Chapter Summaries

Russell and The Ancient One divided Mephisto’s Hell Energy, with Russell storing his share until he could safely absorb it. Back in New York, Russell told Gwen about the operation and gave Coulson a dismissive answer about S.H.I.E.L.D.

• After the energy transfer finished, The Ancient One gave Russell the remaining two billion units of Hell Energy, and they stored it in The Ancient One’s Secret Stash for later.
• Russell returned to New York and found Gwen visiting the bookstore on the weekend; he told her what had happened in Hell, changing a few details to make himself look better.
• Coulson arrived and asked Russell whether he could report the story to S.H.I.E.L.D.; Russell agreed.
• When Coulson asked about S.H.I.E.L.D.’s role in supernatural incidents, Russell replied in Chinese, “A dragon does not dwell with snakes.”

Russell warned Coulson that Hydra had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. and explained to Gwen that Helen’s soul could be reached through Earth-65’s Hell Dimension. Later, Russell and Gwen discovered that Eileen had become Mage Spider-Man and was training with Daredevil Matt Murdock.

• Russell told Coulson that he was both rejecting S.H.I.E.L.D. and warning it, and said Kamar-Taj sorcerers generally did not interfere in the real world.
• Coulson reported Russell’s warning and the evidence of Hydra’s return to Nick Fury, who wondered whom he could trust and looked toward the Avengers file.
• Russell told Gwen that Helen was not in Mephisto’s Hell and that they could save her if they found the coordinates to Earth-65’s Hell Dimension.
• Eileen said she liked Mage Spider-Man, then left the bookstore; Gwen teased Russell, and they decided to follow Eileen after noticing the unusual wear on her shoes.
• Russell and Gwen watched Eileen meet Daredevil Matt Murdock on a rooftop, where Matt began training her to become a hero.

Russell and Gwen used his Spiritual Energy to stop crimes across New York, then Russell and Matt agreed to work together against The Hand. Russell gave Matt a BB Pager that would bring him help instantly, leaving Matt stunned by how powerful Russell had become.

• Russell and Gwen patrolled New York, stopping crimes and sending offenders to the police while Nick Fury ordered S.H.I.E.L.D. to keep Russell's actions under wraps.
• Russell discovered a drug-processing plant run by The Hand and decided Matt should investigate the organization and its protectors.
• Matt called Russell for help, and Russell opened a Portal to join Matt and Eileen on a rooftop.
• Russell and Matt realized they both wanted to take down The Hand, then agreed that Matt would contact the police and trace the organization's members and backers.
• Russell gave Matt a BB Pager that would summon him instantly if Matt was in danger.

Russell explained his emergency pager to Matt and sent Matt and Eileen home through Portals before telling Gwen the story of his history with Matt. Meanwhile, Odin invited the Ancient One to Thor’s coronation, and the Ancient One decided Russell should accompany him.

• Russell explained that Matt’s BB Pager could summon him if Matt pressed it, then sent Eileen home after refusing to teach her sorcery.
• Matt asked Russell what becoming a god meant, then passed through a Portal home and reflected that Russell followed different rules from his own.
• Russell took Gwen to watch the sunset and began recounting his story with Matt as the Ancient One listened nearby.
• Odin ordered an invitation sent to the Ancient One for Thor’s coronation and summoned Thor and Loki, worrying that none of his children could secure Asgard’s future.
• The Ancient One accepted the invitation and decided to bring Russell, but Russell ignored the mental connection announcing his teacher’s arrival.

The Ancient One invited Russell to Thor Odinson’s coronation, warning that Odin’s death and trouble at the ceremony were approaching. Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. reviewed the Mephisto incident without Russell and concluded that Hydra had resurfaced within the agency.

• The Ancient One invited Russell to Asgard for Thor Odinson’s coronation and explained that Odin’s body was failing and his own mission was nearing its end.
• The Ancient One warned Russell that someone might disrupt the coronation and asked him to display Kamar-Taj’s strength and spend the next few days among its mages.
• Tony joined the Avengers as a special S.H.I.E.L.D. consultant after agreeing to nourish his loved ones’ souls with Spiritual Energy.
• Nick Fury, Coulson, Hill, and the Avengers reviewed the Mephisto incident, but Russell was unreachable because his ordinary phone had no signal.
• Coulson reported that Hydra had likely leaked information leading to Hope’s attack and covered up Tony’s parents’ deaths, probably through the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes.

