Thor #496 — Nick Peron

May 29

May 29 Thor #496

Doin’ the Zodiac Rag

This story continues from Captain America #449…

At the Enchantress’ apartment, Captain America and Thor find themselves surrounded by Zodiac foot soldiers, just as Captain America has learned that Thor is no longer a god.[1] Luckily, Amora has installed automated weapons in her home and the Zodiac soldiers are quickly taken down with a barrage of rubber bullets. She explains to Captain America she had these weapons installed in case her home was ever invaded. She then suggests that they question their attackers to find out where their leader is stationed, implying that she could torture them to get the info they need.This makes both Cap and Thor uneasy.

Suddenly, the power in the building goes out, likely due to the energy drain caused by the dome Zodiac has erected over the city. While Thor and Captain America are busy explaining what’s going on to Amora’s landlord, Philip Flemming, she manages to coax the location of Zodiac’s hideout from one of the soldiers. She tells them that the organization operates out of a dimensional portal that is at a deserted subway station off 57th street. She then kisses Thor and tells him to save the city, promising she’ll be here when he gets back.

As Thor and Captain America take to the streets, Cap expresses his disapproval of the fact that Thor is in a relationship with one of his oldest enemies. However, all talk about the former thunder god’s personal life is put on the back burner when they see the chaos and pandemonium on the streets as New Yorkers panic over being trapped under a dome. They find another team of Zodiac foot soldiers opening fire on a crowd of people and quickly shut them down before someone gets hurt.

As they press forward, they stop when they spot an family that are trapped in a burning apartment building. Working together, the pair are able to rip the security bars off the window and save the family before the building collapses. Further down the street, they stop some looters from robbing a bodega. They then try to help a mob of people fleeing from a sniper shooting from the roof tops. Once everyone gets to safety the shooting stop. Going to investigate Thor and Captain America are surprised that the Zodiac has been driven off this block by students from the Hepburn School for the Blind, who are crack shots even though they cannot see.

Getting directions from Lorna Nichols — the leader of the blind vigilantes — they eventually find the Zodac hideout. They fight their way to the trans-dimensional portal in an effort to shut it down. However, before they can succeed another portal beings to open.

... This story is continued in Iron Man #326.