Thor 177 page 18 (Volume 1, 1970) - Thor, Hogun and Fandral vs Surtur (1st time Surtur attacks Asgard) by Jack Kirby

The grail of my collection! A panel page from Thor 177 penciled by "The King" Jack Kirby and written by Stan "The Man" Lee! With Thor 177 Kirby ended his epic continuous run on Thor with Stan. Neal Adams filled in on issue 178. Kirby came back for his finale with 179. Kirby was no longer happy with his arrangement with Stan Lee and Marvel comics. Kirby moved on to DC Comics where he created New Gods, Darkseid and more.

The middle panel has Thor with Hogun and Fandral from the Warriors Three. Lots of great action with Thor battling nemesis Surtur the fire giant. This issue is only Surtur's 6th appearance in the comics. His 1st and 5th appearances are only one page each. This is Surtur's second time battling Thor. The first battle was on Earth during Journey Into Mystery 104. This is aso the first story with Surtur attacking Asgard. Thor was first introduced in the year 1962 in the comic Journey Into Mystery well over 60 years ago! Issue 177 was published only 8 years later in 1970.

Surtur appeared in the critically acclaimed movie Thor 3: Ragnarok where he fulfils his prophecy and destroys Asgard. One of my favorite Marvel movies of all time! Many plot points were taken from this story arc for that movie.

Plot
Loki has stolen the throne of Asgard and sent the sleeping Odin to the Sea Of Eternal Light. With Odin gone Surtur the fire giant is no longer imprisoned. He attacks Asgard and Loki flees to Earth. Thor, Warriors Three and the Asgaridan army make their last stand to protect Asgard.