Chapter Summaries

Su Ming explained that the living branch was grown from Yggdrasil in the next cycle and used it with cosmic energy to locate Odin's Gungnir. The branch pointed toward a destination, and the group prepared to follow it.

• Su Ming traded Cosmo luncheon meat for the branch Odin had left as a tracker.
• Su Ming brought Daisy, Jean, and Cosmo to Neptune XIV and offered Daisy the chance to claim scientific discoveries about its moons.
• Su Ming explained that the branch had grown from Odin's longship after Odin's death, making it a living piece of future Yggdrasil.
• Su Ming reasoned that Odin needed a living branch, not dead Yggdrasil wood, and identified it as a compass linked to Gungnir.
• Su Ming channeled cosmic energy into the branch, whose leaves pointed toward Gungnir and pulled taut in that direction.

Odin held off a Doppler monster in Universe-712 until Deathstroke arrived as reinforcements. The monster revealed itself as Bragi, whose history with Odin exposed the old wrong that had led to his death.

• Odin secretly signaled for help while fighting the monster, and Deathstroke caught him and carried him safely to the ground.
• Odin and Deathstroke recognized that the monster had lured Odin into the ruins to kill the allies who came searching for him.
• Deathstroke deduced that the monster’s scheme served The Serpent and that the Gods in the Shadows had helped escalate the crisis.
• The monster transformed into Bragi, and Odin identified him as the Vanir God of Poetry.
• Deathstroke recalled that Odin had taken Bragi’s wife Idunn and sent Bragi on a journey from which he never returned.

Su Ming and Odin confronted the shapeshifting enemy, which Su Ming identified as Mangog, an immortal being formed from hatred. Su Ming attacked it with melta bombs and then clashed with it at close range as Odin watched from a distance.

• Su Ming questioned Odin about the ex-husband seeking revenge, and Odin admitted that he had once killed the Hawk's lover, a snake.
• The Doppler interrupted their conversation, and Su Ming severed its head, but it regenerated and transformed into a Frost Giant.
• Odin identified the Frost Giant as Laufey's father, whom he had killed, and Su Ming revealed that the enemy was Mangog.
• Mangog assumed its monstrous true form and roared at Su Ming, who threw melta bombs into its mouth and set its insides ablaze.
• Mangog charged, and Su Ming fought it with Godslayer as their blows shattered the ruins of Yggdrasil; Odin led the others away and watched.

Su Ming used Strangle and his martial arts to overwhelm Mangog with a close-range counterattack, while Odin watched and reflected on Deathstroke’s skill. Daisy spoke with Odin about Thor and Loki and the value of making friends, as the battle continued.

• Su Ming redirected Mangog’s punch, restrained it with Strangle, and battered its chest before kicking it away.
• Su Ming and Strangle joked about using a fire-element hammer against Mangog and planned to seek Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros.
• Daisy asked Odin whether they were going to win, and Odin recognized how carefully Deathstroke had identified Mangog’s weaknesses.
• Odin turned a branch of Yggdrasil into a stool and spoke with Daisy about Thor and Loki’s old reluctance to make friends.
• Daisy repeated Deathstroke’s advice to make friends who could help against a stronger enemy, and Odin praised Deathstroke’s wisdom.

Su Ming and Mangog fought until Su Ming called on the Phoenix Force, which destroyed the hatred-born creature. Afterward, Su Ming, Odin, and the others prepared to return, while Odin reflected on the past and his concerns about Thor and Tyr.

• Su Ming fought Mangog, judged that its attacks had become repetitive, and called on Phoenix to finish it.
• The Phoenix Force took control of Jean Grey and consumed Mangog in flames until it dissolved into black powder.
• Odin admired the Phoenix Force, and Su Ming discussed Odin's past battle against the Celestials and his old tactics.
• Odin said he feared he had little time left and asked whether Tyr was with the others; Su Ming confirmed Tyr remained half-dead and noted Mangog had tried to imitate him.
• Su Ming opened the Safe Exit, and he beckoned Jean Grey to join the group as they prepared to return to their world.

