A prologue shows us the greatness of Asgard, especially
under the wise rule of Odin until the day he fell in battle with Surtur. So
Thor was chosen to mount the throne, with hopes of Asgard growing even greater.
But the expectations of Thor were unreasonable so when a war against the Frost Giants,
coming quickly after the war with Surtur, led to the deaths of numerous
warriors, Thor was blamed and when Thor left that battle to go to Earth, he was
seen to have abandoned his people. And then the battle with Desak the
God-Slayer showed the people of Midgard a side of Thor they had not imagined.
Thor’s connection with Jake Olson was a way to balance divinity and humanity in
Thor but when they were separated that was lost. Amora, Thor Girl, Jake, and
Thialfi each played a part in the change that came over Thor. Thor took Amora
as his queen, pushing aside Sif as he had Balder. Thor planned to return to
Asgard but Tarene and Jake asked him to stay and in that fateful moment,
everything changed. Thor saw looters taking advantage of the chaos but whereas
Avenger Thor would have stopped them and made them return their loot, King Thor
saw humanity as a mob that needed to be tamed and controlled. So he called down
a wind to scatter them and return to Asgard, bitterly expressing his
disappointment. This visceral reaction drew forth the Spirit of the Jewel,
creator of Desak, who knew he would be needed again someday so she took his
body away to be healed and readied for his return as will Tarene and Zarrko.
And the Spirit, who is an alternate version of Tarene, knows this is the moment
of the birth and realization of the Designate….
Story #2Forever Divided
Writer:
Dan Jurgens.
Penciler:
Deon Nuckols.
Inker:
Jack Jadson.
Colorist:
Avalon Studios.
Letterer:
Richard Starkings.
Synopsis
As the women, accompanied by Lady Sif, await the return of
the men from the war with the Frost Giants, Hyrra expresses much concern as her
husband died in the battle against Surtur and she now fears for her son Osav
who joined the conflict with the Frost Giants. When they see the men return,
though fewer than went out, Hyrra rushes toward them to see Osav but she is
stopped by Balder, conveying the worst possible news. Volstagg’s daughter
rushes out to find her father and her husband both well. Sif asks Balder where
Thor is and he restrains his anger to tell her his has gone to Midgard. Hyrra
overhears this and pours out her grief and anger at Thor’s desertion of his
people. Balder tries to explain the threat to Thor from Midgard but his
listeners see this as just another excuse to be with the mortals; Thor is
compared unfavorably to Odin, idealized in the minds of his subjects….
At the funerals, Loki approaches Hyrra at her son’s bier to
convey his sympathies, while subtly undermining Thor’s authority. Elsewhere,
Balder confides in Sif that he saw great doubt in the eyes of the warriors,
even with Hogun, usually one of Thor’s staunchest defenders. The two are
concerned about what this will mean for Thor’s rule. They are summoned to the
main entry and learn that Thialfi was summoned by Amora to Thor’s aid, news
that suggests even further chaos in the kingdom. The crowd in the main hall is
hostile, demanding an audience with Thor who has still not returned. Balder tries
to calm them but Loki comes to their defense. The aged warrior Ggorgstog, who has always supported Thor,
pours out his and the others’ grievance and Balder can only agree with him.
Thor, Amora, and Thialfi are listening to this from a balcony, unseen and Thor
decides to seek council as to his response….
Thor goes to Olympus to throw himself at the feet of Zeus
and lay out his lifelong dilemma of balancing his love of Asgard and concern
for Midgard. Zeus notes that his son Hercules would have a similar dilemma
should he ever rule. Having therefore thought about the issue, Zeus gives Thor
an answer….
Back at the main hall of Asgard, Thor suddenly appears,
admitting that his subjects have a right to be concerned. He defends his most
recent action, leaving the battlefield to go to Midgard where Desak was the greatest
threat. Thor apologizes to Hyrra, proclaiming that the people of Midgard need
the rule and guidance of Asgard and so, as counseled by Zeus, they will now
provide that guidance by taking direct rule over Earth. And so, Asgard appears
over New York City….
CharactersGood (or All)Plus: Thialfi.
Story #3Children of the Gods
Writer:
Jose H.P. Armenta.
Penciler:
Joe Bennett.
Inker:
Scott Hanna.
Colorist:
Dave Kemp.
Letterer:
Richard Starkings.
Synopsis
The young Thor spies a poor village where the people cry out
for relief from hunger during a famine but the village elders complain that
Odin has never come to their aid. Later, at a feast, Thor asks his father about
the matter, wondering about injustice. Odin gives no answer save to rebuke him
for disrespect. Thor storms off, heading to that village to end the drought and
famine, and vanquish their enemies. Thor is hailed as a god and he promises
them they will suffer no more. A woman demands that Thor bring her child back
from the dead but he can’t. She spits in his face and runs off. Later, the men
of the village come to Thor with a sacrifice to appease his anger: the corpse
of the mother. Thor is shocked, calls them cowards and flees to Asgard. The men
are insulted that Thor rejected their devotion and turn against the gods….
Thor goes to his father for comfort and the All-Father tells
him mortals are like children and must learn and grow from their own mistakes….