Flying through Chicago, Thor sees a large crowd watching a
woman standing atop a high building and threatening to jump. When the young lady
sees Thor approaching, she leaps and Thor easily catches her and puts her on
the ground. Then, to Thor’s surprise, the young woman and her friends offer
Thor worship. Thor is questioned by a news reporter and denies knowledge of the
group and insists he does not want to be worshipped, flying off hastily….
At Blackwood Seminary, student Arthur Blackwood, descendant
of the school’s founder, sees this on television and is outraged, demanding
that his fellow students fight these pagan infidels. Arthur is rebuked by Father
William, who explains that tolerance is the modern way. Outraged, Blackwood slaps
the priest and is dismissed from the school….
At home, Sif wants to know why Donald Blake and Thor reject
his worship; Don explains that Thor came to Midgard to help people, not to be
revered. Then Mayor Byrne appears on TV to invite the God of Thunder to a
ceremony in which he will be presented with the Key to the City in recognition
for all the good he’s done. Don thinks it will be a great opportunity to set
things straight….
That night, Arthur Blackwood has caretaker Polowski admit
him to the cemetery where he can commune with his ancestors; he calls upon his
father who appears to him and rebukes him for cowardice, telling him to uphold
his duty as a warrior for the faith. Arthur has a vision of King Richard the
Lionhearted leading his army of crusaders; the King bathes him in fire, leaving
a sword, a shield, and armor. Arthur dubs Polowski his squire Peleus and
devotes himself to ridding the world of Thor….
Interlude: a mysterious fellow comes to Don’s office looking
for him and asking rude questions….
The next day, the ceremony is attended by large groups both
for and against the honor for Thor. The news media interviews several people,
including Father William Boylan, and receives a wide range of opinions on Thor
and religion in general. Thor arrives and is presented with the Key to the City
but his speech is interrupted by the Crusader challenging the hero to battle.
The crowd erupts into strife that Thor tries to stop with a lightning bolt, insisting
he be the one to face the enemy preaching violence. They spar and Thor is startled
that his foe is very fast and his shield withstands Mjolnir’s blows. It’s when
the Crusader slashes Thor’s face that he loses his temper and redoubles his efforts….