Thor vol. 2 #39Thor vol. 2 #39
Title: “Ignition”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Stuart Immonen
Inker: Wade Von Grawbadger
Colors: Avalon Studio’s Dave Kemp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Jake Olsen sits, with his arm in a cast, on the examining table with Jane Foster Kincaid. Jane says that all Jake’s burns are gone. Jake mumbles that his jaw hurts. Jane says that his jaw is fractured. She asks what happens when Jake turns into Thor. She says that it seems as if when Jake is injured that turning into Thor cures him, but that when Thor is injured Jake seems to retain the injuries. Jane asks that Jake transforms so that she can examine the proper patient. Jake stamps his fist and transforms into Thor. The cast rips off Thor’s much larger arm.
Outside Jake’s mother sits with Hannah, Amanda, Dr. Kincaid, Mr. Ryan, and Christine. Jake’s mom says that he has been through so much lately. Mr. Ryan mutters to Christine that he thinks Olsen is living a double life. He says that Olsen calls out sick more than anyone else does. Christine asks how Mr. Ryan can question Jake’s dedication when he got these injuries in the line of duty. Christine says that Jake is the best EMT he has, and that he could probably be a doctor. Ryan walks away mumbling about Christine standing up to the boss. Christine says, “mortal cur”. Keith Kincaid asks her what she said, but Christine says it was nothing. Kincaid says that Christine reminds him of someone he met a long time ago. Dr. Kincaid decides to go help his wife with Jake. Tarene tries to talk him out of it. Jake’s mom asks who Tarene is and Amanda says that it is Jake’s cousin. Amanda says that she must have not seen her n a long time not to recognize her. Jake’s mom says that she doesn’t know her. Kincaid is determined and walks through the door. For a second he sees Jane standing with Thor, but immediately he sees Jake standing with Jane.
After Kincaid leaves Thor explains that Tarene must have cast an illusion for Keith to see. Jane says that Thor’s problems are beyond her and that he ought to seek help from his “usual doctors”. Thor tells Jane to hold on and they transport to Asgard.
In Norway,
people are running as the docks are on fire. Surtur shouts for
them all to run as he swings his sword. Surtur says that they
will all soon surrender to the flame. Surtur says that he has
been called and so he comes to bathe the world in the cleansing
fires. Surtur tells his minions to go to the others and look at
them so that they might become his minions as well.
In Asgard, Odin sits on his throne and says that it seems that all is well again. He says that Asgard has been rebuilt to its glory and that the Destroyer armor has been locked away so it will not be misused again. Odin says that when he thinks of all the destruction that the Destroyer armor has caused that he is tempted to eradicate it. Balder asks if that is wise as they will one day need it. Odin says that they need to protect it better at least. Suddenly Thor and Jane Foster Kincaid are in Asgard. She tells Odin that he should contact his healers right away. Odin says that Thor should have returned to Asgard with him. Jane says that they didn’t realize at first how serious Thor’s injuries were because of Odin’s magic causing him to transform into Thor. She figures that Odin’s magic covered up the severity. Odin summons the healers, Cyra and the elderly Neffethesk. Cyra asks if they should prepare the casts. Neffethesk says not yet and suggests that Thor’s injuries would heal faster if he were to agree to immersing in the Elixer of Renewal. Jane asks what that is and they explain that it is healing potions that are then blessed with the power of Odin. Odin says that it is like the Odinsleep, and that it takes a long time, but that if Thor wants his power is always at his disposal. Thor asks what about Jake Olsen. Jane explains about Jake’s boss and mother. Odin uses his power to create the form of Jake Olsen from deep within Thor’s soul. Thor stands side by side with Jake Olsen. Odin warns that they cannot transform into each other anymore. He says that in every sense this is the true Jake Olsen. Odin returns Jane and Jake to Midgard.
Back at the hospital, Jane makes the excuse that Thor’s hammer must have healed Jake up. Jake’s mom starts to ask him about Tarene. Jake quickly says that she is Cousin Eddie’s girl and that she hasn’t seen her since she was a baby. Jake’s mom clearly doesn’t know who “Cousin Eddie” is either. Jake leads her away.
Back in Asgard, as Thor drinks the preparation elixirs he tells Balder that he has seen the Enchantress on Midgard. Thor is then immersed and sealed in the healing. No sooner is Thor sealed up than Fandral arrives and shows Balder and Odin that Surtur is attacking Midgard. Odin sends down Asgard’s forces, and because Thor cannot join them in battle he says that he will be sending some others to fight in Thor’s place.
Hercules, Kurse, and Beta Ray Bill arrive in Norway with Asgard’s defenders. Balder calls out to Odin that Surtur’s forces are too great and that they need reinforcement.
Odin hears the request but with just having used his power to create Jake Olsen, powering the Elixer of Renewal, sending Asgard’s defenders, and summoning substitutes for Thor his powers aren’t up to the task of helping more for now.
Lightning Crashes rating: 5.5 out of 10
The story is okay, but this is clearly a set up issue and not much really happens. The thing that I don’t care for in the story is why if Odin could always recreate Jake Olsen did he wait until now to do so? If he is so ticked about Thor’s Midgard involvement he could have remedied the situation quite a bit by just ridding Thor of Olsen long ago.
Immonen’s pencils I don’t care much for. Surtur’s appearance looks great, but everyone else seems sketchy and unfinished. He just isn’t my cup of tea.