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: A somber Sigurd Jarlson walks down a darkened Manhattan street. It is
night, his long coat blows in the wind, as he carries a gnarled walking stick. Passers by
think it is merely ornamental, But it is so much more. It is as unto another limb to
Sigurd, for when he strikes it upon the ground, he becomes the Mighty Thor, God of Thunder
! But this eve his thoughts are as thunderous as the forces he commands !
Sig: (Long have I wandered the streets of this great city, but still am I without answers. First I finally put to an end the evil machinations of the deceased villain "Fortunato" , but afore I could finish his henchman and lackey "Tombstone" , he disappeared into the night. Still , he received the beating he deserved. If not for Daredevils' and Spider-mans' help, I could ne'er have found the miscreants.)*
*See last issue
Page 2
Sig continues walking
Sig : (And then the price of victory reared its foul head. Jennifer Sapristi lie at deaths very door, when Amora, the Enchantress and my current love , sacrificed herself to save Jenny' life. * After that I was drawn into the madness and life and death struggle involving "Black Sun"**, fighting alongside the Avengers, Powerman and Iron Fist as well as Captain Marvel against the arch villains foul power. We survived, and the Universe endures. But of Genis-Vell there has been no sign.)
*Again , last issue
** See Captain Marvel #74 for all the double sized excitement.
Sigurd Jarlson continues walking along, entering a neighborhood that most would avoid during the daylight hours.
Sig: ( And so here I stand, at a crossroads of mine immortal existence. Jerry Sapristi,
my partner and friend has taken a leave of absence due to his injuries suffered at the
villain Tombstones hands, and so I must needs be at the office moreso then ever. )
Page 3
Suddenly a harsh and arrogant voice rings behind Sigurd .
Voice: "Yo sucker! What you be doin' walkin' on my turf witout no passpote Yo gots
a fine ta pay ma man."
Sig turns , his reverie broken as four toughs stand behind him, each brandishing knives
or pipes.
Sig: "Leave now fools. I am in no mood to suffer thy arrogance and
stupidity."
Punk leader:" Yo, what's this I be hearin' ? You dissin me man? Yo be real stoopid
to dis Mighty Mo-mo. I be da man, and soon, you be bleedin."
The punk waves his knife bravely around him , fearless with his fellow thugs at his
back.
Sig: "You have been given as chance . Now that chance is rescinded ."
Page 4
Thug 2: "Yo Mo-mo, I don't like the way this is playin' out man. I gots a bad
feelin' 'bout this here cracker."
Mo-mo: " Chill fool, this blondies be mine. Soon he be cryin' fo his mamma."
Suddenly Sig turns angrily and leaps into the group of thugs like a maddened wolf into
a group of Jackals!
Sig: "Have at thee dogs!"
Sig punches Mo-mo, sending him half a dozen feet, and immediately into dreamland, as
the other three stare in shocked silence at their friends unconscious form.
Sig: "Who's next?"
As one , the entire gang turns and runs, dropping everything they were carrying.
Page 5
Sig:( Hhhmm, that broke my silent reverie. Mayhap the call to action will break my
melancholy and bring my Asgardian blood to a boil.)
Stepping into an alleyway, Sigurd Jarlson stabs his walking stick to the ground , and
in a blast of lightning, becomes The Mighty Thor, God of Thunder!
Ba-ROOM!
Thor spins Mjolnir and takes to the sky, instantly disappearing over the horizon.
Thor: ( This eve I do indeed feel the lust for battle. Let those who worship evil
beware, for Thor is tonight an angry God!)
Page 6
Elsewhere a large and powerful figure watches Thors flight through his mystic scrying
pool.
Figure: "So the Thunderer flies angry this night. Good. He will run the entire
gamut of emotions when I am through with him. Soon, oh so soon the Weeping Dawn will start
it's completely irreversible march towards God hoods end. And when that is complete , only
a few Gods will remain out of all the pantheons, and they will be easy pickings for my
forces."
With a whirl the large and deadly figure spins , his cloak covering his powerful form
as he makes his way down a darkened corridor, past several serpent garbed soldiers, and
into the night.
Page 7
Thor alights on his rooftop entrance way, slowly entering his home and headquarters.
Thor: (No evil was afoot this night. No matter where the Son of Odin did search, the
villainous were missing. No matter, my anger is ebbing, but still there is an ache.....)
"Amora"
Thors thoughts go to the one time villainess "The Enchantress", and his more
then dalliance with her.
Thor: (No matter how I think about her noble deed,* still do I think there must have been another way to save the life of Jennifer Sapristi. Best not to dwell on it I suppose.)
*Again see last issue
Then an inspiration hits him. He walks purposefully across the room and , grabbing his
desk phone, he dials a number from memory.
