Thor vol. 2 #13Thor vol. 2 #13
Title: “The Work of Odin”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colors: Somers, Tutrone, & Bernardo
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Odin addresses all of Asgard. He says that even though the greatest threat that ever rose against Asgard was ready to bury them honor, right, and justice prevailed. Odin says that it was because of one man that Asgard won the day. He tells them all to raise their weapons in the air and honor Thor. Fandrall and Volstagg note that even the grim Hogun is cheering and smiling. Destroyer is standing with Hercules. He says that it is hard for him to believe that a place like this even exists. Destroyer asks where his pay-off is. Hercules tells Destroyer to loosen up.
Odin asks Thor to kneel before him, and Thor says that it was his greatest fear that he would never do so again. Odin says that for months he thought that Thor and Midgard’s champions were all dead, and so it is a pleasure to grant Thor any wish that he desires. Thor says that his heart does ache. Odin says that an immortal should not be burdened with the concerns of a mortal life. Thor says that it isn’t that bothering him. Thor says that his only wish is that the ugliness that Asgard has become be erased forever. Odin says that is a wish as noble as the one who speaks it. Odin pledges that they will spend every waking hour until Asgard is restored. Everyone starts cheering again. Odin bids them to be silent once more. He says that he has one more task to perform. Odin tells Thor to come with him. Thor says that he doesn’t understand. Odin says that Mjolnir, perhaps his greatest creation, was almost destroyed by Perrikus. Odin says that Mjolnir is now unthinkably damaged. Thor says that its scars are the markings of victory proud. Odin says that be that as it may, that he is the one that created the hammer and he must be the one to fix it. Odin tells Thor to place the hammer in the Flame of Scirorrak. Odin holds his royal scepter above the hammer and pours his power down upon Mjolnir reforging it.
Thor holds the hammer above his head and says that Mjolnir is now stronger than ever. Destroyer says, “Whoopee. Now when do I get my body back?” Hercules says that his friend Justice would call Destroyer a party pooper. Heimdall hears something. Odin starts to say that he noticed something odd about Thor’s hammer, but he is interrupted as Heimdall shouts that they are being watched. Thor says that if Asgard is threatened again that he is ready to defend it. Marnot tells Thor that he has nothing to fear from him. Odin tells Marnot to be silent or he will exhaust his patience. Marnot says, “Odin, Schmodin, I’m not impressed.” Odin asks who dares to speak to him this way. Thor gives Odin the back story on how Marnot saved him from Hela’s realm, but that he is always tormenting him. The Asgardians around Destroyer start yelling at him, but Destroyer says that it wasn’t his fault. Odin asks Marnot how dare he bedevil his son. Marnot throws his arm around Odin’s shoulder and suggests that they choke down a tankard of mead. Odin says that he better stop touching him and watch it or he will court not only the throne’s wrath but also death itself. Marnot says, “Don’t be such a crank, boss. Never bothered you when I touched you before!” Odin grabs Marnot up by his cape and says that he had better beg for forgiveness or he is going to rip his tongue out. Thor says that he recognizes his mocking tone. Thor says that he knew that it was Loki all along. Marnot says that he is a product of “Santa” here, but not the way Thor thinks. Marnot transports back into one of Odin’s ravens. Odin asks what manner of witchery this is. Marnot introduces himself as Odin’s raven Hescamar, and that the witchery was Odin’s. Hescamar says that just as Odin blocked out the memory of the Dark Gods so did he block out the memory of the contingency plan in the event that they rose up again. He says that when the Dark Gods attacked again he was transformed from a bird into a man with the aura, the power, and invincibility of Odin. As Asgard crumbled, Marnot flew off to seek out all Asgardians not yet captured and conceal them until they might one day counterattack. Thor guesses correctly that Marnot forced the life of Jake Olsen upon him, not as a point of honor, but as a mask. Thor tells Odin that he has interfered with him in the past, but that this is unconscionable. Odin says that it wasn’t his intention, and was done only to protect Asgard. Thor says that he is still troubled and must go. Destroyer reminds Thor about his body. Thor tells Odin that for his help defeating the Dark Gods that the man within the armor wishes to return to his body. Odin says that he has earned Odin’s favor. Odin uses his scepter to pull Preston Case’s soul out of the Destroyer armor. The armor falls into a heap on the ground. Odin hands the scepter to Thor and tells him to hurry before the life force is lost. Thor swings his hammer.
At the hospital, Jane Foster sits next to Preston Case’s body. She says that it seems that it is time to go get a priest for last rites. Suddenly Thor arrives and tells Jane Foster to stand back or the scepter of Odin might harm her. Thor places Preston Case within his own body. Jane Foster checks his vitals and says that it as if nothing ever happened to him. Preston wakes up and asks what is happening. Thor says that explanations will come soon enough. Outside the room, Jane Foster notes that Preston doesn’t remember being the Destroyer. Thor says that is doubtless the work of Odin. Jane says that once again Odin is messing with other people’s lives. Jane asks if Asgard is safe. Thor says that all is as it should be. Jane says that Hannah Fairmont might disagree. Thor says that their welfare is foremost on his mind. Jane asks if Thor is going to ruin their lives. Thor says that the answer to that is to be determined elsewhere. Thor starts swinging his hammer again.
Thor returns to
Asgard. Odin and the others are all celebrating. Odin says that
he is glad that Thor returned to take part in the Feast of
Feasts. Volstagg says that his wife didn’t even recognize
him. Thor says that he did not come back to celebrate, but that
the life of Jake Olsen needs to be accounted for. Odin says that
with their enemies gone that Thor can put the matters of Midgard
behind him at last. Odin says that Marnot’s pact is no
longer needed. Thor says that it was still his actions that
caused the death of a man of medicine that people depend on.
Hescamar says to Odin that it is the trappings of courage and
honor. Thor says that he is honor bound to fulfill his commitment
to Jake Olsen. Odin says, “so be it”, but that he hopes
it is not a decision that he will regret. Sif says that it is
sense of obligation to one man’s life that inspires them to
follow Thor. Thor holds up a tankard and says that now let them
sing in ‘anticipation of the morrow’ and that the day
is theirs.
Back on Earth, Detective O’Neil is with Jake Olsen’s landlord and two police officers. The landlord says that he doesn’t understand this. O’Neil says that the warrant says that he has to let them in, but that it doesn’t say that they have to answer to him. One of the cops says that she has seen Olsen save lives before, and that she can’t believe that he is mixed up in something this horrible. O’Neil says that he knows, but that Olsen is acting suspicious and the evidence points this way. The other cop comes out of the bathroom with two bags full of drugs. He says that he found them in the toilet tank. He asks what O’Neil wants to bet that they match what has been taken from the hospital. O’Neil says to put out a warrant for Jake Olsen’s arrest.
Lightning Crashes: 6 out of 10
Eh, this issue serves as the downtime and resolution of the Dark Gods storyline, and it does fills its purpose, but it isn’t terribly interesting. I don’t get why Marnot was always being such a pain in the rear for Thor, and why he was always stopping Thor from going to Asgard or stopping him from finding out what was happening. I also don’t get why Marnot could not find the Enchantress if he is supposed to find Asgardians. So there were a few storyline holes, but that all in all it was a good five dollars worth for me and my whole family (obscure Strange Brew reference). Romita does an admirable job drawing not much of anything going on.