Thor vol. 2 #58Thor vol. 2 #58
Title: “Standoff Part 1”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Alan Davis
Inker: Robin Riggs
Colors: Avalon Studios’ Dave Kemp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
In the land of Slokovia, a land of poverty and desperation, a precious few hold the power and use it to brutalize the weak. Three soldiers are walking down the street and stop a woman carrying fruit on her shoulder. They say that they have business with her. One says that they need to perform a search and inspection. The soldiers start to take the woman’s fruit. She says that those were for their station commander. One asks if she would have the major eat trash. He takes a piece of the fruit and squishes it against the woman’s face. The men throw her to the ground and says that she belongs in the mud with the rest of her kind. A man, watching all of this, ties off his ox and walks towards a secret door. He knocks and quickly enters. The soldiers spot the unattended ox and find it curious.
Inside, the man Pitor, is greeted by Martina. He says to hurry and that the soldiers are right behind him. Martina says that he should not have come in that case. She says that General Stoykovicz’s troops aren’t to be trifled with. The woman at the head of the room says that it is time for the service. She says that it is time for them to bow their heads and give thanks to Thor. She tells them to look to the fortune that will await them since Thor, who brought Heaven to Earth, will deliver them from their evil tormentors. She speaks to Thor and says that they are patient and know that one day he will give them freedom.She asks that until then that he protect them from the crushing tyranny. As she continues to pray, the soldiers burst through the wall with their guns blazing. They say that pagan worship and unlawful assembly are outlawed and that the penalty is death. The soldiers mow down every person. One man says that Thor will punish them for this. He dies under the image of Mjolnir the worshippers used to honor Thor.
Outside Asgard, Heimdall stands on the Rainbow Bridge listening to the world over. He hears the soldiers enter and start shooting. He hears the man say that Thor will punish them for this as he dies.
Thor is announced. He asks Thialf if he has briefed Enchantress, Balder, and Sif about what Heimdall heard. Amora says that Thor is honored to have mortals worship him. Thialf says that their worship brought them death and that a suitable response is required. Thor says that those dedicated to him must not suffer. He says to assemble the Warrior’s Three and that they and Balder will settle the conflict. Balder asks if that isn’t excessive. Thor turns puzzled at Balder’s questioning him. Balder says that it is one thing to lead by example, but that to answer individual prayers is another matter. Thor says that he has no intention of doing so. Balder asks if he is seeking justice or vengeance. Thor gets in Balder’s face. He says that Balder is a friend, but asks if he ever questioned Odin this way. Balder says that he did not and apologizes to Thor. Thor says that the mortals died with his name on their lips and that such disregard for life is never to be tolerated. He says that they are going to Slokovia. Amora tells Balder that he is too skeptical and that he must embrace the good Thor has brought to Midgard. Sif says that a leader should welcome those who question such bold and drastic actions. Amora says, “Really, Sif? So even you question our presence on Midgard? Or do Thor’s other decisions bother you more?” Thor says that is enough and that honor demands action. Thor says, “The time for reckoning is at hand!”
Stoykovicz’s tanks roll through the remnants of Pystoroka, a village that questioned Stoykovicz’s rule. One of the soldiers says that it is almost a shame to destroy such a beautiful place. Another soldier says that it would almost be if it weren’t for the plundered wine and food. One asks if the other believes in the rumors of Asgardian intervention. The other says that it is just a fabrication of western press. Suddenly, Balder swoops in one a winged horse. He slices the turret off the top of the tank and tells everyone that they have committed human rights violations and to surrender at once. The Slokovians scramble to fight, but Hogun just tells Fandral to act accordingly. Volstagg swoops in and mows over a bunch of soldiers behind Hogun.
At the Pentagon, Iron Man flies downward. Iron Man asks what the problem is. One of the men says that thirteen hours ago that the Asgardians launched an attack against Slokovia and decimated much of his army. They tell Stark that they are worried and that Slokovia is on Latverian borders. They tell Stark that Doom has always allowed Slokovia to exist as a buffer between him and the rest of the world. They say that if Thor makes Doom antsy that anything can happen. Stark says that Doom isn’t unreasonable and that he cares for his people. One man says that if he believes that Latveria is next on Thor’s list that he might try to take the whole world out instead of giving up. They say that Thor must be stopped. Stark asks what if Thor is right and says that Stoykovicz has killed thousands of his own people. They tell Stark that Thor is destabilizing the entire region. They say that Thor needs to be made to see reason and that Stark is elected. Stark says that he is welcome in Asgard and that he will go talk to Thor and make sure he isn’t doing what they fear. They tell Stark that he is smart guy and that Thor’s action must make him nervous. Stark’s faceplate goes down and he says, “No comment”.
Thor welcomes Stark to Asgard and says that it has been too long. Iron Man says that he is sorry, but that this isn’t a social call. He says that he has come about Slokovia. Stark sees Enchantress and asks what she is doing there. He says that she and trouble are synonymous. Amora asks how dare he speak to her that way. Thor tells her to relax. He tells Stark that his troubles with Amora are in the past and to leave them there. Amora walks out glaring at Iron Man. Thor says that Slokovia is no longer a concern and that he will have it under control soon. Iron Man notes that Thor seems very blasé about overthrowing a nation’s government. Thor says that it should have been done long ago. Stark says that might be, but that Latveria is right next door. Thor says that if Doom gets irrational that he will feel his wrath as well. Stark asks what about the country after Latveria. He asks Thor if he is going to wage war against every country that disagrees with him. Thor tells Stark that he worries too much and now that Asgard is present that there is no threat. He says that people should just follow him and he will show them the way. Iron Man asks what if the people don’t want to follow him. Iron Man says that he knows Thor is trying to do good, but that he thinks he is going about it wrong. Thor asks if it is right to sit by while people are killed for worshipping as they see fit. Thor says that they cried to him for help. Thor dons his helmet and says that he isn’t deaf to Iron Man’s concerns and that he will go to Slokovia and make sure things are handled properly. Iron Man tries to tell Thor that he wants to go with him, but Thor quickly spins his hammer and teleports away.
Iron Man flies from Asgard and tries to contact the Pentagon, but he finds that something is jamming his signal. Suddenly, Doom is in Iron Man’s helmet. He asks if it is Stark’s intention to stand by while his comrade guides the planet into catastrophe. Doom says that if the powers of the world wanted to be unified under a single fist that they should have contacted him. He says that he would be better than a barbarian that thinks he is a god. Iron Man tells Doom not to worry and that he has nothing to worry about. Doom asks why the Americans enlisted him to stop Thor and why Iron Man has been experimenting with Thor’s new energy source the way he did.
The Slovokians
fire a cannon, a gift from Latveria, at the Asgardians. Balder
sees that they used a nerve gas, but the gas starts choking the
Slovokians. Thor says that he doesn’t think so. He creates a
whirlwind that sends the gas spiraling away. Thor says that they
are worse than he thought. Thor says that the liberation of
Slovokia will begin now. Iron Man tells Thor to think again. Iron
Man tells Thor that he doesn’t want to fight him, but that
if he has to he will.
Lightning Crashes rating: 9 out of 10
All the pieces are in place for one of the battles of the millinium. In addition to the main plot I love Amora the Enchantress’ place in this story. I love her goading Sif that Thor chose her instead of Sif. I love Iron Man’s reaction and Amora’s disdain for the way he treated her. Davis does a stunning job with the artwork. I’m hoping that we can see Davis on some more mainstream Marvel books.
THIS STORY IS CONTINUED IN IRON MAN VOL. 3 #64