Thor (1998 series) #55

Artur Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man, knows everything that Thor is going to do and the disaster that will ensue, yet he is the one in prison….

In the Middle East, Balder, Fandral, and Hogun are taking on a local tyrant’s army and winning but Balder has his doubts as to their actions….

Crusher Creel, the Absorbing Man, reads how Thor will be speaking at the United Nations later that day so he tells Titania he has some unfinished business with the God of Thunder….

Amora the Enchantress is surveying the city of New York when Loki appears and surprises her by saying that he admires Thor for subjugating Midgard, something Odin never tried. Loki wishes he could have been the cause of all this but soon the world will prove too big for Thor to handle so Loki is ready to step forward to subjugate the humans alongside Thor….

The UN delegates are angry and afraid as Thor enters and takes his place behind a podium. A Muslim delegate calls Thor a heretic while the delegate from Kalanya accuses Thor of having destroyed his country and the people suffer. Thor offers to answer all questions honestly; he tells the Kalanya delegate that the only ones suffering are the despots and corrupt officials he deposed. He invites the world’s press to see for themselves how the political prisoners have been released. Another delegate asks Thor what right he has to interfere in Earth’s business without being asked. Thor says he was asked, by the masses of Kalanyans praying for relief from oppression. She is shocked as Thor explains Heimdall hears their prayers and Thor responds. Another delegate asks why Thor shut down several vital industries in his nation; Thor responds that he shut down industries that were destroying the environment and he has introduced several "green” reforms, including sending enchanted seeds and rain. The delegate says Thor has taken away their right to choose but Thor responds that he only weakened a corrupt ruling class and he is establishing schools in his nation to create a strong population. The US delegate asks why Thor destroyed two key medical research centers; Thor reveals that this “research” centers were producing chemical weapons which the US has signed a treaty to ban. When the delegate denies it, Thor bristles at his honor and truthfulness being questioned. Another delegate thanks Thor for the improvements he has made to her country but points out that he has brought instability to governments and religions; Thor acknowledges that he has brought instability to governments as this is a period of transition. But the masses know their lives are better and safer. As for religion, Thor states that he seeks no followers but asks only that people care for their planet and each other as best they can. And then Crusher Creel breaks into the room and approaches Thor; he gets down on his knees and repents of all the evil he has done and speaks his support for Thor….

Outside, Jake Olson is telling the people that Thor is no savior but a flawed being like the humans. He calls out to Balder that the Brave One knows this is all wrong but Balder claims it is the will of Thor so he is not to question it….

In prison, Zarrko points out that Thor has guaranteed disaster. Zarrko is the Tomorrow Man and he has seen it….