Into The Blaze Of Battle! Thor and Loki have returned to Asgard following the "Trial of the Gods", which Loki had cheated by using Enchanted Stones to win the trial. When Thor attempts to take the stone by force, Loki sends them to Earth and Thor is unable to do anything to stop the Trickster God. Brought before Odin, Thor informs Odin of the cheating and asks to be allowed to go to Earth to find proof, a request that Odin grants, sending Thor to Earth instantly.
While on Earth, Balder the Brave is busy trying to defend Jane Foster from the Executioner and the Enchantress. Balder manages to hold his own, however it's not until the timely arrival of Thor do the two villains release Jane and flee the scene. Leaving Jane in Balder's care, Thor goes searching for the Enchanted Stones, using his Uru hammer to track them. His search brings him to Vietnam, where he flies into a conflict zone and finds himself attacked by the Viet Cong army. Knocked out by an artillery blast, Thor revives later to find himself taken in by Vietnamese villagers who have tended for them. Thanking them for their kindness, Thor resumes his search for the stones.
This brings him deep into the jungles of Vietnam, forcing Thor to change into Donald Blake so that he can more easily maneuver through the dense foliage. As he continues his search, he is unaware that Loki is watching, and to the God of Mischief's glee, is wandering right into an enemy camp. When Blake is captured by the Viet Cong, he is taken to their leader who consider him a spy. Blake tries to explain that he's in the region to treat people because he is a doctor, however Commander Hu Sak does not believe him, due to sightings of Thor in the area.
When more villagers are taken in as prisoners it turns out that they are Hu Sak's family, who are upset to find that their long lost brother has joined with the Viet Cong. As attentions are turned toward this reunion-of-sorts, Blake uses the momentary distraction to escape. Getting out of sight, he manages to tap his cane and transform into Thor who resumes his search for the stones.
He finds them hidden in the artillery cash and recovers them, when he hears gun shots. These shots are fired by Hu Sak who murders his parents in cold blood, but realizes at the last minute what he has done and is horrified. When his sister Kim flees, Thor goes to her rescue, smashing up the soldiers chasing her. When they are once again met by Hu Sak who allows Thor to take the girl to safety. In order to repent for his past sins, Hu Sak sacrifices himself by detonating the artillery, killing himself and destroying his base.
The Sword In The Scabbard! A 5-page 'Tales of Asgard' adventure.
Odin shows Thor and Loki the crack in the 'Oversword of Asgard' (AKA Odinsword) and sends them on a new quest -- find what evil force has broken the sword and end its evil scheme. Thus begins one of the greatest sagas of all time (Hint: Ragnarok).
Story by Stan Lee
Art by Jack Kirby
Inks by Vince Colletta
Letters by Artie Simek
Colors by Stan Goldberg
