One million years ago, a looming threat brought the first Avengers together, including a younger Odin and the mighty hammer Mjolnir, which his son made famous. Of course, fans might wonder how Odin could foist the mighty mallet long before Thor was born.

Recently, Mjolnir received a new origin story in The Mighty Thor #12. According to the current legend, Odin battles a brutal cosmic God Storm to a standstill, confining it inside a hammer forged from the dense, dwarven metal, uru. Finding it too chaotic, he locks the hammer inside his armory, even warning a young Thor against messing with it (naturally, Thor ignored his command). Apparently, the Asgardian king didn't take his own advice, either. As Legacy #1 and Mighty Thor writer Jason Aaron confirmed, he's indeed hoisting the iconic hammer, albeit in a somewhat cumbersome manner.

The 50-page standalone issue of Legacy kicks off the publisher’s soft reboot this fall. Aside from exploring the first superhero team-up in the Marvel Universe, it will also explain the rationale for such a mighty collaboration. Aaron gives readers a major clue, though noting (via CBR) that the prehistoric champions will face:

“something very big. Buried deep in the earth. Something that’s the key to understanding where we’re going next. And where it all started.”

[vn_gallery name="Marvel Legacy #1 Character Promos" id="1029366"]

In response to the threat, Odin will don an imposing getup, as beautifully rendered by Mike Deodato Jr. The million-years-younger Asgardian also sports a war helmet like Thor’s and brandishes the familiar hammer. While digging into Marvel's ancient history, Aaron and illustrator Esad Ribic (Secret Wars) will hopefully explain Odin's involvement in the conflict, as well as his reason for digging out the uncooperative hammer.

For the most part, Odin stayed out of other realms' affairs, only stepping in when grave dangers threatened the Nine Realms (such as his fight with the God Storm). Whatever lies beneath the planet clearly represents a major menace, hence the presence of Asgard's ruler. In fact, the risk is great enough to bring together the cosmos's mightiest warriors, such as Phoenix and Starbrand, with Earth's greatest ancient defenders, Iron Fist, Black Panther, Ghost Rider, and the first Sorcerer Supreme (Agamotto).

As Aaron states, the events from Legacy #1 will inform Marvel’s efforts moving forward. It should prove a curious entry point for those new to the Marvel Universe, while providing a fascinating, if a touch revisionist, history lesson for old school fans. 

Next: Marvel Quests for Fire With the X-Men’s Prehistoric Phoenix

Marvel Legacy #1 hits the shelves on September 27, 2017.

Source: CBR, Jason Aaron