Gods and Men, Part 2: Challenge

It is the year 2170, Magni — the son of Thor — has been convinced that his father’s rule of Midgard needs to end.[1] The spirit of Kya — a mutant sorceress who led a human resistance — has led him to the site where Mjolnir has rested since his father became unworthy to wield it. Proving to be worthy enough to lift the enchanted weapon, Magni reads the inscription “Whomsoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.”[2] Magni revels in the power the hammer gives him and tests out its various abilities as Kya’s spirit tutors him on its use.

Once they are finished, Kya tells Magni how he will need the power of Mjolnir to battle his Thor and overthrow his rule. Magni, however, doesn’t believe it will come to that and insists that he can reason his father.

Back in New Asgard, Thor has awoken from the Odinsleep and his most loyal subjects are summoned to welcome their ruler. When Loki begins ordering the serving staff to prepare a huge banquet, Thor quashes the idea of a celebration, reminding him and the Enchantress that he was almost assassinated before entering his slumber.[3] While Loki assures his liege that he took steps to quash the uprising, Thor is still not satisfied that the rebellion has been stopped. Thor decides that he will use the Odinpower to search for any others who wish to rebel against his rule. When Loki asks how he can be of service, Thor orders everyone to leave him alone in his royal chamber. He will require absolute silence in order to direct the Odinpower and search for evil.

Meanwhile, Magni returns to the mountain refuge where Sif has lived in exile for years.[4] She is shocked to see that Mjolnir still exists and is even more astonished to see that Magni is able to lift the enchanted weapon. He quickly tells her about Thialfi’s failed attempt to assassinate Thor, and how Kya led him to Mjolnir. The entire experience has taught him that he needs to stand up against his father. Sif, realizing the gravity of the situation, bows before Magni. When he tells her to get up, that he’s not ready to rule, she tells him that the reprocussions of overthrowing his father will mean he will rule all of Asgard in his place. She then tells him that Mjolnir has the power to teleport him anywhere and instructs him how to do so.

Magni then uses the hammer to transport them to a place he’s always wanted to go, Asgard. When they arrive, Sif is shocked to see that the golden city is still standing. Magni explains he has occasionally overheard his father and Loki talking about how the original city still stood. In fact, when Thor first brought the city to Earth, he only brought part of it. The rest he kept standing here as a monument that he faithfully restored.[4] As they look around they see the sights, including Yggdrasil the World Ash, and a massive statue of Odin. It’s here that they are greeted by Ulik, once one of the most powerful Rock Trolls. However, without the Asgardians around, all of the other races that live in Asgard have begun to wither and become weak and will soon all pass away. Apparently, the Odinpower presence sustained the lives of everything else that lived in this dimensional realm. Ulik has nothing but spite for Thor, who took members of his people to work as slaves on Midgard and left the rest to wither and rot. At first, Magni is quick to defend his father as they were at war with the Rock Trolls. However, it becomes abundantly clear that Thor’s reign must end.

With that, Magni and Sif transport themselves back to Earth and appear in the middle of Thor’s throne room. The sound of their arrival also draws Loki and the Enchantress into the room. Thor is furious that his son has interrupted his search. Magni tells his father that he has seen what their rule has done to the mortals and suggests that they leave. Thor angrily reminds his son that his rule has elevated the mortals beyond what they could have accomplished on their own and his rule must be absolute. Magni then shows his father that he can carry Mjolnir. He rests the enchanted weapon on the ground and tells his father that he will accept his is right if he can prove that he can still lift it.

At that same moment, Desak has arrived on Earth’s moon. Looking down at the planet below, he promises that the time for death has come![5]

Recurring Characters

Thor, Magni, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Enchantress, Sif, Loki, Desak, Kya, Ulik

Continuity Notes

1. From the “Shit You Need to Know Off the Top Dept.”:

   • The events of this story take place in a possible future that now exists in another reality. Per Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #2, it has been desigated as Reality-3515. It was to be the future of Reality-616 until a divergence in Thor (vol. 2) #79 changed the course of history. Its history matches that of Earth-616 until the point of divergence.

   • Odin was killed in battle with Surtur in Thor (vol. 2) #40, leaving Thor to rule the kingdom in his absence.

   • Thor took over the world in the present day after Asgard was destroyed, as seen in Thor (vol. 2) #67. He became unworthy to lift Mjolnir after he slew Jake Olson, his mortal half. Thor has kept this a secret, telling his followers that it was destroyed.

   • Kya’s physical body was killed last issue and her spirit led Magni to Mjolnir shortly thereafter.

2. The splash page of Magni holding Mjolnir and the page where he tests out its powers pay homage to Journey into Mystery #83, Thor’s first appearance which had a similar page layout and sequence of events.

3. Kya had previously convinced Thialfi to turn against Thor. The warrior then attempted to assassinate Thor while he was preparing to enter the Odinsleep. Unfortunately, he failed and was killed. See Thor (vol. 2) #74.

4. As we learned last issue, Sif disagreed with the idea to rule over the humans and was exiled by Thor.

5. Thor transported the city of Asgard to Earth back in Thor (vol. 2) #50. It was destroyed in issue #67.

6. Desak is an alien who sought revenge against the gods after his daughter was used in a ritual sacrifice. He was given power by a mysterious gem in Thor Annual 2001. He was seemingly killed by Thor in Thor (vol. 2) #49. However, the spirit within the his gem of power spirited his body away to an alien world to heal and slumber until he was needed again. He awoke last issue when Magni lifted Mjolnir.

   Topical References

• This story is stated as taking place in the year 2170, given how far away this date is from the present day, it could be considered factual. The only topical aspect of this future timeline is in measuring the length of time between the present day of the Marvel Universe and this future. As the Sliding Timescale moves forward, the gulf of time will shrink. Modern readers should consider all such measurements being relative to the date of publication.