In Asgard, Thor, the God of Thunder, had foiled one enemy plot after another with his astonishing strength. Odin was deeply pleased and offered him the throne.
Thor said Odin was still hale and hearty despite his age, while he himself was not ready, and refused to take the throne immediately.
Instead, Thor used his extraordinary power to punish evildoers throughout the universe. He defeated the fire giant Surtur, then befriended the half-human, half-god Star-Lord and his companions, embarking on a lighthearted interstellar journey.
Then, one day, Thor sensed that his elderly father, Odin, had passed away, and used his extraordinary power to return to Asgard.
The moment he returned, he saw Hela, the Goddess of Death, sitting in Odin's chair with Loki pinned beneath her foot.
"Who are you? Where is my father, Odin?" he asked.
"Oh, so you're Thor, that old man's precious son. I'm your older sister, Hela. As for the old man, he's dead, of course. Now I'll give you two choices: surrender, or go join him," Hela said.
"What? How could Father be dead? He was the King of the Gods! How could he die so easily?" Thor shouted.
"As tragic as it is, Father really is dead, Thor," Loki said.
"Enough. Stop putting on this touching father-and-son act. Make your choice, Thor," Hela said.
"Hmph. Who do you think you are? You're not worthy of my surrender," Thor said.
"Good. Very good. You certainly have that old man's backbone. Then go join him," Hela said coldly.
She swept a hand over her hair, and the Death Crown appeared on her head. Two Death Swords materialized in her hands, and she kicked Loki away.
"Let me see what gives you the nerve to boast like that," Hela said.
Thor reached out, drew Mjolnir, and