Thor vol. 2 #16Thor vol. 2 #16
Title: “Revenge of the Enchanters”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colors: Gregory Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Heimdall blows his trumpet and shouts that he senses a presence that threatens Odin as well as all of Asgard. Balder and Sif run to Odin’s door. The door looks undisturbed, but Sif says that they can’t ignore Heimdall’s warning. Balder says that for the sake of safety that they must cast aside pretense. They charge into the room and find Odin standing next to his bed. Sif begs Odin’s pardon, but Heimdall sounded the alert. She asks Odin if Heimdall’s senses rang true. Odin says that for the briefest of moments he felt a brush of a presence as he slept, but that it was a fleeting moment. Odin says that maybe it was a dream so lifelike that it set off Heimdall’s senses. Odin says that he is troubled with the problems facing Thor.
On Earth, Jake and Jane are still running. Jane says that she can’t believe that she is on the run from the law. Jake says that she did more than could be expected. Jake says that Jane has done more that could be expected. He suggests that she duck out and forget about him. Jane says that he can’t be serious. Jake says that he is. He says that he always assumed that the life he led was a worthy one, but he asks what if he is guilty. Jane says that even if it was that he isn’t Jake Olson, but Thor. She grabs him by the coat and tells him that there is no sense in feeling sorry for himself. Jake says that she is right as usual. Jake asks what he ever did without her. Jane says that she often wondered that herself. Jake tells Jane to get herself out of trouble and says that he has to get to his hammer.
Back at the hospital, Demetrius asks O’Neil if it is true that Jane Foster helped Jake escape. O’Neil says that he isn’t sure that it was Foster. He says that he never thought she was part of the drug ring. Hannah says that they know both of them better than that. O’Neil says that he wishes that were true, but that they have hard evidence against Jake. A cop tells O’Neil that Olson was seen downtown. O’Neil says to get the address and they’ll go.
Jake runs along and says that it seems like
his sense of honor has not served him well lately. He says that
his sense of obligation to Olson was misguided, and that if it
turns out that he really is guilty that it is unfitting for him
to assume his guise. Thor says that as soon as he changes back
that he will abandon this form forever. Jake goes back to the
last spot he remembers and spots the Warriors Three battling
Enrakt. Enrakt says that it is too bad that Hogun is about as
dangerous to him as a mouse because it is a nice day, and he
thirsts for combat. Hogun says that he will give him that and
more. As Hogun comes to hit Enrakt with his mace, Enrakt says
that Hogun is known as “the Grim”. Enrakt blasts Hogun
and says that it seems appropriate to make him even grimmer. The
people all hide behind boxes and watch the fight. Volstagg and
Fandrall are trying to sneak up on Enrakt, but suddenly they are
glowing with power. Enrakt holds them in his power. He says that
they are beneath the notice of him, and that the holders of the
talismen want Odin and his meddling son. Enrakt uses magic to
transform the hiding people into monsters and commands them to
attack. While Enrakt is watching his new lackeys attacking, Jake
sneaks behind him and grabs his hammer out of the wall. Jake
transforms into Thor. Thor tells Enrakt to stand back, and that
his day of atonement is at hand. 
Enrakt grabs
Thor by the throat and tells him not to speak anymore. Enrakt
says that after all these months toying with Thor and building
his strength that it is a pleasure to smite him down. Enrakt
causes the ground that they are standing on to root up out of the
ground. Thor struggles to hit Enrakt with Mjolnir, but Enrakt
palms it. He says that Thor is not known as a humorist, and yet
he is trying to use Mjolnir against him. Enrakt says that like
his brothers he can reverse the power of the Uru mallet and hurl
it back at Thor. Enrakt blasts Thor. Thor says that evil must
never triumph, and yet he finds that he is trapped and unable to
move.
Below Fandrall, Hogun, and Volstagg are still dealing with the altered humans. O’Neil, Hannah, Demetrius, and the other police pull up to the street. Demetrius says that it looks like World War III in there. Some of the transformed humans start to stalk towards them. Demetrius tells Hannah to get behind him. Fandrall blocks the swinging arm of the monster. He tells Hannah that as long as he is alive that not one hair of her “fetching mane” will be harmed.
Above, Enrakt says that Thor is his prisoner and soon his kill. Thor lets loose a blast of anti-force. Enrakt doesn’t even flinch from the blast. He says that Mjolnir, once his home, is just a toy to him. Enrakt takes the time to tell Thor what happened to his brothers after Odin banished them. Enrakt says that he knew that his remaining brothers were cast into the Lost Limbo of Infinity Unending. Enrakt says that it is not an easy realm to find, but that after years of searching that he did. Enrakt says that it is even a more difficult place to escape. Enrakt accessed a dimension where many sorcerers dwell, where one of them unwittingly helped deliver them from imprisonment. Enrakt says that he found a magical fire pit that allowed them to escape. Enrakt says that the pit belonged to Ceranda, who by coincidence was hosting a very unique visitor with a unique weapon. Thor realizes that Enrakt means him, and that was how he gained access to Mjolnir. Enrakt says that his years of searching left him weak and so he inhabited Mjolnir for months until he was ready to attack him. Enrakt says that he could kill Thor anytime he wants, but that he wants him to see something first. Enrakt shows Thor a vision of Odin fighting Brona and Magnir. Thor says that Odin is still weak from his imprisonment to the Dark Gods, and that he cannot hope to defeat their combined might. Enrakt says that is why he is going to go join his brothers because Odin’s death is one that he must witness and partake in. Enrakt swats Thor off the floating hunk of land to the street below. Enrakt says that Thor will taste death soon enough.
In Asgard, “Odin” watches the battle unfolding on Midgard. Tarakis asks Odin if he wants him to summon Balder and Sif to help them. Odin says that he didn’t ask for his advice, and for him to leave and not bother him anymore today. Somewhat shaken, Tarakis obeys. “Odin” calls Tarakis a cretin and says that after all this time that he did not return to listen to his gratuitous prattling. “Odin” says that no one should suspect that it is not Odin that takes the measure of events, but rather that it is Loki the Trickster.
Lightning Crashes rating: 7 out of 10
To tell you the truth I don’t really care about the Enchanters. If this story had been two issues long that would have been fine. As it is it’s dragging out a bit, but it’s not boring. Thor gets his hammer back, and then just like against Perrikus his most powerful attacks aren’t terribly effective. I’m all for throwing Thor a good fight, but this is a little ridiculous. Though it’s not yet revealed how Loki is mixed up in this business he is always a welcome sight in Thor. Romita returns and does a good job with everything. I dig his Odin.