Chapter Summaries

Sean arrived in New Mexico and learned that Thor had been stripped of his power and was trying to reclaim Mjolnir, while Harry wanted to help Jane Foster recover her research from S.H.I.E.L.D. Thor reached the hammer but could not lift it, and Coulson ordered the agents to take him away as Odin watched from Asgard.

• Sean arrived in Santa Fe, where Harry explained that Thor had caused trouble and that S.H.I.E.L.D. had taken Jane Foster's equipment and research data.
• Harry admitted that he had promised Daisy he would help retrieve the stolen materials, and Sean became curious about Thor.
• Thor and Jane reached the fortified crater where Mjolnir lay, and Thor promised to recover Jane's property after reclaiming his hammer.
• S.H.I.E.L.D. detected unusual magnetic fluctuations as Thor broke through the agents' perimeter and reached Mjolnir.
• Thor could not lift the hammer and collapsed in despair, so Coulson ordered Hawkeye to stand down and had the agents take Thor away.

Sean anticipated meeting Thor while Jane and her companions arranged to rescue him from S.H.I.E.L.D. Loki visited Thor in custody, lied that Odin was dead, and claimed Thor could never return to Asgard; Coulson then released Thor under the name Dr. Donald Blake, where Harry greeted him.

• Sean expected Thor's arrival to reveal information about Asgard and the other civilizations of the Nine Realms.
• Jane insisted that Thor might truly be an alien, and Daisy said Harry could help secure his release from S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Coulson questioned the silent Thor about his fighting skills, then left the interrogation room.
• Loki appeared to Thor, claimed Odin had died and Thor's exile was permanent, and left after Thor believed him.
• Coulson returned, called Thor Dr. Donald Blake, and escorted him out to Jane and the others, where Harry greeted him.

Sean helped Thor recover the research materials from S.H.I.E.L.D. and listened as Thor explained the Nine Realms and Asgard’s history. He then urged Jane to reveal her discovery and offered her Umbrella’s support, which she accepted.

• Sean and Harry left S.H.I.E.L.D.’s command center with Thor, Jane’s research materials, and Daisy’s iPad after Coulson chose to let them go.
• Thor explained the Nine Realms to the group and described Asgard’s past wars, while Sean listened closely and Jane’s research team remained skeptical.
• Jane worried that S.H.I.E.L.D. would suppress her discovery and that the scientific community would dismiss her findings.
• Sean encouraged Jane to make the truth known and offered her strong support through Umbrella.
• Jane gained confidence and nodded when Sean invited her to join Umbrella.

The Warriors Three and Sif arrived in Old Bridge Town searching for Thor, while S.H.I.E.L.D. investigated the energy anomaly that had brought the Destroyer to Earth. As Thor evacuated townspeople and his friends faced the Destroyer, Sean sent the Sentinel Armor into battle and set out to claim Thor's hammer.

• Fandral, Volstagg, Hogun, and Sif entered Old Bridge Town and asked the townspeople to help them find Thor.
• Coulson investigated an energy signal and discovered the Destroyer, which headed toward town and attacked S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
• Thor reunited with the Warriors Three and Sif, recognized the Destroyer, and told his friends to delay it while he evacuated the townspeople.
• Sean sent Harry to get Daisy and the others to safety, then summoned the Sentinel Armor and ordered Skynet to fight the Destroyer.
• Sean planned to seek Thor's hammer while the Sentinel Armor charged into battle.

As the Destroyer attacked Thor and the Warriors Three, the golden Sentinel Armor intervened and fought the Asgardian weapon. Sean entered S.H.I.E.L.D.'s command center carrying Mjolnir, unleashing its power and drawing Odin into his spiritual world.

• Loki used the Destroyer to attack the Warriors Three and the town while Thor helped evacuate residents.
• Sif struck the Destroyer, but the armor turned to attack her before Thor pulled her from danger.
• The golden Sentinel Armor arrived and battered the Destroyer, while Thor grieved that he could not lift Mjolnir.
• Loki redirected the Destroyer's most powerful beam toward Thor, believing his brother would die.
• Sean entered S.H.I.E.L.D.'s command center with Mjolnir and released a surge of energy that smashed the temporary fortress.
• Odin appeared in Sean's spiritual world as a towering, radiant figure.