Russell struggled to teach Kamar-Taj’s mages because his way of casting spells differed from theirs, but Gwen quickly learned to open a Portal. He realized that forming his Supreme Mage Corps would require choosing different students.

• Russell taught Kamar-Taj’s mages to cast Portals and the Rings of Raggadorr by focusing on energy and intent, frustrating Mordo.
• Gwen asked Russell to teach her magic, and he showed her how to use a Sling Ring.
• Gwen successfully opened a Portal but found she could reach the bookstore, not George’s home on Earth-65.
• The Ancient One explained that Gwen could study magic with another Ancient One and led her away to learn its writing and language.
• Russell realized his copying-based casting method differed from the mages’ incantation-based methods, so he decided to revise his candidates for the Supreme Mage Corps.

Russell went to Sokovia to find Wanda and discovered that Hydra was hunting her and Pietro. He rescued the twins and took them into the Mirror Dimension, leaving them eager to learn magic.

• Russell decided to seek out Wanda in Sokovia, hoping to train her in magic before she awakened her Chaos Magic.
• Russell sensed Wanda and Pietro while Hydra agents pursued them, and he stepped through a Portal to intervene.
• Russell stopped the soldiers’ bullets and buried the Hydra squad beneath the ground with a spell.
• Russell asked Wanda and Pietro if they wanted to learn magic, and they agreed.
• Russell enveloped the twins in the Mirror Dimension and carried them through the Multiverse to inspire their interest in magic.

Russell brought Wanda and Pietro to Kamar-Taj and recommended them for training, while Master Ancient One recognized Wanda’s connection to Chthon. The twins became Master Ancient One’s disciples and learned that Russell was the next Sorcerer Supreme.

• Russell brought Wanda and Pietro through a Portal to Kamar-Taj after they asked him to teach them.
• Master Ancient One recognized Wanda’s Chaos Magic and questioned Russell about bringing her to Kamar-Taj.
• Russell recommended Wanda and Pietro for admission, and the siblings agreed to study under Master Ancient One.
• Master Ancient One accepted Wanda and Pietro as his disciples, while Russell left disappointed that he would not be their teacher.
• Master Ancient One told the twins that Russell was the next Sorcerer Supreme and encouraged them to become powerful mages.

The Ancient One and Russell attended Thor’s coronation in Asgard, but Frost Giants interrupted the ceremony before Odin could declare him king. They remained in Asgard afterward, where Russell grew bored and decided to explore while The Ancient One went to speak with Queen Frigga.

• The Ancient One and Russell arrived in Asgard and were welcomed by Odin, who sensed danger from Russell.
• Thor entered the palace to begin his coronation, and Odin asked him to swear to defend the Nine Realms and uphold peace.
• Frost Giants invaded during the ceremony, interrupting Thor’s coronation as they attempted to steal the Casket of Ancient Winters.
• The Ancient One and Russell stayed in Asgard, and The Ancient One said her instincts told her the matter would not go smoothly.
• The Ancient One left to speak with Queen Frigga, while Russell decided to explore Asgard and put any purchases on her tab.

Russell joined an Asgardian banquet, demonstrated his magic, and drank Thor and his companions under the table. As Loki reconsidered his scheme to provoke Thor into attacking Jotunheim, he began thinking about recruiting Russell, who secretly overheard him.

• Russell attended an Asgardian banquet and used Images of Ikonn to surprise a curious child with a duplicate of himself.
• Russell drank more than a hundred Asgardian warriors under the table before Thor, Loki, Sif, and the Warriors Three joined him.
• Sif and the Warriors Three toasted Thor repeatedly to keep him drinking and delay his planned attack on Jotunheim.
• Loki realized his plan to have Thor attack Jotunheim and later be rescued by Odin had stalled because Russell could outdrink Thor.
• Loki asked whether Russell came from Midgard, then considered recruiting him to support his claim to the throne.
• Russell listened in on Loki's thoughts and learned that Loki was considering recruiting him.

