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Thor: Heaven and Earth #2

Aug 2011
Paul Jenkins, Mark Texeira

Thor: Heaven and Earth #2 cover

Story Name:

Blowing in the Wind


Synopsis

Thor: Heaven and Earth #2 synopsis by Peter Silvestro
Rating: 3 stars

On a rainy night, Thor arrives at a building. Police fill him in on the situation: Wayne Markley, the villain known as Fusion, has filled an auditorium with explosives and he is holding fifty hostages, threatening to blow them all to kingdom come. And Markley has asked for Thor. So Thor goes to see the bad guy to find out what it is he wants. Markley says he is going to ask a question and Thor’s answer will determine whether the hostages, and Markley, live or die. The question: Two years earlier, Markley’s five-year-old son jumped off a roof to his death so Thor, “Will you bring him back?” A long hush as everyone holds their breath, then, “I cannot.” The Thunder God claims it may result in more harm than good, offering to show Markley the two sides to every question….

In a vision, Thor shows Markley a possible future fifty years in the future of New York as a flooded wasteland, caused by humanity’s neglect and abuse of the environment. As Markley’s question was about the interference of Asgard in human affairs, Thor tells him that the gods are not there to help or stop mankind and goes on to describe several measures mankind can take to prevent the future disaster which would result in a sustainable future. Thor’s conclusion is that humanity’s future lies in the hands of mortals, not gods. Markley is unsatisfied as Thor has not told him why he cannot bring his son back. So Thor reveals the secret: if the gods interfered every time mankind stumbled, humans would become puppets. If Thor gave people what they want, it would not be what they need as it would erase free will. Markley orders all of the hostages out. He then asks if Thor is going to stop him; Thor tells him he does not have to die. Markley says he cannot forgive himself—and detonates the bombs.


 

Review / Commentaries


Thor: Heaven and Earth #2 Review by (October 16, 2024)

Review: Wait, we’ve got a theodicy in a Thor comic book? This type of philosophical discussion, “justifying the ways of God to man,” has been a real stickler through the centuries and there’s no hoping a comic book will be the final word on the topic. Most theodicies involve a lesson on free will and this one is no exception. What makes this one stand out is that it’s the only theodicy to end with explosions. So Paul Jenkins has that going for him, which is nice. Art isn’t bad either.

Comments: Title comes from Bob Dylan’s song of that name, quoted at the end. Fusion (Wayne Markley) was introduced in PETER PARKER: SPIDER-MAN #30-32 and returned in #39-41; not surprisingly, this is his final appearance. Marvel Chronology Project places this after THOR (2011) #17.



> Thor: Heaven and Earth comic book info and issue index

Elektra

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Mark Texeira
Mark Texeira
Soto Color
Mark Texeira (Cover Penciler)
Mark Texeira (Cover Inker)
Mark Texeira (Cover Colorist)
Additional Credits
Letterer: Dave Sharpe.

Characters

Listed in Alphabetical Order.

Thor
Thor

(Odinson)



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