Thor vol. 2 #45Thor vol. 2 #45
Title: “To Reach Beyond”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller:Tom Raney
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colors: Avalon Studios’ Dave Kemp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Balder, Jymrsk, the elder Ggorstog, and others are aboard an Asgardian ship on the rough stormy waters. Giant tentacles are coming up over the side of the ship. Balder tells the others to fight with him or they will never fight again. Jymrsk says that though he has heard tales of the perils waiting beneath the Jotunheim’s seas, but that he never expected to confront one. Balder says that Jotunheim is the most dangerous region, and that it is safe to assume that threats lurk around every corner. Ggorstog says that there isn’t a threat that can endanger a true warrior of Asgard. He says that they should vanquish this monster so they can finish their mission. Balder says that it well said, and that as Lord Thor dispatched them for this task that failure is unacceptable. Ggorstog says that if Thor wants them to bring him the Chest of Strength that they will not be deterred by man nor beast. Two of the men on the ship say that this is a fool’s errand, and that Odin would never have imperiled them this way. Another man asks if they besmirch the name of Thor. The man says that Thor is young and more devoted to Midgard than to them. He says that he questions Thor’s judgement. Ggorstog says that his is the voice of faithless youth. Ggorstog tells them to listen to him and he will ease their doubts.
Ggorstog says that it was days after Thor took the throne. A collection of rogue trolls sensing weakness decides to attack Asgard. Despite the fact that Asgard’s defenders were greatly depleted, because of the battle with Surtur, Thor led them to victory. Thor proved his mettle then. Ggorstog says that they have questioned if Thor cares for his warriors, but that such a thing cannot be questioned. After the battle they walked among the dead and dying. Ggorstog says that a king’s greatest trait is his compassion for only then can he be just with fairness for all. Thor leans down to a dying troll and takes his hand. As he dies, Thor tells the troll to go on to a better place now. Ggorstog says that if he would show his enemy that kind of compassion then surely he will bestow a great deal of it upon his own people.
Ggorstog stabs the monster in the head with a staff and tells them that they can cry if they want to, but that he isn’t worried about whether Thor has concern for his people. The men ask for forgiveness and says that if he is not worried then they shall put their concerns aside. Jymrsk tells his father Ggorstog that he has alleviated the doubts of the crew, but that he still wonders about the contents of the Chest of Strength. Ggorstog asks Jymrsk if he would wonder if the order came from Odin. Balder says that no one would dare question Odin. They ask Balder if he knows what is in the Chest of Strength. They ask if it is a shield or a sword, a hammer more powerful than Mjolnir or a telescope that lets him see into infinity. Balder says that all he knows is that it can be found at the bottom of the Crimson Waters. Jymrsk says that he heard that they are called that because they are full of blood. Balder says that it is the blood of those that have died in Jotunheim. One of the men says that if the Chest of Strength will strengthen the throne then it shall strengthen them all.
Jymrsk says that he disagrees with his
father, and that a king’s greatest trait is his vision for
the future because only then can he serve the children for they
are the key to tomorrow. Ggorstog asks why the son always
questions the wisdom of the father. One warrior asks what Thor
knows about vision. Another says to ask Balder because he knows
him best. Another man says that Balder is probably a plant who
will report their misgivings. Balder says that they can speak
freely and that he will keep their confidence. Jymrsk says that
he has glimpsed Thor’s vision of Asgard. 
He says that it
was two weeks ago when they journeyed to the Path of Shattered
Dreams. It is “a place from which none who leap beyond hath
ever returned!” It is located at the edge of the domain of
the Enchanters. Those in great need or suffering sometimes go
there and ask a favor of the gods of magic. The favor is
supposedly granted when one leaps into the breach, but since no
one has ever returned no one knows if the favor is truly granted.
