From Ancient Asgard he comes, The Prince of that Realm, an immortal warrior whose heritage is tied both to the realm eternal as well as Earth itself ! He stands for honor and is a divine force for good in the eternal struggle . His Strength of arm is second to none and it swings the mystic hammer Mjolnir for all that is just and right ! He is The Mighty THOR, God of Thunder ! And all the forces of the storm are his to command!
Splash Page : Ravencroft sanitariums front wall is in pieces. Nothing remains of the doorway.
Prologue: Ravencroft, home for the mentally unstable Super-Villainous set. Many are among their clientele , but few are as deadly as the powerhouse that waded through Colonel John Jamesons security forces as if they were made of tissue paper.
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Jameson lays broken and bloody on the floor. He begins to stir , obviously favoring his right arm and side, he pulls himself to his feet and finds a still working phone.
Jameson: "This is an emergency. Get "Code Blue" out here immediately, as well as a dozen ambulances. I-I don't know how long I can remain conscious .....m-my injuries are p-pretty b-bad..Losing a lot of blood. S-she wiped out my entire security force with one swing of her mystic axe. "
On the other end of the phone an incredulous police operator stammers ...
Operator: "W-who? Who did this sir?"
Jameson: "It was Jackie Lukas. But she's not Jackie Lukas anymore, s-she's Blood Axe again,
Blood Axe the executioner, and she's screaming for Thors head!"
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Full page splash of Sigurd Jarlson screaming at the remaining sparkles in the air , marking the last image he saw of his father, Odin. While nearby Jenny Sapristi hangs on his arm in fear.
Sig: "FATHER!!!"
Behind them the Sapristi back door opens and Jerry along with Connie Sapristi emerge in a run
Jerry: "SIG ! What is it ? What's happened?"
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Sig spins, not knowing what to do here. He begins to speak when..
Connie: "JENNY ! What's happening to you?"
All eyes turn to Jenny Sapristi, who suddenly convulses as her form begin to flow like water, stretching and growing until Jenny Sapristi is gone, and in her place is Amora, the enchantress!
Sig "AMORA!"
Jerry: "What the hell?"
Amora: "Silence mortal!"
With an imperious wave of her hand, the Enchantress freezes the Sapristis in their place. Another spell has them walking back to their home and shutting their door, retiring for the evening.
Amora: "There. That nonsense is over with. Now where were we?"
She reaches Sig and kisses him hard. He returns the passionate kiss, but pulls away momentarily.
Sig: "I am heartened to see you Amora, but this is not the time nor the place to make our reunion
proper. A threat to all the pantheons has finally made its attack , now tis up to us to end its
threat."
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Amora: "Then thou should meet the foe in proper garb, don't you think?"
Sig looks at his clothes, then , reaching down, grabs the ever present walking stick which is his and slams it to the ground, and in a burst of lightning and fury, becomes THOR, God of Thunder
Barooooom!
Thor: "Let the heavens rumble, for their master is ready to find and defeat the deadly foe of all the Gods."
Amora: "Mmmm, nice. At his side will fight his true love, Amora, the Enchantress!"
Thor spins his mystic hammer, and then grasping Amora about the waist lofts them both heavenward.
Amora: "Where do we go Thor?"
Thor: "To Asgard, and if the enemy is present, verily will I smite him like unto an insect!"
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Mjolnir begins to pierce the walls between realms, between worlds themselves ! When finally the rainbow bridge is seen glittering in the distance.
Thor: "We approach Enchantress! Steel thyself!"
Amora looks ahead of them.
Amora: "The Bridge itself seems fine Thor, but I see nothing at its end."
Thors eyes focus ahead of them, as they streak at an unimaginable speed across the length of the Mighty Bridge when suddenly....
Thor: "By Odins Beard ! Asgard .....it is.....GONE! "
Before them the bridge simply ends. Nothing exists beyond that last inch of mystic bridge. Nothing save the cold darkness of inter-dimensional space.
Thor slumps to his knees, wounded to his very soul! After several moments he stares at the Enchantress and speaks.
Thor: "I-I Do not know what to do here Amora? What foe do I smite? What enemy do I engage
to avenge the realm eternal? What do I do Amora? I am at a loss for the first time in eons !"
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Amora: "I-I do not know. B-but if we yet live, so to must others."
Suddenly Thor stands, sweeping her into his arms and hurling Mjolnir back down the Rainbow bridge.