Su Ming returned Odin to Asgard and discussed Hela’s plan to become All-Father, along with Odin’s other sons and the prophecy of Ragnarök. Odin accepted his coming retirement, asked Su Ming to summon Hela, and planned to move to Midgard.

• Ambush Bug harassed Odin with personal questions until Odin fled the interview, and Su Ming left with Daisy, Jean, and Cosmo.
• Su Ming followed Odin to the Golden Palace gardens and asked to discuss payment for his help.
• Odin revealed that he knew Hela wanted the throne and that Su Ming had sent Thor and Loki away to prepare for her succession.
• Su Ming told Odin about Vidar, Hermod, and Baldr, and explained how the prophecy left Thor or Baldr as possible sacrifices.
• Odin accepted that he would retire, asked Su Ming to summon Hela, and said he planned to live on Midgard.

Hela and Su Ming watched the sunrise over Asgard as she enjoyed a rare moment of peace and prepared to strengthen her forces for the threats ahead. The chapter ended with Hela asking Su Ming to share the sunrise with her rather than discuss their plans.

• Hela and Deathstroke watched the sun rise over the sea while Jean and Daisy played with Cosmo nearby.
• Hela told Su Ming that seeing the peaceful sunrise made her happy, and he warned that Asgard still faced destruction if her forces could not stop the coming threats.
• Hela and Su Ming discussed why he had chosen her as Asgard’s All-Father and whether the future would follow the same course as the story.
• Su Ming gave Hela an imitation Black Lantern Ring and told her to use it to enslave undead and build her strength.
• Su Ming said Satana would bargain with Hela for souls and offered to arrange future harvests from wars on other Earths, but Hela asked him to watch the sunrise with her.

Several days after Hela took the throne of Asgard, Su Ming visited Odin in his quiet island retirement and discussed their plan for the succession and Ragnarök. Odin accepted that his life was nearing its end, while Su Ming arranged an airdrop of tuna for dinner.

• Su Ming offered to find Odin a place at a sanatorium, but Odin declined and chose to remain in Norway.
• Odin said he had surrendered the throne to Hela because Asgard needed a strong and wise ruler, and he wanted to avoid Su Ming's backup plan involving Phoenix.
• Su Ming explained that Hela might tire of ruling and pass the throne to Loki, who might then hand it to Thor after proving himself.
• Su Ming and Odin discussed Odin's approaching death and the need for his family to cooperate to stop Ragnarök.
• When Odin asked whether they would eat fish, Su Ming called for an airdrop of bluefin tuna.

Deadpool returned from an apocalyptic world with viruses and antidotes for Su Ming, who paid him and arranged more missions to recruit survivors for his deal with the Emperor. After Deadpool vanished, Kaecilius’s Alien died from disgust, leaving the laboratory to be disinfected.

• Deadpool returned beside Su Ming and complained about his ordeal before taking five hundred dollars.
• Kaecilius showed Su Ming and Deadpool the Alien he had created, and Deadpool joked about it before handing over viruses and antidotes for payment.
• Su Ming learned Deadpool had stayed to help survivors and agreed to send him to more apocalyptic worlds to recruit people for the Emperor’s deal.
• Su Ming warned Deadpool that his normal-Timeline counterpart was about to become Deadpool, and Deadpool accepted another deposit before teleporting away.
• Kaecilius prepared to disinfect the laboratory after the Alien vomited out its organs and died.

Su Ming visited Daisy at the cake shop where she worked, but Caroline mistook his visit for a romantic reunion and teased Daisy about him. Daisy denied Caroline’s assumptions, then hurried to borrow makeup after learning Su Ming was waiting outside.

• Su Ming inspected his renovated planet and discussed preparations for the Origin Court’s possible arrival with Brainiac 21.
• Su Ming returned to 40K Earth and went to Maximum Cake to see Daisy, who was working on a paper about Triton.
• Caroline recognized Su Ming as wealthy and questioned why he wanted to see Daisy.
• Caroline told Daisy that Su Ming had admitted to being her lover, but Daisy denied that they were dating.
• Daisy realized Su Ming was outside, asked Caroline for makeup, and began rummaging through her bag.

