Thor vol. 2 #51Thor vol. 2 #51
Title: “With Great Power”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Tom Raney
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colors: Dave Kemp of Avalon Studios
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Spider-Man hitches a ride on a stealth jet as the news reports that Asgard has in fact appeared in the sky above New York. The American fighter jets begin to get a visual on Asgard. On the news a man says that all attempts at contact have been unsuccessful.
Heimdall stands on the Rainbow Bridge. He pulls an arrow from his quill and fires it into the air. Spider-Man leaps off the stealth plane just as Heimdall’s arrow reaches the jet. The stealth jet explodes though the pilot manages to eject before being killed. Spider-Man is falling towards the ground with a web parachute full of holes. Spidey manages to create a web cushion on the roof of the building he is about the crash through.
Spider-Man crashes through the ceiling of an Asgardian tavern. One of the men asks what that was. Another man says that if the first man saw it as well that means that it can’t be an effect of the ale. He says that it appeared to be a large colorful bug. Spider-Man is asking why he couldn’t have been bitten by an “invulnerable” radioactive spider when the men surround him and determine that it was in fact a bug. One man says that it isn’t a bug, but is in fact, a gnome as they swing their axes and swords. Spider-Man leaps through the hole in the roof and says that he isn’t a goblin and that he hates goblins: green, hob, or otherwise. The Asgardians shoot arrows at Spider-Man as he runs away. The Asgardians exit the pub and start throwing their weapons at Spider-Man. Spidey says that this is some kind of Twilight Zone version of a Renaissance fair.
On the news the reporter asks if the American powers are shaken by the developments. He says that this could quickly grow into a “disaster of indescribable proportion.
At the UN building, the delegates say that they are most concerned with the Americans. They say that they don’t really blame them since it was their plane that was shot down and that it is unsettling to have a city materialize over New York. They’re all wondering what they want. One man says that it is odd that drought-striken areas suddenly have rain and that volcanoes have been stilled. The Chinese delegate says that they should shoot them down right now when Thialf smashes through the window on a winged horse. He says that this is where the assembled wisdom from all nations has gathered and that they should summon their leader. Mr. Telleckson says that is impossible since the Secretary General was whisked to safety the moment the city materialized. Thialf tells Telleckson that he will be coming instead. Telleckson says that Thialf can’t be serious, but Thialf says that he couldn’t be more serious if he tried. Thialf grabs Telleckson onto his horse and flies away. The Chinese delegate gets on his cell phone and says that New York is going to be destroyed and that if they are going to save Beijing that they must act now… no matter the cost.
The Asgardians happen by the Smitty’s work. They ask him where the elf went. The Smitty asks them what they are talking about. One of them says that there is an elf about doing black magic by walking on walls and ceilings. He says that if the elf is left about that the babies will be born lepers. The men look around the Smitty’s shop, but they can find him anywhere. Finally they spot Spider-Man upside down on the ceiling. They say to smite him. Spider-Man webs them to the wall and mocks their Shakespearian speech.
As Spider-Man swings along he recalls that one of the men mentioned Odin and realizes that the city is Asgard. Spidey decides to go try to get Odin to put Asgard back where it belongs.
Telleckson asks, as they walk him into a hall, if they really expect him to believe that they are gods. Balder says that is what they are. Balder says, “Come, mortal. Thy liege awaits.” Telleckson says that he is their liege, not his. Balder warns him to curb his tongue. He says that Thor is not happy that they decided to attack them. Telleckson says that this all started when their city appeared and that it got worse when they shot down an American plane. Thor says that they didn’t come to initiate contact , but that they are there to serve as examples and inspiration. Telleckson looks up at Thor in awe. Thor says that long ago mortals looked to them for leadership, but that the gods left them thinking that it was better to let them achieve enlightenment on their own. Thor says that was a mistake. Thor says that conquering science led to base corruption and immorality. Telleckson says that he doesn’t mean that. Thor says that he does and that he lived among them as a protector and hero. Thor says that when his father died that he put those days behind him. A lurking Spider-Man hears that Odin died. Thor says that before he was limited to law and order, but that was insufficient and that there is more required to show them the way. Thor says that he has brought rain to those that need it most. He says that he will stop global warming and feed the hungry. He says that he will remove the worst despots from power. Telleckson says, “No. Never. Not a chance.” Thor yells that he has no choice. Spider-Man leaps forward. He says that he is sorry to hear about his father, but that he can’t just appoint himself king of the universe. Spider-Man says that Thor wasn’t even asked. Thor says that this isn’t Spider-Man’s business and that it is beyond his comprehension. Spider-Man asks Thor if he has lost his mind. Thor says that this is just an extension of what he was doing as a hero. Spider-Man says that fighting Kang is one thing, but that telling them how to live is another. Thor says that Spider-Man would do the same thing if he were in his position. Thor asks Spider-Man if he doesn’t ignore those that question his intentions. Spidey admits he does. Thor says, “Just as the power is mine. The responsibility is mine. ‘Tis simple as that.”
On the Rainbow Bridge, Heimdall senses something and blows the Horn of Warning.
The new reporter gets a disturbing report.
Spider-Man tells Thor that he has to use his
power wisely. Thor asks Spider-Man if it was responsible of him
to end the drought, feed the hungry, or to ease the plight of the
suffering. Suddenly Balder hears the Horn of Warning. Thor says,
“He calls for evacuation?” 
Thor flies off
shouting at the ‘mortal fools’. Spider-Man realizes
that something is wrong.
The reporter tells her family that she loves them and tells them to remember her. She says that she never thought that they would go nuclear.
Thor flies before the two oncoming missiles. Thor is beginning to swing his hammer as the two missiles strike him. There is an immense light, but when everyone realizes that they aren’t dead they look up to see that Thor has contained the power of the two nukes within the Odinforce. Thor continues spinning his hammer and creates a vortex. The vortex carries away the contents of the exploded nukes to a place where they can do no harm. Thor descends where Spider-Man is standing. Thor says that they came in peace and Spider-Man’s own kind would kill millions of their own to kill them. Thor asks if Spider-Man can still claim that humans don’t need guidance. Thor says that Spider-Man was misunderstood in Asgard and that just as the Asgardians must learn that he meant no harm, the humans must learn that they too mean no harm. Thor says that they only seek to help and enlighten. He tells Spider-Man to spread the word. Spider-Man tries to interject, but he and Telleckson have already been transported back to the UN building. Telleckson says that he doesn’t know if they are gods, but that there is no denying their power. Spidey thinks that he is glad that he will never know if he would in fact do the same thing that Thor is doing.
Lightning Crashes rating: 9 out of 10
Raney does another impeccable job penciling the issue yet again. His Thor is powerful and yet still understands and reflects the scrawniness of Spider-Man. Jurgens does a pretty good job of presenting Thor’s case, though I do somehow doubt that the Chinese would just rashly go nuclear like that. As if America wouldn’t have launched against the Chinese as a defense. Thor wouldn’t have been able to save them.