Thor vol. 2 #43Thor vol. 2 #43
Title: “Taking Charge part 3 of 3”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Joe Bennett
Inker: Jadson
Colors: Avalon Studio’s Dave Kemp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Dale Krogstad is walking down the streets of New York City. Dale is from Tennessee and is currently dying of cancer. Dale’s chemotherapy hasn’t worked and he will be dying within a month or two. He wanders out, eyes wide and looking upward, out into the street. A cab is heading straight towards Dale. Tarene grabs Dale by the seat of the pants, and smashes the hood of the cap in with his hammer. The driver of the cab smashes through the windshield right past Tarene. Tarene grabs his ankle and stops him from slamming into the car in front of him. The cabbie freaks on Tarene and says that it was “Farmer Clem’s” fault and that she just destroyed his cab. Tarene apologizes, but says that it was necessary to save him. Dale stands in awe. He says that she kind of looks like Thor, but he thought Thor was a guy. Tarene says that matters in Asgard are keeping Thor there, and that she, Thor Girl, has been charged with protecting Midgard. Dale asks if Thor Girl wouldn’t be like his parents naming his sister Dale Girl. Tarene says that she considered Hammerette, Asgard Lass, and Thorette. Dale asks if she doesn’t have a regular name she could use. Tarene says that she will consider it and tells Dale to be cautious. Dale says that he came to New York to live. Tarene tells Dale to eat because he looks gaunt. Dale says thank you to her, and Tarene flies off.
Tarene doesn’t get to high when she is struck from the sky by an axe. Tarene falls to the ground and asks who dares. Skurge the Executioner says that he dares. He says that she is no concern of his and demands that he be taken to Thor. He lets loose an energy blast that strikes her. Tarene says that nobody orders the Designate. Tarene throws her hammer at Skurge. Skurge says that is of no concern to him and smacks her hammer away. Tarene catches her hammer and says that she doubts that he is really Skurge. She says that songs in Asgard say that he died protecting Asgard. She lets loose a power blast that strikes Skurge to the ground. Dale comes over and says that he is a scary looking guy. Tarene says that even though she no longer has the power of the Designate that she can handle him. Skurge grabs her while she isn’t looknig and smashes her into a car. He says, “Unskilled. Too brash. Over-confident. Fatal.” Skurge says that he has fought opponents whose might dwarfed his own, but that a skilled warrior is trained. Skurge says that he will find Thor on his own, and that her head will be one of his trophies. Skurge wields back with his axe.
Loki says to Thor that their father’s throne suits him. Thor says that Odin’s funeral is tomorrow. He asks Loki if he has forgotten that he asked not to be disturbed. Loki asks Thor if he has forgotten that Odin was his father as well. Thor says that he recognizes Loki’s grief. Loki says that he recognizes Thor’s troubled state. He says that something more than sorrow weighs upon his mind. He asks what is the matter. Thor says that it is the Odinpower. Loki says that it passes to Odin’s descendant when he dies. Thor says that when he didn’t receive it right away he thought that there was hope that Odin might be alive. Loki says that now Thor feels it. Thor says that it grows stronger everyday. Thor says that with that and Orikal confirming Odin’s death that it seems he has no choice but to accept Odin’s death. Loki says that there is another one worth consulting. Thor says that it is Hela the one who knows about all things dead and dying. Suddenly Thialf rushes in and says that he has news from Midgard. Thor says that Midgard is now Tarene’s concern. Thialf says that is only so for as long as she lives and that it might not be much longer.
In Hel, Volla pleads with Hela to give up this current scheme. She says that Hela courts disaster. Hela reminds Volla that she is her advisor, but only when asked. Hela says that her coveting of Thor is beyond Volla’s understanding. Hela says that Thor stands on the verge of becoming hers. Volla says that it is a dangerous plan. Hela says that soon Thor will wield the power of Odin, and that she must act right away. Volla says that is all the more reason to steer clear of Asgard’s new liege.
