Not too inspiring a premise, the cover sells it as "What if Thor and the Avengers battled the Gods?", which sounds like a storyline, but not necessarily one from a parallel universe. I've got to ask at this point what the obsession is with Jane Foster becoming a goddess. This is the second story to feature those events, while we have yet to see an Iron Man story (for example - though he's good enough to die in other people's tales). Just sayin'.What If Vol.1 #25 (February 1981)
Based on: Thor #136
The true history: When Thor asks permission to wed Jane Foster, Odin turns her into a goddess, but then puts her to a trial to see if she is worthy of immortality. She fails and is returned to Earth without memory of these events. Thor finds solace in the Lady Sif.
Turning point: What if Thor disagreed with his father's decree?
Story type: Civil War
Watcher's mood: Neckless hologram
Altered history: In this universe, Thor dares express himself. And I guess Odin got up on the wrong side of the Odinbed that morning.
He sends Thor and Jane back down to Earth in a rage and forgets to take away her immortality. Thor, in full "my daddy doesn't love me" mode, enlists the help of the Avengers to fight the Asgardian Gods because it's obvious some dark force has taken over Odin. A divine over-reaction. The Avengers agree, all except Quicksilver, and ride out to Asgard.
The Asgardians are kinda split about what to do, especially after Odin names Loki as his general, giving him a sword and freeing his old allies Executioner and Enchantress from captivity.
While Loki makes Balder kiss it, Thor brings the Avengers to the sympathetic Vizier who boosts their abilities to godly strength.
Yeah, aside from giving Captain America a sword, it doesn't make a big difference. Battle is joined, with the Warriors Three and many other warriors throwing in with Thor, with neither side having the advantage. That's Iron Man's cue to turn against his friends. It's Civil War all over before.
He flies out to Odin and convinces him to call a truce. Odin gives him an olive branch to deliver, which means Loki will try to stop him from getting back to the Avengers. This being What If?, he succeeds.
The Avengers get revenge though, when the Wasp shoots her sting into Loki's ear. Oh my Gods, she's killed him.
Thor vows to now kill Odin, and the Avengers reach the palace where the All-Father is over-compensating for something...
Before he can pull the Odinsword out of its Odinsheath and bring an Odinend to the world, cooler heads prevail in the shape and form of Jane Foster. "Hey Thor, are you still fighting over me? Cuz I'm over here. Hellooooo!" Thor realizes he's forgotten himself, and Odin admits to being jealous that he boy's all grown up and moving on with his life, and they are reconciled. Sort of. For Thor, there's no going back, and he and Jane build their own stronghold for Thor's own followers. Let there be two Asgards!Books canceled as a result: So long, Iron Man! Until someone else picks up the armor, of course.
These things happen: While Jane Foster has spent time as a goddess, and Thor has been in disagreement with his father's edicts, it's never gone this far.
Next week: What If Captain America Had Been Elected President?
My guess: Universal health care?
Comments
Was that one where Thor ended up with Sif, or was that the What If with the female Thor (which I think you already did)?
My once-encyclopedic comics knowledge is getting fuzzy with age...
I always thought it was a nice little epic too. I think it get's overshadowed by the acclaimed (and very good) Under Siege storyline that precedes it.