Thor vol. 2 #14Thor vol. 2 #14
Title: “Hammer Time”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Mike McKone
Inker: Mark McKenna
Colors: Gregory Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Preston Case is checking out of the hospital and is thanking Jane Foster for her care. Jane says that as much as she would like to take credit that she thinks he owes Thor most of the thanks. Preston says that is what he is told. He says that he doesn’t remember any of it, but that he was told that he was trapped in the body of the Destroyer. Jane says that Preston doesn’t need to worry about that anymore, and that he has been cleared. Preston says that again that is thanks to the testimony of the Avengers. Suddenly the emergency room doors open. Iron Man is holding Jake Olsen and he announces that this man has had a heart attack. Iron Man says that it is good to see Jane Foster there as he has confidence in her abilities. Jane asks Iron Man if he is sure of his diagnosis. Iron Man says that because of his employer’s cardiac history that he has been well trained. He says that if he had not performed CPR that he might not even have made it this far. Iron Man puts Jake down and Jane is stunned to see that it is Jake Olsen. Hannah comes in to see if Iron Man knows the man identity and insurance situation. Hannah sees that it is Jake, and Jane tells Hannah that she shouldn’t be in there. Demetrius arrives too, and Jane tells them all to get out. Iron Man ushers them out, but Hannah and Demetrius say that they deserve an explanation. Iron Man says that the story starts at Avengers mansion where he was engaged in a project with Thor.
Previously, Thor tells Iron Man that he never thought that he would be collecting pieces of the Rainbow Bridge on Midgard. Iron Man asks if this is the last of it. Thor says that there is only one more item found at the bottom of the Atlantic. Iron Man tells Thor not to be offended, but he says that he will feel better with this out of the Avengers mansion. They get out over the water, and Iron Man says that he doesn’t see a boat and asks if they are waiting for a submarine. Thor says that they are waiting for Namor. Namor pulls up the vessel that Sedna grabbed the jewel eyes from. Namor says that it is an honor to assist Thor and Asgard. Thor thanks Namor and says that he is a friend and comrade forever. Thor spins his hammer to transport everything to Asgard.
On the Rainbow Bridge, Heimdall senses someone’s arrival and prepares himself to defend Asgard. Thor tells him that he need not worry and that it is only friends that arrive. Heimdall salutes Thor, and Iron Man thinks how weird this all is for him. Thor hands Heimdall the last piece of the Rainbow Bridge and says that he should have the honor of replacing the final piece. Heimdall thanks Thor for the honor. Thor tells Iron Man to come with him, and that Odin awaits. As they walk through the streets, Iron Man is amazed to see that though they have access to magic and Earth technology that they are rebuilding Asgard by hand. Thor says that they are a people devoted to the old ways, He says that they find that when made with sinew and skill that one appreciates the dwelling more. Fandrall asks Thor if he has come to help out. Thor says that in time he will, but that it looks like they’re doing well without him. Volstagg says that it is all due to his superior supervising. Hogun says that Volstagg is as adept as avoiding labor. Thor says that some things never change. Thor says that maybe Iron Man might help out. Balder says that he is welcome. Volstagg says that though he is mortal perhaps Iron Man could fetch some food and drinks. Iron Man says maybe next time. Thor says that they had better not try Odin’ patience anymore.
Odin tells Thor that if his patience is to be tested that it is because Thor is accompanied. Odin says that mortal eyes should not view Asgard until it has been restored. Odin says that what’s more the eyes of man should not see everyone that he freed from their imprisonment at the hands of the Dark Gods. Thor asks Odin if he even freed those pledged to their destruction and asks why. Odin tells Thor that it was important that the natural order of things was returned. Odin holds up a torch and tells Thor to look into the Flame of Truth. Odin says that it seems another has a message for him. Orikal appears to Thor within the flame. Orikal says that for his heroism that he is to be favored with a warning. Orikal says that all is not well, and that “forces beyond thy ken conspire against thee!” Orikal tells Thor to tread lightly. Thor says that if any oppose him that he awaits them. Thor and Iron Man head back towards Earth.
In the present, Hannah stands with Demetrius. She tells Iron Man that this is very interesting, but wonders what it has to do with Jake. Iron Man realizes that they must not know the truth anymore than he had. Iron Man says that they didn’t reappear at Avengers mansion like they planned.
Iron Man asks Thor if his hammer is still acting up. Thor says yes, and that it is very puzzling. Iron Man says that it will have to wait. Iron Man points out Absorbing Man and Titania having a fight with the police. Thor wonders if it is a coincidence that they wound up there, or if his hammer directed them there.
Down in the
fight, Absorbing Man says that the cops are always bothering
them, and that it is time to teach them a lesson.
In the present, Hannah interrupts Iron Man again and says that she still doesn’t see what this has to do with Jake. Iron Man says that the scene was chaos, and that innocent people were endangered. Iron Man says that it was the sort of a place that required a paramedic.
