WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Empyre #6 by Al Ewing, Dan Slott, Valerio Schiti, Marte Gracia, & VC's Joe Caramagna, on sale now.

Marvel’s Empyre was scheduled to be a very broad story that impacted several characters. The original plan included around 50 issues, counting both main plot and tie-ins. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, over one-third of the planned issues were canceled. The remaining plot was still engaging and provided exciting conflict, but many stories were left unfinished after Empyre #6.

Among the affected characters was Thor, whose story would have revolved around his mother, Gaea. He was seen early in the series, but disappeared for what would have been his three-issue arc within Empyre.Unfortunately, Thor’s miniseries was among those cut due to the pandemic. Empyre continued regardless and set a tense scene for the final conflict. Returning in the final issue, Thor had new powers for which the invading Cotati were not prepared.

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While many believe Thor’s mother to be Frigga, Marvel has revealed his mother is actually Gaea, the goddess of Earth. This revelation creates a new appreciation for Thor’s connection to Earth and all he has done to protect it.

In Empyre #6, Marvel’s heroes were spread thin. The Cotati’s invasion of Earth was overpowering and the leaders of the alien race successfully planted the Death Blossom in Wakanda. If the Death Blossom bloomed, then all plant life in the galaxy would be under the control of the Cotati. In response, a Hulkling impostor activated the Pyre, a weapon that could detonate the Earth’s sun. With Mr. Fantastic and Iron Man attending to those larger issues, Earth’s mightiest heroes fought the Cotati warriors.

The Celestial Messiah, Quoi, told the heroes it was a foolish endeavor, as the Cotati are plantlike creatures with strong holds on Earth’s vegetation. Thor entered the frame, enveloped in green lightning, and promptly disagreed. He told Quoi, “…I am the child of this world.” Thor did not say he was ‘a’ child, but ‘the’ child. “I am Thor, the Gaea-son!” He rose above the strong Cotati warriors, scolded them for their arrogance and declared their powers “revoked.” With a massive strike of green lightning, the Cotati began to fall and their control over Earth’s vegetation was no more.

This was a brief entry in Empyre that only covered two pages of the final issue. However, these two pages revealed so much about Thor’s journey with Gaea. First, Thor is no longer just the protector of Earth, but the child of Earth. While his heroic actions have made him welcome on the planet, it was his disgust with the Cotati's invasion that revealed his Earthly pride and heritage.

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Secondly, Thor has received some power upgrades in his time away from the Avengers. The color green is certainly reflective of his connection to Earth, but his strike against the Cotati was not simply lightning. His powers overwhelmed their control of vegetation, implying he has some control over plant life as well. It's unclear how developed these powers are, but Thor seemed capable while using them.

Thor’s adventure with Gaea clearly gave him new powers, but also new pride. Given what happened in Empyre #6, the abandoned arc likely would have represented an awakening for Thor. He came to terms with his heritage and utilized that new understanding to make himself more powerful. It is unknown whether Marvel will revisit the lost tie-ins, present them as a new story, or keep them cancelled. For now, Empyre represents what could have been. The story was engaging, but too many characters were deprived of the chance to grow.

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