Thor vol. 2 #48Thor vol. 2 #48
Title: “By Fire Born Part 3 of 5”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Joe Bennett
Inker: Tom Palmer
Colors: Dave Kemp of Avalon Studios
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Jake Olsen/Thor stands before Desak and Grey
Gargoyle with the shattered remains of Tarene inside a bag on his
shoulder. He thinks to himself how he expected this to be easy
going up against an old foe without much muscle, but that he
should have known better. People are wondering if that is the
real Thor as Desak tells Olsen/Thor that he has come for Tarene.
Grey Gargoyle says that he might be too late since he killed her
when he smashed her into pieces. Desak says that if the mortal
has killed the Designate that he is an ally of his. Gargoyle says
that he is no longer a mortal, but that he has become a god.
Desak says that is unfortunate since any god will not survive his
wrath. Desak lets off a blast from his axe that levels Grey
Gargoyle. Olsen/Thor says that no matter how bad the Gargoyle was
that he can’t just let him kill him. Desak says that Thor
isn’t going to fool him with talk of honor and that he
already knows Thor’s future and that they will forevermore
be enemies. 
Desak whacks
Olsen/Thor into a car. Gargoyle blasts Desak in the back with
Tarene’s hammer. Desak asks Gargoyle why he wants to be a
god. He asks him if he wants to control the lives of others and
force them to serve him. He asks if he wants “toys” to
play with and then discard. Desak says that he has made it his
life’s work to remove those that do so, and that if Gargoyle
wants to be a god that he can die as one. Desak hits Gargoyle.
Desak leans over and picks up Tarene’s hammer that Gargoyle
dropped. Gargoyle says that is his ticket to immortality and that
he can’t have it. Desak calls Gargoyle a fool and says that
he senses no aspects of godliness in Gargoyle. He says that he is
of no interest to him. Olsen/Thor tells Desak that he may as well
leave since Gargoyle told him that Tarene is already dead. Desak
asks if he is supposed to believe him. Desak points to the jewel
that gave him his power and says that he has used those powers to
travel immeasurable distances and kill countless pantheons of
gods. He says that Tarene heads the list of his concerns. Desak
says that he says that Tarene is gone, but that he senses a
slight spark of life. Olsen/Thor tells Desak to back off and lets
off a blast from his hammer. Desak says that Thor reveals his
true self. Olsen/Thor says that Desak’s noble attitude is
“bunk” and that not every god deserves to be killed.
Desak repeats that Tarene tops his list of concerns and that Thor
is right behind her. Desak says that Zarkko showed him the
future. Desak says that he knows what Thor will do to this world
and many others. Desak says that he will die before he lets that
happen. Olsen/Thor says that Zarkko is a cheap con trying to con
Desak the same way he conned Gladiator. Olsen/Thor says that
Desak should be smarter than that and that he has spent his life
protecting those less powerful and that it won’t change.
Olsen/Thor blasts at Desak, but Desak hits him and says that he
has seen the truth. Desak says that Thor must die.
One Asgardian warrior apparently lies dead
while another struggles to his knees. Balder and Hogun continue
fighting a Frost Giant. Balder tells Hogun to fight to his last
breath. Hogun asks what the point is. He says that the Frost
Giant’s might dwarfs theirs and that they can’t stop
it. Balder says that Hogun’s cynicism, as always, galls him.
Balder hacks off the Frost Giant’s hand with his sword.
Hogun says that this is a suicide mission and that Odin never
would have sent them out for this. Balder tells Hogun not to bad
mouth Thor, but Hogun just asks Balder why Thor isn’t
fighting at their sides. Nearby Enchantress tells Thor to rest
and that he is weakened. Thor asks if he is supposed to rest
while others battle and that even in his weakened state that it
is unthinkable. Amora reminds Thor that he is Asgard’s king
now. Thor repeats that it is impossible to standby. Amora says
that knowing him the way she does that she expected no less and
that she will join him and lend assistance when possible. Thor
says that those are brave words. Amora asks Thor if he would
expect any less from one that would be queen. 
Thor and Amora
kiss. Hogun is now unconscious and Balder is making his last
stand as Thor returns to the fight. Thor slams Mjolnir into the
Frost Giant and shatters part of him. Thor tells Balder that he
has stood as only the greatest of Asgard’s warriors could,
but that the fight is now his. Thor flies at the Frost
Giant’s face. He says that living as a mortal and abiding by
their laws has tamed him. Thor says that ends now. He smashes the
Frost Giant over and over until he kills it. One of the other
Frost Giants says that Histir, their brother, is dead. The other
two Frost Giants charge Thor. Thor says that his strength is
still ebbing and asks what affliction affects him this way. Amora
tells Thor not to fight them, but to simply remove them. Thor
says that it is an unseemly way to end the conflict, but Amora
tells him that the real threat is an unseen foe. Thor agrees and
teleports the Frost Giants away with Mjolnir. Thor says that now
they have to find what drains his strength. Volstagg says that he
will help right after dinner. Amora says that they should all
return to Asgard where the army can protect them. Thor says that
he doesn’t need any protection. Thor says that it is Midgard
problems that have always dogged him and that it is there that he
must go. Thor spins his hammer.
Olsen/Thor says that he remembers having
fights like this and that he used to have more power. He thinks
to himself that it might not matter how much power he has since
Desak was designed to take down any god he meets. Olsen/Thor hits
Desak and says that he has to use this opportunity to get clear
of Desak. He says that if Tarene does have a spark of life left
that he has to protect her. Desak says that no matter where he
runs that he will not be able to escape his blade. Olsen/Thor
decides that he is right and that he has to make a stand. Desak
plows into Olsen/Thor. They crash through a water tower and into
an empty warehouse. Olsen/Thor tells Desak not to do this and
that Tarene is the future of all humanity. Desak says that hers
is the ultimate power and the ultimate threat. Suddenly the
Spirit of the Jewel appears to Desak. He says that in all the
years that she has never once come to him. He bows down before
the spirit and asks how he can be of service to her. The spirit
says that she just came to assure him that, as always, his
actions are right, just, and true. She says that Tarene must be
removed. Desak says that the time is now. His sword and axe begin
to glow with power. He says that Thor should be glad since he and
Odin will meet again soon. A burst of power lets loose and blows
Olsen/Thor off his feet. 
The spirit
floats over Desak’s head as he says that the God of Thunder
is no more.
Lightning Crashes rating: 8.5 out of 10
Another great issue both in writing and artwork. Jurgens’ story is exciting and has real momentum. The action between the two Thors is very cool. Jake Olsen still possesses the speech of a regular mortal while he is in effect really a part of Thor. He remembers being Thor and wants to be again. Who could blame him really? Part of Amora’s agenda is revealed as she outright tells Thor that she wants to be his queen. Desak again serves a great villain. I’m very curious to see what the deal is with the Spirit of the Jewel and who Desak has been serving all these years. Joe Bennett delivers another fantastic job on the pencils. It’s strange since Tom Palmer is one of my favorite inkers of all time, but I find that I like Bennett’s stuff better last issue without Palmer’s inks.