Thor vol. 2 #21Thor vol. 2 #21
Title: “As Turneth the Tide”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson
Colors: Gregory Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Thor starts spinning his hammer and says
that he is going to find the answers to his questions. 
He says that
Jake Olsen is seemingly alive, and while that is impossible, he
saw him with his own eyes. Thor says that he is going to Asgard
where Odin and Marnot will help him make sense of what is
happening. Hannah Fairmount and Jane Foster charge onto the roof.
They call out to him. Thor asks if they have information they
would impart. Hannah says that she knows that Jake doesn’t
need the Avengers on his back. He says that no matter what he has
done he doesn’t deserve the heavy handedness of the
superheroes. Thor tells her to calm down. Hannah asks where Jake
went and if Thor threw him off the roof. Thor stops spinning his
hammer and says that maybe in his haste that he gave them the
wrong idea. Thor says that he isn’t turning Jake Olsen over
to the authorities. Jane says that they can trust Thor. Thor says
that he knows the charges against Jake Olsen and he considers him
innocent. Hannah gets all excited and says that she is going to
go tell the police that an Avenger believes in Jake and hope that
it changes their minds. Jane Foster tells Thor that he knows that
Jake might be dirty. She says that he is just making things
worse. Thor tells Jane to remember who she is talking to, but
Jane just tells him not to give her that “superior attitude
of yours”. Thor says that he only sought to ease her mind
until some proof is found. Jane says that there is proof. She
says that there is a tape of the other Jake Olsen trying to
suffocate a police officer. Thor says that he didn’t know
this. Thor starts spinning his hammer again and says that this
mortal life “vexes me beyond reason”. Thor teleports to
Asgard. Jane Foster says that Thor got her into this, and that
she doesn’t want to miss the final chapter. Jane dives into
the spinning air and goes with Thor.
Thor and Jane Foster arrive on the Rainbow Bridge. Jane says that she hasn’t seen this place since she was united with Lady Sif, and that she had forgotten how beautiful and imposing Asgard is. Thor says that it is strange that Heimdall is not there keeping watch. Thor hears a voice calling him and turns to see Heimdall lying on the ground as a beaten mess. Thor asks what manner of monster could do this. Jane asks Thor if he thinks that they should leave. Thor says that if there is trouble in Asgard that it is his responsibility to take up arms.
Thor tells Jane to stay well behind him as
they approach the Gates of Asgard. The gates have been smashes
open. Jane asks who could have done this to Asgard. Thor says
that maybe the Dark Gods have returned again to avenge their
defeat. Thor says that whatever it is that it must be beyond all
measure because he has never seen Asgard's defenders defeated
this way. The Warriors Three lie on the ground unconscious. Thor
hears a murmuring and finds Sif bloody and beaten on the ground.
Thor says that Jane is a healer and tells her to attend Sif. Jane
says that this is strange and that it is kind of like looking
into a mirror. Jane says that she doesn’t think that
anything is broken. Sif tries to mutter something to Thor. Thor
leans in and says that sounds like a warning. A voice from behind
says, “Aye, Odinson! Warning thee of a threat that surpasses
any thou hast e’er known! Of impending death and doom beyond
any e’er conceived!” Thor recognizes Mangog’s
voice, but can’t turn before Mangog plows into his back. 
Mangog hits Thor
into a pillar and says that just the sight of him fills him with
an “unending rage”. Mangog swings at Thor again, but
Thor dodges and Mangog hits the ground. Thor says that Mangog is
mighty, but that Mjolnir will vanquish him as it has in the past.
Thor clubs Mangog with Mjolnir. Mangog says that it is he who is
superior there. He swings at Thor, but misses again. Mangog tears
loose an enormous portion of the wall. Mangog says that Odin
annihilated his race, and that there matchless power is stored
within him. Mangog says that their restoration doesn’t
matter “for thy kind is still loathsome to Mangog!”
