Thor vol. 2 #19Thor vol. 2 #19
Title: “Deviant Life”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Michael Ryan
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colors: Gregory Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Brona says that is it then. Enrakt agrees that the beast he created through sorcery is currently digesting Thor and Odin. Brona says that is a fitting end for the ones that killed Forsung. Magnir says that he wishes that they would escape so he could kill them with his own hands. Enrakt says that is impossible, and that even now the bile and leeches are feeding on the Asgardians.
Inside the beast, the leeches are indeed on Thor and Odin. Thor says that he never expected to be swallowed alive. Odin says that the Enchanters are going to suffer for this. Thor and Odin both try to blast their way out, but find that the belly of the beast isn’t affected. Odin says that the Enchanters must have used sorcery to render their weapons useless against it. Thor says that even though the bile and leeches threatens to dissolve their bones that he is going to fight to the end. Odin says that he is glad to hear Thor’s determination. He says that he was afraid that his time on Midgard had softened him. Suddenly Scarlet Witch is there. She says that they like to think that Thor’s time on Midgard has done Thor some good. Thor asks Wanda how she got there. Wanda reminds Thor that she showed him how to get there, and asks if he really thought that she would let him fight alone. Thor says that she is courage personified. Odin says that the day the supreme ruler of Asgard needs rescuing from a mortal woman has not yet come. Odin tells her to leave so that the affairs of gods can be determined by gods. Wanda says that in case he hasn’t noticed that her hex prevents the acid from harming her. She says that the magic here is attuned to their Asgardian power, but that her chaos seems to confound it. She says that she can get them out unless their pride is more important than their life. Thor looks to Odin. Odin says that the wisdom of her words are undeniable, and Thor tells Wanda to go ahead and protect them all. Wanda asks them if they want to tell her who these guys are. Odin and Thor tell her about the Enchanters and their slain brother Forsung. Wanda asks if one of them infused themselves within Thor’s hammer. Thor says that he is just starting to remember it, but while he was away from Midgard he met a young sorceress that came to his aid. Thor says that he thinks that her name was Ceranda, that she perished, and that he had some feeling for her. Thor wonders why now his memory of these events are returning. Wanda suggests that when Enrakt was within Thor’s hammer that he could have been influencing him, and that now that he is gone it is coming back to him. Wanda says that it is time for them to go, and that she thinks that she has a plan to win.
Mephisto is in his giant form sitting within
his realm. He tells Loki that he is trying to remain invisible,
but that he still senses his presence. Mephisto demands that he
reveal himself so that he knows who dares to intrude on his realm
and business. Loki reveals himself to Mephisto. Loki sucks up to
Mephisto, but Mephisto just asks Loki what is his business there.
Loki says that he wants permission to speak to a mortal that
inhabits his realm. Mephisto asks why he should allow that. He
says that he might be better served by destroying Loki. Loki says
that not while he plagues those that Mephisto would be rid of.
Mephisto says that is true, and points out where the one Loki
wants. He says that he can speak with him, use him, or even take
him if he wishes, but that after that to get out. Loki thanks
Mephisto and says that as his servant he only wishes to serve.
Loki flies down next to the one he says will help him bring his
brother down.
Loki places his
hand on the shoulder of the true Jake Olsen.
Magnir says that enough time has passed now that if Odin and Thor have not escaped yet that they are not going to. Enrakt agrees and says that they have finally avenged the memory of Forsung. Suddenly the stomach of the beast blows open. Enrakt asks what is going on here. Odin, Thor, and Scarlet Witch come out of the belly of the beast. Thor tells them to kneel and beg forgiveness because he fights for Odin. Enrakt says that if they want a fight that they will have it. As the Enchanters approach, Thor tells Wanda to initiate her plan. Scarlet Witch tells everyone to get ready to travel.
Magnir and Scarlet Witch are sent to one location together. Magnir realizes that Wanda is also skilled in the ways of magic. He asks where they are and where the others were sent. Wanda says that the only thing he has to know is that his crusade of vengeance is over. Magnir leaps at Wanda and says that she is a foolish mortal to think that he is defeated just because he has been separated. Wanda asks what it is about these god types and their superiority complexes. Magnir punches Wanda in the face and grabs her by the hair. He says that she is unworthy of his attention and death at the hands of the Living Talisman.
