Thor vol. 2 #10Thor vol. 2 #10
Title: “The Dark Wars- part 1 of 3”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colors: Gregory Wright and Kevin Somers
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Tokkots tells Perrikus again that Thor is alive and on Earth. Perrikus tells Tokkots to shut up, and that if Thor is alive that he will be grinding his foot into his face within the hour. Perrikus tells Adva to search Earth for him again. Adva says that she will do it even though she has already done it many times with no results. Adva says that she sensed Thor, but then he suddenly vanished. Adva asks how that is possible.
On Earth, Thor hits his hammer against the ground and turns back into Jake Olsen. An image of Marnot appears behind Thor and says that it is good to see Thor remembers their agreement. Thor says that Marnot’s machinations may have him stuck in the body of Jake Olsen, but that doesn’t mean he can intrude when he wants. Thor says that he will do his duty and live the rest of Jake Olsen’s life, but that he will not do it to the expense of Asgard. Thor says that he is going to make war upon the Dark Gods as soon as he makes excuses for Jake Olsen. Marnot’s image floats behind Olsen, and says that he cannot hope to be victorious against them by himself. Jake says that Marnot knows more than he is saying, and that for all he knows Marnot is one of them. Marnot says that their agreement dictates that Thor protect Olsen’s life, and that he can’t allow him to rush head long into a situation that ensures his death. Jake walks through the door to the emergency room and continues talking to Marnot. He says that just as he is duty bound to protect Olsen so is he duty bound to protect Odin. Demetrius asks Jake who he is yelling at. Jake says that he is just talking to himself. Jake tells Demetrius that he is taking the day off. Demetrius asks, “Again? Are you trying to get fired or what?” Hannah walks over. Jake tells Hannah that he was just telling D that he is leaving town for a couple of days. Hannah tries to ask why, but Jake kisses her and says that it is complicated and that he will explain later. Hannah and Demetrius are left standing together. D says that Jake gets more mysterious everyday. Detective O’Neal walks up to them and says that their bosses tell him that drugs are being stolen from the hospital pharmacy. He asks them if they have seen and strange or suspicious behavior lately. Hannah and Demetrius just look at each other.
In Asgard, the Dark Gods tell Odin that despite his efforts to keep him hidden that they have spotted Thor. Odin says that if Thor is alive that it is news to him because he has thought him long dead. Tokkots says that Odin lied, and that they should cut out his tongue. Zelia says that she would rather cut out Tokkot’s. She says that it doesn’t matter how he is alive, but only that they bring him there. Zelia tells Perrikus to set the trap with the proper bait and that Thor will be theirs.
Back on Earth, Jake Olsen is rushing out of the hospital and bumps into Jane Foster. Jake apologizes and says that he was just in a big rush. Jane asks if there is an emergency somewhere. Jake says that it is just family business. Jane says that perhaps Jake’s father needs him. She says that she hopes that he will tell her about it later. Jane mentions that she had an interesting patient yesterday. She says that a man that was running an evil robot came in and needed to have his arm set. She says that Thor stopped him. Jake says, “Replicus!” Jane asks Jake if he has heard of it. Marnot’s image appears over Jake’s shoulder and says, Fool! She suspects! Not a word! Your situation must remain secret!” Suddenly a booming voice is heard, “I demand the Odinson!” Jake turns and sees an image of Perrikus filling the entire sky. Perrikus says that Thor is a coward, and that is why he is hiding himself from Asgard’s conquerors. Jane asks who that is, but Jake says that he doesn’t know.