Mangog smashes the wall down on Thor. Mangog says that Thor and
“this golden travesty” must pay the price. Jane picks
up Sif and says that she had better get her out of the way. Thor
spins his hammer and clears the rubble off of him. Thor says that
if Mangog intends to draw the Odinsword from its sheath that he
needs to think again. Thor clubs Mangog with Mjolnir again. Thor
says that Mangog is going to fall. Mangog smashes Thor into the
ground and says, 
“Thy vision
lacks scope, Asgardian! Powerful though Ragnarok might be the
goals of Mangog’s master eclipse it by far. A master who
e’en now doth deal with thine accursed father!”
Mangog’s cloaked master walks down a hallway with Tarakis. Tarakis tells him that an incapacitated Odin waits for them. Tarakis says that Odin believed that the potions that he was giving him was restoring his strength, but instead it has left him helpless. The cloaked figure praises Tarakis’ work. Tarakis says to ask Odin for what he desires and that he cannot resist. The cloaked figure says, “The Map of All-Ending, old man. Give it to me.” Odin struggles but says, “nay… it’s very… existence… is not… to be… discussed.” Tarakis says that Odin is without choice, but Odin refuses again. The cloaked figure grabs Odin’s face in his hand and says that no one has ever resisted so long. He tells Odin to look into his eyes. Odin says, “The map… the Map of All-Ending. I am unfit to possess it.” Tarakis tells Odin to show them where it is hidden. Odin opens the top of his scepter to reveal the map inside. The cloaked figure opens the map. Tarakis asks if the map is accurate and if it will lead them to the Designate. Thanos takes off his cloak and says that it will indeed. Thanos says that first came the Chalice of Tears and now the Map of All-Ending. Thanos says to let the universe cower in fear because he now knows the secret of life and death. Thanos gets right into Odin’s face and says, “You defeated me. Once. How fitting it was I who stripped you of your most precious possession.” Thanos tells Tarakis to come as they have much to do.
Mangog swats Thor and says that he is weak and little more than an irritant to him. Mangog turns to Jane Foster and says that she is next. Thor gets up and says that he has not fallen yet. Thor takes his Uru mallet and creates a bolt of anti-force and strikes Mangog in the back with it. Mangog drops to his knees. Thor spins his hammer as he charges Mangog saying, “Now, let ye fall for the final time! For honor! For glory!” Mangog gets up and wallops Thor in the stomach. He says, “For naught! Thou art but a yapping pup! An irritating insect to be crushed!” Mangog stands over the motionless Thor and says, “Thy life is mine, Asgardian!” Thanos arrives and tells Mangog to stop. Mangog starts to speak, but Thanos cuts him off. He says that there is much to do, and that this frail god is of no consequence. Mangog says that he must protest, but Thanos tells Mangog not to. Thanos, Mangog, and Tarakis teleport away.
Odin appears at Thor’s side. He says that the blackest of days has descended on Asgard. Odin helps Thor to his feet. Thor tells Odin to stand aside and that he has to go after Mangog. Odin says that there is a danger far greater than Mangog that they face now. Thor says that he has never heard Odin so fearful. Odin asks Thor if he remembers when he whispered to him about the Chalice of Tears and the Map of All-Ending. Thor asks if he means the article that the Orikal possesses and the map that Odin is sworn to protect with his life. Odin says that it is a task at which he has failed. Odin says that the Chalice and the Map are now in the possession of Mangog and Thanos. Thor realizes the horror of this situation and says that all existence stands threatened. Thor says that if this is true that all other matters must be set aside. Jane asks what Thor means. Thor says that he must hurry to Midgard so that Jake Olson can surrender himself to the authorities and end his troubles and relationships forever.
STORY CONTINUED IN THOR ANNUAL 2000
Lightning Crashes rating: 9 out of 10
Great issue. Now this is a threat that I can get pumped about. Thanos and Mangog may easily be the most powerful duo to ever join forces in the pages of Marvel comics. Mangog has been missing from the pages of Thor for over 250 issues (over 20 years) and I salute Dan Jurgens for bringing him back. He is far too cool a threat to never be used. Ever the tactician Thanos defeats Odin without ever raising a fist by getting Tarakis to his right hand. It’s interesting that Tarakis is a traitor because it was him that verified the validity of the Enchanters’ story last issue. Romita does a magnificent job drawing the battle between Thor and Mangog. Really powerful stuff. The only thing that I was displeased about is Thanos’ face. Not really sure what’s going on there.