Exclusive The Mighty Thor #19 Preview: Asgard Battles The Phoenix Force

05/11/2017 11:32 am EDT

Marvel Comics has provided ComicBook.com with an exclusive preview of The Mighty Thor #19.

The Mighty Thor #19 is the epic conclusion to "The Asgard/Shi'ar War," written by Jason Aaron with art by Russell Dauterman & Matthew Wilson and Valerio Schiti & Mat Lopes.

The Asgard/Shi'ar War began when the Shi'ar gods Sharra and K'ythri, sent Gladiator and the Shi'ar Imperial Guard to Asgard to summon, by force, Thor for a challenge of the Gods.

Believing she had no other choice, Thor agreed to the competition. However, she was unaware that the challenge had been issued after Loki manipulated the gods at Malekith's behest. The competition did not last long to its conclusion. After seeing how petty and cruel the contests were towards the gods' mortal subjects, Thor refused to continue and did battle with the Shi'ar deities.

Meanwhile, Lady Sif was able to convince Thor's uncle, Cul "The Serpent" Borson, the acting ruler of Asgard, that allowing the Shi'ar to take Thor showed weakness on the part of the Asgardians. The ploy worked, and Cul marshaled the might of Asgard to fight back.

Now, with the Asgardians at their door, the Shi'ar rebelling against them, and Thor declared the winner of the challenge, the Shi'ar Gods have done the unthinkable and summoned the Phoenix Force. Kid Gladiator has reached out to his old classmate, Quentin Quire, a future Phoenix Force help, but it may also require the aid of the Odinson, the now unworthy Thor, to stop the Phoenix's destruction.

"Yes, he will have a role," editor Wil Moss told ComicBook.com in a previous interview. "That's something you're going to have to wait and see on. It will be fun when we get there. It's going to sync up nicely with The Unworthy Thor, I can tell you that.

"This war against the Shi'ar will definitely further stir up his feelings of doubt and unworthiness. It becomes more fuel for the fire. He's going to be learning things in The Unworthy Thor series that won't change his perspective but will inform his perspective further. It will continue to be something that he and Jason explore."

The Mighty Thor #19 goes on sale in comic book stores and through digital comics apps on May 17, 2017. Check out the preview pages in the gallery below.

The Mighty Thor #19
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(W) Jason Aaron (A) Valerio Schiti (A/CA) Russell Dauterman

• THE "ASGARD/SHI'AR WAR" COMES TO A FIERY CONCLUSION!
• The gods of the Shi'ar make their final play against Thor and her allies! With the Phoenix Force unleashed, it's up to Quentin Quire to quell its destructive power...if he feels like it.
• Odinson has returned - but what awaits him in the war-torn Asgardia?
Rated T+

In Shops: May 17, 2017
SRP: $3.99

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