape: Thanos Ranking: Thanos (#11)

What Went Down...
Thanos romanticizes the embrace of death as a dazzling wave of destructive energy erupts directly from his hand and out into the cosmos.

Thor makes his grim approach from behind, stomping determinedly through snow with Mjolnir twirling at his side. He shouts indignant condemnation for Thanos' unthinkable disregard for life -- and pays dearly for his passion.

Thanos engulfs Thor in a punishing shower of excess energy. As he does, the first wave of death exterminates 41 billion lives on the planet Parsikon IV!

Only the Mad Titan and a badly damaged Rigellian Recorder are witness to the breadth of carnage now unleashed. The robot Recorder is without emotion but experiences something approximating regret. Thanos delights at his handiwork.

Racked with agony: Thor defiantly endures the spillover of energies and vows to stop Thanos. The Thunderer's bravery is true, but Recorder knows he is unlikely to escape the devastating forces acting against him.

Though pledged to record all events: the legless machine drags itself towards peril, preferring to offer what little assistance it might than survive to bear witness to the end of sentient life itself. It reaches out and is consumed.

Thor honors Recorder's sacrifice, shouting his name into the night and swearing to avenge him. His passionate cries grate on the ears of the traitor Tarakis.

The former Grand Vizier to Odin asks permission to end Thor's life. A final irony as an unseen stream of cosmic flame shatters his very existence!

The destruction of Tarakis signals the arrival of an emissary of Odin: Firelord!

The Xandarian herald carries armor infused with the blessings of Odinforce. He knows he is not powerful enough to enter Thanos' energies, but a cosmic blast may free Thor from its deadly embrace -- at the risk of killing him.

Firelord tosses Thor an enchanted belt to increase his resolve -- then dares to fire upon the beleaguered Odinson.

The explosion of colliding energies successfully throws Thor's body clear of the relentless fire holding him in place. For a moment his mighty body lies in the snow - smoldering and motionless. Then the Odinson begins to stir!

Firelord hands over the special armaments forged by blacksmith Jagrfelm at special order of Odin himself!

The strength doubling belt of power wraps around Thor's body, while a barbed gauntlet extends all the way up to his bicep, and a great spiked shield obscures his torso from sight. Even Mjolnir's might is enhanced with additional Odinforce!

Reinvigorated by the power of his new armaments: Thor immediately launches his assault -- hurling Mjolnir at a disinterested Thanos.

The hammer bounces against the unfathomable forces surrounding Thanos. It is enough to regain the Mad Titan's attention. He turns -- unleashing a maelstrom of power that radiates across the icy planet with violent consequence!

Firelord does his best to protect himself and Tarene, while Thor relies on his new shield to bear the brunt of the incredible onslaught. The impact pushes him across the battlefield -- driving his body into a frozen cliff side!

The God of Thunder emerges from the mountain depression and challenges Thanos to settle the battle, not with distant shots, but with their own fists -- as gods and warriors would do. Thanos refuses!

Again the enchanted shield protects Thor from the awesome force of Thanos' mystically enhanced power! The thunder god presses against his eye beams, striding slowly but steadily towards their source.

The shield begins to fray at the edges and crack, but still it holds as Thor wills himself and the metal disc forward. It begins to shatter, sending devastating shards around him, but Thor is unshaken in his mission to defend all life!

Soon, the shield is no more -- but Thor has reached his target!

With a warrior's decree he swings wildly with Mjolnir! The spectacular blow demands the attention of Thanos once more, but still the Mad Titan refuses to fall!

Thanos throws an all mighty right hook, but Thor returns fire with a staggering left that allows him to slip behind and strike the back. Thanos throws massive fists like clubs as Thor moves back in front. He connects with Thor's jaw!

The Mad Titan compares his godly adversary to a mere insect. Thor steels himself to be an insect that bites: reaching with his enchanted gauntlet to clutch the Illumination Stone that's hung around Thanos' neck.

The Titan's demeanor changes from arrogance to desperation, but there is nothing he can do to stop Thor crushing the gem in his armored fist.

The artifact explodes with a final roar of power as Thanos' grip on death suddenly ends! This time it's Thanos who yells into the night. Thor orders he be silent -- issued with the full brunt of Mjolnir's enchanted uru.

First a direct blow to the body softens Thanos up. Then an uppercut staggers him, before the might of Mjolnir is brought crashing down upon his head with the righteous indignation and fury of a warrior god defending life itself!

Thanos lands facedown in the snow, still smoldering with power, while Thor stands hunched beyond him in grim vigil, prepared to smith him again and again if needs demand it. The Mad Titan doesn't stir -- until an amazed Tarene steps forward with tears in her eyes.

