Thor vol. 2 #62Thor vol. 2 #62
Title: “Flames of Passion”
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Art: Ben and Ray Lai
Colors: Brian Reber
Editor: Tom Brevoort
A Thorite named Nate wakes up to the Chucky Diamond show, but Chucky isn’t there. Mike Alexander is filling in for Chucky either because Chucky is vacationing or in rehab. Mike says that it is just as well that he is gone since he wants to talk about Thor. Nate gets out of bed. He goes to the window and opens the drapes. Nate looks up at the glory of Asgard. Nate kneels and touches his tiny Mjolnir ornament on his necklace and then goes to get a cup of coffee. Mike Alexander says that he will give Thor his props. He says that he has fed hungry people, crime (especially in New York) is down, terrorism is non-existent, nations aren’t invading one another, pollution is cut, barren fields have been made fertile. He says that word is that Thor is fixing global warning. The producer says that it is no wonder Mike is angry. Mike says that he isn’t angry. He says that he is afraid.
In Asgard, Balder is finishing up a tour of Asgard for mortal reporters. The reporters are awestruck. One reporter, Shelly, says that it is too bad that they couldn’t film it for their audience. Balder says that Thor finds cameras invasive. He says that he will now take them to the departure platform. Shelly puts an earpiece in. The voice on the other end tells her not to say anything because Heimdall will hear her. The voice tells her that if she is clear that she should go for it. Shelly sneaks off. She strips off her usual clothes to reveal Asgardian type dress. She takes a camera and puts it in a basket of flowers.
Mike Alexander says that he recognizes the benefits of Thor’s presence, but that the problem is that they could have done those things for themselves. He says that if they as a people demanded the best from their government that they could have accomplished everything that Thor did. He says that instead they gave their officials an easy way out and let a “muscle bound caveman swoop in and dictate terms”. Mike says that they are like hamsters or gerbils. He says that they are running through a maze controlled by Thor. He says that soon they will be dependant on him for that cheese. He says that soon he will own them and the entire world. He says that no matter what he asks for that they will have to give it to him. He says that he is a super-Nazi that is capable of taking everything they have.
In a cafeteria, a man Ricky, wearing a Mjolnir t-shirt, is listening to another man’s radio. He hears the things that Mike Alexander is saying about Thor. He leaves the cafeteria with his bag over his shoulder.
Mike Alexander says that he knows that they are imperfect, but that they have learned from their mistakes. He says that Thor will no longer let them. He says that by doing everything for them that he has taken away their ability to learn. He says that they will become fat and lazy. He says that he knows people that are convinced that they will never have to work again because the Asgardians will make them rich. He says that they think that immortality is right around the corner for all of them.
Tarene and Amanda are walking down the hall. Amanda asks Mr. Nate Howser if he has time to ask a couple of trig questions. Mr. Howser says that he has a meeting with the superintendent. He suggests asking Tarene and that she hasn’t missed a question since she enrolled. Amanda says that is why she hates her so much. Tarene says, “Amanda!” Amanda says that Tarene never cracks a book and she gets 100’s, but that she crams all night to get a “C”.
Nate Howser is meeting with two other teachers. Janey asks if Nate is sure that he wants to do this. Nate says that back in the day he lived for bucking the system. Nate says that he understands of they want to back out. The other teacher says that they are with him. Nate and the other two teachers go to meet Superintendent Goodman. Goodman is surprised to see them all together since they don’t even teach the same subjects. Nate says that they are there because they are Thorites. He asks Goodman if he is aware that Thursday was originally called Thor’s Day. Nate says that according to their religion that Thor’s Day is the Sabbath and that they will no longer be working on Thor’s Day.
Shelly walks along the streets. The earpiece
tells her that the footage is amazing. Shelly says that they
aren’t much different from them. The earpiece tells her to
be careful. It says that there is no telling what will happen if
she gets caught. Shelly happens upon two Asgardians having an
argument. Barnonk is telling Jagryst the swords maker that his
sword is too light to cut the head off a stout ogre. Jagryst says
that is ridiculous. 
