Thor vol. 2 #20Thor vol. 2 #20
Title: “Empty Vessels”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Michael Ryan
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colors: Gregory Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Hannah and Demetrius walk down the hall together. She thanks Demetrius for taking the time to meet with her, and that she knows that he must be busy. She says that she still finds it hard to believe that he is a cop. Demetrius says that he really came to like Jake, and that he hated having to bust him. Demetrius says that seeing Olsen save O’Neil’s life really got him thinking. Demetrius looks over at the monitor of O’Neil’s room and sees Jake Olsen trying to suffocate O’Neil with a pillow. Jane Foster rushes along side Demetrius to the room. Demetrius smashes in the door, but finds the room empty. Demetrius says that he is going to see Jake doing hard time for sure now.
On the rooftop, Jake Olsen stands alone. Loki thinks to himself that the most powerful force in creation is hate. He thinks how he has hated Thor since the moment of his birth, and that it only grows over time. Loki says that is why he must interfere in his life now. Loki says that he has but on goal in life, and that when Odin’s bloated corpse is laid to rest for the final time, and Thor is naught but a distant memory, that he will sit upon the throne of Asgard. Loki says that he burns for that day and so he tries to hasten its arrival. Loki exits the dead body of Jake Olsen and says that is why he has animated Jake’s corpse because that is the deceptive ways of Loki.
Heimdall stands on the Rainbow Bridge and senses that someone is coming. Suddenly Odin, Thor, and the Enchanters (including Cerranda’s body) appear on the bridge. Thor says that Odin has returned and that he is victorious over the threat to Asgard. Heimdall says that he is happy to see Odin, but asks him to step aside and he will kill the Enchanters for him. Odin tells Heimdall to sheathe his sword so that they can hear their story first. Thor tries to get it out of Magnir first, but Magnir won’t talk. Brona says that if Odin will spare him that he will tell the story. Odin tells him to talk and that if his story is the truth that he might spare his life. Brona says that Enrakt vowed vengeance on Odin for his role in Forsung’s death. Sif, Balder, and Tarakis come out onto the bridge. Brona says that Enrakt was the youngest of them. He says that Enrakt was unable to attack Odin last time because his training was incomplete. Over the last couple of year, Enrakt’s rage grew more intense both with Forsung’s death and Brona and Magnir’s banishment. Brona says that Enrakt became obsessed with finding them. While looking for them Enrakt happened upon Thor and Ceranda. Sensing that the time for vengeance was near, Enrakt sent his astral essence across the gulf and moved right into Thor’s hammer as only an Enchanter might. Enrakt journeyed inside and became the new master of the hammer. Enrakt’s body was left unattended to for so long that it expired without him. Odin says that he suspected as much. Thor tells Brona to speak of Ceranda, and that if he claims that she was an evil ally that he is a liar. Tarakis says that he can tell if Brona is telling the truth. Brona says that Ceranda died and was buried, but as Ceranda’s spell caused Thor to forget about her, Enrakt split his astral essence and reanimated her body.
Thor starts freaking out and hits Brona. He says that for his part he will see them drawn and quartered. Balder tells Thor that he must not kill them. Thor says that Balder didn’t know Ceranda and the favor she granted him in a desperate time. Thor says, “She did naught but show caring and love, and for that her life was taken”. Sif stands shocked and asks if Thor said, “love”. Odin puts his hand on Thor’s shoulder and tells him to stay his hand. Odin says that judgements are his job and not Thor’s. Odin asks if they have any more relatives that can come and rescue them. Magnir says that they do not, and Tarakis confirms that they are speaking the truth. Odin banishes them both back to the Lost Limbo of Infinity. Sif says that once again justice has been served at Odin’s hand. Thor kneels by Ceranda’s side and disagrees. He says that for one so kind to be turned into a pawn of evil that just will never be achieved. Sif says that she knows that Thor is pained, but that she would have words with him. Sif asks if Ceranda was ensconced in his heart. Thor says that he thinks so, but that his time with her is still like a dream to him. Sif points out that Thor is also hooked up with Hannah Fairmount on Midgard. Sif asks if Thor’s love for her is still intact. Thor doesn’t answer. Eventually he says that his life has been so complicated lately, but Sif cuts him off and says that is enough. Odin agrees and says that the time has come to feast their victory. Thor asks Odin for a favor first. He asks Odin to restore Ceranda to life, and that if he does that Odin will bask in the eternal gratitude of Thor. Odin says that he wishes he could, but that it is even beyond his power to do it. Tarakis tells Odin that it is time for his restoring potion, and that he is still weak. Odin says that Tarakis is like an old wife. Odin tells Tarakis to have the Chamber of Eternal Heroes prepared and they will place the shell that was Ceranda under the Glass of Everlasting Honor.
