Hammer of the Gods-"Hammer Hits China" #3

By Michael Avon Oeming

Modi's at the temple still, and standing through a great gust of wind from an earthquake. He'd finished telling the ghost witch tales. She puffs about her own people's ability at winding yarns, since they grew over centuries of telling. So, whilst he told blunt stories, they were honest, so she'd allow him to leave.

Modi is snotty in response, but the ghost witch recognizes fear, even though Modi states of being fearless, mostly. So, she next invites him for tea at the Temple, and whilst he admits to not trusting her, he accepts, and exchanges a drink of his horn of mead. Modi's approach could've been better, but he goes in full force on the hope she'd obey. He commands her rudely, to release Odin, she not affected and also revealing to be Odin.

Modi slowly takes this in, and Odin explains of having conquered the witch ghost easily, Modi not taking Odin's blasé attitude well, even though Odin had apparently learned human emotions running deeper than imagined. Modi isn't impressed with all he'd done only to have his men die for nothing, but Odin notes Modi's reason for doing this being for Skögul. Odin states Modi could be with her if he died in battle, his imaginary sexy time interrupted by his mens ghosts telling of Modi being messed with, the dream Skögul telling him to fly and join her in Valhalla. Modi realizes the truth of Skögul's actions when she appears with a sword at his throat, she teary-eyed.

Modi mentions how Odin's solution being similar to when Loki had attempted the same with them. Skögul shares of how even the gods are on a set path, what with the fates knowledge. So, Modi chucks her sword off the cliff they were on, since the fates would've divined this, she chucking him over too, due to the plan being for Modi to meet up with her in Valhalla, he having just assured her he trusts her. Odin's voice is heard as he falls through the sky of having the choice to live or die, Modi ofc choosing life, so is dropped onto a boat, the sails bound for wherever he desired by Odin's magic gusts.

Modi continues on with his sweet memories of the love he shared with Skögul. After is a few-pager intro of Nevermore, a dark mythical comic about a band; also intriguing. This final China issue was alright as a cleanup issue, but I get the feeling the 2nd was where all the juice was at, what with the references to Modi's storytelling. Despite this, still a decent little series!