Thor vol. 2 #7Thor vol. 2 #7
Title: “Deception”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colors: Gregory Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Majeston Zelia sits upon the throne and says
that Asgard is now totally transformed and that she would have
“him” see it so that he can see how it is no longer his
to rule. Perrikus stands by as Adva opens up the dimensional rift
and brings Odin to the new Asgard. Zelia says that Odin once
spurned her love, and that now the universe will know that Odin
is her servant. Odin is chained to a gigantic construct. Odin
asks Zelia if she truly thinks that he is chained forever, and
that his realm is now hers to command. Odin says that he would
kiss Hela’s lips before he would succumb to her. Zelia
stands before Odin and says that Zeus will beg for her
forgiveness yet. She says that as each and every Asgardian falls
before Perrikus’ blade that Odin will beg her. Odin says
that even if she tortures them all to death that none of them
would beg. Odin spits in Zelia’s face. Zelia backhands Odin.
Odin shouts
that she must be mad for nobody dares strike the omnipotent.
Zelia smacks Odin again and says that she dares again and again
if necessary. Odin says that when he gets free that Zelia will
pay like she suffer a wrath like she has never known. Zelia asks
who is going to free Odin. She says that all that he rules are in
chains. Perrikus says that all but Thor, but that he can’t
even be found on Midgard and that he must surely be dead. Odin
says that he already knows this. Zelia says that they are aware
of Odin’s alliance with Zeus, but that thanks to D’Chel
the Deceptor that they don’t ever need to worry about them.
Hercules and Thor stand amongst the rubble.
Thor says that it looks like Olympus suffered the same fate as
Asgard did. Hercules spots the grave of his friend and counselor
Dionysus. Hercules tells Thor to turn away so he won’t see
him cry. Thor says that he knows how Herc feels. Suddenly Hermes
cries out, “Evil one! Betraying dog! Thou art unfit to walk
the ground of Olympus!” Hermes’ chariot zooms right
past Thor’s head. Hercules asks what manner of insanity has
claimed Hermes. Thor says that the way Hermes is talking to him
begs of battle. Hermes says that he is going to claim Thor’s
head. Thor says, “so be it” and flies into the air
pulling Hermes off his chariot. Thor says that he came in peace,
but that the gauntlet has been thrown down. Thor quickly smashes
two spears that were thrown at him from behind. Thor says that
his attacker must be a coward because no warrior with honor would
attack this way. Ares lunges at Thor and says that after what he
did that to speak to him of honor is blasphemy. Thor clubs Ares
in the face with his hammer. Atlas pops up behind Thor and grabs
him around the neck with his arms. Hercules wonders what he
should do. Ares launches three more spears at Thor. Hercules
grabs Atlas off Thor’s back. Thor smashes the spears into
pieces with his hammer. Thor asks Atlas why he is attacking him
like this because he has never given him any reason to do so.
Atlas says that Odin and his progeny should all rot. Thor
realizes that as his hammer is returning it is hurtling at his
head. Thor dodges and clubs Atlas in the face. Thor says that
once again his hammer acts on its own accord. Hercules tells Thor
to stay his hand, and that it is time to talk now to learn the
reasons. Thor says that he would know the reason why as well, but
that it seems like there are still those that attack him. Pluto
appears before them. Pluto says that Hercules in no longer an
Olympian, and that him allying himself with this Asgardian pig.
Hercules says that Pluto is master of the Netherworld, and that
only he has the reason and power to lay Olympus to waste. Pluto
says that he wishes that were true, but that it is not.
Zeus’ voice booms, “The evil one speaketh true, my
errant son!” Hercules turns and asks Zeus what happened to
Olympus. Zeus asks why that matters to one who turned his back on
his birthright. Thor says that if they had only known of
Olympus’ plight that they would have fought on her behalf. 
