Thor vol. 2 #60Thor vol. 2 #60
Title: “Discovery”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Joe Bennett
Inker: Jack Jadson
Colors: Avalon Studios’ Dave Kemp
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Jake Olson arrives on the scene. The police are glad he is there and that if their kid were in the same situation that they would want him there. Jake asks what happened. The cop says that a truck dropped its load of girders on a van when the driver lost control. The cop says that the van driver is okay, but that there is a seven year old trapped inside. He says that he is in a bad way. The fireman says that the kid has suffered severe lacerations and a crushed limb. He says that they won’t be able to cut him out before he bleeds to death. Jake asks if the small hole is the only access they have. He says that it doesn’t get tougher than this. The boy begs Jake to get him out of there. Jake says that he will do what he can and asks the boy’s name. The boy says that he is Jarrod. Jake says that he likes that name. He checks Jarrod’s pulse and says that they will do everything they can to get him out. He asks if he can move. The boy says that he can’t, and that he can’t feel his leg either. Jake says that he is slipping into shock. One of the men suggests cutting away the girders. The fireman says that they can’t because of the way the beams are on the van. He says that the whole thing could collapse and crush the van. Jake says that they only have one option left. The fireman says that he doesn’t like it either, but that at least the kid might live. Jarrod’s mother asks what option they are talking about. She asks why they haven’t pulled him out yet. Jake tells her that his leg is badly crushed. He tells her that Jarrod’s only chance is for them to amputate his leg. She says that she won’t allow it. Jake says that if there was another option that he would do it. The woman says that there is prayer. Jake says that he doesn’t mean to insult her, but that her belief in God isn’t an option. She says that she isn’t talking about his Christian god. She says that she is talking about Thor. She says that he will come for them like he has for so many others. The mother starts to pray out loud to Thor. Jake rubs the bridge of his nose and says, “Un-freakin’-real.” The other paramedic says that the boy just lost consciousness. Jake tells him to get the max trauma bag. He tells Jake that he isn’t qualified to take the leg. He says that they have to wait for the surgeon. Jake says that it will be too late. The mother grabs Jake’s arm. She repeats that she won’t allow it and that Thor is going to save her son.
Thor, gilded in armor, rides a Pegasus towards a voice that is summoning him. It tells Thor that he seeks answers. It tells him that he is puzzled by what has happened to him and what will happen to him. Thor lands his flying horse by a waterfall. The voice tells Thor that he is the power, that it is within him, but that he doesn’t know how to personify it. It tells Thor that its potential is something that he can’t grasp. The voice tells him to come and that the Pool of No Ending awaits him. Thor asks the voice who it is and why it summons him. Thor says that he is drawn there, but that he doesn’t know why. As Thor walks through the waterfall his armor disappears leaving Thor wearing nothing but a loincloth. The voice tells Thor that he wears armor because he fears a threat, but that no threat exists. Thor shouts that if it is a confrontation it is seeking that it will have it. Thor asks where it is hiding and tells it to show itself. The voice says that it isn’t hiding, just awaiting Thor’s arrival. Suddenly Thor finds himself standing on a small brown planet within a cosmos. Thor says that he doesn’t like riddles. The voice tells Thor that a leader must learn patience. Thor says that patience isn’t the issue. The voice says that the issue is much larger than Thor thinks. Suddenly standing with Thor is Odin. Thor says, “F… Father?” The voice tells Thor that the time of defining has come. It tells Thor that it is time for him to ascend to something that he has never dreamed of.
Banning, the other paramedic, tells Jake that he doesn’t have the certification for amputation. The mother forbids them from doing it. Jake is on a cell phone to Jane Foster. He’s explained the situation to her and says that he needs clearance from her to proceed or the boy will die. Jane tells Jake to get the mother’s consent and that she will back him up with the hospital. She says that they both know that he is capable of performing it. Jake thanks Jane and then turns his attention to Mrs. Dellahanty. He says that he knows that this is painful for her. He says that he always tries to respect people’s religious preferences, but that she has to listen to him. He says that Jarrod is bleeding to death. He says that he knows Thor and that her belief in him is misguided. He says that Jarrod’s only chance is immediate amputation. He tells her to give him the permission that he needs. She says no. She says that Thor’s healers have helped so many and that he will come and save her son. She tells him to have faith. Jake shouts that Thor is not worth her prayers and faith. He says that Thor is not all knowing and that is not coming. Jake tells Banning to hold her back. One of the police come over and tells Jake that the mother wants him arrested. Jake says to arrest him then after he saves the boy’s life. Jake begins.
Thor is on his knees. He tells him father
that he knew he was alive. He says that deep down he knew Odin
could not die. “Odin” doesn’t address the point
and goes on to tell Thor that his lack of perception limits his
ability to understand. Thor asks why he is talking about that now
and asks where he has been. “Odin” says that he has
been with Thor, but that for the most part Thor has ignored him.
