Marvel Two-In-One No. 44 The Wonderful World of Brother Grimm
We begin with a problem in the distant realm of Olympus. Or maybe I should say, problems.
The terrible three: Yandrogg, Manduu, and Krokarr. Beast-headed giants all, they have captured Zeus himself. No wonder Hercules, riding his flying chariot, has come to Earth to search for allies. Specifically, he's looking for Thor. This is a good choice. From the old legends and the new Thor comes across as a true giant slayer. Unfortunately, he can't be found, so Hercules, flying overhead, spots a substitute.
Not a bad substitute, let's see: Strong enough to duke it out with the Hulk, rock-hard skin, cosmic-energy based power, a stubborn and skilled fighter. The Thing and Hercules against the giants! It's a match and I'm excited. True to the heroic quest flavor of the story, our heroes don't immediately confront the conquerors of Olympus - they run the gauntlet first. They go up against a number of creatures like these giant flying pythons.
Finally, they come across the giant red minotaur, Yandrogg. And it's all a bit too much for Hercules and the Thing.
I suggest you savor the panel above. I think it's the only panel in all of Marveldom that shows both the Thing and Hercules running away from a foe. Together, these two could give Thor problems but they're running away. I don't blame them. Sometimes taking a problem head-on is a mistake. Looking at our 'fight or flight' impulse, I would think that the 'flight' aspect has saved countless members of mankind over the centuries. What happens during this headlong chase is that all three fall off a tower. Ben and Hercules have their trusty flying chariot. Yandrogg has the hard ground and is defeated. Going back to the analogy equating Yandrogg with 'a problem'. Running away from 'a problem' could mean simply delaying a response, letting time 'soften up' the problem a bit, after all, the damn thing could 'fall off the tower' on its own.
That takes care of one usurper. Now our pair come across a shocking scene.
Zeus bound and about to be executed! Poor Zeus, I recall his treatment during the Eternals Saga and I have to conclude that Zeus definitely gets shabbier treatment than Odin. Sure Odin gets nailed to Yggdrassil, but its a moment of high pathos and drama. This is a bit ridiculous but entertaining nonetheless. Anyway, the pair save the old man and bump into Manduu:
Running away from a threat twice is just too much so our powerful protagonists take care of business as we expect
Here's a wonderful panel of the two escaping from the fiery tower with the hapless Zeus in hand.
Now for the last foe . . .
Thankfully, the tale doesn't end without Zeus showing his power as Lord of Olympus
And with that, this Olympian adventure ends for Mr. Grimm. And to think that when he got wrangled into this he was just taking a walk to clear his head. A little walk transforming into an otherworldly adventure - that's why I read comics.