Odin says, “Brona”. Brona replies, “Pig”. He says that he holds nothing but contempt for Odin, and that it will be his pleasure to snap his spine. Odin says that Brona is beneath the worms that he crushes with his boots. Odin tells Brona to “just bring it” and he will kill him just like he did his brother. Brona rushes Odin. Odin says that with his brothers Brona is a threat, but that separate he is less that insignificant. Odin raises his knee into Brona’s face.
Enrakt says that Thor had his mortal ally
separate them, and that Thor is looking for an advantage. Thor
agrees and says that for all the interference in his life that
now there will be an ending. Enrakt says that perhaps, but that
it won’t be the ending he desires. Enrakt holds out his hand
and Mjolnir comes to him.
Enrakt tells
Thor to watch as he summons the anti-force and uses it to kill
Thor.
Magnir says that Scarlet Witch’s silence is most puzzling and that most are crying by this time. Wanda says that she isn’t the one with that sinking feeling. She performs a hex and Magnir starts sinking into the ground. He asks what kind of trickery this is, and Wanda says that it is the kind that you can’t beat. Magnir says that this isn’t possible, but Wanda tells him to take it to the “Gods who were absolutely trashed by mortals” complaint department.
Odin smashes his elbow into the back on Brona’s head. Odin says that they defiled his person and his nobility, and that for seeking to deny Asgard of its rightful ruler they are going to pay. Odin snatches the talisman off Brona’s chest and crushes it. Odin says that Forsung is waiting for Brona in Hela’s realm and that if he has a heart to prepare it for joining him.
Enrakt says that it was with great pleasure
that he disrupted Thor’s life. He says that he should have
stayed within and continued to do so. Thor tells Enrakt to finish
his work, and that he doesn’t want to look at him anymore.
Enrakt tells Mjolnir to release the anti-force. Thor tells Mjonir
to follow the commands of its master. Suddenly anti-force is
released, not on Thor, but back on Enrakt. Thor says that Scarlet
Witch placed a spell around his hammer prohibiting him from
commanding it again. Thor pulls the hammer from Enrakt’s
hand and says that never again will one as unworthy as him wield
the hammer of Thor. Thor starts whacking Enrakt, and says that
the only way he is going to feel Mjolnir again is when it strikes
him down. With Thor’s last blow Enrakt is sent hurtling into
a rock. Enrakt gets up and asks Thor if he really believes that
he is defeated. Thor shouts and says that he is sick of hearing
Enrakt’s “wretched voice”. He throws his hammer
right into Enrakt’s face. Enrakt is driven right through the
rock that he hit before. Thor closes in on Enrakt and says that
no one has ever dared interfere with his life the way Enrakt has.
Thor says that his actions are going to serve as a warning to
anyone thinking about messing with his life. Thor says that he
claims Enrakt’s life. Enrakt says that if Thor strikes him
dead that he will still have his revenge. Suddenly Scarlet Witch
and Odin arrive and tell Thor that he must not kill Enrakt. Odin
says that Thor must hear the truth. Odin says that he learned the
truth from Brona’s own lips. Wanda tells Thor to remove
Enrakt’s helmet before striking. Thor says that it
won’t make any difference, but that he will do it. 
Thor removes
Enrakt’s helmet and reveals Enrakt as Ceranda.
Back on Earth, Jane Foster congratulates O’Neil and says that it looks like he is going to make it, but that it was close. Demetrius says that if it wasn’t for Jake Olsen that he would be in a casket instead of a hospital bed. O’Neil asks if Demetrius is saying that he is okay after all. Jane Foster says that she said so all along, and that the Jake she knows would never be in trouble with the law. Demetrius says that he has to admit that Jake was different the last few months he was riding with him. Foster asks if they’re going to cut Jake a little slack. O’Neil says that he will, but only if Jake turns himself in. Demetrius and Jane leave, and Demetrius tells O’Neil to get some rest. As they walk down the hall together, Demetrius says that he doesn’t understand and that they have a ton of evidence that points to Jake. Jane says that she knows that Jake Olsen is a lifesaver, not a life taker. At that moment back in O’Neil’s hospital room, Jake Olsen sneaks in and starts smothering O’Neil with a pillow.
Lightning Crashes rating: 6 out of 10
This is a decent story, but by no means spectacular. It is a little odd to have Scarlet Witch bailing out Thor and Odin, but what are you going to do? Ryan does a decent job with the art, but again it’s not fantastic. Some of the battle scenes are impressive, but the lack the oomph of a normal action scene.