Suddenly both
men fall silent as Thor approaches. Everyone but Shelly falls to
their knees. Thor tells his subjects to be at ease and that this
is not an official business. He says that it has been a long time
since he was there and that he just wants to bask in the
atmosphere. The earpiece tells Shelly to get down before Thor
notices her. Jagryst hands Thor the sword and says that Barnonk
claims that the blade is inadequate. Thor says that it is a fine
sword. He asks Barnonk why in insults Jagryst’s work to
drive down his price. Barnonk hangs his head in shame. He
apologizes and says that he will pay Jagryst his price. Thor asks
Shelly if she is finding ample food for her fruit cellar. Shelly
stares at Thor until the earpiece shouts for her to say
something. Shelly says, “Um… aye.” Thor says that
is good. He says that he is off to the nearest tavern for a
tankard of ale because of the hot sun. The earpiece tells Shelly
to get out of there.
Shelly runs off in the opposite direction of Thor. The earpiece says that was too close, and that it thinks that she should get on her glider and go home. Shelly says that she doesn’t want to go yet. She says that if Thor is out there that he isn’t in the palace. Shelly is asked if she is out of her mind. Shelly says that she has never been more serious as she enters the palace. Shelly walks down some stairs into what appears to be the apothecary’s quarters. She says that she thinks this is where the Asgardian doctor who cured so many people hangs out. Shelly sees a bottle marked “Elixir of Wisdom.” The earpiece tells her to not even think about it. Shelly says that with one drink she can be as smart as a god. She says that she could be the greatest reporter ever. Shelly drinks it down.
Mike Alexander asks the listeners exactly what they want from the Asgardians. He says that Thor is so anxious to please them that they just might get it. Ricky is riding in a cab listening to Mike still. Mike says that it is like giving your dog a can of food when it begs. He says that Thor is removing entire governments. He says that he is starting with the tyrants and despots, but that he will come for the others someday. He asks how they will feel when Thor’s castle is sitting where the White House used to be. Ricky gets out of the cab. As Mike tells the people to take a stand and not be bought off, Ricky Sykes is attaching a WNYX intern badge to his jacket. Mike shouts for people to take back the world.
Superintendent Goodman says that they know that he can’t give them every Thursday off. Nate says that Goodman is a Christian and that he gets Sunday off. He says that they won’t be discriminated against. Goodman says that he is sympathetic, but that it would disrupt everything. Nate says that their religion is growing everyday and that he will have to embrace the change sooner or later. Goodman tells Nate to be reasonable and that society can’t reorient in a day. Nate says that his whole life he has wished for the world to be a better place. He says that now it is and he won’t back down. Goodman says that he won’t either. He says that they have contracts, and that if they don’t live up to them that they will be terminated. Nate says that they will no longer be there on Thor’s Day. Goodman says that they are fired immediately then. Nate says that Goodman will see them in court. Nate reminds Goodman that it isn’t just the three of them. He says that there are more teachers and students. He asks how he will run a school when half the students are out every Thor’s Day.
Mike says that he knows this country embraces religious freedoms, but that the Thorit4es are on an out of control freak show. He says that they want Thursdays off, and asks if they know what that would do to the economy. Ricky sneaks into the studio and draws a gun.
Heimdall hears mortal cries of pain from within the palace. Shelly lies on the ground clutching her throat. Thor and his healer enter and ask what madness this is.
Nate speaks to the Thorites of the school. He says that fortunately the students can’t be fired, but that they should expect disciplinary action if they observe Thor’s Day. The people say that they will fight for them. Nate says that civil disobedience is a right ion their government. He says that he can’t ask him to do anything, but he tells them to be true to themselves and their religion.
Mike tells the people to reject Thor or it will be hell on Earth. Ricky says that the only hell on Earth is the one Mike is creating. Ricky shoots Mike repeatedly.
Thor demands that the mortal be healed. The healer says that one drop of the Elixir of Wisdom is fatal to mortals. He says that she is beyond their ability to heal.
The students meet and say that they won’t be oppressed. They say that their religion teaches strength and honor. They wonder what Thor would do. One says that that have declared war on them. He says that they want to crush their religion and burn their churches.
Mike collapses on the switchboard. He says that man isn’t ready as he dies.
One student says that if it is a war they want that they will get it. He lights some cloth with a lighter.
The healer says that he is sorry, but that she is dead. Thor asks why she would do this. The healer says that mortal man is not suited to handle the province of gods. He says that as they proceed that they should remember that.
Smoke pours out of the windows of the school.
Lightning Crashes rating: 7.5 out of 10
Jurgens does an interesting job showing the conflicts of real world religions by using the made up Asgardians’ gods situation. It’s a good read. 4 out of 5. The art is still decent but nothing outstanding.
Review and pictures by The Leader