Zeus calls Thor
a liar and says that all Olympians would strike him down because
they all know that Thor would do the same to them. Thor says that
Zeus’ wild accusations drive him to lash out at him and
tells Zeus that he had better explain himself or prepare for
battle. Herc tells Thor to calm down, and that nobody can talk
like that too Zeus. Zeus says that it is to be expected of one
raised by a pig warmonger.
Odin says that Zelia speaks of the Olympians as if they were only an afterthought. Zelia says that D’Chel is capable of anything… even making Zeus believe the impossible.
Thor tells Zeus to watch how he talks about Odin or he is courting war. Zeus says that isn’t just an idle threat because it was the Asgardians who destroyed Olympus this way. He says that they came out of the mist without reason or warning and starting slaughtering. Balder, Sif, Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg were all there. The battle raged for days. Zeus says that he couldn’t believe that Odin had ordered such treachery until on the final day of battle he spotted Odin standing next to Loki, and both had reason to look satisfied. Then as mysteriously as they arrived the Asgardians disappeared. Zeus says that if Thor had been with them that day that Thor’s own body would be smoldering with the burns of Zeus. Thor can’t believe it, and Hercules asks if Thor still doubts the word of Zeus. Thor says that he does because Hercules knows that Odin and all the Asgardians have gone missing, and that such a war would be impossible. Ares says that they should slay him for that.
Odin says that no illusion would cause Zeus to believe that they had attacked them. Zelia says that of course it would. Zelia and Perrikus say that it was remarkably easy to attack them and make them believe it was them. Odin says that it was Zeus who fooled them by making them think that their deception had worked. D’Chel shows Odin as he causes Perrikus to appear as Odin himself. Odin asks why they would want war among the gods. Zelia says that they don’t want that, but that they do want Odin’s complete and total defeat. She says that it is not enough for them to be die, but that their legend must be extinguished as well. Perrikus says that Odin spurned Zelia’s love, and that he kept him prisoner for ages, and that for that he must pay. Perrikus strikes Odin.
Hercules orders Thor to apologize to Zeus now. Thor says that the truth needs to be spoken because he knows that Zeus is in error. Hercules says that Thor is a fellow Avenger and friend or he would have already rendered him unconscious. Zeus tells Hercules to announce his allegiance once and for all. Hercules says that even though Zeus stripped him of his immortality that Olympus is always his to defend. Hercules advances on Thor, but Thor says that he will not fight him needlessly and lowers his hammer. Thor also swears on his word that Olympus was not plundered by Asgardians. Hercules grabs Thor’s shirt and pulls his fist back. Herc says that it is the word of Thor against the word of Zeus, and that even though Thor has no evidence he is an Avenger. Hercules adds that Thor carries Mjolnir an honor bestowed upon only the purest of hearts. Hercules says that for those reasons, and for the years of their friendship he lowers his hands. Zeus says that again Hercules disappoints him, and that he rues the day he first journeyed to Earth. Zeus tells them to both get out. Zeus blasts them both.
Hercules and Thor find themselves back on Earth. Hercules asks Thor if he wants a tankard of ale. He says that nobody has ever questioned the word of Zeus the way Thor did. Thor says that he has no time for frivolities. He says that Hercules at least knows that his father lives, but that he does not. Thor flies off. Hercules is standing in the middle of the street when he hears a car’s radio on the Chucky Diamond show. Chuck Diamond says that the Thunderbolts aren’t really heroes at all, but that they are the Masters of Evil. Hercules says that they once laid him low, and that they must be made to feel his wrath.
Lightning Crashes rating: 8 out of 10
Very good issue. The plot unfolds further. The threat of the Dark Gods is realized as they laid waste to the Olympians just to spite the Asgardians. Thor stands up to Zeus. I’m not 100% sure why Zeus didn’t try to ace Thor, but maybe Zeus believed Thor’s word just enough to entertain the idea that he was telling the truth. Romita does an excellent job this issue and makes me wish we got to see the Olympians more often.