Thor vol. 2 #52Thor vol. 2 #52
Title: “Realization”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Dan Jurgens
Inker: Tom Palmer
Colors: Avalon’s Dave Kemp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
In Bilskirnir, Thor’s castle, one of the few men allowed in every room of the castle, Balder walks quickly. Each of his footsteps echoes. Balder finally finds Thialf. He tells Thialf that he and Thor were supposed to meet an hour ago, but that Thor never arrived. Balder says that only an attack or grave problem would cause Thor not to come. Thialf tells Balder that it is a private matter that keeps Thor away. Balder asks what he means and says that Thor should be guarded from his many enemies. Thialf says that Thor is safe and asks Balder to stop asking since Thor has demanded his confidence. Balder says that Thialf is Thor’s advisor, but that he is also a very recent addition to Thor’s inner circle. Balder says that Thialf has not earned his trust and that for all he knows he could be an agent of Loki. Thialf says that he is pledged to Thor and that he will not betray his confidence. Balder asks if he will tell him where Thor is. Thialf says that he will not unless Thor allows him to do so. Balder walks away but says that if he ever finds out that Thialf has betrayed Thor that he will cut him in half personally. Thialf admires Balder’s devotion to Thor, but stays silent.
Thor walks alone on a very snowy terrain on Midgard. As he walks he looks around. Thor places his hammer on the ground and rests his head on the butt of the handle. Thor looks up and remembers.
Centuries ago in Midgard, mortal man was much more barbaric and chaotic. Of all the races on Midgard the marauding Vikings were the ones that defied the ways of Asgard the most. Conquest was their goal and war was their lifestyle. No one matched their ferocity was unmatched and when you came in contact with one you would flee or die. A man, woman, and child run from the Vikings. The husband tells the wife to hurry, but the wife says that it is no use and that they will hunt them to the end of the Earth, The man says that they are almost free, but around the next turn in a giant Viking. The man tells him that what little they have he can have. The Viking says that what he wants he takes. The man picks up a stick. The Viking laughs at him and says that he likes a man that will fight. The Viking adds that it is a shame that one of them are any good at it. He knocks the man to the ground and steps on his head. The Viking says that the man is a disgrace to their gods and that Odin would never have him. He adds that it is Thor that gives strength to a warrior, and that he sacrifices the man to him. The Viking kills the man. The man’s wife holds her dead husband as their child kneels nearby.
Later the Vikings are sitting around a fire celebrating. They give thanks to Odin and Asgard for the might that dwarves those they fight. Thor arrives and tells them to sing their praises loud so that they might be heard in Asgard. The Vikings rise amazed to see Thor. The Vikings all bow before Thor. The widowed woman steps forward and asks if this is their god that they slaughter innocents to. The Vikings say to kill her, but Thor says that he wants to hear her out. She asks why Thor has sent these murderers out on a path of death. Thor says that he doesn’t do any such thing. He says that is just a result of battle and that they are just the victors. The woman asks what if the vanquished has no taste for war and want to only live in peace. She asks what glory there is in that and tells Thor to go look for signs of a battle. She says that he won’t find any swords or shields, but that he will only see slaughtered men, women, and children. Thor goes, but only to prove her wrong. As Thor turns to go, one of the Vikings asks if she would speak to Thor that way. He slashes her down with a knife. Thor asks why the man did that. The Viking asks if that is not Thor’s way. Thor says that his ways are of honor and courage. He says that he fights against those that would take from them and to defend their people if war is called for. He picks up the woman and says that this is not the way of Asgard. He says that blood of the innocents must never be spilled as he flies off with her.
Thor lands at the “battlefield” and sees that it was indeed nothing more than a slaughter. The little boy who lost his father now sees that his mother is dead as well. Thor turns to the sky and asks Odin if this is Asgard’s doing. He asks that if they inspire men to do these things are they not responsible. Odin appears and says that these are the actions of flawed mortals and that it is best to just turn away. Thor asks how they can do that when the ground is littered with those murdered in their name. Odin says that “the complexities of mortals are almost beyond explanation”. Odin says that he could take vengeance on them for this, but that man would do better to learn the lesson on their own. Thor asks if Odin would let this continue. Odin says that they will learn just as Thor overcame the bravado of youth. Thor asks what about those that suffer in the meantime. Thor points out the boy and says that he is now without mother and father. Thor says that he faces a cruel fate and that if they are the “paragons of behavior” that they must act on his behalf. Thor insists that they do. Odin tells Thor to count himself lucky that Odin understands the rashness of youth. Odin says that without that he wouldn’t be able to overlook his tone to see the wisdom in his words. Odin says that Thor has asked a favor of him and that Odin will ask one of him in return. Odin says that this boy’s home will be in Asgard. Odin’s scepter glows with power and Odin says that the boy will be “blessed with wisdom, insight and speed enow to escape any enemy”. Thor asks Odin what he wants from him. Odin tells Thor that Thor will have to find the boy a home in Asgard and that when the boy matures that Thor will take him into the fold and treat him like he would his closest friend.
Thor stands in the snowy clime and remembers the day. From that day on Thor spent less and less time with the mortals. Many of the mortals seemed to forget Thor, but from time to time, Thor would return to the Valley of Blood to remind himself of the difference between man and god. Thor spins his hammer.
Thor returns to Bilskirnir. He thinks that is why he is so upset with the mortals lately and that he had hoped they would have shown more progress by now. Balder sees that Thor has returned. Thor asks Balder’s forgiveness for missing their meeting. He says that other matters required his attention. Balder says that they need to speak of Thialf. Balder says that he had earned Thor’s confidence, but that he is unknown to them. Balder asks how they can trust him. Thor says that he understands Balder’s concern, but that Thialf is to be trusted without doubt. Balder asks how he is so sure and that Thialf is new among them. Thor says that Thialf isn’t as new as Balder thinks and that he has known Thialf since he was a boy. Thor tells Balder to go about his business and that he will speak with him soon. Once Balder has gone, Thialf asks Thor if the valley has changed. Thor says, “In appearance only, Thialfi. The ghosts still linger. A reminder of the errant ways of god and man alike. But at least we learned from that, in order to correct our actions.
Lightning Crashes rating: 6 out of 10
Well this is a nice enough story, but it seems like an odd place within the storyline to take a “filler” issue. I’m not a huge fan of Jurgens’ art and this issue didn’t really change my mind. 3 out of 5 for each.