Hammer of the Gods-"Hammer Hits China" #1

By Michael Avon Oeming

Odin has called a meeting in Gladsheim of the top gods to swear their loyalty to him, among them Heimdall, Loki, and Thorr, Odin declaring he was changing form and going somewhere original in the 9 worlds. Odin goes by the gateway tree, Yggdrasil, he being warned by Huginn of the rogue gods in Vanaheim, the Vanir after him, so Muginn reminds him where he'd visited the least being Midgard. Odin believes it was time he learned more of humans (Mork-style!), he becoming human, and after months of traveling about with his birds, he reaching China. Not having been there before, he senses he'd rather return to Asgard, but peeps the architecture China had to offer.

Odin is confronted by a god of the land informing him of her way of teaching being more logical, Odin jonesing for a fight, so she obliging. The 2 fight for days, until all goes quiet once more. Meanwhile, Modi is sharing his experiences with the gods to anyone who'll listen, sharing they should be living according to their individual comforts since the gods didn't care. He also was scouting for men wishing to go adventuring, but Skogul interrupting, his pop also greeting him before mention Odin's biffing off, and Vanir making problems in Asgard.

Modi is given a magic horn which whoever drinks the mead from it would be loyal to Modi. The 2 leave Modi to it, Skogul yearning to be invited along, but he leaving with the men he'd gathered, and the group eventually trudging through deserts and forests to China, fighting when necessary. They lose a few men from wild animals picking off the injured, and when they meet a local, Modi gives his men leaves to put in their ears which made the language understandable and their responses corresponding, as well. The man explains the danger they'd walk into if they continued forward, but the choice being theirs.

They move on what with their mission and Modi soon senses the building nearby housing some sort of power, if not Odin, someone. Modi calls them out, and the group sees what looks like a ghost exit the house, and as Modi is in the middle of inquiring after Odin, she power trips at them with her sword. She slashes the trio of men as they ready to back Modi up, who had fallen. She next tells of Odin staying put, Modi preparing to retaliate after a breather. Cute start, and I'll be skipping the 2nd issue for not having it, and going straight to the 3rd. It's an intriguing start, though, which I'll miss. Ah well.