File:Journey into Mystery Vol 1 111 018.jpg

Description
While returning from a special mission for Odin, Loki convinces Thor and Balder to follow him through a short cut that travels through the Forests of the Mysterious Sigurd, which eventually leads them to a confrontation with Sigurd himself who challenges the young gods to a duel claiming he could defeat them all with his secret power. Thor attacks Sigurd, smashing his opponents battle ax with his hammer, however every time Thor manages to knock Sigurd down he gets back up stronger than ever. Eventually, Balder remembers the key to Sigurd's constantly increasing strength: That Sigurd is the son of the Earth Sprites, and that his strength is increased with each time he touches the ground. Knowing the secret to Sigurd's power, Thor then catches his hammer under Sigurd's belt and then flings his opponent into the sky where he would then be stranded on a deserted asteroid. With their foe defeated, the three gods continue their trek home, Loki disappointed that Thor was not defeated.