Su Ming took Daisy shopping at Wilson Department Store as thanks for her help and arranged for Sun Spider to guide her. He then visited Efferal, who was adjusting to life on Earth, and discussed her research and plans for Mars.

• Su Ming told Daisy he was rewarding her for helping him, and she agreed to shop as long as she could bring gifts for Caroline and her teacher.
• Su Ming sent Daisy around Wilson Department Store with Sun Spider while he considered how to steer her toward becoming a Superhero rather than a Vigilante.
• Su Ming visited Efferal at her apartment and found her watching television and missing combat.
• Su Ming discussed Efferal's work on Necron technology, STCs, and communications research for Sepulk.
• Su Ming said Earth would remain a tourist planet and that he planned to turn Mars into a Forge World after completing the Blackstone Fortress.

Su Ming took Daisy to Hell's Kitchen for a nighttime patrol lesson, where he explained the gangs and criminal schemes surrounding them. As two armed groups began fighting below, Daisy chose to observe before acting.

• Daisy finished shopping with the Russian girls, and Su Ming gave her a Wilson's Chain Fast Food membership card before taking her to dinner.
• Su Ming brought Daisy to a rooftop in Hell's Kitchen and taught her that patrols were part of being a superhero.
• Daisy recognized the West Goth Bikers below, and Su Ming explained the meanings of biker patches and the neighborhood's criminal culture.
• An armed Black gang approached the bikers' occupied basketball court, and Su Ming explained how gangs extorted talented young players.
• As the two gangs exchanged gunfire, Daisy said she would watch first, and Su Ming smiled approvingly.

Su Ming and Deathstroke showed Daisy how Punisher handled a gang shootout with ruthless violence, leaving her uncertain whether he was a hero or a criminal. Deathstroke advised Daisy to ignore the law and befriend him, and she was left wrestling with what to do.

• Su Ming and Daisy watched Bikers and a Black crew exchange ineffective gunfire in Hell's Kitchen.
• Punisher appeared with an RPG and killed people from both gangs, then continued shooting and throwing grenades at the survivors.
• Deathstroke explained that Punisher acted without regard for whether his targets were good or bad, and said he had likely left Xavier's School after Wolverine brought him there for treatment.
• Daisy questioned whether she should arrest Punisher, but Deathstroke warned that arresting or killing him would create further problems.
• Deathstroke suggested Daisy stop worrying about the law and become friends with Punisher.

Su Ming taught Daisy to avoid blindly meddling in others’ affairs, then demonstrated his strength by capturing Daredevil and injuring Elektra. He approached the trapped pair with Godslayer as Daisy watched.

• Su Ming argued that Daisy should choose for herself when to help people, and used Captain America’s wartime actions to challenge her assumptions.
• Su Ming greeted the Punisher, who lowered his weapon after hearing about his connection to Nick Fury, then left for Margaret Sisters Bar.
• Su Ming warned Daisy that the Punisher could exploit her attachments to friends and teachers, prompting her to consider learning combat skills.
• Daredevil attacked Su Ming, but Strangle trapped him in a tendril net while Su Ming caught Elektra’s dagger and threw her to the ground.
• Su Ming mocked Elektra and knocked her into Daredevil, who checked on her as Su Ming drew Godslayer and approached them.

Su Ming spared Daredevil and Elektra after Daisy pleaded for them, then took her to Margaret's Bar to meet his cousin and observe an agent from Canada's Department K. The chapter ended with Su Ming identifying the two men as Wade and a Department K operative, who seemed to be offering Wade a job.

• Daisy persuaded Su Ming not to kill Daredevil and Elektra, and he had Cloak teleport them away to Madagascar.
• Su Ming repaired the collapsed apartment building, then told Daisy about Punisher as they headed toward Margaret's Bar.
• Su Ming brought Daisy into Margaret's Bar and explained that the women selling drinks were prostitutes.
• Su Ming pointed out Wade and a balding agent from Canada's Department K Special Operations Division, who appeared to be discussing a job with Wade.

