Thor (Marvel Comics)

Template:Infobox comics character and title Thor is a fictional character, a superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962) and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby. The mythological Thor had appeared previously in Venus #12-13 (Feb-Apr 1951).

Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character is based on the god Thor of Norse mythology. He has starred in several ongoing series and limited series, and has been a perennial member of the superhero team the Avengers, appearing in each of the four volumes. The character has also appeared in associated Marvel merchandise including animated television series, clothing, toys, trading cards, video games, and movies.

The 2011 film Thor, based on the character and comic, was directed by Kenneth Branagh and starred Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Hemsworth reappears as Thor in The Avengers, and Thor: The Dark World is set for release in 2013. Thor placed 14th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time in 2011.

Publication history

Further information: List of Thor titles

The Marvel Comics superhero Thor debuted in the science fiction/fantasy anthology title Journey into Mystery #83 (cover-date Aug. 1962), created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby. Lee in 2002 described Thor's genesis early in the Marvel pantheon, following the creation of the Hulk:

[H]ow do you make someone stronger than the strongest person? It finally came to me: Don't make him human — make him a god. I decided readers were already pretty familiar with the Greek and Roman gods. It might be fun to delve into the old Norse legends... Besides, I pictured Norse gods looking like Vikings of old, with the flowing beards, horned helmets, and battle clubs.  ...Journey into Mystery needed a shot in the arm, so I picked Thor ... to headline the book. After writing an outline depicting the story and the characters I had in mind, I asked my brother, Larry, to write the script because I didn't have time. ...and it was only natural for me to assign the penciling to Jack Kirby...

Subsequent stories of the 13-page feature "The Mighty Thor" continued to be plotted by Lee, and were variously scripted by Lieber or by Robert Bernstein, working under the pseudonym "R. Berns". Various artists penciled the feature, including Jack Kirby, Joe Sinnott, Don Heck, and Al Hartley. With Journey into Mystery #101 (Feb. 1964), the series began a long and definitive run by writer and co-plotter Lee and penciler and co-plotter Kirby that lasted until the by-then-retitled Thor (also called The Mighty Thor) #179 (Aug. 1970).

The five-page featurette "Tales of Asgard" was added in Journey into Mystery #97 (Oct. 1963), followed by "The Mighty Thor" becoming the dominant cover logo with issue #104 (May 1964). The feature itself expanded to 18 pages in #105, which eliminated the remaining anthological story from each issue; it was reduced to 16 pages five issues later.

Journey into Mystery was retitled Thor (per the indicia, or The Mighty Thor per most covers) with issue #126 (March 1966). "Tales of Asgard" was replaced by a five-page featurette starring the Inhumans from #146–152 (Nov. 1967 – May 1968), after which featurettes were dropped and the Thor stories expanded to Marvel's then-standard 20-page length.

After Kirby left the title, Neal Adams penciled issues #180-181 (Sept.-Oct. 1970). John Buscema then became the regular artist the following issue. Buscema continued to draw the book almost without interruption until #278 (Dec. 1978). Lee stopped scripting soon after Kirby left, and during Buscema's long stint on the book, the stories were mostly written by Gerry Conway, Len Wein, or Roy Thomas. Thomas continued to write the book after Buscema's departure, working much of the time with the artist Keith Pollard; during this period Thomas integrated many elements of traditional Norse mythology into the title, with specific stories translated into comics form. Following Thomas's tenure, Thor had a changing creative team.

Walt Simonson took over both writing and art as of #337 (Nov. 1983). Simonson's run as writer-artist lasted until #367 (May 1986), although he continued to write – and occasionally draw – the book until issue #382 (Aug. 1987). Simonson's run, which introduced the character Beta Ray Bill, was regarded as a popular and critical success.

After Simonson's departure, Marvel's editor-in-chief at the time, Tom DeFalco, became the writer. Working primarily with artist Ron Frenz, DeFalco stayed on the book until #459 (Feb. 1993).

As a consequence of the "Heroes Reborn" crossover story arc of the 1990s, Thor was removed from mainstream Marvel continuity and with other Marvel characters re-imagined in an alternate universe for one year. The Thor title reverted to Journey into Mystery with issue #503 (Nov. 1996), and ran four different, sequential features ("The Lost Gods"; "Master of Kung Fu"; "Black Widow" and "Hannibal King") before ceasing publication with #521 (June 1998).

When the character was returned to the mainstream Marvel Universe, Thor was relaunched with Thor vol. 2, #1 (July 1998). As of issue #36, the title used dual numbering in a tribute to the original Thor series, and the caption box for said issue became #36 / #538 (June 2001). The title ran until issue #85 / #587, dated December 2004. Dan Jurgens wrote the first 79 issues, with Daniel Berman and Michael Avon Oeming completing the series.

