Thor (vol. 2) #55
Reason
Zarrko the Tomorrow Man has been captured and tossed into an Asgardian dungeon. Although he has no connection to the outside world, he knows exactly what is going on as he has seen the nightmare future he’s been trying to prevent unfold countless times before traveling back in time to try and prevent it from happening.[1] As he rots away, Thor and the Asgardians are interfering in the lives of humanity. While they are trying to cure hunger, disease, and want, Zarrko knows that no matter what the gods do, humanity will always be dissatisfied. This will lead to a great catastrophe and the events he is trying to prevent.
In the Middle East, Balder, Hogun, and Fandral have been dispatched to dismantle a tyrannical military. Balder attempts to reason with them, but the Muslim soldiers see them as false gods and open fire, forcing them to respond in kind. While these three warriors will not speak out against their friend and ruler, they are already becoming worried about their interference with the mortals.
While in a run down tenement, the Absorbing Man (Carl “Crusher” Creel) and Titania (Mary MacPharren) live in squalor. Reading the Daily Bugle, Carl learns that Thor is scheduled to address the United Nations. Creel and his wife have seen how Thor has been changing the world and how a lot of people like what he is doing. The Absorbing Man then tells Mary that he plans on being there at the UN in the morning because he and Thor have unfinished business to attend to.
In Asgard proper, Amora the Enchantress looks down at the mortal city of New York and ponders. Her thoughts are interrupted by Loki who has come to revel in the sight. He has come to enjoy that the mortals are starting to bow their knees in worship, even if it is to his brother Thor. When Amora openly suspects Loki of some of his usual trickery, Loki admits to her that he has no plans to interfere with his step-brothers rule. In fact, he is quite impressed that Thor is going further than their father Odin ever would and supports it completely.[2] The trickster believes that sooner or later Thor will need others to administer his goals once they become too big for him to handle on his own. Loki intends to be one of the first ones to be selected. However, Amora doesn’t believe that Thor wants to rule over the humans, merely guide them. Loki, on the other hand, sees the mortals as nothing more than sheep and that Thor will eventually rule over them all.
The United Nations is in an uproar as representatives from member nations are angry and fearful of the Asgardians interference in global affairs. They all argue loudly until Thor and his entourage — which includes Thialfi and Sif — arrive for the meeting. The thunder god has no prepared statements and allows the UN council to question him. The first issue is over the fact that Thor deposed the ruler of Kalanya. He explains that he was freeing the oppressed people from a tyrant and offers the free press a chance to go and verify his claims that the people there are now living better lives. One of the members then points out that nobody asked Thor or his people to liberate them in the first place. Lord Thor rebuttal for this, explaining that Heimdall’s sensitive ears could hear the enslaved people praying for liberation.
Next comes complaints about shutting down businesses and power plants all over the globe. Thor responds by saying that these were polluting the Earth, and that Asgard will provide cleaner energy sources as well as providing for everyone’s material needs. One of the UN representatives points out that what he is doing is hindering a developing people and taking away their right to choose. Thor counters this by reminding them of the great inequities that exist on Earth and that Thor is merely eliminating this imbalance so everyone can live equally.
That’s when the representative from the United States speaks up and asks why Thor and his people shut down two medical research facilities in America. Thor corrects him, saying that these facilities were actually developing chemical weapons to be used in war. When the US representative denies this, Thor is angered by it and smashes the podium he is standing before in a fit of rage. That’s when the issue of religion is brought up, with another speaker pointing out that the Asgardians are not only affecting the governments and commerce, but also causing people to have crisis of faith. Thor insists that he seeks no worship and thinks humanity should worship people that they choose. All he expects out of them is to care for the planet and look after one another.
By this time, Thor has had about enough, and tells the assembly that the majority of the people on Earth accept and want everything that Asgard has brought to them. This leads to more objections when, suddenly, the Absorbing Man comes bursting into the room demanding to see Thor. However, Carl Creel isn’t looking for a fight, he wanted to thank Thor for providing the potions that cured Titania of her cancer.[2] Creel then renounces his criminal ways and vows to be a better man from now on and pledges to aid Thor in the future if needed.
Outside, a group of Thor worshipers have come to show their support. Joining them is Jake Olson, Thor’s separate mortal half. He tries to convince them that Thor is just as flawed as anyone else and shouldn’t be worshiped but his words fall on deaf ears.[3] When Thor and his entourage emerge from the UN building, Jake calls out to Balder and tries to convince him to talk sense into Thor. Unfortunately, Balder is still loyal to his friend and ruler, and unwilling to question his decision.
This is all known to Zarrko who is still trapped in his cell, knowing that things will soon head into a complete disaster.
Recurring Characters
Thor, Zarrko the Tomorrow Man, Balder, Fandral, Hogun, Absorbing Man, Titania, Enchantress, Loki, Sif, Thialfi, Jake Olson
Continuity Notes
Zarrko is attempting to prevent the Reigning, a nightmare future where Thor rules over Earth and Asgard with an iron fist. He has been trying to prevent these events since Thor (vol. 2) #33. His most recent attempt was in issue #53, leading to his capture. The Reigning future exists in Reality-3515 per Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #2.
Mention is made here that Odin is dead. He died battling Surtur in Thor (vol. 2) #40. He will remain among the deceased until Thor #618.
Titania was diagnosed with what seemed to be incurable cancer. See Thor (vol. 2) #26-27.
