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Thor (1998 series) #20

on-sale: Dec 1, 1999
Dan Jurgens | Michael Ryan

Thor (1998 series) #20 cover

Story Name:

Empty Vessels


Synopsis

Thor (1998 series) #20 synopsis by Peter Silvestro
Rating: 4 stars

Hannah Fairmont and Demitrius Collins are in the foyer of the hospital, talking about the case of Jake Olson when they spy the security monitor showing Jake trying to smother Brady O’Neil in his hospital bed. They rush to the room, picking up Dr. Jane Foster on the way and arrive to find Jake gone, without completing the task. Jane tends to the injured detective while Collins vows revenge. Jake is on the roof where we discover he is the walking corpse of the real Jake Olson, revived by Loki in his plot against Thor….

Heimdall stands at his post on the Rainbow Bridge when he sees Thor and Odin arrive with the captive Enchanters. Heimdall offers to execute them on the spot but Odin stays his hand while they explain why their brother Enrakt has the face of the sorceress Ceranda. Sif and Balder arrive to hear this tale too. Brona tells them that their brother Enrakt was too untrained to join them on their first encounter with Asgard but after their brother Forsung was killed he joined the others in their mission of vengeance. As he searched for a way to release Brona and Magnir from Limbo where they were imprisoned by Odin, he discovered Ceranda and Thor and entered Mjolnir to become its new master. And after she was killed, another part of himself raised and occupied her corpse as the other part of his revenge plot. Thor flies into a rage and wants to kill the Enchanters for how they treated the woman he loved. Odin halts them and, ascertaining they have no more family to return for revenge, transports them to the Lost Limbo of Infinity. But Thor mourns for Ceranda who will never receive justice. And now Sif wants to know what Thor meant when he mentioned love for Ceranda and if he still loves Sif. Thor responds that it’s complicated. Odin distracts everyone and Thor craves a boon: that Ceranda be restored to life. Odin says even he cannot do that but she shall be placed under glass in the Chamber of Eternal Heroes….

Back on Midgard, Jane and Hannah talk over the latest events. They both believe Jake innocent but they saw him trying to kill Brady O’Neil. Hannah explains that Jake has always seemed like two people, noting that her first husband died of cancer which was why she was so shattered when she thought Jake was dead. They go to Jake’s apartment and are shocked to find him there, acting as if nothing is wrong. He kisses Hannah to calm her but she senses something is wrong. Then Thor enters the room and is likewise stunned to see Jake there. Hannah, assuming Thor is there to arrest Jake, blocks Thor while Jake runs. Thor pursues Jake to the roof where Loki causes Jake to vanish and Thor arrives, only to be baffled….

Orikal has requested an audience with the chief of the trolls, Ulik but he only manages a brief warning before Mangog appears. Mangog sticks his hand into Orikal’s chest and removes the Chalice of Ruins. The monster teleports away into the presence of his master where it is revealed that drinking even one tear of the Designate will grant the drinker the power of all-prevailing death. And now they must find the Designate for Armageddon to begin…. [Spoiler: the master is Thanos, as revealed next issue.]


Characters
Good (or All)
HEIMDALL
JANEFOSTER
ODIN
SCARLETWITCH
SIF
THOR
Plus: Brady O Neil, Demitrius Collins, Hannah Fairmont, Jake Olson, Orikal, Tarakis.

Enemies
LOKI
MANGOG
THANOS
ULIK
Plus: Enchanters Three, Enrakt.

> Thor (1998 series) comic book info and issue index



Excelsioring your collection:
statue
Holy smokes, Batman!
(The Boy Wonder)

Main/1st Story Full Credits

Michael Ryan
Klaus Janson
Gregory Wright
Michael Ryan (Cover Penciler)
Unknown (Cover Inker)
Unknown (Cover Colorist)
Additional Credits
Letterer: Richard Starkings.



Review / Commentaries


Thor (1998 series) #20 Review by (May 28, 2025)

Review: The big thing the synopsis leaves out is that Loki narrates the first several pages, ending at the introduction of Heimdall and resuming it when they vanish from the roof at the end. It really doesn’t add anything to the story, other than giving Loki a monologue about what a bad guy he is, which is unnecessary; after all, we’ve known this guy from the comics for decades and he wouldn’t become a lovable antihero for quite a few years.

The Enchanters storyline also comes to an end which is good enough. The unintentionally funny part is Thor’s “It’s complicated” response to Sif about his feelings for Ceranda and how everything goes back to normal. And Loki’s interference in the Jake Olson parts of the plot are also a bit funny, especially his causal entrance at the end and Thor’s dumbstruck look on seeing him.

The coolest part is the discovery that Mangog is coming back. Haven’t seen him for a while.  

Comments: Part seven of seven parts. The Enchanters’ first encounter with Thor and company was in THOR (Vol. 1) #143-145; this is their final appearance as of 2025. The story of Ceranda was in THOR ANNUAL 1999. Mangog’s previous appearance was in FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #23; his last time facing Thor was THOR #249-250. And final appearance of Detective Brady O’Neil, whom no one will miss. The lettering is split between Richard Starkings and Wes Abbott. Issue includes “Bullpen Bits #30” by Chris Giarusso, a brief humor bit featuring Spider-Man.





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