In Asgard, Perrikus broadcasts his message by means of Adva’s dimensional tunnel. Tokkots drags Sif over, and Adva tells him to bring her to Perrikus so that she can be seen. Perrikus says that the way has been opened to him once again. He tells Thor to come to him for battle proper or blood will be split. When Jake sees Sif he says, “Nay!” Perrikus says that the first blood split will be that of Sif. Jane is awestruck. She turns to Jake to ask if he knows who those two are. Jane finds that Jake is long gone. She says that her suspicions must be true. Demetrius, O’Neal, and Hannah come out and ask Jane if she has seen Jake. Jane says that Jake said that he had a family emergency, and that he will be I touch. Hannah says that sometimes it seems that Jane knows Jake better than she does. Jane tells Hannah that is silly and that she wants to buy her a cup of coffee, and that Hannah can tell her what she doesn’t know about Jake. A flash from the transformation flares out of the grating that Jake went down to change in. Thor recalls that it was Perrikus whom he encountered as a child. Thor spins his hammer and arrives on the Rainbow Bridge. Thor sees Asgard as it has been transformed into the Dark Gods’ home. A phantom hand appears to Thor to take him to the Dark Gods.
Adva tells Perrikus that the Odinson is here. Perrikus says that after all this time that final battle is finally at hand.
Thor sees vermin and refuse all over the ground as he walks. He steps on some spoiled waste and the remains of the dead. Thor says that it seems inconceivable that Asgard could be transformed this way. Thor arrives at the arena and is welcomed by Majeston Zelia. Zelia hovers in the air while Balder and Sif now adorn the bottom of the construct that Odin is chained to. Thor says that this must be an illusion, but Odin tells him that this is the real thing. Thor says that Odin is chained, Balder and Sif are almost ready for Hela’s embrace. Zelia says that Thor will soon be ready as well as punishment for the victory he delivered to the Asgardians so long ago. Zelia shouts for Perrikus.
Crackling with energy, Perrikus says that he
calls Thor out. Perrikus says that for all the years that he
spent in his father’s prison that he challenges Thor to
battle until one of them no longer draws breath. Thor tells
Perrikus to yield to him while it is still possible. Perrikus
shouts, “Never!”, and then lets loose with a burst of
energy that pours out of his arm. Mjolnir sucks up the energy as
Thor advances on Perrikus. Thor says that Perrikus is going to
fail because he has challenged Thor who fights for honor, glory,
and for Asgard. Thor hits Perrikus with his hammer.
Perrikus says
that if energy will not put Thor to his knees then maybe this
will. Perrikus cuts Thor with his scythe. Thor says that he
doesn’t kneel to anyone but Odin. Perrikus says that even
Odin fell to his flesh piercing darts. Darts shoot out of
Perrikus’ scythe. With darts sticking out of his skin, Thor
says that it is clear that Perrikus intends to take this to its
bitter end. Thor summons the anti-force and blasts it at
Perrikus. Perrikus says, “Im… impressive, Thunder God,
but not… enough.” Thor says that now while Perrikus is
weakened that he will finish this. Thor throws his hammer and
says that no man can withstand the power and might of his hammer.
Perrikus shouts
that he can and then proceeds to cut Mjolnir into pieces with his
scythe. Odin and Thor look down in awe at the destroyed hammer.
Thor actually experiences fear, and wonders what is going to
happen now that he can no longer hold his hammer. Perrikus says
to Thor, “Prepare yourself. Death is nigh.” Zelia
laughs as Perrikus beats on Thor brutally. Seconds turn into a
full minute and Perrikus is still beating on Thor. Thor starts to
transform into Jake Olsen. Odin asks what is happening here.
Perrikus punches Odin across the face and tells him to shut up.
Perrikus says that he will not be distracted when victory is his.
Thor says that he must protect Olsen and climbs into the sewer.
Zelia laughs and says that Thor flees with the timidity of a
mouse. Perrikus shouts, “Odinson! Return to me here and
now… or I’ll cut the meat from the bones of all those
you hold dear!”
Lightning Crashes rating: 9 out of 10
Now this is plot development… now this is opposition. Perrikus withstands the anti-force, slices Mjolnir into pieces, Odin is captured, and everyone is captured and dying. What’s worse is that Thor is now Jake Olsen and unable to transform back into Thor. Man what a story. Romita does an excellent job. I would have liked to have seen a little more clarity on the battle scenes. By clarity I mean that I would have liked to have seen Perrikus a little clearer as he pounded on Thor. But still this book is fantastic to see and read.