On Earth, Jane Foster and Hannah Fairmount walk along the sidewalk together. Jane says that she knows it looks bad, but that she knows that Jake Olsen is innocent. Hannah says that she wants to believe, but that she saw Jake smothering O’Neil with her own two eyes. Jane asks Hannah how long she has known Jake and if it is possible that there is some other explanation. Hannah says that Jake always seemed like he was two people. She says that he didn’t have any cheap pick up line, but that he listened about her, Amanda, and her life. Jane asks Hannah if she is divorced. Hannah says that she is a widow, and explains that is why she freaked when she thought Jake was dead. She says that they watched cancer take Amanda’s father, and that now they are going to watch Jake pulled away. They arrive at Jake Olsen’s door. Jane asks if she is writing him off then. Hannah says that she has no choice, and that she can’t have a murderer in her daughter’s life. She says that she will water his plants and then write him a note. Hannah opens the door and there stands Jake Olsen. Hannah tells Jake that every cop in New York wants to nail him. Olsen says that it is just a misunderstanding. Hannah says that she saw him trying to kill a police officer. Jake says that it is a mistake, and that she has to believe him. Hannah says that she wants to. Jake pulls Hannah close and kisses her. He tells her to trust him. Jane Foster senses that something is off here. Suddenly wind starts blowing around despite the windows being closed. Thor appears in the apartment. Thor is stunned and asks what trickery this is. Hannah blocks Thor’s way and lets Jake run out. Thor moves Hannah aside and says that it is answers he wants and answers he will have. Jake makes it onto the roof where Loki is waiting for him. Loki says, “Odin’s throne. One day twill be mine! Until then the game goeth e’er on with no rules… save Loki’s. Loki and Jake disappear. Thor runs out onto the roof.
Ulik arrives after having been summoned by
the Orikal. Ulik tells Orikal to tell him what is going on
because he has never seen Orikal with such a look of fear on his
face. Orikal says, “As it must be, for he is near!”
Mangog says, “Nay, Vizier! I am here!” Mangog hits Ulik
and knocks him unconscious. Mangog says, “I knew thee to be
guardian of the futures, but ne’er did I suspect thee to be
the guardian of the Chalice of Ruins until today!” 
Mangog plunges
his hand into Orikal’s chest. Orikal starts to object, but
Mangog simply says, “Silence! My master demands the Chalice!
E’en though I must tear it from thy being… ‘tis
the Chalice Mangog shall have!” Mangog holds the Chalice as
Orikal screams.
Mangog takes the Chalice of Ruins. He greets his master and says that it is theirs at last. Mangog humbly presents the Chalice to his master. Mangog’s master replies, “My thanks, Mangog. It’s written, drink from the Chalice of Ruins but a single tear of the Designate… and the power of all-prevailing death is yours forevermore!” Mangog asks what comes next. Mangog’s master replies, “We must find the Designate, Mangog. And then… Armageddon is ours.”
Lightning Crashes rating: 7 out of 10
This is a bit of a weird one as the Enchanters/Ceranda storyline finishes up in just the first part of the story. The mystery of Jake Olsen expands and the arrival of Mangog makes this one busy issue. Michael Ryan does a credible job with the art though he is dominated by Janson’s inks it seems.