Thor: "Hello Mrs Sapristi? It is Sigurd. Yes, I am calling to see how they both
are. Would you mind if I stopped by for a visit? Thank you very much Connie, I would love
a home cooked meal. That's wonderful Connie, I will see you all tomorrow evening
then."
Page 8
Sig lowers the phone onto its cradle and then lowers himself into a chair. Steepling
his fingers in front of his face he begins to reflect again on his current condition.
The next evening....
Sigurd Jarlson arrives at the home of the Sapristis in Plainview , Long Island. He
knocks as Jerry answers.
Sig: "Jerry my friend, how are you?"
Jerry: ( Grinning ear to ear) "Never better old buddy. I just can't wait to get
back to work. C'mon in, Connie and Jenny are just about through with dinner."
Sig: "Jenny is able to help your wife?"
Jerry: "Yeah, she says she feels great, and she looks fine, so the Docs were okay
with her being up and about, so who am I to differ ?"
Sig " I understand my friend."
Page 9
The two men sit down at the dinner table as Connie Sapristi brings out an appetizer
plate filled with hot antipasto.
Jerry: "I hope you like Italian Sig, it's the Mrs. Speciality. "
Sig: I am sure anything your lovely wife makes is special my friend."
Connie: "You're making an old lady blush Sigurd."
Jerry: (Playfully) : "And makin' her old man jealous."
Sig raises his hands in mock defense, his palms held up and outwards.
All three laugh heartily, as Jenny finally enters the room.
Jenny: "Hello Mr Jarlson, long time no see."
Page 10
All three people turn to look as Jenny enters the room. She wears a low cut dress with
a very short hemline. Her auburn hair is thrown back and cascades across her shoulders as
she saunters across the room .
Sig: "Ah, um Jenny I saw you at the hospital, remember?"
Jenny: "Of course , but it was a few weeks ago.* and I did want to thank you for
being there for the family."
*Last ish.
Sig: "It was my pleasure Jenny. Your father is a very close friend of mine and I
felt your mother needed me at her side when while you were both hospitalized."
Connie: "And I can't thank you enough Sig."
And so it goes... the antipasto disappears quickly as the four people eat heartily.
Then the main course, Veal Parmesan with rigatoni in meat sauce is brought out, along with
a huge bowl of salad. The evening rolls on, as Sig finally begins to relax, forgetting his
recent problems and battles, until...
Page 11
Outside, in the Sapristis yard, Sig and Jerry sit back, enjoying a beer and a cigar,
and watching the stars as they talk business.
Jerry: "So you made the bid to Starks people huh? What do you think? You think we
got it?"
Sig: "Well if I know Tony Stark" (And I do since he is my fellow brother in
arms in the Avengers, as the Invincible Iron Man.) "I think our chance for this
contract is far better then most."
Jerry: "Well I hope so buddy, since the Grant contract is almost completed . We're
going to need more work. The city work is starting to dry up. There just hasn't been much
need for reconstruction of late in Manhattan."
Sig: "I wouldn't be to concerned Jerry, this company is doing very well from all
aspects. I believe we are very solidly entrenched at the moment."
Page 12
Jenny enters the yard as both men turn towards the sound of her footsteps on the wet
grass.
Jenny: "Dad, Mom needs you in the kitchen, the stove is giving her trouble
again."
Jerry: "That darn thing, tomorrow I'm replacin' it."
Jerry stands, and with the help of his cane walks inside the house. Jenny watches her
father bemusedly , then sits next to Sigurd in the formerly occupied lawn chair.
Jenny: "Nice night huh?'
Sig turns and looks at her, and smiles.
Sig: "Yes, it is indeed. A good night to spend with friends."
Jenny: "So what's it like?"
Sig: "What is that?"
Jenny: "Being a God."
Sig spins , his face goes blank as the suddenness of Jenny's statement stops him in his
tracks.
Page 13
Sig: "What are you talking about Jennifer?"
Jenny: "You know what I mean. With your looks , you can't be mortal. You just HAVE
to be a God. You're to good to be true."
Sig relaxes , slightly.
Sig: (In truth, I assumed Amoras' memories were open to Jenny at that moment. She had
taken me completely by surprise with her statement.) "You flatter me Jenny Sapristi.
And truthfully, as much as I enjoy your admiration, you are still my partners
daughter."
Jenny :"And that means??"
Sig : "It means you and I can never be more then friends. Though truthfully that
is a friendship I would like very much."
She pouts momentarily, and in that moment Sigurd Jarlson can be sure he sees some of
the enchantress in her. But be it the Goddess or the beguiling way of the woman herself is
unknown.
Page 14
Sig : "And so, have you gone back to work? "
Jenny: " Yes, last Monday. The office missed me , and I have some big clients
passing through so I couldn't afford to much time off."
