Thor vol. 2 #56Thor vol. 2 #56
Title: “Resistance”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Joe Bennett
Inker: Jack Jadson
Colors: Avalon Studios’ Dave Kemp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
A recording from a young, African American man starts with him saying that someone has to do something. He says that he knows what it is like to be hated and despised because he is a mutant. He says that he can deal with hate and that he always figured that to see good that they have to see evil. He says that Jesus taught that. He says that Jesus also told them to turn the other cheek. He says that doesn’t work sometimes. He says that he can’t stand having His name dragged through the mud by someone claiming to be a god. He says that he is trying to push the Savior from the pages of Earth’s history. He says that someone has to do something and that since he has the power that the someone has to be him.
A news helicopter watches as Thor swings his hammer summoning a giant electrical bolt. The reporter in the copter says that not only has Thor housed the homeless and fed the hungry, but now he is about to unveil a new energy source that will be much better for the planet than anything man ever thought of. The reporter sends it down for an interview with the Absorbing Man. Creel says that he used to fight with Thor all the time, but that was before he realized what good he was doing. He says that he went to the U.N. just to kneel before him and pledge his loyalty. He says that he has been with Thor ever since. He says that he has been fighting the bad guys for Thor so he can take care of the bigger stuff like this energy source. With his hammer powered by all the lightning, Thor instills the power onto a jewel. Thor says that it is done. He says that the power plant has been taken off line in favor of the new jewel enchanted with the magic of Asgard and the power of Thor. He says that Cincinnati won’t need to worry about power for a decade. Thor hands the jewel to Thialf and tells him to take it to Tony Stark for replication. Thialf rushes off and Thor says that he will take the other jewel to Cleveland. As Thor flies off, Creel cheers for him. One man says, “Great. Our plant is shut down. What’re we supposed to do for work… polish Asgardian boots?”
Back in Asgard,
Thor asks Thialf if he gave the jewel to Stark. Thialf says that
he did and that his old friend was very intrigued by its
potential. Balder asks if Asgardian magic in human hands is wise.
Thor says that it is wiser than watching them destroy their
natural resources. Thor says that humans must decide how they
will use the guidance and help they provide. He tells Balder to
ease his mind and to think of the good that they are doing.
The young man from the video sneaks to the
new power plant of Cincinnati. He places his hands upon the
thing. Suddenly the whole thing falls over in decay. Absorbing
Man says that it looks like it aged five hundred years in ten
seconds. The man says that it is done. He is struggling to pull
himself together so he can run away, but Creel spots him and says
that he is the one that did this. Creel says that this was going
to make people’s lives better. He takes off his suit coat
and touches a piece of metal. 
He says that
Thor is going to hang him from the highest tree he can find.
Creel hits the ground and causes a shockwave. The man flies into
the air and hits his head against Creel’s steel head. Creel
holds his unconscious body in one hand and calls him a
“lightweight”.
In Asgard, Creel brings the young man before Thor. Thor asks if this small mortal caused all of that damage. Thor is told that the mortal media is curious to see how he is going to deal with this. Thor asks him why he destroyed something that benefited all. The man says that it seemed like the thing to do at the time. Thor asks if he realizes the damage he has inflicted. The man says, “Do you have any idea what a fraud you are? I mean talk about a con job!” Thor tells him to elaborate. He says that he believes in one God only and not his “high flyin’ friends”. Thor says that he never claimed to be the only god and that he never discouraged his beliefs or anyone else’s. The man says those are just words and that he is setting himself up to be “Numero Uno”. Thor says that his only goal is to help him and his fellow mortals. He asks Thor who requested the help. Thor says that he sees where help is needed and goes. He says that they are just pets to Thor. He says that if he cared what humans thought he would have left when they tried to bomb him. He says that his god invites people to welcome his involvement, but that Thor shoves his way in and doesn’t know when to quit.
Back on the video, the young man says that he has to give Thor credit. He says that he thought he was going to throw him into an Asgardian prison. Thor asks what punishment is appropriate, Absorbing Man wanted life imprisonment. Thor says that he doesn’t want to infringe on his beliefs and says that as long as he stays clean that he can go. He says that he is no moron and so he agreed. He says that Thialf and Creel nearly freaked, but that Thor sent him home. He says that Thor promised to stop him if he ever caused trouble again. He says, “Take it to Vegas, baby! I am so going to kick Asgardian butt.
At Cleveland Electric, Asgardian guards stand outside the fence. A truck pulls up and says that he is there to stock the vending machines. The guard walks around to check the cargo only to discover that there is no cargo. The man from the video leaps out of the truck and grabs the guards face. He uses his power and ages him until he is dead. The man runs into the power plant as the other guards follow. He decays an arrow shot at him and then turns to this power source. He blows up Cleveland’s power source too.
Thor looks at the cover of the Daily Bugle that shows him distraught at the scene of the destruction. The headline reads “Resistance: David Slays Goliath”. Balder says that this requires a swift response. He says that others might seek to duplicate the mortal’s actions. Thor asks if they are sure the youth survived. Thialf says that he has contacted the media and explained why he destroyed the power plant. He adds that there are those that sympathize with him. Thor says that he was warned, but Balder reminds Thor that he is just a boy. Thor says that he is a boy that broke Asgardian law as well as the law of his own god. He says that he has killed. Thor summons Heimdall
In the woods, the young man makes his final preparations. He hears Thor and turns. Thor says that he has destroyed Asgardian property and killed one of his men. He says that he demands that he answer for his crimes. The youth asks if Thor is there to kill him. Thor says that the law will determine his punishment. The young man says that he doesn’t think so. He says that he is taking Thor down with him. He grabs Thor. Thor looks down and sees that the boy’s face is ravaged with age. Thor shouts, “Away.” Power crackles around Thor as he does so. The no longer young man falls to the ground. He says, “Father… to you… I commend… my spirit.” Thor says that he doesn’t understand. He says that he didn’t do anything to him. Heimdall spots the camera.
Back on the video, the man says that he doesn’t have much time. He says that he can Thor coming to kill him. He says that everything he did, he did for mankind. He says that Thor does not have their best interests at heart. He says that Thor might see like a friend now, but that he is really the Devil in disguise. He says to remember him.
Heimdall says that the mortal’s final message was recorded and sent out to the earthly internet as was the images of his death. Thor says that it seems that he used his powers to age on himself. Thor says that some will blame him for this. Thor wonders if the “nameless mortal, in his death, has set into motion events that will affect all that which is yet to come”.
Lightning Crashes rating: 8.5 out of 10
Decent story and great art. I don’t really like the “nameless mortal”, but you have to admit that he had a plan and accomplished what he set out to do. Bennett does another great job with the art from this issue. I hope we get to see Bennett stick around even though Raney is gone, but I don’t have high hopes. Hopefully the next penciller will be as gifted as Raney and Bennett have been. 4.5 out of 5 for the art.