Of Gods and Men

In downtown Chicago, bystanders are put in peril by a falling business sign. Luckily, Captain Ultra — who happened to be in the area for a plumber’s convention — arrives to save the day. Trying to break it into the super-hero business, Ultra believes Chicago might be the ideal place since most heroes work out of New York City.

Meanwhile, in New York, Thor and Sif have been spending some down time with Keith Kincaid and Jane Foster, after the rescued Jane from the world of Kamo Tharnn.[1] Keith and Jane have decided to get married and ask the Asgardians to stay a bit longer. Thor politely declines as he wishes to get back to Chicago and rebuild he damage done to Don Blake’s reputation after he was falsely accused of foul play in Jane’s disappearance. As they make their way back, Sif has decided to tell Thor that she no longer wishes to stay on Midgard even if her decision to return to Asgard breaks up their relationship.

They arrive in Chicago as the John Shepp Aquarium suffers a boiler explosion, shattering many of the exhibit tanks and imperiling the lives of the sea creatures and visitors. Thor and Sif are about to have a heart-to-heart about their future when Thor is distracted by the an alarm from the aquarium. When they arrive, however, they discover that Captain Ultra has already arrived on the scene and is helping people to safety. When Thor and Sif try to help, Ultra takes offense and tells them to stop butting in on his turf, unaware that Thor was actually in the city first.

When the two Asgardians return to Don Blake’s office, Sif tries to use Captain Ultra’s presence to prove to Thor that he doesn’t need to defend Chicago and that they should return to Asgard. Thor, unfortunately, can’t bring himself to abandon his mortal identity as it still does a lot of good as a doctor. When Sif tries to argue this, Don Blake receives a page to assist a patient in critical care. Thor quickly changes back to his mortal guise and tells Sif that they can talk about this issue more when he gets back.

… This story is continued in Marvel Graphic Novel #33.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Sif, Captain Ultra, Keith Kincaid, Jane Foster

Continuity Notes

1. Jane had been merged with Sif using the Runestaff of Kamo Tharnn in Thor #236. When Sif took over control in issue #241, Jane ended up trapped in Kamo Tharnn’s mind as we learned last issue when she was rescued.

A Distant Music

In the mythical land of Asgard, Sif is out on a hunting wild boar with Bygvir to provide a feast for an upcoming wedding. After slaying a massive boar, Sif is satisfied they have enough food for the festivities and return to the palace. There she meets with Queen Frigga who is preparing a flower wreath for the coming festivities.

Seeing that Sif wishes to speak in private, Frigga sends her handmaidens away. Frigga can tell that Sif is disappointed that they are not preparing for her long desired wedding to Thor. Sif confirms that this is exactly it and tells Frigga the events that led to Sif returning to Asgard alone.

A few days earlier, Sif was growing fed up with life on Midgard and any time that she tried to bring it up with Thor, some emergency or the other came up. The last straw came when Thor was called away to perform surgery in his mortal guise of Doctor Donald Blake. When Blake returned and Sif once again broached the subject of returning home, Blake once again insisted that he can do far more good on Earth as both as Thor and Doctor Blake. Sif then warned Blake that the day where she will return home is coming soon and pleads with him to come with her.

Soon, their minds were distracted by the upcoming wedding of Keith Kincaid and Jane Foster. Thor attended the ceremony as Don Blake and seeing Sif in the dress she purchased for the occasion, Blake tried to remark about how beautiful she looked. Sif could only curtly tell Blake that there was no time for romance as it would make them late for the wedding. The wedding was a success and when they had returned home, Sif demanded to speak to Thor in his true form. She told him that she could no longer stand to live on Midgard and desired to return home with or without him. She tells him that she will wait for however long it takes for him to return but will not remain idle. Since Thor could not bring himself to leave Midgard, Sif then returned home alone.

Hearing this tale, Frigga tells Sif that there is little else they can do as long as Odin allows Thor to remain on Midgard, a position that will not change any time soon since Thor recently saved Asgard from destruction.[1] However, it will only be a matter of time before Thor will return to Asgard. That’s when the Warriors Three arrive and ask Sif to assist them in quelling a Storm Giant rebellion outside the kingdom. Frigga wishes them good luck and as Sif rides off with her comrades, she also wonders how long it will be before Thor finally settles down and marries Sif.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Sif, Frigga, Keith Kincaid, Jane Foster, Heimdall, Fandrall

Continuity Notes

1. Thor saved Asgard after Loki and Tyr stole all the golden apples of Idunn. See Thor #327.