Journey
Into Mystery #123
Journey
Into Mystery #123
Title: “While a Universe Trembles!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Thor and Hobbs ready to leave for Asgard as Thor spins his hammer. Thor reminds Hobbs that for taking him to Asgard that he will never reveal his dual identity. Hobbs says that is a promise and that all he wants are some pictures. Thor says that cannot be. He says that they are traveling by vortex and that the camera can’t see out of it. Hobbs asks how long it will take. Thor says that time has no meaning and that even as the mists enclose them that they are there. As the vortex fades, Hobbs thinks to himself that he can get his pictures now, but when he sees the beauty and spectacle he forgets. He says that it is like being in the center of the universe and like being part of eternity. Thor tells Hobbs that they are on Bifrost, known as the Rainbow Bridge. Thor tells Hobbs to walk by his side. Thor notices that Heimdall is not at his post and knows that only the direst catastrophe could remove him from his eternal station. Thor tells Hobbs to hurry up and that he fears grave calamity awaits. Thor walks through and says that the streets have never been so empty. Thor finally comes upon the remnants of Odin’s guard, who have been beaten down by the Absorbing Man. Thor realizes that Loki must have brought Creel there. One of the men tells Thor that the battle is happening in the Imperial Palace. Thor tells them to stand back and that this is his moment. Thor flies off, but Hobbs follows.
Thor sees Odin hurling a bolt of cosmic energy at Creel and realizes that his father must not know Creel’s powers. Thor watches Creel hurl the cosmic bolt back at Odin. Odin tells Creel that he can’t be hurt by his own powers. Odin explains that his Scepter of Supremacy swallows the fury. Creel says that he can still lick anything that lives, and that includes “white-haired squares” who gargle “a lotta five dollar words”. Odin says that he fights with more than words. He says that with a gesture of his scepter that he subjects Creel to the force of a molecular cyclone. Thor tries to warn Odin not to, but he is too late. Creel, now a living cyclone, tells Odin that he should have listened to Goldilocks. Thor tells Odin that Creel becomes whatever he touches. Odin tells Thor to stay back from him then because the molecular cyclone can stagger even him. Odin’s warning comes too late.
In an Asian jungle, the army is looking to slay the local witch doctor in order to solidify the rule over the locals. The witch doctor hides from the army and wonders why the gods to not aid him and show their power to help him rid the land of invaders. He wishes they would send him a token of their support. The stone that Thor dropped not long ago drops in front of him. He says that his prayers have been answered and that the gods haven’t forsaken him. The witch doctor picks the stone up and is imbued with “power enough to shake the world”. He emerges from hiding. The soldiers take aim at the witch doctor, but the witch doctor smashes the ground and knocks them over. He tells them that their tyranny has ended. The soldiers open fire, but the witch doctor blocks their shots with his hands. He shows the soldiers that he caught all the rounds they fired. The soldiers realize they must flee. The witch doctor tells them that they will never enslave their land. He throws the bullets he caught at them as they run. He takes the Norn stone from his belt and says that the one who holds this can rule the world. He says that it is not for nothing that he gods have given it to him. He says that he is meant to conquer and that he will not fail.
Creel says that nothing can touch him while he is like
this, but that isn’t enough for him. He says that he must gain new power to
finish them. Thor asks Odin to leave and to let him fight for him. Odin
declines. He says that he is still Odin the all powerful and supreme.
Creel
touches marble and says that Odin still doesn’t get it. He says that this is
Odin’s swan song, and that he is going to grow big enough to crush him like a
flea. He says that he is going to absorb every hunk of strength in Asgard and
that before he is done that he will rule the universe. Thor frees himself from
the rubble and Creel tells him that he has been itching to flatten him too. Odin
tells Creel to be quiet and that for each new insolence that he will pay a
thousand fold. Creel tells Odin to go ahead and keep talking. Thor tells Odin to
let him take Creel out for him. Odin tells him to wait. Loki emerges and tells
Creel to finish Odin. He says that even in defeat that Odin is not one to trifle
with. Odin asks Loki if he is so sure of himself that he can flaunt his treason
in front of him. Loki says that Odin has ruled long enough and that it is time
for him to rest. Loki says that only the strongest can possess the Supreme
Scepter. He tells Odin to hand it over. Loki says that he created the Absorbing
Man and that only he can control him. Loki says that he wins. Thor says that he
can’t listen to anymore of this. Odin tells Thor to let the drama play out. He
says that he has no wish to see his kingdom destroyed. He tells Loki that he has
always lusted after his scepter and to go ahead and take it. Loki holds the
scepter above his head and says that he knew Odin would surrender rather than
see Asgard destroyed. Thor says that this is a shameful moment. Loki says that
he proclaims the reign of Loki the Cunning. Loki tells Creel to return to normal
size and that from now on that no one will tower over him. He says that all must
grovel before him. Creel tells Loki that he is living in a fool’s paradise. He
says that now he knows just how powerful he is and that the scepter is his.
