I don't have the issues in front of me at the moment so pleas forgive any spelling mistakes.

Incredible Hercules #123

Starting off where the last one left off our heroes quickly rescue Poseidon, god of the seas. Poseidon informs Herc and co. of what the Amazons are up to with a brief history lesson. It was some metaphyical stuff I am still trying to figure out. I understood the part about Atlas being at the center of the world and the history of the Amazons and Atlantis. Apparently, to ensure Atlantis was always the center of the world (metaphorical speaking) Atlantian sorcerers took power from the actual Axis Mundia and put it in a stone. After Atlantis sank they used that power to transform the Atlanteans into fish people. Now, the Amazons what it to make themselves the center of the world.

Neptune orders Namor to take him back to Atlantis for his wounds to heal and tells Hercules and Namora to pursue the Amazons. They call Athena up to find a way to track the Amazons. That can't be done since they are in the fasterst Atlantean craft and will be at the stone befor first, but to use it they have to be at the Axis Mundia. Currently located in Washington D. C. since that is where the power of the world is located. I imagine past ones would have been London and Rome just for a few possible examples.

Meanwhile Cho is still being kept around and steamed about the betrayal. Daphne the Gorgon reveals that she was/is infatuated with him and that is why she had tried to help him. The Amazons reach the stone, but...let's just say anyone hoping Daphne becoming a permanent cast member may be soleley disappointed.

To complicate an already complicated situation if anybody remembers two issues ago Hippolyta was trying to recruit Ares in another scheme to destroy Hercules. Well, the end of this issue follows up on it. We find out what happened to the rest of the Olympians and Hera is up to her old tricks again.

Overall, a solid issue. Not quite the humor or epic feels of past issues, but there was nothing in particular wrong with it as a whole.

The end was a nice nod to past events from the Incredible Hercules miniseries by acknowledging the Olympian group, the corporation Zeus established on Earth. It also showed that sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. Zeus was cranky, short-tempered, an adulterer, and paranoid, but at the same time he kept his family in check. Mostly because otherwise would have risked them overthrowing him, but he kept them on their leashes. Now, with him dead we are seeing the consequences of the darker aspects of the Olympian family having nothing to really restrain them anymore.

One issue I did not like was the reasoning for Poseidon's lack of power. It was flimsy at best. Poseidon claims his powers are weakened due the destruction caused in the Olympian home dimension, but his powers are the only one that appear to be affected. Ares, Athena, Hercules, and Hera all appear to be fine. I understand that Pak and Lente may have needed to get him out of the way, but it put a damper on the issue and seemed to be forced which Pak has done in the past to get around power problems.

Artwise I didn't see anything wrong with it. Clayton was able to carry the more serious aspects of this issue. Coloring worked as well.

Overall: I give the issue 6/10. Decent, but not the best.

Thor: Man of War

The third in the trilogy by Fraction. At the end of Reign of Blood Thor was fed up with both the gods and humanity. He rode off on Sleipnir to terrorize the nine worlds in his rage. This one picks up right where that one left off. No sign of Sleipnir, but Thor is laying waste to the nine worlds. He has flooded Midgard, laid waste to Jotenheim, struck across Stvialheim, and even spit in Mimir's well all in an attempt to provoke Odin into a direct confrontation.

Odin finally decides to do something and order Brunhilda of the Valkyries to subdue Thor's tantrum. Brunhilda finds the thunder god in Nifhelheim killing the dead. She decides to shatter him in direct combat. So, Thor and her battle while at the same time battling the hordes of dead. It is fairly even until they discover the mountain they are fighting on is actually a storm giant. Remember those giants back in Ages of Thunder and Reign of Blood? Well, this one makes them look tiny by comparison. It proves too much for Thor and Brunhilda, but the timely arrival of Balder, the Warriors Three, and other warriors allows them to conquer it. They decide to do a bit of relaxing afterward and get in a brawl with some dwarves due to their loudness since they are in a mead hall in Stvialheim. Brunhilda succeeded in her task and has subdued Thor. Odin, thinking they are still behaving like children, finally decides to get off his royal throne and take matters into his own hand after Thor has already been dealt with.

The second story is the battle between Odin and Thor. Odin rains fire from the sky all across Stvialheim to get Thor's attention accusing him of being a disgrace to the gods for throwing a tantrum and spreading suffering across the nine worlds for no reason. Odin appears before Thor dressed in the Destroyer armor and wielding the Odinsword. When Thor refuses to bow before Odin the fight begins. For those worried Odin might not be shown to his true potential you need not worry. He crushes Thor with ease. Of course, one scene earlier implies that Odin might have messes with Thor's powers before the fight.

Claiming Thor needs to learn humility Odin banishes him to Earth without his memories as a lame healer. This is during some past age so it doesn't interferer with present Thor.

Overall, I think that while it is a solid issue it is the weakest of the trilogy. IIRC, the first two had different artists or at least one different artist whose stye I think fits the tone of the series better. There was nothing wrong with the art of the first story, but I liked the other style better. The second story I think kept the same artist from the first two and I liked it. The battle between Odin and Thor was done well. I even noticed the tear from Odin's eye the second read through and thought that was a nice touch.

Some people might complain about Odin actually wearing the Destroyer armor. I can see two possibilities. One, this is a previous incarnation of the armor that one could actually wear than merely a shell to inhabit. The other option is Odin somehow used his magic to turn it into something he could wear. Either option is acceptable.

The one thing that bugged me about this issue is it was supposed to be about Thor needing to learn a lesson in humility because of his arrogance and Odin finally giving it to him. At the end of the issue I felt Odin needed the lesson just as much if not more than Thor. Thor's primary nemesis is actually Odin who he blames for the strife in his life. Odin was often the cause for the problems Thor had to solve and one could argue that as ruler of Asgard he was at least partly to blame for allowing it to fall into decadence.

I don't think Fraction missed this. He established clearly why Thor hated his father and it was pretty much impossible to miss. Odin accused Thor of causing pointless suffering, but Odin was the one who did not slay the frost giant's daughter who was causing endless winter. Odin accosted the Enchantress leading to he Reign of Blood. Odin is the one who sent a rain of fire across the land of the dwarves just to get his attention. Odin is the one who confronted Thor AFTER he had already stopped his rampage. Part of me wishes for at least a one-shot about someone teaching Odin a lesson in humility. Maybe Marvel will produce one one day.

Overall though it was a great miniseries and I think Fraction really caught the mythical feeling of Thor.

Issue: 9/10

Overall: 9.5/10