Thor: "In truth woman, thou art a genius. Let us find others who yet survive, and together will we find the perpetrator of this disaster, and exact a God-like justice upon this unholy one!"
Cut to .... The mid-west, and an old beat up motorcycle roars across the highway. In its seat is a red-haired man we've seen before. His name is "Red" Norvell, and he's starting over. Or at least trying to.
Red: (Glad I decided to move out west. There's more of a chance to get a good job in the film
industry out in LA, and this keeps me away from all the super-hero B.S. that infects New York. I
need some normalcy in my life.)
Ahh, but normalcy is not something the fates have in mind for Red Norvell, as above him , a rip
appears in the sky itself, and through it fly evil black bat like things ,larger then a man, and twice
again as wide.
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Suddenly red is enveloped by the wriggling , slashing things .
Red : " Aarrrggghhh! What the hell??"
Red is torn from his bike as the hellish creatures chitter and spit , their teeth biting and slashing at him as their powerful pinions bear him aloft, when suddenly.....
Ba-BOOM !
Lightning singes the night black things, burning them from the air as a loud , angry and heroic voice calls out
Thor: "Fear not Red Norvell! Thou art not alone ! The God of Thunder hath found thee just in time it seems!"
Red: "Yeah Goldilocks? Well I gotta say, I'm happy ta see you. Even that's a surprise comin' from me huh?"
Thor : "Worry not Red. Together we will smite these things."
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Red: "Uh yeah, about that, I'M STILL FALLIN"!"
And with that Reds descent is slowed , as a mystic spell causes him to land as smooth as a feather on his feet next to..
Red: "The Enchantress. I shoulda known. How ya doin babe?"
Amora: "Feh. I am no "Babe" to you. Be still before I turn thy tongue into a serpent."
Red almost laughs, his basically fearless. After all , he's died twice, battled his share of demons and otherworldly things and saved the whole blamed universe a time or two. So some chick with an attitude isn't going to phase him.
Ba-KOW!
Both turn towards the source of the noise, as they look skywards to see Thor battling alone against the hellish creatures.
Red: "I gotta help the big guy."
Looking around red sees his mangled bike, and grasping it in one massive hand, he hurls it up and into the horde, scattering them.
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Thor : "Well struck my friend ! 'Gainst our combined might , they stand no chance whatsoever!"
Red: "Yeah, whatever you say Thor!"
Amora: "Bah, men."
She disdainfully waves her hand, and suddenly the beasts burst into flames, no matter where they were. Screaming painfully they fly away, dissipating into the ether, as Thor lands next to Red and Amora.
Red: "So what's the deal here? I figure this has something to do with you God types. "
Thor: "Red, Asgard is no more. The realm eternal has disappeared. An unseen foe has somehow brought about God hoods end. All the pantheons have somehow dissipated. Only those who still have a life among mortals are still "alive". I seek to join together those who are Gods, or at least touched by them , and prepare a counter attack."
Red: "Hey, I got no love for the Asgardians, especially after all I went through for 'em, but no way am I gonna stand by and watch 'em die." (Especially since I can't stop thinkin' about Sif)
Amora: "Where to now my Prince?
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Thor: We have yet one more stop to make Amora. It is in The west. We seek one who has but recently taken up residence there."
Suddenly Thor hears a beeping from inside his tunic.
Beep beep!
Reaching inside he removes his Avengers communicard. Captain Americas face fills the cards face.
Thor: "Greetings Captain. What troubles thee?"
CapA: "We have a major situation here Thor. Someone named Bloodaxe the executioner tore up Ravencroft sanitarium pretty badly, and now she's on top of the World Trade Towers demanding you , or else she says she'll level the buildings. Somehow she's sealed the doors. No one can get in or out."
Thor : "Then fear not Captain, Thor will deal with this miscreant. I know her well. She had been a foe of Erics'*."
*Eric Masterson, the late lamented Thunderstrike.
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CapA: "I had surmised as much. I'm leading a team of Avengers there to guard the building..."
Thor: "Nay Captain. This she-beast will undoubtedly see thy force as an attacking unit and may begin killing hostages. Thor will deal with this."
He taps his communicard, ending the conversation and turns back to his friends.
Thor: "This is undoubtedly tied into our current dilemma. I need you both to carry on towards the state of Arizona. There you will find our quarry. Together shall we make the heavens themselves tremble!"