Russell lifted Mjolnir after matching its enchantment, and Odin learned of the feat as he worried that Ragnarok was approaching. Thor woke the next morning, retrieved his hammer, and set out to investigate the Frost Giants’ attack on Asgard.

• Russell ended the feast after Thor and the Warriors Three drank themselves unconscious, then effortlessly lifted Mjolnir in front of Sif.
• Odin learned that Russell had lifted Mjolnir and concluded that he was a virtuous ally who could help Asgard face its coming calamity.
• Thor woke in his chambers, summoned Mjolnir, and assumed Russell had brought it back while drunk.
• Thor flew off to find Loki, Sif, and the Warriors Three so they could investigate how the Frost Giants had invaded Asgard.

Thor led Loki, Sif, and the Warriors Three to Jotunheim to confront Laufey about the Frost Giants’ attack on Asgard’s treasury. Thor’s assault on Laufey started a battle against the Frost Giants, while Frigga foresaw the Asgardians’ peril and The Ancient One called on Russell to intervene.

• Thor and his companions crossed the Bifrost to Jotunheim despite Heimdall’s suspicions, and Loki realized he had forgotten to notify Odin’s guards.
• Thor confronted Laufey, who insulted Odin and provoked Thor as the Asgardians faced a vastly larger Frost Giant force.
• Loki persuaded Thor to leave, but Laufey mocked him, prompting Thor to strike the Frost Giant King and start a battle.
• Heimdall watched the battle from the Bifrost and considered reporting it to the God King.
• Frigga foresaw the Warriors Three dying and Sif, Loki, and Thor being overwhelmed in Jotunheim, so The Ancient One called Russell to help.

The Ancient One persuaded Odin to let Russell rescue Thor in Jotunheim, presenting the mission as a chance for the future Sorcerer Supreme to prove himself. As Thor and his companions were trapped by Frost Giants, Fandral was killed, and Thor lost control.

• The Ancient One chose the Frost Giants as a target for Russell and accompanied Frigga to tell Odin that Thor and the others needed rescuing.
• Odin agreed to let Russell go to Jotunheim after the Ancient One vouched for his strength, and Heimdall let Russell pass through the Bifrost.
• Thor led his companions through the Frost Giants, but the group was driven to a cliff with Frost Beasts blocking their path and the Bifrost unavailable.
• A crack in the glacier scattered the Asgardians, and Volstagg shielded the badly wounded Fandral from a blade that pierced his heart.
• Thor watched Fandral die and completely lost control.

Russell arrived in Jotunheim as Thor and his surviving companions faced defeat, then overwhelmed the Frost Giant forces and challenged Laufey. He left the battle poised to strike the Frost Giant King after refusing to let the conflict end with a temporary retreat.

• Thor fought off the Frost Giant Warriors but retreated with Sif and Hogun, learned Loki was missing, and refused to abandon his companions.
• Russell arrived by the Bifrost, announced that he would end the war, and froze an attacking Frost Beast by draining its energy.
• Russell used his Spiritual Energy to incapacitate nearly all the Frost Giant Warriors nearby, while Loki emerged from his disguise and moved to shield him.
• Laufey allowed Thor and the others to leave and threatened future war, but Russell demanded that the Frost Giants end the conflict.
• Laufey attacked Russell with an Ice Greatsword, which cracked against Russell unharmed, and Russell answered with a Divine Power-fueled punch to Laufey’s chest.

Russell defeated Frost Giant King Laufey and used ten stars’ radiation to melt Jotunheim’s ice, forcing the Frost Giants to submit. Laufey requested a truce, leaving the conflict settled on Russell’s terms.

• Russell struck Laufey with a powerful punch, severely injuring him but leaving him alive.
• Laufey declared that the Frost Giants would never submit and asked Russell for his name.
• Russell opened Portals to a star and redirected its radiation onto Jotunheim.
• Russell opened nine more Portals, and ten suns heated Jotunheim until its ice began melting and the Frost Giants fled into caves.
• Laufey attacked Russell without effect, then lowered his head and requested a truce on behalf of the Frost Giants.

After Russell forced Laufey to surrender, he returned to Asgard with Thor’s injured companions and used an imitation Time Stone to preserve Volstagg until he could be treated. Odin then reprimanded Thor for rushing into war and showed him how Russell had restrained his power rather than destroy Jotunheim.

