If Death be my Destiny

As the Avengers are amidst the construction of a brand new headquarters the priority alarm goes off.[1] Captain America and Quasar race to the communications room where Peggy Carter, She-Hulk and Sersi are assessing the situation. They have learned that an alien being had appeared in am urban renewal zone in the South Bronx and laid waste to the buildings slated for demolition. The Avengers then scramble to the hangar and take off in a Quinjet to confront this menace.

The alien in question is Stellaris, and they have come to Earth to prevent the Celestial Replicoid from delivering a message from its master to Thor. As they circle the wreckage, Thor digs himself out and strikes the skycycle with Mjolnir. Shockingly the ruined cycle merges with Stellaris’ armor, reforming it into a more powerful form. Without missing a beat, Stellaris then renews their attack.

Across town, lawyer Samantha Joyce and Eric’s assistant Susan Austin impatiently wait for Eric to return home. They are due for a meeting with his ex-wife Marcy’s lawyer to discuss their ongoing custody dispute.[3] They are both worried that Eric might be screwing up his chances of keeping Kevin. Overhearing this is Kevin himself, who tells them that he is confident his dad will win his case and tells them to keep the faith.

Back at the scene of the battle, the Avengers arrive to lend Thor a hand against Stellaris. Despite their superior numbers, the Avengers struggle in their battle with Stallaris, thanks to the advanced weapons built into their armor. While the alien is distracted, Thor has Sersi use her transmutation powers to create a stretcher to carry the Replicoid away from battle. Unfortunately, Stellaris sees this and begins attacking the thunder god anew. With its mission in jeopardy if Thor dies, the Replicoid musters up all the strength it can so it can lure Stellaris away from the battle.

Meanwhile, in the heart of the Black Galaxy’s bio-verse, the High Evolutionary uses the technology aboard the Wundagore II space ship to draw together massive spheres of biological matter and smash them together to form a planetoid to work off of. His assistant Count Tagar once more cautions the Evolutionary that he might be toying in things that he doesn’t fully understand and might create horrible aberrations. However, the High Evolutionary is confident he will create a new race of gods that will help push humanity beyond the limitations of its current evolutionary path. To prove that he is on the right path, the Evolutionary takes Count Tagar into another room where a massive vat of biological material is just now spawning the first of his race of new immortals. Although the geneticist believes that this is proof of his success, Count Tagar can’t help but worry if these new gods will be merciful or vengeful. As if in response, the newly forming god ominously closes his hand into a fist.[3]

Back on Earth, Stellaris is about to destroy the Replicoid when Captain America ambushes the alien assassin from behind. The Star-Spangled Avenger is able to hold his own long enough to buy the Avengers time to recover and rejoin the fight. However, the Replicoid orders them to stop fighting as continuing to resist is tantamount to suicide. The momentary distraction gives Stellaris enough time to fatally disintegrate the Replicoid. Victorious, the alien then flees the scene after detecting another Celestial energy signature. Thor is so furious that he wants to go after the killer alone, but Cap and the others convince him not to go it alone.

At the Masterson apartment, Susan and Samantha can’t wait for Eric any longer and decide to head into the meeting alone. They leave Kevin in Hercules’ care, much to the delight of Kevin because this means ice cream and video games. Herc is still concerned about how the women will fair in their meeting, but Kevin assures him that nothing could possibly go wrong. As he says this, Stellaris appears just outside the apartment and charges.

Recurring Characters

Thor, Eric Masterson, Avengers (Captain America, Hercules, She-Hulk, Sersi, Quasar), Stellaris, Kevin Masterson, Peggy Carter, Replicoid, Susan Austin, Samantha Joyce, High Evolutionary, Count Tagar

Continuity Notes

1. At the time of this story, Avengers Mansion on Hydrobase was sunk into the Atlantic Ocean by Doctor Doom, as seen in Avengers #311. Since then, the Avengers have been building a new headquarters at the original site of the mansion. It will finally open in Avengers #329.

2. Marcy has been trying to get custody of Kevin since Thor #392.

3. Unnamed here, this New Immortal is given the name Nobilus in Thor #422.

Topical References

• Kevin and Hercules are depicted playing video games on a CRT television. This should be considered a topical reference as this is an obsolete technology.

• Hercules references Häagen-Dazs ice cream. This should be considered a topical reference as it is a real world product.

• Kevin makes a joke that Susan talks about Hercules like he’s Freddy Krueger, the villain from the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. This should be considered a topical reference. While Freddy was a pop-culture icon back when this comic book was published, his popularity has faded. As of this writing the last movie in the series (a poorly received remake) came out over 12 years ago.

Deadly Discoveries!

In Asgard, Odin has summoned the Warriors Three and sends them on a quest to Jotunheim to investigate reports of a giant creature terrorizing the people who life there. As the trio head off, Heimdall’s sensitive hearing picks up cries for help coming from Odin’s bed chambers. Deciding to investigate, the former guardian of the Bifrost Bridge finds the Grand Vizier who has been shrunken in size and imprisoned inside a transparent cube.[1]

The Vizier tries to warn Heimdall that Odin is not himself, but the warrior is caught by the All-Father himself. Ordering Heimdall to bow before him, Odin threatens to kill him for trespassing and as he rants and raves Odin begins taking on a demonic appearance. However, he reverts back to human form before anyone can see when Heimdall pledges allegiance to Odin no matter what. Odin thanks Heimdall for his loyalty and promises that all will be revealed to him soon enough.[2]

Meanwhile, the Warriors Three arrive at the location of the Crack of Doom in Jotunheim. There they are shocked to discover a massive humanoid form cut out of the ground, verifying reports that something wicked is indeed coming their way.[3]

Recurring Characters

Odin (possessed by Surtur), Heimdall, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Grand Vizier

Continuity Notes

1. Heimdall is specifically referred to as the former guardian of the Bifrost. The rainbow bridge was shattered back in Thor #351. It will remain so until issue #426.

2. Odin has been possessed by Surtur who freed Ymir so the two could do battle and bring about Ragnarok, as we’ll learn over from this issue through Thor #425.

3. Next issue reveals that this was Ymir, who was freed from the Crack of Doom last issue.