The warrior Volstagg leaves Asgard to adventure on Earth like Thor—so Loki advises Norman Osborn that the brave but naïve warrior can be manipulated into causing an incident that would be a pretext for the invasion of Asgard. In Chicago, Volstagg apprehends a fleeing robber by slicing the man’s truck in half with his sword. Then, according to plan, the Asgardian hero is attacked by the U-Foes, supplied by the Hood for Osborn’s purposes. The villains lure Volstagg to Soldier Field during a football game and fire their force powers at him; the hero deflects them, causing the destruction of the crowded stadium and a high casualty count. With the images of the dangers of the Aesir portrayed graphically across the media, Osborn persuades a reluctant Ares to draw up a battle plan which he presents to his Dark Avengers. When the President learns of his plans, he orders Osborn to stand down, but Norman refuses, proceeding with his siege….
In Asgard, hovering over Broxton, Oklahoma, Loki informs his brother Balder (the king) of the impending attack. As the news media (alerted by Osborn) broadcasts live, the Sentry begins to crash through the walls of the city, followed by an airborne attack by the Dark Avengers. In Broxton, Dr. Don Blake tends to the gravely ill Tony Stark, who is guarded by ex-SHIELD head Maria Hill. When the attack begins, Blake excuses himself, transforms into Thor and flies to the defense of his home. Thor is knocked out of the sky by the Sentry and the Dark Avengers and U-Foes fire on him simultaneously. The report that Thor has been defeated is broadcast over the airwaves—and reaches the attention of Steve Rogers, Captain America….