Thor vol. 2 #42Thor vol. 2 #42
Title: “Taking Charge part 2 of 3”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Stuart Immonen
Inker: Scott Koblish
Colors: Avalon Studios’ Dave Kemp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Balder, Sif, and the Warriors Three enter a tavern. Balder walks up to a man in the tavern and asks if Thor is there. The man says that he is, but that he wouldn’t bother him. He says that Kesk greeted him and was punched in the face and left unconscious for hours. One man says that Thor has been there through the night. Volstagg says that they are all saddened, but that Asgard must always look towards the future. Thor sits slumped in a chair, a tankard in his hand, and one foot upon the table. Sif walks up to Thor, but Thor says that he would prefer to be left alone. Balder says that he understands Thor is grieving, but that the business of Asgard has ground to a halt. Balder says that Thor is the prince and that it is his responsibility to lead and be a champion. Thor stands up and says that he rejects the throne and that Odin considered him unequal to the task. Thor says that if Balder wants business done to do it himself. Thor pushes Balder. Volstagg steps between them and says that his daughter is to be wedded today, and that Odin himself was to perform the ceremony. Thor says that Volstagg can’t expect him to do it. Volstagg says that the wants of a child is most important to any parent, and that this day is everything to her. Thor repeats himself and says that he is unfit. Sif says that without a leader that Asgard is like a rudderless boat. Thor says that maybe Odin is still alive out there somewhere. He says that he is going to try and find him. Thor spins his hammer and teleports away.
In New York City, Mr. Ryan is riding along with Jake and Christine as they pull up to the site of a fire. Ryan says that he wants to see for himself where Jake keeps disappearing to. Jake asks how the Captain of the firefighters how everything is. One man says that he doesn’t Travis came out of the building. Jake grabs a fire helmet and charges in. Mr. Ryan says that Jake isn’t a trained firefighter. Christine says that it will be fine, and that Jake is very lucky. Inside the burning building, Jake spots Travis, but as he goes towards him a pillar falls down and pins Jake. Jake tries to change into Thor, but when he pounds his fist nothing happens. Jake says that Odin said it wouldn’t work, but that it’s the only chance he has.
A group of trolls are gathered around as two
others battle. Thor arrives on the scene. He says,
“Geirrodur. I would speak with him. Now.” Ulik steps
forward and says that nobody speaks with Geirrodur unless he
allows it. Thor says that he should have known Ulik was there by
his smell. Ulik tells Thor to leave or his life is forfeit. Thor
says that he doesn’t think so. Ulik tells Thor that with his
“odious” father dead that he is surprised Thor
isn’t hiding behind the skirts of Asgard’s ugliest
women. Thor freaks and says that Ulik is unfit to mention his
father. 
Thor leaps at
Ulik. Ulik swings his axe at Thor, but misses. He says that he
will put Thor’s skull on his axe as a trophy. Thor asks what
axe and then smashes the axe in Ulik’s hand to pieces. Ulik
says that he didn’t even see Thor move. Thor slams his
hammer into Ulik’s face and says that he is done with him.
Thor says that for the last time he is telling him to
“begone”. Thor slams Ulik again and drops him. The
trolls say that Thor has defeated Ulik before, but never so
quickly. The trolls start to run when Thor says that if they want
blood to come get some. Geirrodur tells Thor to ignore them and
to speak with him. Geirrodur asks Thor what he wants. Thor says
that though Asgard has many seers that none equal the Orikal.
Geirrodur says that none may have audience with the Orikal unless
he grants it, but as Thor has lost his father he will grant his
wish. Geirrodur summons Orikal. He tells Orikal that Thor has one
question to ask him. Orikal says that he waits Thor’s
inquiry. Thor says that Orikal can see everything through time
and space. Thor also says that the Orikal always tells the truth.
