Issue(s): Thor #246, Thor #247
Published Date: Apr-May 76
Title: "The fury of the Firelord!" / "The flame and the hammer!"
Credits:
Len Wein - Writer
Marv Wolfman - Plot Assist
John Buscema - Penciler
Joe Sinnott - Inker

Review/plot:
Normally, the Warriors Three have been enjoyable no matter who was writing them, but Len Wein's attempt here, with everyone crowding around Sif's television in her apartment, falls flat.

Maybe it's because he's trying too hard to put them in a funny situation?

Anyway, Thor hears that Firelord has teamed up with some Latin American revolutionaries in Costa Verde who are trying to overthrow a Democratic government, and he decides to stop him. He brings Jane with him, but not the Warriors Three. It turns out that Firelord was hypnotized.

After a battle with Firelord...

...Thor gets hypnotized as well.

Continuing to set up the idea that Sif's spirit lives on in Jane (i assume), Len Wein has Jane rip her shirt to expose her belly when they get in the jungle.

Later she shows that she's handy (and extremely accurate!) with a machine gun (maybe angry because the guard calls her a "muchacho")...

...and then takes out the gypsy that hypnotized Thor and Firelord in a knife fight.

Meanwhile, Balder is concerned because Odin is acting insane and eventually gets put on trial...

...and has to flee. I feel like every 6 issues Odin is either going on an extended sleep, has amnesia, or is going crazy (this time he's been replaced with Mangog). Not exactly a stable monarchy in Asgard.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: The MCP places Thor's appearances from issue #240-255 between his appearances in Avengers #151 & #159. A blurb says that the Warriors Three next appear in Marvel Spotlight #28. It'll really be issue #30, but that is their next appearance.

References:

• No footnote for this, but the fictitious country Costa Verde was used once before, in Avengers #35-37.
  
• Thor helped get Firelord free from Galactus in Thor #228.
  
• Thor and Firelord met recently as friends in Thor #234.

Cross-over: N/A

Continuity Implant? N

Reprinted In: N/A