Leaving the Black Galaxy, Thor and the Recorder are picked up by the Rigellians, who agree to free the Earth following Thor's battle with Ego, the Living Planet. They set a course for Earth before crossing paths with the planet devourer, Galactus. They arrive on Earth and locate Tana Nile, who has been attempting to wrest control of the Earth for Colonization. The Rigellians take Tana into their custody and lead her away. However, Thor questions the alien about the location of Jane Foster, to which Tana admits she sent Thor's love away but points unknown to her. Before the Rigellians leave, they give Thor a Psyche-Search Gauge to help him track down Jane.

Meanwhile, in a European country, Count Tagar, Porga, and Jane Foster are on their way to the mountain citadel of a man known as the High Evolutionary. Along the way, they are attacked by a group of armed mercenaries who are trying to get access to the High Evolutionary's inventions. Despite their best efforts, Tagar and Porga manage long enough to be rescued by the Evolutionary's defenders, the Knights of Wundagore.

Thor arrives shortly after that, finds the battle-ravaged soldiers, and follows Jane's trail. He soon finds himself confronted by the Knights as well. However, he allows them to capture and take him into the High Evolutionary's citadel. Inside, he is shocked when one of the Knights removes his helmet, revealing that they are highly evolved humanoid animals.

The High Evolutionary begins a new evolution experiment in which he begins advancing the evolution of a wolf. The energy output is visible from the land below the mountains. It is spied upon by Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch (who have been in the area attempting to recharge their mutant abilities while on a leave of absence from the Avengers.)

Inside the citadel, the Evolutionary experiment begins advancing the wolf to its full evolutionary potential when he is interrupted by Thor, who has come bursting in demanding he is brought to Jane Foster. Not wishing to fight, the High Evolutionary points Thor to a classroom where Jane teaches the Ani-Men, and the lovers are reunited.

This distraction, however, leaves the High Evolutionary's experiment unattended, and the wolf evolved to its full lupin potential and human potential, mutating it into the hate-filled Man-Beast. The Man-Beast then begins stalking the High Evolutionary's citadel halls, coming upon Jane and Thor. Sending the beast evil, Thor warns Jane to brace herself for an attack.

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