The third volume debuted as Thor #1 (Sept. 2007), initially written by J. Michael Straczynski and penciled by Olivier Coipel. Beginning with what would have been vol. 3, #13 (January 2009), the third volume reverted to issue #600, reflecting the total number of published issues from all three volumes. Kieron Gillen took over from Straczynski in Thor #604 with artists Billy Tan, Richard Elson and Dougie Braithwaite, with his final storyline finishing in issue #614. Afterward, Matt Fraction took over Thor in issue #615, after having been announced as starting in Thor #610 and #611.

To coincide with the Thor film, Marvel launched a number of new series starring the character in mid-2010. These included Thor: The Mighty Avenger by Roger Langridge and Chris Samnee, Thor: First Thunder by Bryan J. L. Glass and Tan Eng Huat, Thor: For Asgard by Robert Rodi and Simone Bianchi, and Iron Man/Thor by writing duo Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning.

In April 2011, Thor once again reverted to its original title of Journey into Mystery with issue #622, reuniting writer Gillen and artist Braithwaite in a series of stories starring Thor's adopted brother, Loki. An ongoing series, officially titled The Mighty Thor, kicked off the same month with writer Fraction and artist Coipel. The series is set to end with issue #22 in October 2012.

In November 2012, an ongoing series entitled Thor: God of Thunder by writer Jason Aaron and artist Esad Ribic is scheduled to debut as part of the Marvel NOW! relaunch. Thor is a regular character in Uncanny Avengers (2012), beginning with issue #1.

Fictional character biography

1960s

Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962): the debut of Thor. Cover art by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott.

Thor's father Odin decided his son needed to be taught humility and consequently placed Thor (without memories of godhood) into the body and memories of an existing, partially disabled human medical student, Donald Blake. After becoming a doctor and on vacation in Norway, Blake witnessed the arrival of an alien scouting party. Blake fled into a cave after they heard him and began to pursue him. After discovering Thor's hammer Mjolnir (disguised as a walking stick) and striking it against a rock, he transformed into the thunder god.

Defeating the aliens, Thor shared a double life with his alter ego: treating the ill in a private practice with nurse - and eventual love - Jane Foster and defending humanity from evil. Thor's presence on Earth almost immediately attracted the attention of his adoptive brother and arch-foe Loki; who returned repeatedly to Earth in a bid to destroy Thor. Loki was also responsible for the emergence of three of Thor's principal foes: the Absorbing Man; the Wrecker, and the Destroyer. On one occasion, Loki's tactics were accidentally beneficial - although successful in using an illusion of the Hulk to draw Thor into battle, it resulted in the formation of the superhero team the Avengers, of which Thor was a founding and longstanding member.

Thor's other early foes included the Red Army; Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man; the Radioactive Man; the Lava Man; the Cobra; Mister Hyde; the Enchantress and the Executioner and the Grey Gargoyle.

Falling in love with Jane Foster, Thor disobeyed his father and refused to return to Asgard, an act for which he was punished on several occasions. Thor's natural affinity for Earth was eventually revealed to be due to the fact that he was the son of the Elder Goddess Gaea. Although Thor initially regarded himself as a "superhero" like his teammates in the Avengers, Loki's machinations drew Thor into increasingly epic adventures, such as teaming with father Odin and Asgardian ally Balder against fire demon Surtur and Skagg the Storm Giant, and defeating an increasingly powerful Absorbing Man and proving his innocence in the "Trial of the Gods". This necessitates an extended leave of absence from the Avengers.

Thor also encountered Greek God Hercules, who became a loyal and trustworthy friend. Thor also saved Hercules from fellow Olympian Pluto; stopped the advance of Ego the Living Planet; rescued Jane Foster from the High Evolutionary and defeated his flawed creation, the Man-Beast. Odin finally relented and allowed Thor to love Jane Foster, on the proviso she pass a trial. Foster, however, panicked and Thor intervened. Although Foster failed the test, Odin returned her to Earth where she was given another chance at love, while a heartbroken Thor was introduced to Asgardian warrior Sif. Thor battled the Asgardian troll Ulik for the first time when he attempted to steal Mjolnir; defeated Avengers foe Kang the Conqueror and the alien Super-Skrull and with Odin and his Asgardian allies engaged in a battle to the death with the Enchanters Three.