The billions across space who lost their lives weigh heavily on Thor, and inspire The Designate to weep. It is said without the protection of The Stone of Illumination her tears will burn evil as if it was cast to the fires of Hell. She wipes her tear sand allows them to fall to Thanos who is consumed in flame.

The Hammer...

There was a certain grandeur when the final chapter of Death of Superman went to full and double-page spreads, but I dare say Thor #25 just might be the most epic thing Dan Jurgens has ever written!

It certainly doesn't hurt that John Romita Jr is absolutely drawing his arse off, as well! This is the JRjr you remember from World War Hulk, but today's fight, and the drama leading up to it, is laden with such beautiful poetry and glorious crescendo -- it's on a whole other level!

The sense of rising hopelessness as Thor struggles to return from a previous bitter defeat, and his allies become little more than spectators, reminds me of the saga-defining cosmic battles from Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball Z.

Even the way allies continue to make small but vital contributions, such as Firelord delivering Odin's armor and killing Tarakis, seems very in keeping with DBZ. It was a pop culture phenomenon around this time, but I'm not sure it was a deliberate reference. Even if it was, the manga (or anime) never felt quite so heavy with epic Nordic tragedy. This issue is really something else!

Which makes it seem such a shame to undercut the battle's legitimacy by later reframing Thanos as an imperfect clone [as defined in The Infinity Abyss].

His motivations might be slightly regressive, but the only real incongruity is probably Thanos' apparent destruction when the fight is over. Otherwise, the epic battle and its intergalactic stakes feel very worthy of the one true Thanos! This certainly isn't the fall to Earth of his earlier appearances opposing Ka-Zar.

Not that I'm doubting the wisdom of Jim Starlin, mind you. If anything, this is probably another indictment on the assassination of a popular character. It isn't explicitly stated that Thanos died, but it certainly wasn't his usual graceful exit.

The situation reminds me ever so slightly of Mysterio's death a year prior in Daredevil #9. Thanos wasn't nearly the same subject of ridicule, but this was nearly a decade on from the highs of Infinity Gauntlet. Marvel cosmic was on the decline in general, and Thanos might've started to feel a little played out by 2000. Killing the character would be a mistake, but a big sendoff makes sense.

Whether he meant to kill off, or just sideline Thanos, I do greatly appreciate that Dan Jurgens put something back into the Marvel Universe.

The mythology of The Designate, and the artifacts used in this battle, were put into place very abruptly - just a few issues before this - but I think they worked reasonably well within their context. The grandiose opera of these issues do a lot to accelerating the meaning and credibility of everything involved, while expanding the theo-cosmic world of Thor and the Asgardians.

It's always cool to see Firelord get in the mix, and he's a very natural guest as a well established adversary to Thanos. We'll remember his team-up with Eric Masterson during Infinity Gauntlet, and role as a regular supporting character in Thanos adjacent issues of Silver Surfer. As a matter of housekeeping: he'll share the win with Thor for slaying Tarakis during the battle.

I rather like Tarene in these early issues, as well. There's something about the simplicity of her whitish attire that rather appeals to me. It seems like a bit of a shame that she was quickly remodeled as "Thor Girl" -- a female version of the main title hero -- when she had her own ambiguous, but otherworldly qualities here in these first appearances. It might've been nice to retain that, even while expanding her beyond a weeping Pariah/Harbinger type.

Before we wrap this massive entry, I should also note that by an act of pure serendipity, I happening to be listening to Jocelyn Pook album Untold Things while writing this entry. I don't usually soundtrack reading comics, but it turned out to be a very inspiring compliment to the super-sized issue. If you give it a listen, you might understand what I'm getting at.

If you want to get more of this type of Thor you can check out entries for Thor (Vol.2) #1 and Thorion of the New Asgods #1. Both feature big godly action by John Romita Jr. You can also discover more by following other links throughout this post, or by diving into the Secret Archive!

Secret Wars on Infinite Earths has featured more than 650 battles and ranked well over 900 characters! If you like what it's all about and want to support the project you can be hero and donate via Patreon. As a thank you you'll receive special acknowledgement, extra updates, voting polls, and custom articles.

You can experience today's featured fight for yourself by checking out one of the collected editions of Thor: Heroes Return Omnibus or Thor by Dan Jurgens & John Romita Jr Vol.4.

Using Amazon purchase links provided for any of your online shopping will not only net you a great deal, but also help support the site in the process.

Get even more superhero smackdown direct to you by subscribing to Twitter and Facebook for daily links inspired by the topics of the day! Don't forget to like and share updates!

