Thor vol. 2 #2Thor vol. 2 #2
Title: “Deal with the Devil”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colors: Gregory Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
The Avengers rally after witnessing the death of one of their own. Cap and Iron Man warn Hawkeye from fighting out of anger. Destroyer says that they are going down no matter what they do. Destroyer says that he was a military brat, and that he is sick of the red, white, and blue, but that most of all he is sick of taking orders from the big boys. Preston Case says that getting inside the armor is the greatest thing that ever happened to him. Captain America says that the armor is warping Case’s mind. Captain America wedges his shield onto the back of Destroyer’s neck. Cap says that Odin designed the armor to fight the Celestials. He tells Case to trust him. Case says that he doesn’t trust the man who wears the star. He says that Cap doesn’t get to tell him how to act. The other Avengers are getting up. Hawkeye says that Wanda told them to fight the Destroyer while she did something else. Cap tries to wedge the shield again. Cap says that Case took an oath, but as Cap brings the shield down Destroyer grabs Cap by the sides and slams him against the ground. Destroyer says that there isn’t a Captain that “this colonel” is going to take orders from.
Destroyer turns to find that Scarlet Witch is trying to save Thor. He tells her to get away so he can finish the job he started. Wanda says that as long as she draws breath that there is a chance that Thor might live. Destroyer says that he will just have to see to it that they both stop breathing. He opens the visor and Thor and Wanda are sent flying. Thor falls into the water and drops.
Thor’s
vision clears and he awakens in Hel. Thor finds himself in the
presence of Volla and Hela. Thor tells Hela that he has escaped
her realm before, and that he will do it again. Hela says that
Thor is without life and that he will be in Hel forever. Thor
says that while a spark of life beats in his chest that he will
fight Hela. A voice says, “Spoken like the warrior born you
are, sir”. Thor says that he is unknown to him and asks if
he is friend or enemy. The owner of the voice introduces himself
as Marnot, but says that his purposes and intents are his to
keep. Volla tells Marnot to get out of Hel. Marnot says that
Volla reminds him of his ninth wife, and that he couldn’t
stand her prattling either. Marnot snaps his fingers and
Volla’s mouth disappears. Hela asks Marnot what he is doing
there. Marnot says that he fixes it when the arrangement of life
falls out of balance. Thor guesses that Marnot is there to
restore him to life. Hela says that the life of Thor is not
Marnot’s to trifle with. Marnot says that it is not
Thor’s life that concerns him. Thor asks if perhaps Captain
America or Iron Man died. Marnot says that the life that concerns
him is one of a regular mortal.
Demetrius knocks on Hannah’s door. Demetrius tells Hannah that Jake died while saving a woman from an exploding car. Hannah collapses to the floor crying. Tears well in Demetrius’ eyes as he tells her.
Back in Hel, Marnot tells Thor that he speaks of a mortal named Jake Olsen who fought beside Thor though he didn’t notice. Marnot says that Thor was too obsessed with the Destroyer to take notice of the sacrifices of this mortal. Marnot says that Thor failed to protect an innocent. A paramedic that is every bit as crucial as the Avengers themselves. Marnot says that years from now his skills could have been used to protect lives. Thor says that his heart is filled with regret. Thor says that if he could he would go back and save the man’s life. Hela says that Thor is bound to her now. Marnot asks Hela if she is sure of that. Hela notices that a tiny fraction of Thor’s life force remains on Midgard. Thor says that he is free to return then. Marnot says that Thor must first atone for his sins. Marnot says that restoring an extinguished life is beyond his power, but that there is a way for justice to be achieved. Hela starts to threaten Marnot, but Marnot grabs Hela by the throat and says that Thor’s is not hers to claim. Hela start to say that she is going to claim his life, but Marnot tells her not to speak. Marnot says that even Hela might suffer under his wrath. Hela realizes who Marnot is and says that she understands. Marnot says for Thor to exist that so must Jake Olsen. Two lives to be carried by one god. Marnot tells Thor that it is time for him to return. Thor disappears. Hela commands Marnot to get out of her realm.
Back on Midgard, Destroyer is sitting triumphant over all the Avengers. Destroyer says that now that they have established the pecking order that the others can feel free to worship him. Destroyer spots Thor’s hammer sitting there he goes to pick it up, but finds that he cannot because the hammer is already in Thor’s hand. Thor bursts through the ground. Scarlet Witch says that she cast her hex upon Thor hoping that he would find a way to keep from dying. Thor takes his hammer and smacks the piece of Iron Man’s armor that Destroyer was keeping as an ornament. Thor then knocks Cap’s shield out of Destroyer’s hand, and then finally he takes the Scarlet Witch’s cape off Destroyer. Destroyer says that he is going to open the visor all the way. Thor smacks Destroyer in the head. Thor then starts spinning his hammer and sends Destroyer off into space.
Hawkeye asks Thor if he could untie them. Thor frees them and gives Cap back his shield. The Avengers ask Thor what happened to him. Thor says that it is a long story, and that part of the story requires that he leaves right away. Thor flies away. Hawkeye says that he thought Thor was dead for sure. Iron Man says that the laws of science don’t seem to apply to Thor. Cap says that the world thought he was dead for fifty years, and that fifty minutes is no big deal.
Thor lands somewhere private. Thor can’t seem to stop himself. He bangs his hammer against the ground and is transformed into Jake Olsen.
Later Hannah goes to Jake’s apartment. She uses her key and opens the door to find Jake Olsen standing in a towel. Jake asks who she is.
Lightning Crashes rating: 6 out of 10
Writing is somewhat confusing. Reading the issue in retrospect later you might be able to figure out what is going on, but the content of the issue just gives me a headache. Hela both understands Marnot’s meaning and then claims not to know who he is. So what did she understand? The artwork is average this going because of a lack of action. I also dislike Marnot’s appearance.