Creel grabs the scepter. Loki pulls back and asks how dare he sully it with his
mortal hands. He reminds Creel that he was the one that gave him his power and
that he can destroy him. Thor tells Odin that he means no disrespect, but that
there was no reason to surrender. He says that he can still get him back the
scepter if he says the word. Odin tells Thor to be patient and that this isn’t
over yet. Creel and Loki struggle for the scepter and both say that they will
never let go. Odin says that there is much truth in what they say and that
neither of them can let go. Creel realizes that Odin found a way to stick them
to the scepter. He says that he will absorb its power and destroy Asgard. Loki
says that Creel can’t steal his victory. Odin asks if Loki really thought he
could be defeated so easily.
Odin
renders Creel and Loki weightless. He says that the power was never in the
scepter, but in him. He says that he let his charade continue to see the extent
of his evil purpose, but that he has seen enough. Odin tells them to take the
worthless scepter and begone.
Loki and Creel are sent flying out into space together both still stuck to the scepter. Creel realizes that Odin was just playing them and that he could have done this any time. Creel and Loki freeze and Odin tells them that their journey will continue for as long as it pleases him.
Asgard’s warriors raise their weapons saluting Odin as Odin tells them that he salutes them and is proud of them. Odin says that Thor proved most courageous of all. He says that it is difficult to stay your hand when your soul cries out for combat, but that Thor obeyed him and that he is mightily pleased. Suddenly Thor remembers the mortal. Hobbs surfaces and asks what happened. Thor tells Hobbs that he was rendered unconscious by a cyclonic bolt. Hobbs asks if he missed the whole thing. Odin asks if another mortal is in Asgard. He tells Thor to be careful that he doesn’t turn his gratitude into kingly wrath. Thor says that he can explain and that he and the mortal entered into a compact. Hobbs says that he has to get a picture of Odin, but sees that his camera was ruined in the fight. Odin walks off and says to have the human removed from his sight and realm. Hobbs asks how one guy could get that haughty in only one lifetime. Thor says that Hobbs has no idea how long Odin’s life has been. Hobbs asks if he couldn’t just take some time to make some pencil sketches. Thor says that Odin has spoken and that there is nothing more to be said. Hobbs says that if he only had some pictures that someone might believe him. Thor tells Hobbs that he wastes his time. He says that for centuries people have been telling tales of Asgard, but that mankind still calls it a legend.
On the outskirts of Mongolia, the witch doctor smashes through a bolted gate. The people start to run, but the witch doctor tells them not to fear him. He says that the gods have given him this power to carry out a mission and that they are going to help him. He says that if any oppose him to watch a sample of his power. He rips one of the buildings out of the ground and lifts it into the air. The people realize that they must obey him and say that he is a demon in human form. The witch doctor says that they have called him a demon and that a demon he will be. He tells them all to bow down before the demon. Madness glistens in the Demon’s eyes.
Thor and Hobbs return to Earth. Hobbs says that he is without pictures, evidence, or even memories. Thor says that it is best that he grant him the gift of forgetfulness. Thor says that some things are better left unremembered. Hobbs asks how he knows he even went to Asgard. Thor says that sometimes in his dreams he will think they are dreams, but that they will be a small part of him that remembers.
Lightning Crashes rating: 9 out of 10
Odin the more cunning over Loki the cunning. Absorbing Man is dismissed again without much of a fight. Hobbs is a kind of annoying subplot, but I kind of enjoyed the Demon’s creation. Ironic that he prayed to his gods, and that Thor answered his prayers… however unintentionally. Magnificent images from Jack Kirby. 5 out of 5 for the art.
Title: “The Jaws of the Dragon!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Back
in Asgard, Odin stands on top of the tallest peak in the universe and sees a
sight that staggers even his senses. One of the men with Odin says that he sees
omens of the coming Ragnarok. A gigantic dark cloud, writhing and seething, with
countless figures of shadowy warriors locked in titanic combat. Odin realizes
that even his bravest followers are flinching at the sight. After long
anguishing minutes, the shadows fade. Odin wonders how Thor’s journey goes.
The maelstrom carries Thor’s ship between the Pillars of Utgard. Hogun asks Balder why he has blown the horn on top of the figurehead. He asks if he has taken leave of his senses. Balder says that each of them does what they can in their own way. Suddenly a dragon’s head emerges from the sea. One of the men shouts for Odin to preserve them as they head directly into the dragon’s gaping jaws. The men tell Thor that he is their only hope. Thor says that he pledges to do what flesh and blood can. He swings his hammer and says that he is read for the creature to strike. Suddenly the mast of the ship splinters. Balder keeps blowing his horn. Just as the jaws are about to clamp down on the vessel, Balder hits one final note. The sound shatters the stone jaw into pieces sending stone meteors to the farthest ends of the universe.
Lightning Crashes rating: 8 out of 10
Uh… what? Balder blew a horn and destroyed a stone dragon? Okay. Not quite the adventure I was looking for, but the story moves on at least. Couple of really nice, classic images from Jack. Gotta love him. 4.5 out of 5 for art.
Review and pictures by The Leader