DeFalco/Frenz Retrospective: Thor #418


 

Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciler: Ron Frenz 

Synopsis: Hercules confronts his PTSD and the Wrecking Crew. 

Comments: This was of one the first comics I got of DeFalco/Frenz's run, along with issues #406 and #414. This one was sold without a bag, so I saw the opening page of Goliath ragdolling Hercules and I had already read the "Under Siege" storyline in Avengers and recognized it from that. 

It's revealed that part of Hercules' PTSD is caused by his beating of members of the Masters of Evil in Avengers #274, which included the Wrecking Crew. Mr. Hyde looks like Ulik here. Hercules would settle his score with Goliath (Erik Josten), then Atlas, in Thunderbolts #22. 







Thunderball tries to usurp leadership of the Wrecking Crew from the Wrecker, but he just never had the power or leadership chops. 





Hercules beats down the Wrecking Crew. Ow in that at least Bulldozer had a helmet when his head was knocked against Piledriver's. Thor's face looks like Eric's in a Thor wig. The Wrecker's leap towards Hercules seems to be a self-swipe from Thor #383. 




Thor and Hercules walking off together is taken from Thor #130. That pesky Celestial clone of Thor is still on its way. 






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