Silver Surfer #4 (2004)

Brief Summary:<br> Loki is determined to defeat his brother Thor. He looks for someone that he can use to accomplish this. He comes across the Silver Surfer and tests his abilities. Loki tricks the Surfer into thinking that Thor is Asgard's enemy. He agrees to help the Surfer escape Galactus' barrier if he helps defeat Thor. Surfer attacks Thor, but soon realizes that Loki may have not been telling him the truth. When Loki realizes that the Surfer was becoming wise, he sends him back to Earth before his scheme could be revealed. thumb|left|250px Detailed Summary:<br> Loki broods in his lair, angry that Thor continues to thwart his nefarious plans. He decides to go to the Cavern of Shadows to find someone with enough power to defeat his brother. While there, he discovers the Silver Surfer and learns about his past and present. He realizes that the Surfer is someone that he could deceive into doing his bidding. Eager to bring his plan into motion, he rushes through Asgard and crosses path with the Warriors Three. Confident of his impending success, he gloats to the three and warns them that Thor will soon be gone forever. They quickly rush to Thor to warn him, setting him on edge and getting him to prepare for war.

Meanwhile the Silver Surfer seeks refuge amongst nature and the wild animals, eager to escape the violence of man. This respite is short-lived though, as Loki appears and quickly attacks him. He wants to test the Surfer’s mettle and determine truly how powerful he is, but the Surfer refuses to fight back. It’s only when Loki threatens the humans that the Surfer begins to react. During their battle, Loki realizes that he has found his tool to defeat Thor and he stops the fight as quickly as he started it. Loki tells the Surfer that his power is needed to save Asgard from Thor. If the Surfer helps, then he will free him from Galactus’ barrier. Upon hearing this promise, the Surfer agrees to Loki’s request.

Sure enough, traveling with Loki to Asgard on the Bifrost by-passes Galactus’ barrier and allows the Silver Surfer to escape Earth. Upon entering Asgard, Loki quickly disappears so that his fellow Asgardians will not suspect the Surfer’s true mission: to vanquish Thor. The Surfer first meets Heimdall at the Golden Gates and is allowed to pass, since he does not seem to be a threat. He then enters Thor’s castle and interrupts their feast by challenging him to a fight. The Warriors Three leap at the Surfer for his threat, but Thor stops them and encourages everyone to eat first before any challenges begin. The Surfer agrees to Thor’s request and is fascinated how so many people seem to be loyal to someone that is supposed to be evil.