Thor in his infinite wisdom decided to solve the mystery. Thor
dispatches his raven wearing a bell that will ring across any
void no matter how vast so long as he lives and considers it
safe. The raven flies into the void and everyone stood fearing
the worst. A week later back at the Path, Thor says that he can
still hear the bell. Thor tells those rejoicing with him to
prepare themselves. Thor gives four of the men bells and says
that he commissions them in Odin’s name for a most
courageous of mission. The men leap into the breach. Jymrsk asked
Thor if the men’s bells still rang. Thor says that they do,
and that his heart soars with their success. Jymrsk asks if they
will ever see them again. Thor says that someday he will travel
there himself because now that he knows the location that Mjolnir
can take him there whenever he wants.
As they approach the Crimson Waters, Jymrsk says that Thor was true to his word and went and found that the place was abundant with beauty and fertile fields. Asgard now has an outpost there and it will be home to future generations. Balder looks down into the water and says that it seems that there is little else but blood in it. Balder says that he is going to dive in. One of the men says that it is too dangerous, but Jymrsk says that there is not a task that exists that frightens Balder. Balder dives in and swims toward the chest on the bed. Suddenly hands come out of the ground and start grabbing hold of Balder’s arms and legs pulling him down. Suddenly Thor is there and smashes Balder free. Balder holds onto the chest as Thor rockets them towards the surface. Thor asks Balder if he is all right. Balder says that he is fine, but that if it were not for him that he would be entering the gates of Valhalla right now. Thor says that is unthinkable. Balder begs Thor’s forgiveness and says that his presence should not have been necessary. Thor says that it is just fortunate that he was bored with affairs of the state and decided to join them. Jymrsk asks if they can know what is within the chest. Thor says perhaps another time. He says that another requested this chest, and that his patience is less than infinite. Thor flies off with the chest.
One of the men says that he can’t
believe that they went through all this for someone other than
the king. Another man says that he warned him about talking like
that in front of Balder. Balder says that sadly he thinks that
their concerns are valid. He says that he doesn’t think that
Thor has the intelligence, humility, or wisdom to be monarch.
Balder says that he fears the worst for Asgard, and that he hopes
beyond desperation that he is wrong. The men wander off murmuring
to each other that even Thor’s greatest ally doubts him.
After they walk off “Balder” laughs to himself. 
He transforms
into Loki. Loki says that he desired the Chest of Strength for
his own use, but that he was able to sow doubt and unrest among
Thor’s subjects so it was a good day for him.
Back in Asgard, Thor apologizes to Zeus for making him wait. Zeus tells Thor not to apologize as he always enjoys his time in Asgard. He presents him with the Chest of Strength, but says that Zeus is already so powerful that he can’t imagine what need he has for it. Zeus says that the contents are not for him but for Thor. Thor says that Zeus’ council is always welcome, but he asks what use he has for the contents. As Thor opens the chest, Zeus says that he senses hesitancy in Thor’s soul. Zeus says that the fear of Odin’s legacy is beyond Thor. Thor pulls a mirror out of the chest. He asks what kind of strength this offers. Zeus tells him to look into it. Thor says that he sees himself of course, but that he is different somehow. Zeus says, “Tis a noble and honorable vision, for this mirror reveals not the surface but the inner soul. Rest assured of one thing, Odinson, thou art more than equal to thy father’s rule. If ever our help is desired, all Olympus stands ready.” Zeus bids Thor farewell, and Thor tells Zeus to go with the eternal thanks of Thor. Thor looks into the Eternal Flame and sees Tarene and Jake Olsen. He says that they seem so much further away than Midgard. He says they are shadows of a former lifetime. Thor says that his role is there “dealing with the affairs of today… and whatever dangers loom on the horizon. The mirror from the Chest of Strength lies on the floor. The reflection of Thor’s face has turned into an angry scowling face.
Lightning Crashes rating: 10 out of 10
I can’t think of a way that this issue could be any better than it is. The journey, the weaving of the tale, the mythological feel, the evil of Loki, and the foreshadowing of troubled times ahead. I couldn’t wait for the next issue as soon as I got done reading. Tom Raney’s art is utterly outstanding. The attention to detail, the composition, the style. This guy has the goods. I really hope that they manage to keep him on this book as long as possible. As I’m reading the story I keep thinking of other people in Thor’s history that I’d like to see Raney draw.