In New York, Jake Olsen knocks on Christine’s door. He asks if she is in there, and says that he was worried when she didn’t show up for work. The door is open and Jake walks in. Christine is tied up with chains. Jake unties Christine and asks who did this to her. Christine says that it was Skurge the Executioner. She says that he hates that she loves him. Jake says, “Uh… oboy.” Christine asks Jake if he doesn’t realize who she really is. Christine passes through the mirror and reveals herself as Amora the Enchantress. Enchantress kisses Jake.
Elsewhere in New York City, Dale dives at
Tarene and puts his suitcase right over her face as Skurge brings
down his axe. Skurge asks that man if he is insane. Dale leaps
onto Skurge’s back, but it doesn’t last long before
Skurge picks him off and slams him against a car. Tarene asks
Skurge if he must beat on a mortal to prove his strength. Skurge
says that as Thor is not present he will take what he can get.
Tarene says that though she is not Thor that she wields his
power. Tarene lets loose a blast on Skurge. Skurge blocks it with
his axe, but says that she might be a worthy opponent after all.
Dale leaps onto Skurge’s back again. Tarene tells Dale to
get of him, and that she doesn’t want him hurt. Skurge says
that it is too late for that. He pulls Dale off and slashes him
with his axe. Skurge tells Tarene that she is next, and blasts
her with a power surge. Skurge stands over Tarene and says that
he will execute her beheading as fast as possible. Suddenly
Skurge’s axe won’t move. 
Thor has a grip
on the handle and says that his blade isn’t going to budge.
Thor says that he might look like Skurge, sound like Skurge, and
have Skurge’s weapon, but that he isn’t Skurge. Thor
decks “Skurge”. “Skurge” says that he is
everything that he was. Thor says that before his father’s
death he might have thought so, but now the Knowing is his and he
will prove him wrong. Thor spins his hammer and transports them
all to Hel. Thor asks Hela if she really thought he was so
gullible as to not recognize her work. Hela says that he enters
her realm and dares to accuse her. Thor says, “Let the truth
be revealed.” He lets loose a blast that turns Skurge back
into one of Hela’s cyphers. Hela says that the power is
already Thor’s. Volla says that Hela should have listened.
Thor says that it was an effective guise as he had the Bloodaxe,
but that Hela has interfered with him for the last time. Thor
kneels next to Dale and says that a spark of life remains within
him. Thor uses the Odin Force to restore him to life. Volla tells
Hela to go beg Thor’s forgiveness. Dale wakes up and asks if
he has died. Thor says that Dale is restored to health, and that
even the sickness that threatened him is gone. Thor says that he
is going to take the axe to prevent Hela from using it again.
Thor says that he was going to ask Hela about his father, but
that it seems moot. Hela says that with Thor having the power
that no other conclusion can be drawn. Thor tells Tarene that
they have a funeral to prepare. Volla says that they are both
lucky to be alive. Hela says, “For now. Sadly, we might have
just witnessed the beginning of the end.”
Worlds away, Desak is walking over the dead bodies of the Dark Gods. Desak calls out Perrikus to join his brethren. Perrikus tells Adva to open the continuum gateway and save them from Desak. Adva says that she is trying. Desak blasts the still weakened Perrikus. He hits hit with his axe and stabs him with his sword. Adva finally manages to open the gateway and she and Perrikus disappear. Desak says, “Gone. Prey to be hunted.” A voice comes from behind Desak and says that he must first deal with the greatest threat that he has ever faced. Zarrako introduces himself and says that he is from the future. He says that it is Thor of Asgard that he must deal with before Thor annihilates them all.
Lightning Crashes rating: 7.5 out of 10
I really like Joe Bennett’s pencilling and I hope that he finds some permanent work soon. He is much too good to exist as a fill in artist. 4 out of 5. I like the way that the story is developing and that Thor is getting the Odin power. I’m looking forward to the Reigning storyline. I have to admit that I am both disappointed in Skurge not being Skurge and that Perrikus is slapped around by Desak. I like Perrikus and I understand that he is still weakened, but it was still a disappointment. I also don’t understand what Loki’s angle on everything is going to be. Is his feud with Thor over? Is he no longer the God of Mischief and Lies? Is he now going to be the God of Brotherly Friendship? To thine own nature be true Loki!