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Thor (1998 series) #41

Nov 2001 on-sale: Sep 5, 2001

Dan Jurgens
writer
 |  Stuart Immonen
penciler

Thor (1998 series) #41 cover

Story Name:

Taking Charge Part 1 of 3


Synopsis

Thor (1998 series) #41 synopsis by reviewer Peter Silvestro
Rating: 3.5 stars

In the aftermath of the war with Surtur, the Asgardians and their allies are stunned that Odin is dead. In tears, Thor rushes to Odin’s corpse, refusing to believe him gone. Hogun tries to talk sense into him but is rebuffed. Thor pleads with Tarene, the Designate, to use her power to heal the All-Father. She tries but passes out from the exertion. Thor returns to Asgard to order the healers, Neffethesk and Cyra, to return with him….

On Earth, Balder takes it upon himself to cover Odin’s body with his cape, an action that offends Beta Ray Bill. Hercules rebukes them both and the heroes reconcile. Thor arrives and orders the healers to revive Odin. Cyra takes a moment to give Tarene the Elixir of Bifrost to heal her but the Horns of Revelation reveal the truth, Tarene is no longer the Designate, her powers lost in the battle with Surtur. Tarene rejects that diagnosis and attempts to transform into her true divine form—and it doesn’t happen. Neffethesk informs Thor that nothing can be done for Odin….

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In Asgard, a great ceremony is held before a giant brazier of fire, with Thor hurling the All-Father’s Ring Imperial into the flames. Friends and foes throughout the universe watch….

In New York, Amora the Enchantress discovers that the phony Keith Kincaid is really Skurge the Executioner, returned to life by Hela to help her trap Thor. Then Odin’s image appears in Amora’s magic mirror and they discover that the All-Father is dead….

Desak the God Slayer has accomplished his mission once again and then, in the reflection of his axe, he learns that Odin is dead and the Designate seriously weakened, indicating it is time to strike….

Millions from across the reams arrive on Asgard via the Rainbow Bridge to pay their respects, including Jake Olson and Jane Foster. Thor and Odin’s wife Freyja stand by his body; Loki arrives, offending many, but he reminds everyone Odin was his father, too and he would grieve with them. Thor decides it is time to put away their differences and Loki joins them….

After the funeral, Thor visits the throne room, accompanied by Loki, Sif, and Balder. Thor sounds defeated and the others urge him to take the throne but he declines, considering himself unfit. Thor explains that his father was always testing him that he might learn to lead, yet his devotion to Midgard and its ways always disappointed him. And so the throne must remain empty….

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Characters
Good (or All)
BALDER  
Balder
(The Brave)
BRBILL  
FREYJA  
Freyja
(Frigga)
HERCULES  
Hercules
(Heracles)
HOGUN  
Hogun
(Hogun the Grim)
JAKEODUP  
Jake Olson
(Duplicate)
ODIN  
Odin
(All-Father)
THOR  
Thor
(Odinson)
THORGIRL  
Thor Girl
(Tarene)
Plus: Cyra.

Enemies
ENCHANTRESS  
LOKI  
Loki
(Loki Laufeyson)
Plus: Executioner (Demon from Hela).

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



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Main/1st Story Full Credits

Stuart Immonen
Scott Koblish
Dave Kemp
Glen Orbik (Cover Penciler)
Glen Orbik (Cover Inker)
Glen Orbik (Cover Colorist)
Additional Credits
Letterer: Richard Starkings.
Editor: Tom Brevoort.



Review / Commentaries


reviewer
Thor (1998 series) #41 Review by (January 13, 2026)

Review: A funeral issue with a great deal of gravitas which now seems a bit silly as we know Odin has already died once and returned (THOR #198-201), and then again (THOR #300-301) and he will be back this time too (THOR #618). And then he dies yet again, once more sounding like it’s permanent (THOR (2020) #20-23) and he's back again (THE MORTAL THOR #3). So okay, yeah-yeah, let’s get on with it, a clear instance of a comic’s history accidentally undermining itself. Decent enough issue, with a surprising change for Tarene and the revelation that Skurge is back (for now—he’s most recently appeared in 2025). And Thor punks out on his responsibility for another issue. See you then. 

Comments: The news of Odin’s death goes out to multiple characters in cameos: Hela, Ulik, Dr. Strange, Mephisto, Zarrko, the Rigellians, and the Living Tribunal. Tarene regains her Designate powers in FEAR ITSELF: YOUTH IN REVOLT. Skurge’s heroic death was famously told in THOR #362. Desak was introduced in THOR ANNUAL 2001; this is his second appearance. Letters by Jason Levene and Richard Starkings.





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