Sean resisted Odin and lifted Mjolnir, then gave it to Jane as the Destroyer attacked. Jane wielded the hammer to destroy the armor, ending the battle.

• Sean resisted Odin’s will and told him to deal with his enemies before visiting Asgard.
• Sean probed Mjolnir’s power and lifted the hammer from the meteor crater.
• Laufey interrupted Odin’s arrival as Thor approached the Destroyer and offered his life to Loki.
• Sean saw Jane in the Destroyer’s line of fire and sent Mjolnir to her.
• Jane caught Mjolnir, blocked the Destroyer’s blast, and shattered its armor with a swing.

Mindy struggled to entertain herself while Sean was away, then invited her friend Gali over for a snack-filled party. Meanwhile, Tony celebrated Stark Industries’ energy partnership with Koch Industries and considered joining Nick Fury’s Avengers plan.

• Mindy followed Sean’s notes and limited herself to one box of ice cream and one bag of chips, then called Gali and invited her to visit.
• Tony celebrated Stark Industries’ entry into the energy market through a partnership with Koch Industries and Umbrella.
• Tony and Pepper discussed Sean’s absence in New Mexico and his delay after an accident.
• Tony reflected on joining S.H.I.E.L.D. as Iron Man and liked Nick Fury’s proposed team name, Avengers.

Mystique infiltrated Umbrella’s laboratory disguised as Gwen Stacy but was caught by Caesar and the Red Queen. In Hell’s Kitchen, a despondent Matt Murdock rejected Madame Gao’s offer to work with criminals before Mephisto introduced himself and sought a reliable knight.

• Mystique used Gwen Stacy’s work badge to enter Umbrella’s classified laboratory and requested access to Gene Vault Number Two, but the Red Queen denied her clearance.
• Mystique entered the reference room, where Caesar caught and pinned her after the Red Queen exposed her disguise and ordered him to take her to a basement cell.
• The Red Queen revealed that Mystique had triggered a hidden alarm upon entering the twenty-fourth floor and warned her that Sean Sipes would punish her if she had harmed Gwen.
• Matt Murdock returned to his neglected apartment in Hell’s Kitchen, where Madame Gao offered him a job as an assistant to a powerful employer.
• Matt refused to work with criminals, and Mephisto revealed himself, saying he was looking for a reliable knight.

After Jane lifted Mjolnir and defeated the Destroyer Armor, Sentinel Armor abducted Thor and the hammer. Odin restored Thor’s divine power, and Thor attacked Sentinel Armor to avenge his humiliation.

• Jane stood in the ruins holding Mjolnir, while Thor and the Asgardians struggled to understand how she had lifted it and defeated the Destroyer Armor.
• Sentinel Armor seized Thor and Mjolnir, then taunted Thor as he struggled to escape.
• Odin defeated Laufey, reclaimed the Eternal Scepter, and restored Thor’s divine power, triggering a struggle with Sentinel Armor over Mjolnir.
• Thor broke free, reclaimed Mjolnir, summoned a storm, and charged Sentinel Armor with a lightning attack.

Thor returned to Asgard as Loki used the Casket of Ancient Winters and the Bifrost to attack Jotunheim and seize the throne. Thor stopped Loki by destroying the Bifrost, while Odin saved Thor and Loki fell into the abyss; back in New Mexico, Sean looked forward to the possibility of facing a vast alien army.

• The Sentinel Armor exhausted its power and exploded, after which the Bifrost transported Thor, the Warriors Three, and Sif back to Asgard.
• Odin confronted Loki about his heritage and succession, but Loki froze Odin with the Casket of Ancient Winters and took control of the Bifrost.
• Loki opened the Bifrost passage to Jotunheim, let Frost Giants invade Asgard, and used the energy beam to devastate their homeland.
• Thor returned to Asgard, fought Loki, and tried to stop him from destroying Jotunheim, but Loki rejected his warnings.
• Thor struck the Bifrost with Mjolnir and shattered it; Odin caught Thor as Loki fell into the abyss.
• Sean watched the sky clear over New Mexico and anticipated a future encounter with a vast alien army.