• Odin ordered Heimdall to open the Bifrost after Laufey surrendered, while Thor and the others waited for Russell’s decision.
• Russell froze time around Volstagg with an imitation Time Stone, preserving him until Asgardian healers could treat his injuries.
• Russell and the others returned to Asgard, where Frigga thanked him and offered a triumphal celebration and an exchange between Asgard and Kamar-Taj.
• Odin confronted Thor about endangering his friends and failing to prepare before leading them into Jotunheim.
• Odin showed Thor that Russell could have unleashed ten Bifrost-level attacks on Jotunheim but had deliberately dispersed the energy to spare the planet.

After Russell’s actions in Jotunheim preserved peace, Odin prepared a celebration in his honor and privately revealed Loki’s Frost Giant origins. Loki confronted Odin about his identity and years of favoritism, while the chapter ended with the claim that Russell’s arrival would change Asgard’s prejudice against mages.

• Odin reminded Thor that a king needed strength and wisdom, then told Thor and Loki to attend a triumphal celebration for Russell.
• Loki led Thor away using an illusion, then appeared before Odin and asked whether he was cursed and who he really was.
• Odin confessed that Loki was Laufey’s son, whom he had taken from Jotunheim in hopes of uniting the two races.
• Loki accused Odin of hiding his identity and favoring Thor, while Odin admitted he had sometimes been partial and said he had always loved Loki as his son.
• Loki pointed out that Odin had judged him and Thor by physical contests rather than intelligence or magic, and the narration said Russell’s arrival would end Asgardians’ prejudice against mages.

Asgardians spread increasingly extravagant stories about Russell’s victory over Laufey and the Frost Giants. After the crowd dispersed, the Bard addressed Loki and suggested investigating Kamar-Taj.

• Asgardian guests and guards discussed rumors that Russell had defeated Laufey with a single move, while some speculated that Laufey had been weakened since losing the Casket of Ancient Winters.
• A Bard claimed Russell had knocked Laufey thousands of meters with one punch and rendered more than ten thousand Frost Giant Warriors unconscious with a spell.
• The Bard explained that Russell came from Kamar-Taj, then told the crowd that he had opened ten Portals to draw heat and light from ten stars and scorch Jotunheim until Laufey surrendered.
• The Bard added that Russell had frozen a mountain-sized Frost Beast, and the Asgardians gradually left after he ran out of new stories.
• The Bard revealed that Loki had remained and asked him whether he would investigate Kamar-Taj.

Russell revealed himself to Loki and invited him to study at Kamar-Taj, where Loki hoped to gain magical power and respect. Meanwhile, Odin and Frigga discussed Loki learning he was a Frost Giant and wanting the throne, with Frigga urging Odin to give him a chance.

• Russell revealed that he had been disguised as the Bard and invited Loki to visit Kamar-Taj.
• Russell spoke with Loki at his palace, and the two shared their feelings of isolation and lack of belonging.
• Loki accepted Russell's invitation, hoping to gain magical strength and build ties with Kamar-Taj.
• Odin told Frigga that Loki had learned his origins and wanted to become King of Asgard, but that he could not be allowed to compete for the throne.
• Frigga urged Odin to give Loki a chance to prove himself, and Odin recognized that she might have glimpsed part of the future.

Odin planned to give Loki a fair opportunity by sending him and Thor as envoys to Kamar-Taj, while Asgard celebrated Russell’s victory over Laufey and hailed him as a hero. On Earth, Matt decided to investigate The Hand’s forces in Japan himself, carrying Russell’s pager in case he needed help.

• Odin refused to reconsider Thor’s succession but decided to give Loki an opportunity by sending him and Thor to Kamar-Taj as envoys.
• Asgard’s royal family announced a celebration of reconciliation with Jotunheim and revealed a polished account of the victory over Laufey.
• Asgardians cheered Russell and Thor, while Loki envied their recognition and Russell worried about Loki’s unstable state of mind.
• Russell joined Loki, Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three at the celebration and declined Thor’s invitation to drink mead.
• Matt told Eileen that he planned to travel to Japan to investigate The Hand’s forces and showed her the BB Pager Russell had made for him.