Thor vol. 2 #24Thor vol. 2 #24
Title: "Tears for the Fallen”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Dick Giordano
Colors: Gregory Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Recorder says that Thanos and Mangog have killed every living thing on the planet, and what is worse they now have the Designate in their possession. He says that they are doomed as Thanos plans to unleash a wave of death across the cosmos. Thor says that their failure is distressingly evident. He says that Thanos has defeated them at every turn and the grim visages of death reinforce that. Firelord says that they must fight on. He asks Recorder where they can find Thanos. Recorder says that if Thanos is going to proceed with his plan that he would expect him to find a planet “centrally located and devoid of life”. Thor says that a multitude of worlds would qualify. Firelord says that they have no way of knowing which one it might be. Recorder says that Thanos is probably still following the Map of All-Ending. Thor says that they are powerless to follow. Firelord says that Galactus has given him the power cosmic, and that if a speck of ice falls off an asteroid that he would know it. Firelord tries to find the Illumination Stone and finds it. Thor starts spinning his hammer and tells Firelord to lead the way. He says that he will open a dimensional rift and that there will be a reckoning.
Thanos tells Mangog to look out at space. He
says that there are millions of star and billions of planets.
Thanos says that many of those planets are flourishing with life.
He says that it is now theirs to wipe “away as casually as a
child wipes his nose.” Mangog says that he thought his
people appreciated death and destruction, but that their taste
for blood pales in comparison top Thanos’ bloodlust. Thanos
says that few can appreciate the beauty, it’s everlasting
permanence. Tarakis says that maybe it is because no one else
could control it as Thanos will. Thanos says that it is thanks to
the Map of All-Ending, the Illumination Stone, and the Chalice of
Ruins. He says that he will use Tarene to launch a wave of
obliteration beyond anything ever conceived. Mangog says that
Thanos had better get Asgard with it or he will have to deal with
his wrath. Thanos says, “A threat? How quaint.” Mangog
asks for Thanos’ forgiveness and says, “The confines of
this vessel irritate me beyond measure….” Tarakis says
that Mangog has served Lord Thanos well and that he shall be
spared Thanos’ ire. Tarene says that they are all mad. She
says that their contemplations are beyond comprehension, and that
they know that she won’t cooperate with them. Tarakis grabs
Tarene and says that the Paradise of Solitude Eternal is within
their grasp. Tarene says that they are warped dreams, but that is
all they will ever be. 
Tarakis says
that they won’t be once her tears fill the chalice. Tarene
says that will never happen. Thanos stands before Tarene
crackling with power he says, “You’ll weep, girl. Of
that, there is no doubt.”
Odin watches this all through the Orikal. Orikal says that before the day has passed that the All-Ending will have passed. Odin says, “So hath thy portrayal of the future indicated, Orikal. So hath thy view into the present confirmed.” Odin says that as long as his heart is beating that there is hope. He says that he wishes he could join the fight, but that Tarakis’ poisons and the torture of the Dark Gods has rendered him unable. Suddenly Balder returns with Jagrfelm on the back of his horse. Jagrfelm is holding a sack over his shoulder. Jagrfelm says that he is going to leave unless his price is met however. Balder tells Jagrfelm to shut up and starts to bow before Odin. Jagrfelm says that he has no time for ceremony. Jagrfelm says that they need him, and that all they have to do is grant his favor. Odin asks if Jagrfelm would bargain as the Abyss of Destruction draws near. Jagrfelm says that life holds no allure for him. He says that it is something far different that interests him today. Odin says that he has never beheld such impudence. Balder tells Odin to give the word and he will cut his head off. Jagrfelm says that Odin’s wish will go unfulfilled then. Odin asks Jagrfelm what it is that he wants. Jagrfelm says that he wishes to be master over the item in his sack. He tells Odin that if he grants that by magic that his services are Odin’s. Odin says that it seems unwise to do so without knowing what is inside the sack, but that the time for bargaining is long past. Odin makes Jagrfelm the master of the sack’s content. Jagrfelm says that he can feel that Odin tells the truth. Jagrfelm says to take him to tools and a foundry and he will begin work.
Thanos looks out over the barren, lifeless world. He says that this will be perfect. Tarene tries to run, but Thanos tells Mangog to subdue her. Mangog palms Tarene and says that if she were not the most critical part of the plan that he would gladly tear her in two. Suddenly, Thor’s hammer slams off Mangog’s face. Mangog demands to know how they found them. Tarakis tells Thanos that they have been discovered. Thanos doesn’t move and just says that it is a minor annoyance. Tarakis says that if it is battle that they want that it is battle they will get. Tarakis lets his god form melt away to reveal that of a dark wraith like form. Tarakis blasts Firelord, but Firelord says that he can withstand the heat of the stars. Thor hits Mangog and says that never has there been a scheme so abhorrent. He hits Mangog in the stomach with Mjolnir and says that he must fight beyond the limits of endurance and beyond all measure of pain. Thor lets off a blast and sends Mangog flying. Thanos says that the minor annoyance has grown more significant. He says that this is intolerable. Tarene tries to ask Thor who he is, but Thor tells her to get behind him because he is her protector and champion. Tarakis says that even champions fall and blasts Thor. Tarakis says that Odin couldn’t best him and so what chance does Thor have. Firelord blasts Tarakis, but Tarakis says, “Enow!” Tarakis lets loose a blast that knocks Firelord into a block of ice. Tarakis says, “Let the holy mission of Thanos be interrupted not!” Tarakis encases Firelord in a block of ice and says that is a perfect place to watch the end. Recorder says that he is just supposed to record, but he can’t help wonder if he shouldn’t help out in the fight. Thanos tells Recorder that he irritating him. Thanos blasts Recorder into pieces. Recorder has to devote all his energy to recording.
Orikal tells Odin that everything is going as he predicted. He asks Odin if he is ready to embrace the end. Odin says that hope and faith are eternally placed within his son.
Thor blasts Thanos, but Thanos doesn’t
even move. Thor tells Tarene that they have to get out of there
and that without her Thanos’ quest cannot succeed. Tarene
says, “Such nobility… such honor… never have I
seen it’s like embodied so by one man. She caresses his
face. Thor says to let Mjolnir transport her away. 
Mangog says that
Thor isn’t going to do that unless his corpse can do it.
Mangog jumps Thor and then proceeds to beat him so fast and
savagely that even Recorder’s technology can’t count
the blows on Thor. Mangog grabs a slab of ice and smashes it into
Thor. Mangog picks Thor up and hangs him by his cape from a
stalactite. Mangog tells Thanos that his foe’s interference
has ended. Thanos says, “Mangog, the day I engaged you in my
quest stands as a testament to my wisdom and foresight. Prepare
yourselves. For now I summon… the end.
Odin says that it is over.
Lightning Crashes rating: 8 out of 10
Nice action in both the story and the artwork. Thanos’ plan comes to fruition and even Odin’s faith is shaken. Mangog beats Thor within an inch of his life and we are seconds away from total annihilation. Romita does a great job capturing the savagery of Mangog. The only real problem with the story is that Thanos is destined to fail since we can’t very well have Thanos destroying the universe (that’s where I keep all my stuff). Still the action is in the telling.