The Mighty Thor #706

AT THE GATES OF VALHALLA

Written by Jason Aaron
Penciled by Russell Dauterman
Cover by Russell Dauterman
Published April 18, 2018

   The bloodied and blinded Asgardians stand by a mourning Odinson as Lady Jane Foster lies dead. Meanwhile, her spirit stands in front of Valhalla. Odin also stands near, accusing her of ruining everything from turning Asgard against him to stealing Thor’s hammer. But has nothing but praise following her destroying of the Mangog. With an joyous eternity awaiting her, she can’t make the step. Because Jane Foster simply wasn’t ready to die.

Well Jane, who ever is?

   Back on the moon, the tempest from Mjolnir swells. Odinson calls down the thunder to the dismay of the others. Meanwhile the Valkyries stand at the gates to usher Thor when she’s unexpectedly in pain. Odin recognizes the god tempest clinging to her as Odinson continues to call down strike after strike.

IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?!

   He tries in vain until he feels his father touching his shoulder. Odin has returned to help his son control the powers. Jane continues to stand at the gates as Odin explains that she feels her story has more to be written. With one final, mighty strike, the powerful lighting comes down and there’s a crackle of a spark in Jane’s mortal eyes. She gasps, and what remains of Asgard’s population cheers.

To be honest, I didn't expect that.

   Days later, Jane walks the ruins hand in hand with Odinson. She’d agreed to return to Midguard to fight her cancer with full strength, and getting to see her greatest life experience is exhilarating, if only for just a visit. She gives him a tiny piece of Mjolnir she recovered from the moon. There must always be a Thor, she tells him. She was honored to carry the hammer for a while, but it’s time he reclaimed who he truly is. With that, the story of Jane Foster as Thor comes to an end. But the story of Jane Foster’s life is only beginning.

I don't think we've seen the last of Jane Foster as Thor - for some reason...

   What an awesome book. I remember the early days of Marvel’s weird Make-Everyone-A-Girl-Or-Minority thing and I was understandably a little freaked out. How can a woman carry Thor’s hammer? I’m happy to say that here at the end, it’s really not even a question. Her time as the god of thunder was brief in the overall picture, but what she accomplished - mostly through the talents of Jason Aaron, was truly remarkable. I look forward to Odinson picking up Mjolnir again like old times, but Jane as Thor was amazing... And I’m gonna miss it. I give this one a 10/10.

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