DeFalco/Frenz Retrospective: Thor# 444


 

Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciler: Ron Frenz

Synopsis: Eric battles a villain who is trying to steal Christmas. 

Comments: That present cost $500? In 1992 dollars? I know my parents wouldn't have spent that much on me. I see the dedication to Dr. Seuss. This story was about as well received as the Jim Carry movie based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 



I guess some time has passed since the last issue and Marcy notes that Eric has grown a beard. Nice dig by Eric on how Bobby's team didn't make the playoffs. Of course, playoffs or not, Bobby is still wealthy and is trying to buy Kevin's love.



Eric goes after a mysterious green creature with superhuman strength and blasts that fire from its eyes called the "Groonk", who is stealing Christmas gifts. He finds out that the Groonk is a mentally impaired, presumably a mutant, who lives with the homeless. Having recovered the stolen property, he doesn't arrest the Groonk. Not that anyone has been eager to revisit the Groonk or his origins, I theorize he's a Morlock survivor of the Mutant Massacre crossover, which partly happened in issue #374 of Thor. The little girl and her dog seems to be a stand in for Cindy Lou Who and Max. 










Eric goes to the hospital where Susan comes out of her coma. I guess Mephisto delivered on his end. I remember there were fans wondering in the letters column if Susan was going to be affected by the surgery when she came out of the coma and editor Ralph Macchio hinted at yes, but it turned out not to be so. Dr. Paretsky quotes Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol. 






Captain America offers Eric a place at the Avengers mansion since he's been evicted. 


Kevin arranges a Christmas party for Eric with his friends. Maris Sapristi, who will appear in A-Next as a potential love interest to Kevin is circled in yellow. She first appeared in Thor #373. 




Remember how I said this wasn't received well? Thor: The Legend had the Groonk as "Thor's Top 10 Most Embarrassing Moments" and "Top 10 Lamest Foes of Thor." 







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