Thor says that this isn’t the first time they thought Odin
was dead, and he wants to know if there was some way that Odin
might have survived his battle with Surtur. Orikal searches, but
after searching all realms of existence Orikal says that he sees
no evidence that Odin still lives. Orikal adds that Thor had
better hurry to Midgard or he is going to lose another one that
is close to him. Thor teleports away. Geirrodur says that the
winds of tomorrow whisper of what might happen with Odin gone.
Geirrodur asks Orikal if it is as he fears. Orikal says that it
is worse. He says that with Odin’s passing that the
Odinforce is slowly becoming Thor’s. Geirrodur says that
they must act now in hopes of averting that future.
In New York, Mr. Ryan is telling Christine that he knew Jake shouldn’t have gone into the building. “Christine” wonders why Jake doesn’t change into Thor. She wonders if she is going to have to drop her mortal guise to save him. Suddenly Christine spots Thor coming out of the building holding Travis and Jake. Thor drops off Travis, and says that he will take Jake home. Christine says that she has questions, but Thor flies off with Jake over his shoulder.
On top of a building, Thor asks Jake if he is well enough to speak. Jake asks Thor how he knew, but Thor says that he just knew. Jake says that Odin’s spell is still in effect. Thor says that much to his regret that the separation is a permanent condition. He says that he was taken from the Chamber of Renewal too soon, and that without Odin to reunite them they will remain separated. Jake says that he will miss the flying and the power. Thor says that he will miss the lessons that he learned as a mortal. Jake says that he also knows what is bothering Thor now. Jake says that the throne is now Thor’s as Odin intended. Thor asks why Odin was always testing him. Jake suggests that it was not testing, but preparing him for the throne. Jake says that Odin was molding Thor into a better leader. Jake says that nobody is more fit to sit on Odin’s throne than Thor. Thor says that the throne is a full time obligation. Jake says that Thor won’t be hanging around Earth much anymore. Thor says that it is unfortunate because Midgard has been as much a home to him as Asgard. Jake says that they will have to get along without him. Thor says that Tarene will serve as Midgard’s champion. Thor says that he doesn’t usually have these kind of deliberations. He says that talking with Jake is like talking to a brother or a mirror. Jake says that he is going to miss Asgard as much as Thor is going to miss Earth. He wonders if Thor can take him back once in a while. Thor asks Jake if he wants to go now. He says that there is going to be a wedding that is not to be missed.
Galaxies away, the Dark Gods stand together. Perrikus says that the Reckoning looms. He says that the Killer of Gods, the Destroyer of Pantheons approaches. One asks if Perrikus is speaking of Desak. Adva says that he is the only one that they might fear. Perrikus says that having been imprisoned they are hardly at full strength. Adva says that was the price of Odin’s hold over them. Adva says that without Odin’s death that they would still be imprisoned. She says that if only she could open the continuum gateway they could escape. Perrikus says that if it is war and carnage that Desak wants that it is war and carnage that he’ll have.
Desak holds his axe before him as he flies through space.
In Asgard, the wedding is just beginning. Thor calls out and asks if they would really start without him. Thor and Jake Olsen walk in. Thor says that he enters the hall filled with shame for his recent actions. He says that his grief is no excuse for treating a valiant warrior and friend as he treated Volstagg. Thor asks Volstagg’s forgiveness, and Volstagg says of course he forgives. Someone notices that Thor is holding the Scepter. Thor says that he is going to serve them all with pride and honor as monarch. Everyone chants Thor’s name. Thor says that today is not about celebrating him, but of celebrating marriage. Thor says that his first official act will be to wed them. He says that he will do it for honor, for glory, and for Asgard.
Lightning Crashes rating: 7 out of 10
Good story. Thor takes the throne and deals with his grief. There are enough teasers to have me wanting the next issue right away. I have to be honest and say that I’m not sure I’m very excited about Tarene being Earth’s champion. I am curious to see who Thor’s opposition will be now that the Odinforce is becoming his. Immonen’s art again seems far too dark. I count about ten instances where pupils are actually visible instead of the wall of shadows that seems to rest on everyone’s eyes. Immonen’s storytelling however is good enough to warrant a three out of five.