Thor: Ages of Thunder # 1 - Thor: Ages of Thunder

Overview

As the Mighty Thor reclaims his rightful spot in the Marvel Pantheon, we join Matt Fraction and Patrick Zircher for a special examining the triumphs and tragedies that have befallen the God of Thunder across the eons. As the things he holds dearest are threatened by unimaginable forces of evil, Thor must rise up, again and again, to hold the line against terror and chaos as only the God of Thunder can!

SPOILERS

Lo and behold readers! This week's Thor: Ages of Thunder has a narration voiced in the antiquity of myth itself, and in that spirit, so shall this week's "Going Solo" be done! For a comick concerning antiquity and myth can only be expressed thusly, especially the exploits of the Odinson, the great Thor himself! Let not a moment more be wasted on trivialities of written style, for there is a comick of epic proportions to be related to you fine readers, and tarrying on is not looked upon kindly by the denizens of Asgard...

Out first taleпїЅof two that're tall enough to warrant a "double issue"пїЅbegins with the guardian Heimdall at the entrance to the bifrost bridge which connects Midgard (the plane where mortals tarry) to the land of the gods in Asgard, as a ferocious group of frost giants are on the attack. With a calls for the other gods to aid his plight, the Asgardian warriors arrive and among the ones who answer the call is mighty Thor, the Odinson! And with the great prince's arrival, the snows were stained with swathes of giant blood as he smote down the frost beasts with hammer and lightning.

Though the Odinson defeated the Frost giants, his mighty blows toppled one of the foul beasts upon the wall surrounding Asgard, felling the work of masonry aged beyond reckoning. The wall remained down for many a year and through many an apple party, for knowledgeable readers will of course recall the gods great love for the golden fruit picked by the enchantress Idun.

But Thor the Thunderer smartly stored his apples to consume before battle and rather enjoys eating his "apples" at a party of another nature, one mortals can scarcely imagine the glory of...

One day, a humble mason from Midgard journeyed to Asgard to make a deal with the gods. He offered to repair their wall in exchange for the hand of fair Idun. Loki the Trickster, up to his usual tricks, suggested that the gods make the deal but stipulate that the mason complete his task in six months instead of the year requested. The mason accepted on the condition he could use his horse to help in the work and that none of the gods could meddle with him. The deal was struck and both parties looked upon it with favor, thinking their side would surely triumph in the wager.

So, the mason set to work. Though the gods doubted he would complete the task, the mason strove on and made great progress each day until his near success brought concern to Odin, now furious with his lie-smith of a son for convincing him to make a deal with the industrious mason.

After feeling the rage of his father firsthand, the Trickster Loki devised a plan to keep the mason from completing has task without cheating and nullifying the deal. In the guise of a mare, Loki distracted the mason's horse with the fair game that male horses seek, thus preventing the bricklayer from completing his task by a mere three bricks. But, a deal being a deal whether made with men or gods, Odin declared the mason's job unfinished leaving him with no claim to he radiant Idun. However, sensing deceit on Loki's part, the mason became enraged and revealed his true nature...that of a monstrous frost giant!

But woe was not meant to befall the gods of Asgard that day, no so long as the mighty Thor still wielded his hammer. Upon his return from hunting frost giants, the Odinson showed that his godly nature not only allows him to retain his strength after a long hunt, but flawless dramatic timing as well!

And so, Idun remained in Asgard and the anger between the noble warrior brother and his trickster sibling continued. The wall was rebuilt and the frost giants stoked the fires of their anger till they could try to burn down the gods' home again at another time!