Coulson briefed Fury on the Asgardians, Thor, and the events in New Mexico, while Fury planned to expand S.H.I.E.L.D. and warned that Sean Sipes needed watching. On the flight back to New York, Sean helped Jane plan how to publish her research and reveal the truth about the hammer.

• Coulson told Fury that Asgardians had come to Earth searching for Thor and described the battle involving the Sentry and the Destroyer.
• Coulson reported that Sean had appeared in New Mexico and that Jane had been taken in by Umbrella, prompting Fury to order Dr. Selvig brought in.
• Fury outlined plans to form the Avengers and build a Helicarrier with Tony Stark's support.
• Sean, Harry, Jane, Daisy, and Dr. Selvig flew back to New York after cooperating with S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Sean advised Jane to organize her research, publish a paper with Dr. Connors's help, and use Umbrella to counter anyone who challenged her findings.

Sean considered humanity’s future beyond Earth while managing Umbrella’s work, then visited the Black Zone prison to confront Mystique Raven. He offered to restore Magneto and the Brotherhood’s freedom in exchange for Mystique’s help, leaving her wary of his intentions.

• Sean reflected that the threat of Asgard and the Chitauri could push humanity toward space exploration and set aside his long-term plans to handle immediate concerns.
• Sean visited Caesar in the Black Zone, bringing it pizza and reminding it to guard the area and behave.
• Sean entered the Mutant prison, where the Brotherhood members shouted and provoked him, and ordered the Red Queen to shock them through their collars.
• Sean told Mystique Raven that Charles Xavier had agreed to protect her and Magneto, then offered to restore Magneto and the Brotherhood’s freedom at a price.
• Sean planned for Xavier to build a friendly image for Mutants while Magneto established a hard-line stance, and indicated that Mystique’s ability was valuable to him.

Sean brought Ivan Vanko to Washington to secure military recognition for his weapons expertise, then met General Ross at the Pentagon, where Ross announced his plan to capture Banner in Brazil. Sean supported the operation while privately anticipating a clash between Hulk and Sentry.

• Sean drove to Washington with Yuriko and Ivan Vanko as Umbrella and Osborn Industries' support for Mutants drew protests outside Umbrella's gates.
• Sean urged Ivan to build Iron Armor suits and learn to work with powerful officials so the military would take him seriously beside Tony Stark.
• Sean and Ivan arrived at the Pentagon and met General Ross in the Hall of Heroes.
• General Ross told Sean that his forces had found Banner in Brazil and would try to capture him after an energy weapons symposium.
• General Ross declared that the military could protect the country without Superheroes, while Sean privately looked forward to seeing Sentry fight Hulk.

At Edwards Air Force Base, Sean presented Umbrella’s energy weapons to Department of Defense officials, while Justin Hammer tried to pitch his own products and recruit Umbrella. Ivan’s weapon demonstration impressed the officials and left Hammer coveting its energy core.

• Sean arrived at Edwards Air Force Base with General Ross, Colonel Rhodey, and Department of Defense officials for field testing.
• Justin Hammer offered to cooperate with Umbrella and sought a share of the company, but Sean gave him perfunctory replies.
• Hammer demonstrated his weapons, including the Sidewinder Missile he called “Ex-Wife,” but the officials showed little interest.
• Sean encouraged Ivan to demonstrate Umbrella’s energy weapon, and Ivan pierced a sixty-millimeter steel plate with its beam.
• The Department of Defense officials were impressed by the weapon’s power and cost, while Hammer fixated on its Arc Reactor energy core.

Ivan Vanko’s energy weapon impressed the Department of Defense, and Sean encouraged him to build the platform needed to restore his family’s honor. Back home, Sean caught Mindy neglecting her chores and met Gali, whose hunger drew her toward his life-filled energy.

