Thor vol. 2 #8Thor vol. 2 #8
Title: “…And the Home of the Brave!”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colors: Gregory Wright & Dan Brown
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Right at dawn, Thor decides that it has been too long since he was in Asgard. He starts spinning his hammer. Thor says that it is time to find the answers to Asgard’s mysteries. Thor sees the Rainbow Bridge below his feet within the spinning of the vortex. A shock runs through Thor’s body repelling him back to Midgard. Thor says that once again he suffers the shame of failing friends and family. Thor says that he must still wonder what has happened to Asgard.
In Asgard, Majeston Zelia says that he
desires sport and tells Perrikus to provide it. Perrikus says
that Zelia insults him. He says that only Odin is his equal and
able to supply him suitable challenge. Zelia says that the Dark
Gods have gathered for a competition and that she does not want
to disappointment them. Adva says that the barrier is secure, and
that none may enter Asgard. Tokkots, a large winged Dark God,
says that he wants to kill Odin. Zelia tells Tokkots to be quiet
and says that Odin’s torture is to watch all his subjects
fall. Zelia calls for the designated one. Two guards bring out a
figure. Odin sees Balder and says that the gaunt and worn person
cannot be Balder. Balder bids Odin be silent because even thought
the tortures he has endured are horrible if the Dark Gods want
battle he will give it to them because Balder has never shirked
from his responsibility to Odin or Asgard. Tokkots says that he
wants to kill Balder. Zelia says that Balder is for Perrikus.
Tokkots says that Perrikus doesn’t want the kill, and he
demands to be allowed to do it. Zelia gets angry and blasts
Tokkots. Tokkots trails off. Tokkots is near the Rainbow Bridge
and sees Thor’s failed vortex. He dives into the vortex and
goes back to Earth with Thor. Perrikus looks down at Balder and
asks if Zelia wants him to waste his time dueling with this half
dead wretch. He says that he won’t do it, but that perhaps
he would if it were Thor. Perrikus says to let Balder die alone.
Balder rises and charges Perrikus.
Perrikus turns
and slashes Balder across the chest with his scythe. Zelia tells
Odin that he is going to watch as they all fall.
At Memorial Hospital, Peter Parker has taken Aunt May there to have her prescription filled. She says that Peter is so busy lately that she feels guilty for bringing him along. Peter says that he has time to burn, and that it is no problem taking her to see Dr. Kincaid. Aunt May says that she does appreciate having him there as the doctors always talk over her head. Just then Jake and Demetrius bring in an emergency patient to Dr. Foster. Jane says that she supposes that she should thank Jake for not operating on him in the field. Peter watches them and takes a picture impressed with them as real heroes. Aunt May asks if Peter thinks that the young man will die. Jane calls Peter a jackal and says for somebody to call security. Demetrius says that he will take care of it and tells Peter to give him the film. Peter says that he took the photo as a tribute to them. Demetrius says that he doesn’t care, and starts to grab the camera. Jake tells Demetrius to relax. Demetrius says that he doesn’t like having his picture taken. Peter says that Demetrius wasn’t even in the frame. Jake tells Peter that it is okay, but that he should ask next time. Both Peter and Jake’s beepers go off. Both of them are being called to an emergency in Midtown. Jake gets Demetrius while Peter explains to Aunt May. He tells her to get her prescription filled and he will come back to take her home. Peter runs off, but doesn’t hear Aunt May say that Peter has her prescription order in his pocket. As they make their individual ways to Midtown the ground starts to shake and Tokkots breaks through the road and tells all that it is their time to die. Tokkots smashes some things and then flies up. Demetrius starts helping people. He turns to talk to Jake, but finds that Jake is missing.
Both Peter and Jake run into separate alleys. Peter gets changed into his Spider-Man costume while Jake bangs his fist against the ground and transforms into Thor. Thor and Spider-Man arrive on the scene at the same time. Thor says that Spider-Man better get behind him so he isn’t hurt.
Tokkots lands on a building and his touch
rots the construction. The building crumbles and the pieces fall
to the crowd below. Spider-Man quickly webs the debris together
into one giant construct, and Thor manages to catch the block
before it hits the crowd.
While Thor is
holding the rubble up long enough for the people to escape,
Spider-Man swings into Tokkots’ back. Tokkot tries to blast
Spider-Man. Spider-Man dodges, but the blast cuts his web line.
Thor catches the webbing and again asks Spider-Man to protect
himself.
Aunt May is on the street below looking for Peter. She says that she was sure that she saw Peter go this way.
Thor throws Mjolnir at Tokkot, but it passes right through his chest. The hammer keeps going and clips the rotor of a helicopter. Thor is stunned as Mjolnir keeps going and going. Spider-Man says that they have bigger problems as the helicopter is going down. At that moment Tokkot reveals another power and creates another of himself. The helicopter is still dropping, and Thor’s hammer is still flying. Aunt May is on the ground.
Tale continued in Peter Parker:
Lightning Crashes rating: 6.5 out of 10
The plot is advanced somewhat as Thor finally gets to fight a Dark God, but the issue is still a set up issue with the fight resolving in Spider-Man’s book… as such it feels, much like it is, unfinished. Romita does a good job this issue (3.5 out of 5)- it’s a novel idea to link the two books Romita was doing into a crossover, and really worked together.