Winner: Thor & Firelord (w/ The Designate)
#21 (+11) Thor
#403 (+528) Firelord [+1 kill]
#471 (new) Tarene [+1 kill] [+1 assist]
#596 (new) Rigellian Recorder [+1 assist]
#11 (--) Thanos [+41,000,000,000 kills]
#932 (new) Tarakis

BETA RAY BILL versus THOR

Doom! (Marvel Comics)
Where: Thor #337 When: November 1983

Why: Walt Simonson How: Walt Simonson

The Story So Far...
When an experimental warp probe captures images of an unidentified, star destroying ship -- Director of SHIELD: Nick Fury has no choice but to call in the heavy artillery! With the probe destroyed by the alien craft, SHIELD has no way of knowing what will happen when it completes a light speed course headed straight for Earth!

So, why are Fury and his boys making a covert nab of a mild mannered physician who walks Central Park with a cane? Because Colonel Fury is one of the few men on Earth who knows Dr. Donald Blake is really The Mighty Thor - god of thunder! When he taps his cane, he becomes the only hero capable of travelling into deep space to confront the hostile space ship!

Little does Thor realize, his connection to the plight of the occupants inside goes far deeper than SHIELD's convenience -- and what he finds inside will be unlike anything he's ever encountered before!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Draw 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: Draw 3 (Street Wise)
Speed: Draw 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Draw 6 (Generator)
Agility: Draw 2 (Average)
Fighting: Draw 6 (Warrior)
Energy: Draw 5 (Lasers)

It's been nothing but close battles for the 10th Anniversary of The Comic Book Fight Club, but we're yet to have a match-up as literally even as this! Inherently strong, and gifted with the weapons of Norse gods - both of today's competitors owe much of their renowned might to a mutual source. Differing more greatly are their origins, and the favour they receive from Odin. Factors that will weigh heavily into today's legendary superfight spotlight!

We've seen Beta Ray Bill in action just once before on Secret Wars on Infinite Earths, standing toe-to-toe with cosmic super heavyweight: The Silver Surfer [Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #2]! That's a resounding endorsement of Bill's power, but there's a big difference between that 2009 story, and his first appearance in today's 1983 issue: He doesn't yet have the Uru forged hammer Stormbreaker!

Bill's no slouch when unarmed. He's a Korbonite redesigned by his people to be their ultimate warrior! Through bio-engineering and technological enhancement he possesses phenomenal super strength, enhanced endurance, stamina, and reflexes. He's also a supremely skilled hand-to-hand fighter. A living weapon strong enough to stand up to the demon hordes of Surtur - their primary threat!

The original hammer-meister of Marvel Comics is, of course, Thor! A Norse god by birthright, he's wielded his enchanted hammer Mjolnir in recorded victories against: Super-Skrull [Thor #465], Dr. Doom [Heroes Reborn: The Return #4], Red Hulk [Hulk #6], and two titans of DC Comics: Captain Marvel [Marvel versus DC #2] and Superman [JLA/Avengers #1]!

As résumés go, it's one of the finest, showcasing an ability to beat some of the most powerful characters in two universes - but it isn't perfect! Thor and the Avengers were overwhelmed by the raw power of the unstoppable Destroyer armor in Thor (Vol. 2) #1, and they succumbed to surprise tactics from Ghost Rider in 1981's Avengers #214!

Ghost Rider wasn't worthy enough to wield the enchanted hammer Mjolnir, but he was able to use its natural return trajectory against its master! Sometimes the Odinson takes his weapon for granted, and it's around this time he will revert to frail mortal Dr. Donald Blake when separated from his hammer for more than sixty seconds. Given that Thor can summon the hammer at will, it's no mean feat to play keep away - but it's an important weakness for the few strong, or cunning enough, to take advantage of it!

The Tape: Draw Ranking: Thor (#28)

What Went Down...
Using Mjolnir to traverse time and space, Thor reaches his destination in deep space - coming face-to-hull with the warship Skuttlebutt! Even as it outpaces the thunderer the mighty machine scans his energies -- detecting a similarity with that of the true enemy that sent the warship on its mission: the deadly demons of Surtur!

Skuttlebutt fires on an unprepared Thor, who returns his own assault with a toss of his enchanted hammer! It breaches the hull, allowing Earth's defender to do his job and learn more about the threat. Inside, he recognizes a ship very much alive, and a "coldsleep defense" procedure just as living!

A giant hand explodes from a mysterious crystal and clutches Thor's inquisitive skull! The creature hurls him across the room and reveals itself - the engineered living Korbonite weapon that is: Beta Ray Bill!

