Quentin Quire, bored with the world and
the people in it, rests on the sentient island of Krakoa. Suddenly
Thor (Jane Foster) shows up, accompanied by Kid Gladiator and
Warbird. They need his help urgently but he brushes them off—until
they mention the Phoenix....
Leading up to this: The war between
Thor and the forces of Asgard against the Shi'ar gods Sharra and
K'ythri continues. The Imperial Guard rebel against their ignoble
deities and stand aside. The referee Shadrak declares Thor the winner
of the Challenge of the Gods as she was able to inspire other gods to
come to her defense. Defeated, the Shi'ar gods embrace in a kiss that
will end the world....
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Force has been
unleashed and is cutting a path of destruction through the cosmos. No
one can stop it—though Kid Gladiator knows someone...
...and that someone is Quentin Quire,
now allied with the Norse gods. As they face the Phoenix they are
told that the Phoenix can not be destroyed. Thor: “Then we will die
trying.” Quentin: “Yeah, most likely. But at least I'm not bored
anymore....”