Meanwhile, in a secluded and well hidden base , a master villain slouches in his chair, watching events transpire around him. His face is hidden in shadow, as the room is darkened.
Villain: ( Soon I will be alone. No other Gods will exist save I. None will be able to stay my hand. Not the foolhardy Thor, nor any other. By now my Harpies have dispatched Red Norvell, and yet another would be obstacle will be eliminated. All that need be done now is for Thor to play his part, and die. Then all of creation will be mine, and Death will rule supreme ! Hahahahahahahahahhahahahaha............"
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Thor spins Mjolnir overhead, slowing his descent to the World Trade Centers roof, as Blood Axe holds her Axe across her legs and in front of her.
Thor: Stand thee down Jackie Lukas. There be no reason for us to battle."
Bloodaxe: "That's where you're wrong pretty boy. There's plenty of reason. You see, because of you my Eric is dead. But that's not the only reason to kill you. You must die so I can remain powerful. That's the real reason you must die. And now you will."
Without another word, Blood Axe fires a massive energy blast from her Axe, smashing Thor from the roof!
Ba-KOOOM!
Thor: "UUNNNNGGH!!" (Her power! Incredible! She is beyond what I had estimated!"
Thor slows his flight and reverses direction, flying into Bloodaxe at missile-like speed!
Ta-KROW!
Thor: "Very well then fool. Have at thee !"
Blood-Axe: "Arrgh!"
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Interlocked , they tumble across the rooftop, smashing everything in their path.
Thor delivers a crushing right with Mjolnir, knocking Bloodaxe from her feet!
Brak!
She stands, and slices her axe through the rooftop, unleashing unholy energies from the axe, blasting Thor skyward with waves of coruscating force!
B A : "Die you pathetic little Godling die so I might be free!"
Thor throws Mjolnir powerfully, slamming Bloodaxe from the roof !
Tra-KOW!
Thor: "Ne'er will thee or thy master triumph o'er the one, true God of thunder, do you hear woman? NEVER !"
B A : "I see things differently fool."
She throws the axe at Thor, and it flies straight and true, seeking to split him in twain with its evil power, but at the last instant, Thor backhands the hurtling weapon with Mjolnir!
Ba-KROOOM!
Page 15
Blood Axe falls to the street, creating a crater with her impact, the resultant force of which tosses multi ton trucks skywards!
Kra-KOW!
Thor: ( I must needs be end this battle and find who her true master is. The fate of all the Gods doth rest on my shoulders.)
Thor descends to the periphery of the crater made by Blood Axe, lowering himself and looking for movement, when suddenly...
Vraaa--ZZZACKKT!
Blood Axe tosses a live electrical line around Thors neck, dragging him to the street by it.
B A : "How does it feel ? How does it feel to die Thor? This is what Eric must've felt when you betrayed him. When you caused his death. My insulated gloves and the power of the Axe protect me, but what protects you Thor? What?"
Thor reaches back and grasps Blood Axe by the jacket, and rips her from behind him, tossing her through a building in one move.
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Thor: "Nothing protects Thor from the electricity woman, no protection is needed for the God of Thunder and Lightning!"
Thor fires massive electrical bolts from Mjolnir, beams that cut right through the rising Blood Axe!
Shrraak!"
Thor: "Fall villain, fall before my fury, so that thy master may follow thee to defeat!"
B A: "OOOWWWUUNngggh! Never! You 'll be the one to fall before our might, me and the master ."
She throws the Axe at Thor once more, as he flies skyward , being pulled up by Mjolnir. The Axe continues on, cleaving several cars in two with its power!
Pa-Krooom!
Thor: "Have thee no conscience woman? There be innocents here!"
B A: "I was an innocent once. Were you there to save me? Or Eric? No. You let him die. You let me be corrupted. This is your due Thunder God!"
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The Axe returns to her hand, as Thor dives down towards her to renew his attack. In mid flight Thor swings Mjolnir mightily as Blood Axe brings her evil weapon upwards to block Thors swing, the resultant impact shakes the city for blocks around!
Thor: "For Odin, For Asgard!"
Ka-Ka-ROOM!
Thor : "This battle ends Blood Axe, the only way it can, with thy defeat!"
B A: "NEVER!"
Again she strikes, delivering a crushing punch with her left hand, while tossing the Axe to her right!
POW!