He says that he has come because Thor doesn’t seem to
understand. “Odin” motions to the giant swirling
cosmos. He says that this is how Thor perceives himself against
the backdrop of existence… small and insignificant. He says
that Thor allows his past to define his ways rather than
embracing the future. Thor asks if that isn’t the way things
are. 
Suddenly Thor
and Odin are enormous among the planets. Odin says that Thor has
not embraced his potential. Odin says that Thor’s use of the
power has been impressive, but that they are minimal compared to
the power’s limitless potential. Thor says that he is
speaking of the Odin Force, but that he can only have inherited
it if Odin has died. Odin tells Thor to look at a planet and asks
him what he sees. Thor says that it is a barren world without
life. Odin says that Thor looks, but that he doesn’t see. He
tells Thor to touch it. The planet crumbles. Thor says that he
didn’t mean to. Odin says that it is because he failed to
see the potential of the planet. Odin says that Thor must
understand the consequences of his presence. Odin tells Thor to
close his eyes and reach out with his mind. He tells Thor to let
himself feel. Thor does so but says that he feels nothing. Thor
asks what he is supposed to experience and asks why he is doing
this. Odin says that it is because Thor limits himself. He says
that he doesn’t accept what he is and what he could become.
He says, “Your path is not your father’s. Your path is
your own, but you must be the one to chart the journey through
the wilderness of your soul.” He asks Thor what he wants.
Thor asks if he means for Asgard. Odin tells him to stop making
it complex. He asks what would make him happiest right now. Thor
says that he doesn’t know. Odin tells Thor to touch the sun.
He says to envision his desire and make it happen. Thor is afraid
to because of what happened to the planet, but Odin tells him not
to fear. Thor reaches for the sun, but says that this seems
silly. Odin tells Thor to envision that which would make him
happiest. Thor asks how he does that when he doesn’t know
what it is. Odin tells him to concentrate on the feeling and that
the power will supply the rest.
The mother shouts at Jake that she will never forgive him for what he has done. Jake says that they will retrieve the leg and that a surgeon might be able to reattach it. He says that he is sorry, but that this was the only way. The mother says, “Look! Heretic! Blasphemer! Now you’ll pay!” Sif lands her flying horse in the street. She says that she saw the emergency vehicles and asks if she can be of assistance. The woman bows before Sif and thanks her for coming. She asks Sif to strike down the “non-believer” for maiming her son. Jake tells Sif that he saved the boy’s life. Sif says to bring the injured boy to her and that she will take him to Neffethesk the Healer. She says that he is more than capable of reattaching the boy’s leg. The mother says that she knew that salvation would come. Sif cuts through the metal and retrieves the limb. She tells the mother to get on her steed with the boy. They fly off. Another woman walks up to Jake and says, “Yo. Ambulance man. You seem to see the truth for what it is. Watch this and you’ll really freak.” She hands a disk to Jake.
Thor and “Odin” find themselves on a Viking boat. Odin says that he desires a fisherman’s life. Thor says that he doesn’t believe he does at least on a conscience level. “Odin” suggests that it is perhaps because he did this often as a boy. “Odin” says, “You often sailed with your father.” Thor asks if he remembers the time they caught the massive bohuskt fish. Odin tells him to think less of yesterday and more of tomorrow. Thor says that they have to talk. He says that he knows that Odin withdrew them from Midgard, but that the mortals have lost control. He asks him not to condemn him for moving Asgard there. Odin asks why he would do that and that it isn’t his place. Thor asks what Odin will do when he takes back his throne. Odin says that the throne is Thor’s now and forever. Thor says that he has to come back and that his people need him. Odin says, “Your people need you. Open your eyes. See. Open your mind. Feel. Thor asks why Odin is speaking in riddles. He wonders why Odin never responds when he calls him father. Thor points and says, “You are not Odin! Who are you?” Thor is filled with some kind of energy.
Thor awakens back at the waterfall in his armor. He says that he never thought it was possible. Thor says that it was the Odin Power. He says that he had thought of it in such simple terms. He says that he thought that it was no more than a genetic trait that he inherited. Thor says that it was the power itself speaking to him letting him know that he need not think of things the way he has. To dream beyond the horizons of self-imposed limits so that he might become so much more than he is. “That the Kingdom of Asgard and the Kingdom of Earth might become so much more than they ever thought possible!”
Davis says that he doesn’t have much time. He says that Thor is flying overhead screaming about how he is going to kill him. He says that everything he did, he did for mankind. He says that Thor doesn’t have their best interests at heart. “He might seem like a friend now… but he’s the Devil in disguise. Remember me.” The woman that gave Jake the disc appears and says that was the last they heard from Davis. She says that they can only assume the worst, and that this is more proof that they need to stop Thor before it is too late. Jake closes his laptop and dips his head in disappointment.
Lightning Crashes rating: 9 out of 10
I thought that the bit with Jake, the boy, and his mother was a little drawn out. But the parts with Thor talking with the Odinpower was really cool. Joe Bennett is really an amazing artist. His style and impressive expressive art really shows, me at least, that he deserves to get a chance at a regular gig or at the very least some high profile limited series.
Review and pictures by The Leader