Spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned.
One of the joys of reading Marvel’s seemingly endless Epic Collections is how there are gems to be discovered be it the story, art, or crazy ideas that would never fly today. Case in point, the time Thor fought the Grinch in the dirty streets of New York! In the recently released Thor Epic Collection: The Thor War I discovered Thor #444 features a holiday-themed battle that is not to be missed.
The adventure starts out with Thor aka Eric Masterson patrolling and he soon runs into a giant dude stealing presents from people on the street.
Credit: Marvel Comics
Thor discovers the villain is none other than a giant green dude who looks a lot like the Grinch!
Credit: Marvel Comics
He can only say “Gronk” and he has a mean temper. Of course, Thor started it by blasting him. This Grinch looking fellow soon shows he has some superpowers of his own. That includes super strength…
Credit: Marvel Comics
…and laser beams that shoot out of his eyes!
Credit: Marvel Comics
The two fight for some time. The mysterious Grinch-looking Christmas-themed villain soon comes to his senses via the sight of a dog. With a single antler on his head. Look familiar?
Credit: Marvel Comics
The Grinch rushes away to the sewers where Thor chases him down only to run into a small blonde little girl. She goes by Cindy Lou, which is a touch close to the famous little girl that warms the Grinch’s heart named Cindy Lou Who.
Credit: Marvel Comics
This is one of the rare examples of Marvel Comics toying with licensing and narrowly getting slapped with a lawsuit if you asked me. Readers might note the dialogue Thor says in the Grinch full-page splash is probably words from series writers Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz as Thor says, “And, based on the way he’s dressed, I’d say someone has a real sick sense of humor!” You sure do guys, you sure do.
Oh, another dead giveaway is the title of the story which is “How the Groonk Stole Christmas.”
I highly recommend you read the whole issue to get the full experience. You can pick up Thor Epic Collection: The Thor War today on ComiXology and Amazon.
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