As Bill threatens what he believes to be another demon agent of Surtur, he knows not the cape on which he truly tugs! Thor lets him know, swinging Mjolnir with a mighty upward strike that sends Bill flying and echoes his objection!

Bill recovers quickly, lunging at Thor with murderous intent! Mjolnir spills from Thor's grasp as the alien grapples with his wrists. The living ship Skuttlebutt has given Bill the language to engrave Thor's epitaph. Thor turns the ship against Bill, ripping at its metal walls to toss them at his foe!

The improvised metal work causes vital damage to Skuttlebutt, but fails to slow Beta Ray Bill. He rushes Thor again. The force of his right hand colliding with Thor's skull sends the thunder god's helmet airborne! It's a blow unrivalled by any of Thor's greatest foes! Were the fate of Earth not hanging in the balance, he would relish the combat. Instead, the dishevelled god fires back with a left cross and a challenge to yield. "Only in death!"

His opponent shows no signs of quitting, but Thor has vowed to protect the Earth. He knows he must strike a winning blow, but in the heat of battle, he hasn't retrieved the magic mallet Mjolnir!

The damage caused to Skuttlebutt had expedited the need for the ship to land, sending it on an accelerated course toward Earth! The proximity restores the effect of the enchantment that causes Thor to revert to Dr. Donald Blake when separated form his hammer!

He has no time to act! Bill descends upon his opponent, believing the new form to be an ill conceived tactic! A devastating blow knocks the helpless mortal out cold!

Bill doesn't question the fortune of the strange sequence of events. Instead, he seeks Mjolnir as a means of enhancing his power in the fight against Surtur. Finding only Dr. Blake's walking stick, Bill strikes it in anger -- activating the magic that transforms him into a thunder god!

The Hammer...

"Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor." As we can clearly see - Beta Ray Bill is worthy! He's also the winner in yet another classic comic book confrontation for our 10th Anniversary!

There were a lot of prospective contenders for the Secret Wars on Infinite Earths anniversary month. I've always favoured a mixed bag approach, but I felt it was time to touch on some of the big battles we'd overlooked. This one kinda provides both -- a well known modern classic, but still a little leftfield.

It's debatable whether this is the best fight between the pair. They have another more evenly matched, more meaningful showdown a couple of issues later. This is the first appearance of Beta Ray Bill, though, and that put it over with me. I enjoy the issue just fine, but I love Beta Ray Bill. A milestone we had to have!

I really must impress on intrepid new readers the significance of this issue's event. Noble characters lifting Thor's hammer has become a bit of a modern cliché, but Beta Ray Bill was the first, and most shocking! Well, okay... Wonder Woman was pretty shocking [Marvel versus DC #3], but lets stay on point...

It's kind of a no brainer. The hammer isn't sworn to Thor - the powers are on offer to anyone worthy of them! An Arthurian twist given an extra jolt by the mad genius of Walt Simonson, who didn't take the obvious route of another golden haired, gleaming, virtuous white knight. Instead he created a bizarre, horse-faced alien -- an unlikely figure, intended to appear villainous on sight.

The twist gives Beta Ray Bill a slight edge over many other derivative heroes, and would-be replacements. No matter how extensive the similarities - he'll never be Thor. He won't grow up to be Thor. He isn't a weak ass doppelganger trying to grow into Thor. This guy will always be Beta Ray Bill. A weird echo, a curious odd-man out in most situations: one of Marvel's best original expansions to their pseudo Norse mythology!

I tend to think he's exactly what Marvel movies need. The first two Thor films managed to be tepid and uninteresting, devoid of memorable villains. Building a third movie around Beta Ray Bill's arrival wouldn't just inject much needed personality into an A or B conflict - it'd provide the perfect organic bridge between the terran Avengers and the cosmic Guardians of the Galaxy. It's a short leap from Surtur's demons to Thanos and his movie minions. Bill could be a great addition to The Guardians sequel, before it all comes crashing down to Earth in Infinity War. I dare to dream.

Dreams inspired by Walt Simonson, whose Kirby infused energy I sometimes took for granted as a kid - but have tremendous admiration for, today! The kind of frenetic comics that go balls to the wall to tell the story. Pencils so crazed they don't always have time for posed hero shots, and are fighting the inks that try to hold them down! Good comics!

I'll be working through the holidays to make sure there's more good comics cheer next week! The Friday Night Fights of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths land on Christmas Day! Naughty or nice, there'll be a super showdown to deck the halls with seasons beatings!

Winner: Beta Ray Bill
Stats: Skuttlebutt - 1 assist.