Sig: "I hope you are taking it easy Jenny, no matter what the doctors say."
Jenny: " I am , don't worry big guy."
She playfully punches him in the arm as she speaks.
Sig feigns being hurt, then smiles.
Sig: "You are a special woman Jenny Sapristi, perhaps more then you even
realize."
Jenny: "Well I try big guy."
Sig : "You succeed admirably girl."
Jenny: "hahahhaha. You crack me up Mr. stuffy Sigurd Jarlson, but I still like
you."
Page 15
Suddenly the air around the two crackles with energy as an unearthly image fills their
view, it is Odin, Lord of the Gods!
Odin:" Thor, Son of my heart hear thy fathers commands, as well as Amora,
Enchantress of the realm Eternal."
Sig: "Father? What is wrong? "
Odins image begins to waver, like a bad television signal.
Odin: "My son, the hours I dreaded most has come to pass. The Weeping Dawn has
come to pass. Soon you two will be the last of the Asgardians, in truth there be nothing I
could do to stop its coming. "
Again Odins image falters, as Jenny stands uncomprehending.
Page 16
Sig: "Father! I will do all it takes to stop this disaster form coming to pass,
fear not !"
Odin: "Alas my son, tis to late already I fear."
Sig: "NO ! Never is it to late my father Never! While breath doth remain in Thors
chest will he fight to stop this evil."
Jenny: "Wait a minute! What's going on here? You mean you really are a God?"
Odin: "Who? Who is this woman Thor, when I searched for the essence of both you
and Amora I found you both here, but ne'er did I look 'pon her visage . Who is this woman
who reeks of the Enchantresses soul?"
Sig: "I- father , this does not matter now. I must help thee, and all of the realm
eternal."
Page 17
Odin smiles a sad , whimsical smile, then exhales.
Odin: " No my son, tis to late. You must act to avenge us my son, in truth, avenge
all the pantheons. Our unseen enemies have driven the Weeping dawn to its fruition."
Sig: "Unseen enemies? What doth thou speak of my father?"
Odin : "This was not to come to pass for many millennia my son. In all my studying
of this phenomenon, I have gleaned this much. A vast and powerful evil drives the Weeping
Dawn onward, to destroy all the Gods. To leave itself alone and unstoppable."
Sig: "Who father? Who is this enemy? Where is he that I might smite him! Who
father tell me!"
Odins image fades then, quickly
Page 18
Odin: "Avenge us my Son ! You and a few others are all that remain of the mighty
Gods of yore! Find them, and together thou must avenge us all Goodbye my son, E'er was I
proud of thee! E'er was art thou the son of my heart..........."
And with that , Odins image fades !
Sig : "FATHERRRRRRR!!!"
Cut to the Ravencroft institute in a small lightly guarded room where a woman who ,
until this point has been a model prisoner sits watching her cells TV. She is afforded
special privileges because she has been so trouble-less, but that is about to change, for
the worse.
Suddenly a glowing ball of light appears before the woman who immediately bolts upright
and cowers in her cells corner.
A voice echoes from the glowing globe. It drips with evil and hate.
Page 19
Voice: "Do you want back what you lost? Do you want the power you once wielded
again? I can return all this to you, and more. But first you must do one thing for me
."
The woman cowers in the corner, but answers the ball of light.
Woman: "W-what do you want? What m-must I d-do?"
Voice: "You must kill someone, someone you are already acquainted with. I will
return your power to you, your power and more ! But your first act must be the death of he
who will be a thorn in my side."
Woman: "W-who? W-who d-do you want me t-to kill?"
Voice: "THOR ! I want you to kill Thor, the God of Thunder !"
She stands, slowly then , but with some fire in her eyes.
Page 20
Woman: "I-I'll do it. Just give me back my axe, my beautiful, beautiful axe."
Voice: "So be it child. "
Suddenly energy erupts from the globe, wrapping its fiery embrace around her form,
lifting her in fingers of flame into the air as she screams in agony, as something begins
to form in her hand.....
Cut to the hallway, as security and Doctors run towards the screaming womans room.
Doc: "What is it John* ? What's happening?"
*John is John Jameson, Jolly Jonahs son.
John: "I don't know, but from where it's coming from, we have to be prepared for
the worst."
He waves a large blaster at the Doctor, when suddenly the wall before him explodes with
volcanic fury, revealing ...
Page 21
(Full page spread)
Bloodaxe, the Executioner !
Next: "The Weeping dawn Part II"
Hammering Mails C/O [email protected]
well guys, there was very little mail on last issue, and I had problems with the Yahoo
site re-claiming mail. Now I'm back on AOL, so that addie is good again. Send me comments
and love letters, as well as hate!
Ralph