Wade considered a job to recover a stolen pony, but a huge masked mercenary cut in and challenged him over the contract. The chapter left Wade facing the man’s grenade launcher after trying to intimidate him with a tiny pistol.

• Wade drank at the Margaret Sisters Bar and reflected on his mercenary work and the eccentric people around him.
• A balding client offered Wade ten thousand dollars to retrieve his boss’s stolen pony, and Wade reviewed the contract and his favorable ratings.
• A huge masked mercenary snatched the contracts and claimed the job for himself.
• Wade confronted the masked man with a tiny pistol, but the man placed an M40 Grenade Launcher on the bar, making Wade swallow nervously.

Su Ming and Daisy watched Wade outwit a rival Mercenary and secure a contract to rescue his employer’s thirty-seventh concubine, Little Horse. Wade signed the deal after negotiating a small increase, then asked for a deposit and warned that the heavy woman would need a helicopter for transport.

• Su Ming explained to Daisy that Thor and Loki had stayed with Wade in a rented basement, and suggested Earth’s importance was why Odin and his sons had come there.
• Wade distracted the Mexican Mercenary by pretending Deathstroke had appeared behind him, then incapacitated him and took the contract and his weapons.
• Wade demanded a higher payment from the bald middle-aged man, who offered an extra twenty dollars and reimbursement for the cleanup fee.
• Wade accepted the offer, signed the contract, and learned that the employer’s thirty-seventh concubine, Little Horse, had reportedly been kidnapped to Africa.
• Wade requested a thirty percent deposit and said the 260-pound Little Horse would need a helicopter to carry her.

Su Ming and Daisy followed Coulson as he confronted Michaud, a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent now working for Canada, about his mission and a strange creature in Hell's Kitchen. Michaud left for the embassy after warning Coulson not to target New York's Mutants, while S.H.I.E.L.D. dropped its attempt to capture the Punisher.

• Su Ming recognized Michaud arriving in a red sports car and followed him and Coulson with Daisy.
• Coulson confronted Michaud about his Canadian assignment and threatened him under a sniper's laser sight.
• Coulson questioned Michaud about a yellow, square creature that had attacked two gangs, but Michaud denied seeing it and pointed him toward the Punisher.
• Coulson received Fury's order to abandon the mission after Michaud described a man in a skull shirt.
• Michaud warned Coulson not to touch New York's Mutants, then disappeared into an alley as Coulson and Black Widow drove away.

Wade cycled through mercenary jobs arranged by Agent Michaud, spending each payment quickly while Su Ming and Efferal secretly watched him. Su Ming decided to let Wade’s origin story unfold without interference and took Efferal to Dubai.

• Wade found the chubby girl in Africa, delivered her to his client, and spent his payment at the bar before asking Weasel for another job.
• Agent Michaud hired Wade to steal a golden mask in Brazil, and Wade returned two months later with the mask and spent his earnings.
• Wade accepted a higher-paying job to rob jewelry in Southeast Asia but turned down Michaud’s offer of a long-term contract.
• Su Ming and Hermione listened to Wade and Michaud through Extendable Ears, then left for the London Sanctum.
• Su Ming and Efferal spied on Wade and concluded that his jobs were designed to control his operations and spending.
• Su Ming chose not to interfere with Wade’s origin story and invited Efferal to lunch in Dubai.

Wade fell in love with Vanessa, built a life with her, and then learned that cancer had spread throughout his body. A doctor offered him $300,000 for his corpse, and Wade considered signing so Vanessa would be provided for after his death.

• Wade met Vanessa at Margaret's Bar, and they fell in love at first sight.
• Wade and Vanessa moved in together, and Vanessa quit working at the bar while Wade earned money as a mercenary.
• After vomiting blood, Wade secretly went to New York Central Charity Hospital for an examination.
• A doctor told Wade that cancer had spread throughout nearly his entire body and that he could die at any moment.
• The doctor offered Wade $300,000 for his corpse, and Wade considered the offer to leave money for Vanessa.