Random Happenstance

Did I ever finish blogging the "Blood and Thunder" crossover? No? And this issue isn't helping? From 1993, Thor #465, "Holy Sacrifice" Written by Ron Marz, pencils by Bruce Zick, inks by Mike DeCarlo.

This issue is in another crossover, an Infinity Crusade tie-in. K'lrt, the Super-Skrull, is understandably less than thrilled that his krew--er, crew--and possibly the rest of the Skrull empire, has been completely blissed out by the Goddess. Since he's the only Skrull acting like a Skrull, as in, a warlike dick; K'lrt takes off alone for earth to try and free his people. It would be kind of noble, if he wasn't, like we said, a dick. At the Goddess's Paradise Omega, which doesn't sound like a cult at all, Moondragon sets Thor on the Super-Skrull. (By the way, it's great characterization that Moondragon was one of those who bought into the Goddess the most: religious hierarchy, big on order, less so on free will, that gave her a position of authority? That was absolutely her jam.)

K'lrt can't believe his old foe had drunk the Kool-Aid, but eventually gets knocked out. (When did those two fight before? I believe it, I'd just never seen it.) Thor is about to 'sacrifice' him in an act of cold-blooded murder, when he's stopped by a telepathic message from Moondragon. Not because her or the Goddess are that opposed to murder, they just want Thor to obey and get back. Before Thor heads back, though, he's visited by someone else who doesn't want him controlled by the Goddess: the black-armored Valkyrie, who wants him for herself. The Goddess's mind-control is top-notch, and Thor returns to her--or maybe the Goddess's control is just stronger than a figment of Thor's imagination.

This wasn't the best art ever for Thor, but the Skrulls look nice and googly-eyed like they used to.