Thor #314
Acts of Destruction
Don Blake has just been let go from his job at the Westside Clinic in New York and is wondering what to do next with his life when he gets a fateful phone call. It’s from Shawna Lynde, whom he went to college with, she organizing a seminar in Chicago on new medical techniques and wants to ask Don to come speak at the engagement. Hearing Don’s employment situation, Shawna invites him to stay after the seminar next month to check out his options here. Don accepts the invitation since he has nothing better going on and has to re-think his future.
Meanwhile, Moondragon is piloting her ship back to Earth, the planet where she was born. She thinks about how she was taken from her home world to the Saturnian moon of Titan. There she was trained in body and mind to become a candidate for the role of Celestial Madonna. Unfortunately, that honor went to someone else and Moondragon has been searching for purpose ever since.[1] She is returning to Earth because she feels that she should reconnect with her father, Art Douglas. She remembers how her life changed the day her family went on a road trip and spotted Thanos on an early scouting mission of the planet. Not wanting any witnesses, Thanos blew up their car, killing Moondragon’s parents. Surviving, the young Douglas girl was saved by Alars and taken to Titan for her training. Meanwhile, her father was resurrected by Kronos into Drax the Destroyer. Drax’s soul purpose was to destroy Thanos.[2] Although she doesn’t know how much of her real father is left in Drax, she uses her mental powers to reach out to him so that they might get to know him.
At that moment, in deep space, Drax the Destroyer has been wandering aimlessly. Since Thanos was destroyed by another, Drax has decided that the only thing left to do is find some way to destroy himself since he no longer has any purpose.[3] He soon comes upon a strange glowing glove in space. Inside are bizarre jellyfish like creatures who telepathically warn him to stay away or they will be forced to destroy him. This pleases Drax who attacks the globe in hopes that its occupants can put an end to his existence. Ramming the sphere, Drax’s head breaks through and one of the alien creatures latches itself onto his head and forces Drax away, sacrificing itself in order to save the rest. It’s at this moment that Moondragon establishes mental contact with her father and feels his pain as he is ejected from the sphere. Fearing that he might be in danger, Moondragon sets course for Drax’s location.
Back on Earth, Don Blake has just gotten off the phone with his friend Tony Stark. After making plans to meet up later that week, Blake decides to change into Thor and see what’s going on at Avengers Mansion. At that same moment, Moondragon finds her father unconscious with the strange alien creature latched onto his head. Not knowing how to help Drax, Moondragon decides to return to Earth and seek aid from the Avengers.
At the mansion, Jarvis informs Thor that the rest of the team is away on a mission. Deciding to wait for their return, the thunder god is present when Moondragon arrives with her father. Thor examines the creature on Drax’s head but it begins to glow when he tries to remove it. Suddenly, Drax wakes up and begins attacking them, ordering them to destroy him before he can end their lives. When Jarvis gets in the line of fire, Thor leaps into the path of one of Drax’s energy blasts, taking the blow. With the situation growing out of control, Thor uses Mjolnir to blast Drax with a bolt of lightning, separating him from the alien creature.
When Drax wakes up again he is furious over being brought to Earth and saved when all he wanted was his own destruction. That’s when the alien creature telepathically communicates with them all. It explains that it too wants to die because it has been separated from its fellows and why it forced Drax to attack them. Thor then convinces Moondragon and Drax to take the alien back to its home. Drax agrees with this plan and seems to have put aside his desire for death now that he is reunited with his daughter. After they depart, Thor and Jarvis begin the task of cleaning up the mansion. Thor thanks Jarvis for teaching him that there is life is to be treasured. Unaware of Thor’s personal troubles, Jarvis is only confused as he goes about the task of sweeping the floor.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Moondragon, Drax the Destroyer, Tony Stark, Shawna Lynde, Edwin Jarvis
Continuity Notes
Moondragon’s quest to become the Celestial Madonna was detailed in Avengers #135. She was passed over the role in favor of Mantis in Giant-Size Avengers #4.
Arthur Douglas’ transformation into Drax was first told in Captain Marvel #32.
Thanos was turned into stone by Adam Warlock in Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2. However, he won’t remain dead for long and will be resurrected in Silver Surfer (vol. 3) #34.
Judgement — And Lament!
Odin has reformed the Valkyrie to reclaim Valhalla which has been annex by Hela, the goddess of death.[1] This mission has taken a tragic turn when the Valkyrie are all slaughtered Hela’s forces. Vowing to avenge his fallen warriors, the All-Father is confronted by Hela herself who is confident that Odin cannot do anything to stop her. She is more than willing to claim Odin’s life just like the Valkyrie and invites him to bring fallen Valtrauta to a glade that Hela has preserved since taking over Valhalla.
She then gives a show of power by making the plants on this glade wither and die. This offends Odin who uses his power to restore it to its splendor. Tired of the games, Odin decides to pass judgement on the death goddess. Boasting that she is death personified she tries to slay Odin with her mystical powers. Odin easily deflects her energy blast and grabs her by the wrist and begins draining her energies. Buckling under Odin’s might, Hela surrenders and Odin asks her why she has expanded her domain.
Tearfully, Hela recounts how months earlier, Sif taught her the meaning of love when she convinced Hela to spare Thor’s life.[2] Hela soon became bitter because she could partake in romance because all who touch her withers and dies. Then, when Odin triggered his false Ragnarok through trickery, Hela was denied her ordain mission as gatherer of the dead.[3] Furious, Hela decided to get revenge by taking Valhalla out of spite. Odin tells her that, unfortunately, there is no hope for her as hope only blossoms in the presence of life something she is denied as goddess of the dead. Instead, Odin provides her with deeper wisdom to help her understand her role in the way of the world.
While this doesn’t solve Hela’s personal problems it gives her much to think about. Thanking the All-Father for his wisdom, Hela then releases Valhalla from her control and departs back to her domain of Niffelheim. In the aftermath of the battle, Valtrauta awakens and reports to Odin that the other Valkyrie have returned to life as well and asks what happened. Picking a flower, Odin simply tells her that he can heal all things except for matters of the heart. When Valtrauta asks what he means, he tells her forget about it as it is time to return home and celebrate their victory.
Recurring Characters
Odin, Valkyrie (Valtrauta, Hildegarde, Grimgerta, Leita, Ortlinda, Rossveissa, Sygnet, Krista), Hela
Continuity Notes
Balder reported that Hela took over Valhalla in Thor #301. Odin reformed the Valkyrie in issue #311.
Hela tried to claim Thor’s soul back in Thor #190. When Sif offered her own in his place, Hela was moved by her love and spared Thor’s life.