Thor and Iron Man fly down to the police and ask for the rundown. The police say that apparently Absorbing Man took Titania to a jewelry store to buy her an anniversary gift, but that the store owner panicked and pressed the silent alarm. Thor says that mankind is threatened, and that he must fight.
Crusher Creel says that he just wanted to be
left alone and buy a present for his wife. He says that they just
don’t want to give him a break because he is a freak. Creel
lifts a large chunk of concrete over his head and says that the
only ones that are going to die are them. Thor’s hammer
shatters the rock. Creel sees Thor and says that he is the worst
one of all. Thor decks Creel and says that he is only the
protector of the people against threats like him. Iron Man rams
Titania into a truck and tells her that next year they should
celebrate their anniversary with a quiet night at home. Thor
punches Creel and holds out his hand for his hammer to return to
him, but instead of returning to Thor’s hand the hammer
wedges itself into a wall. Creel kicks Thor in the face. Creel
smashes Thor with a shot from his ball and chain. Creel says that
they have been doing this dance for years, and that maybe it is
time they made this the last one. Iron Man tells Titania that he
knows this stemmed from a misunderstanding, but that someone is
going to get hurt if it isn’t ended soon. Titania tries to
threaten Iron Man, but Iron Man shocks her with a level ten
repulsor blast. Creel turns when he hears Titania. Thor has
almost been separated from his hammer for sixty seconds. 
He takes the
sucker punch and decks Creel so he can go after his hammer. Creel
grabs his ball and chain and goes after Iron Man calling him a
woman beating skunk. Creel grabs a piece of steel and then
smashes Iron Man across the face with his ball and chain.
Thor’s sense of honor and commitment demanded that he pull
Creel off Iron Man, but as Creel is above Thor’s head Thor
is hit with a weak spell. Thor drops Creel and run towards the
hammer as he changes into Jake Olsen.
Jake says that this is happening way too
often. He says that it is almost as if someone is making it
happen. He finds the hammer wedged into a wall. Jake tries to
pull the hammer out of the wall, but the hammer doesn’t
budge and finally the hammer says, “Get thee gone!”
Jake is stunned. The hammer goes on, “As thy miserable
father Odin didst murder Forsung… so shall the Odinson
suffer in turn!” Jake asks if it means Forsung, one of the
Enchanters. The hammer confirms it and says that it is an
Enchanter as well. 
Enrakt, mourner
of Forsung and brother to Brona and Magnir, appears out of the
hammer and says that the Enchanters are pledged to the
destruction of Thor’s murderous father. Jake says that his
hammer has been acting up for months and asks if it was Enrakt
all along. Enrakt says that it was, and that he was inside
getting stronger and stronger until he could emerge. Enrakt asks
if Thor forgot that Magnir once controlled Mjolnir. Enrakt says
that now just as he and his brothers suffered the loss of a
brother that Odin must suffer the loss of a son. Enrakt’s
hand passes through Jake’s chest. Enrakt disappears and
tells his brother to rejoice, from whatever hell he is in, that
he has been avenged. Jake falls to the ground.
Iron Man is looking for Thor and finds Jake Olsen down next to Mjolnir stuck in the wall. Iron Man wonders to himself if this is the Donald Blake scenario all over. Iron Man starts performing CPR on Jake. A guy comes over and says that Iron Man let Creel and Titania get away. Iron Man says that it was that or let this man die. Iron Man scoops up Jake to bring him to the hospital. The guy turns and sees the hammer. He wonders if it is what he thinks it is.
Back in the present, Iron Man tells Hannah and Demetrius that Jake got caught up in Thor’s battle and suffered cardiac arrest. Hannah asks why Jake didn’t learn his lesson the first time. Iron Man lies and says that Thor went after Creel and Titania when he brought Jake there. Jane calls for the paddles.
Thor is standing in a strange realm where he is surrounded by the faces of everyone in his life as of late. Suddenly he feels a tap on his shoulder. He turns to see Jake Olsen. Jake tries to tell him something, but Thor cannot hear. Jake keeps trying to tell Thor, but the laughter is too loud.
Jane Foster is using the paddles and starts Jake’s heart again.
Thor says that he must not leave until he has heard Jake’s message.
Jake’s heart is beating regularly again. As Jane walks out to tell them the news she says that it is a good thing that Tony found Jake or Thor would have died. Jane wonders if Tony knows. At the same time, Tony wonders if Jane Foster knows. Detective O’Neil walks up and asks for Jake Olsen. Jane Foster says that now is not a good time. O’Neil says that it never is. He presents a warrant for Jake Olsen’s arrest for being a thief and a drug dealer.
Lightning Crashes rating: 7 out of 10
I like this issue, but at the same time I’m disappointed by it. I’m glad they finally revealed the source of the problem with Thor’s hammer, but at the same time I wish maybe they would trim down all the back slapping and “for the glory of Asgard” hoo-hah, and maybe throw a little more of the Absorbing Man fight. McKone does a really nice job with the art in this issue. The scene where Enrakt appears is visually amazing and his superheroes look good, but his normal people and facial expressions need a little work.