Then she follows with a devastating blow with the Axe in her right hand
Ba-DOOM!
Page 18
Thor: "Unngghh!"
B A: " The tide has turned Thor, your power is great, but mine is greater!"
Thor: " NO ! Thor will never know defeat from the likes of thee!"
B A: "You have no choice Asgardian, I am empowered by the Masters might itself!"
Thor fires off a thunderous right, knocking Blood Axe from her feet!
Pa-Koom!
She slides on her back half a city block, driving a furrow in the tar, but even sliding backwards she fires off an energy blast from her Axe at Thor!
ZZZZZ-RAAAPP!
Thor is heaved backwards once more, as Blood Axe struggles to her feet.
B A: "My future is at question here Thor, for my freedom I would do anything, do you hear me? Anything!"
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Leaping towards Thor, Blood Axe brings her glowing weapon down towards Thors head. Thor lifts Mjolnir upwards mightily to block her once more, but this time ...
Ba-ROOOMM!
The explosion knocks them both from their feet, but Thor is the first to regain his footing as he stares at Mjolnir in his hand.
Thor: "What?? The weapon supreme??"
Mjolnir is cleaved in two, an angular slash across its head leaves the hammer in pieces. Behind him Blood Axe advances unseen. This proves his undoing.
BA-FA-KOOOOM!
She strikes at the back of Thors head with her blades flat, driving him to unconsciousness.
B A :"Now, while you are undone, I'll finish the job I started. Killing you. "
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Blood Axe raises the blade above her head, its keen edge glinting daylight.
In a burst of brimstone and flame a shadowed figure appears.
Figure: "No Blood Axe, my plans have changed. Thor will live, for a small while longer. I want to savor his expression as I destroy humanity and all things created by the Gods."
B A : "NOOO You promised! You said He was mine to slay , for poor Eric, for myself!"
She hurls herself at the cloaked figure, Axe raised high, ready to strike, when evil energies leap from his hand, striking her down in mid leap
ska-KOWW!
Figure: "Foolish Cow, no one can stay my hand, not you , nor Thor himself. For after all am I not the craftsman who devised this grandest of revenges? Am I not SETH, the death that walks???"
Page 21
Elsewhere: In a burst of energy the Enchantress and Red Norvell re-appear in front of a strange building in the desert.
Red: "What is this place?"
Amora: "I know not. Thor hath directed us hither . He says another one touched by divinity doth reside here."
Behind them a voice suddenly booms, and they both turn towards its direction.
Voice: "And he would be telling the truth O Enchantress, for here among the Mighty Champions doth dwell HERCULES, Son of Zeus and Prince of Power !"
Next: The weeping Dawn: The double sized conclusion
Hammering Mails C/O CptMarvell@aol.com
Ralph, I finally got a chance to read Thor 524. It was a great setup
issue. Although it didn't have as much action as your stories usually
do, you built the suspense so well I didn't even notice until I had
finished reading it. The Weeping Dawn plot has been very interesting,
and I'm looking forward to seeing who's behind it all. The return of
Bloodaxe was great as well. She's a great villain, and I think it's a
shame she hasn't been seen since the demise of Thunderstrike's series.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
Matt
Thanks Matt, I hoped this issue satisfied your action lust, as next issue will be all talking
between Thor and the just discovered villain in hiding. Let me know buddy!
Hey Ralph! Once again, great work! Sorry for the lateness of my reply, but my computer required human sacrifice or something, so I had to have someone fix it. Sigh. So Bloodaxe is back. That's cool. I liked the idea behind her in T-Strike and look forward to seeing this play out. The same goes for Jenny's new merger with Amora. Keep up the good work! TJB
Thanks buddy. Let me know how you liked this one too.
I am new to reading MV1, but from what I have seen so far, your titles
are some of the best. Except for one thing. According to Thor #373,
Jerry Sapristi's wife is named Tina, and 6 of his kids are named (in
approximate order of age): Pietro, Gabriella, Maria, Giovanni, Rosa, and
Ernesto. AND all six of these kids know that Sigurd Jarlson is Thor.
But nowhere that I know of has it been said that he only has the 6 kids
Eric Northcutt
Gee, uh, I guess I made a boo boo huh Eric? I'll get this straightened out by next issue, I promise. Thanks for letting me know too, I appreciate it. I hope you liked the newest issue. Let me know either way, and thank you very much for your compliment. I feel very humble right now.