Thor vol. 2 #18Thor vol. 2 #18
Title: “The Deadly Living Talisman”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Dick Giordano
Colors: Gregory Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
The Warriors Three, Hannah Fairmount,
Demetrius, and Brady O’Neil continue fighting against the
transformed people. Fandrall tells the others to be careful, and
that these creatures were once innocent humans and that they
should be careful not to kill them. Hogun says that the ferocity
of their attack demands that they fight to the death. Volstagg
says that they must battle as hard as they can to prevent their
own deaths. Demetrius tries to tell O’Neil to pull back, but
he is knocked unconscious by one of the creatures. Another of the
creatures steps up to O’Neil and slashes his throat.
O’Neil falls to the ground in a puddle of blood. Hannah says
that they have to get O’Neil to the hospital quickly when a
bolt of lightning sparks striking some of the creatures. Thor
says that it should be known that those that threaten his friends
and allies will face the full fury of Mjolnir. Hogun and Volstagg
say that they feared the worst when Thor went missing. Thor says
that while their predicament was on his mind the whole time he
was detoured in a conflict with the Juggernaut.
Thor then
spins his hammer and creates a force of magical energy that
transforms all the creatures back into their formerly human
selves. Volstagg says that he was about to do the same thing.
Hannah runs to O’Neil’s side. She says that she hopes
that one of the heroes knows something about emergency care
because Demetrius is still unconscious, and that O’Neil is
going to die without immediate care. There is a flash behind
Hannah, and Jake Olsen is running towards Hannah and O’Neil.
The Warriors Three recognize Jake as Thor, but don’t say
anything as Hogun realizes that the others do not know. As Jake
prepares to help O’Neil he thinks how odd it was that as
Mjolnir ignites his transformation from god to mortal that it
also transformed Enrakt’s minions. Hannah reminds Jake that
O’Neil wants to arrest him, but Jake says that it is his
life that he is worried about. Demetrius wakes up to see Jake
helping O’Neil. Jake tells Demetrius what he has done, but
says that he still needs to get to a hospital as soon as
possible. Jake runs away. Demetrius tries to run after him, but
Volstagg “accidentally” blocks his way. Hannah shouts
for Jake to wait, and that she wants to go with him. Jake enters
an alley and transforms into Thor. Thor flies off and Hannah is
left to look around for Jake, but is unable to find him
obviously. Thor realizes that he doesn’t know where Enrakt,
and thinks of a place he can go for help.
At Avengers mansion, Scarlet Witch tells Thor that she will see what she can do to help. She says that Thor’s theory is sound, and that if Enrakt lived within Thor’s hammer that some magical residue would be left behind. Wanda performs her abilities on the hammer, and suddenly Mjolnir reveals a scene where Odin fights against the three Enchanters. Thor says that even though Wanda has shown him where they are that he doesn’t know the path to take to get there. Wanda says that she suspects that if the hammer knows where they are that it also knows the path of how to get there. Thor says that he senses the truth in her suspicion. He tells Wanda that her prowess is exceeded only by her beauty. Thor says that he has to go help Odin now. Scarlet Witch says that he isn’t going without her. Thor tries to tell her no, and that this is gods’ work. Thor disappears.
In Asgard, Loki tells Odin to fight well, and to make the fight last as long as possible so that he has enough time to see how he might turn this all in favor of his ambition and lust for power. Loki wonders if he would best be served by rescuing Odin, or if he should let whatever happens occur as he did when Odin was prisoner of the Dark Gods. Loki sits remembering the day that his spirit form appeared to the captive Odin. Odin told Loki that he was a wretch and an enemy of the realm, but that he is still an Asgardian. He told Loki to aid them in those that stand against them, but Loki just replied that only a jester would even suggest it. Odin told Loki that he has earned the wrath and disdain of Odin forever. Odin swore to live so that he could banish Loki to the most unthinkable of torments. Loki says that Odin should have kept his mouth shut. Loki says that if Odin and Thor find him so disdainful that he needs to summon an ally to help him lay the groundwork for his evil plan. Loki summons Mephisto. Mephisto appears to Loki.
Across the dimensions, Enrakt, Brona, and
Magnir are unleashing all their power on Odin trying to kill him.
Enrakt says that only then will Forsung be avenged. Enrakt tells
Odin to beg for mercy so that they can have the pleasure of
denying him. Odin says that he will never beg the likes of them.
He says that he is going to fight here, and if his destiny
decrees it he will die there as well. Odin blasts back at them
with his scepter. Brona tells Enrakt that it is laughable that
Odin is trying to destroy them with energy. Enrakt says that it
seems the “senile old goat” has forgotten that not only
will his attack not harm them, but that they can in fact absorb
the power and thanks to the talismans they wear they can use it
to turn into creatures of living energy. The three brothers
attack Odin together and say that now is the time to burn
Odin’s life to ash as Forsung’s life was. Odin says
that if he is going to Hela’s realm today that he is going
down fighting so that he can take them with him. Thor says that
Hela will never claim Odin. 
Thor grabs one
of the brothers by the back and smashes him in the face with
Mjolnir. Thor says that no matter how powerful their sorcery is
that they will not withstand the power of his hammer. Enrakt says
that the son is there, and that now all they have to do is kill
them both and their revenge will be complete. Thor says that he
isn’t going to make the mistake of hurling energy at them so
they can absorb it, but that he is going to fight as only a
warrior born can. Thor keeps pounding on the Enchanters until
they are all lying on the ground. Thor helps Odin to his feet.
Odin says that once again the bravest and proudest comes to the
defense. Odin says that he is proud to call Thor his son. Thor
says that if Odin was not still weakened from the Dark Gods that
he wouldn’t have even needed his help. Thor says that they
should go. Enrakt asks if they believe themselves to be safe.
Odin notices that the landscape is shifting around them. Enrakt
says that this is the realm of the Enchanters, and that the realm
follows their heed. A gigantic head rises out of the ground and
swallows Thor and Odin whole.
Lightning Crashes rating: 7 out of 10
The story is fairly average in my opinion (3 out of 5). After the awkward interruption of the Eighth Day the story of the Enchanters resumes. Well this seems to be mostly a set up issue and Thor and Odin finally get to face the Enchanters. The other problem with the story is that the giant worm-like creature that springs out of the ground is fairly reminiscent of the big monster that the Dark Gods change into. Not so much in appearance, but as a plot device. Romita does a pretty cool job with the art this issue, and I think all books Romita does should have some action in them somewhere. The scene where the Enchanters absorb Odin’s power is pretty fantastic.