• The Department of Defense praised Ivan Vanko’s weapon, while Justin Hammer failed to persuade Sean or Ivan to work with him.
• Sean told Ivan that he could restore his family’s honor but still had a long way to go before matching Stark, and Ivan formally acknowledged him as his boss.
• Sean returned home and found Mindy and Gali surrounded by snack wrappers, game discs, and empty soda bottles.
• Sean punished Mindy for her mess and greeted Gali, who sensed his energy and moved closer to him.
• Gali asked Sean if she could kiss him because his energy smelled delicious to her.

Sean discovered that Gali was the daughter of the Planet Eater and let her feed on his energy, while she declared him a suitable spouse. In Hell’s Kitchen, Mephisto restored Matt Murdock’s sight and persuaded him to sign a contract, leaving Matt with demonic power and uncertainty about his choice.

• Mindy watched as Gali told Sean that his scent met her father’s requirements for a spouse.
• Sean sensed Gali’s immense devouring power and realized she was likely the Planet Eater’s daughter, then asked where her father was.
• Gali admitted she had run away, and Sean let her absorb his energy for about ten minutes.
• Mephisto restored Matt Murdock’s sight and offered him power in exchange for signing a contract to serve as his knight.
• Matt signed Mephisto’s contract after considering the evils in Hell’s Kitchen, and Mephisto departed with Madame Gao.
• Matt felt demonic power burning within him and wondered whether he had made the right choice.

Johnny Blaze met Moro, who asked him to find Danny, the child destined to serve as Mephisto’s vessel, in exchange for the Sanctum’s help lifting his curse. Johnny agreed to search for Danny as Moro warned that Mephisto’s plans were already underway.

• Johnny woke from a nightmare about the Spirit of Vengeance and tried to suppress its hunger for sinners.
• Moro entered Johnny’s hideout, identified him as the Ghost Rider, and urged him to help save a child.
• Moro offered the Sanctum’s help lifting Johnny’s curse if he brought Danny to them.
• Moro explained that Danny was Mephisto’s child and the vessel for a rebirth ritual, and that a new Ghost Rider had appeared.
• Johnny accepted the deal and said he would find Danny.

Justin Hammer, furious that Sean Sipes had rejected his offer, decided to use mercenaries to obtain Umbrella’s Arc Reactor. He ordered Fernando Torres to find a discreet team and was introduced to Wade Wilson.

• Justin Hammer brooded over his failed plans to copy Tony Stark’s Iron Armor and secure a Department of Defense contract.
• Hammer decided to pursue Sean Sipes by covert means and summoned his head of security, Fernando Torres.
• Hammer demanded elite mercenaries with no traceable connection to Hammer Industries, despite the difficulty of operating in New York.
• Hammer explained that he wanted Umbrella’s Arc Reactor and was willing to pay any price to get it.
• Fernando recommended Wade Wilson as an excellent mercenary, and Hammer ordered him to act.

Matt Murdock, wearing his demon suit, confronted Rand Corporation president Ramon Phillips and tortured him with hellfire until he died. Matt then turned his attention to James Wesley, the man controlling Hell’s Kitchen’s gangs.

• Ramon Phillips spoke with James Wesley about Rand Corporation’s illegal shipments and business dealings.
• An unknown intruder broke Ramon’s arm and dislocated his jaw before demanding that he confess Hell’s Kitchen’s crimes.
• Matt Murdock revealed himself in his black demon suit and subjected Ramon to visions of the suffering caused by his sins.
• Matt killed Ramon with hellfire and named James Wesley as his next target.

Wesley investigated the deaths of Ramon and other members of his criminal network as Daredevil stormed the Star Ring Building. Empowered by the Spirit of Vengeance, Daredevil slaughtered the guards and located Wesley, who remained confident on the thirty-second floor.

• Wesley recalled that Ramon and several Russian and Hand operatives had died or disappeared, and wondered who was attacking his organization.
• Wesley considered contacting Sean but hesitated because Sean had become far more powerful.
• Daredevil charged into the Star Ring Building, triggering an alarm that drew elite ninjas and guards toward him.
• Daredevil used Hellfire and the Spirit of Vengeance to kill the attackers, whose souls were burned or absorbed.
• Daredevil sensed Wesley on the thirty-second floor and declared that he had found him, while Wesley stayed in his chair, confident.