Despite repeated attempts by Loki to destroy Thor with a series of past and new foes, Thor was victorious, and even avoids being claimed by Asgardian death goddess Hela. The thunder god returned to Asgard to prevent Mangog from drawing the Odinsword and ending the universe; learned the origin of the cosmic entity Galactus (and encountered Ego once again); and stopped the childlike Him (who would eventually become Adam Warlock) from kidnapping Sif.

1970s

Thor battled Surtur once again when the fire demon attempted to storm Asgard (with Loki, temporarily seizing power courtesy of the Odin Ring); encountered the entity the Stranger and his pawn the Abomination and overpowered an outmatched Doctor Doom. Thor only returned to Earth sporadically, forced to deal with a constant wave of Asgardian (e.g., Mangog; Ulik); godly (e.g. Pluto;) and cosmic threats (e.g., Infinity; Xorr).

Courtesy of the manipulation of the Elder of the Universe the Collector, Thor was present to aid the Avengers against their greatest foes (Graviton; Ultron; Count Nefaria and ultimately Korvac). Thor prevented another attempt by Mangog — disguised as Odin — to draw the Odinsword; was saved by the intervention of ally Volstagg when the "Odin Force" became a semi-sentient destructive force and was rescued from death when Odin engineered a false Ragnarök (the "Twilight of the Gods") and had reporter Red Norvell die in his place battling the Midgard Serpent. Thor later encounters the Eye of Odin, the eye Odin gave up for drinking from the Well of Mimir, increasing his wisdom. It has grown and gained sentience. Thor finds there was another Asgard before his, involving a red-haired Thor.

1980s

Thor eventually confronted the threat of the Celestial Fourth Host, and after an extended series of encounters learned of the apparent true origin of Asgard and Odin's plans to defend Earth from the alien judges. Despite the attempt by Odin to stop the Celestials by occupying the Destroyer armour (now 2,000 feet tall as holding the life essence of every Asgardian) and wielding the Odinsword (and aided by the Uni-Mind, an entity composed of the Eternals) and Thor himself, the aliens departed when presented with an offering by Gaea on behalf of the "Skymothers" (e.g. Frigga and Hera) of twelve perfect humans. Thor also learned Gaea was his birth mother.

After restoring the Asgardian gods (courtesy of a gathering of energies donated by Skyfathers from other pantheons) Thor had a series of adventures on Earth, including encountering two Heralds of Galactus in swift succession; stopping Mephisto from taking human souls; clearing his name when framed by Asgardian god of war Tyr; aiding Drax the Destroyer; with ally Iron Man defeating the Bi-Beast and Man-Beast; engaging the former king of Nastrond Fafnir (transformed by Odin into a dragon) in combat when freed by Loki and battling Dracula. Thor also learned of the existence of the "God Eater", a creature summoned when the death gods of several pantheons temporarily merge their realms. Thor thwarted the creature - revealed to be in humanoid guise Atum, the son of Gaea, and therefore Thor's half-brother - and ensured the cosmic balance was restored.

Whilst exploring an approaching space vessel at the request of Nick Fury, Thor encountered Beta Ray Bill, who after a brief battle proved himself worthy of lifting Thor's hammer Mjolnir. After initial misunderstandings, Bill formed an alliance with the Asgardian gods, and was empowered by Odin to aid Thor and his allies in a war with an approaching army of demons which was revealed to be led by fire demon Surtur, now wielding "Twilight", the gigantic "Sword of Doom". After a series of extended battles - including a battle to the death with Fafnir and thwarting the Dark Elf Malekith — the gods were finally triumphant, although during combat Odin and Surtur disappeared through a rift and were presumed dead.

Thor remained in Asgard to deal with the vacuum left by Odin's apparent death, and drove off Hela; met Tiwaz, his great-grandfather; forced Loki to cure him from the effects of a love potion; with allies entered Hela's realm and rescued lost mortal souls. Returning to Earth, Thor and Beta Ray Bill defeated the transformed Dark Elf Kurse, although Loki also used the power of Surtur's discarded sword to change Thor into a frog. After an adventure in Central Park, Thor managed to partially restore himself and then forced Loki to reverse the spell. While rescuing X-Factor member Angel from torture by the mercenary team the Marauders, Thor was cursed by Hela, who made his bones as brittle as glass and unable to heal if damaged; and rendered him truly immortal and unable to die no matter how severe his injuries. Thor was injured again during a battle with the Absorbing Man (engineered by Loki), and was ultimately saved by Loki during a battle with the Dark Elves.

Eventually forced to wear armour to protect his broken body, Thor and Loki defeated a group of Ice Giants, who sought revenge by trying to locate the Midgard Serpent, hoping it would kill the thunder god. The Giants instead found the dragon Fin Fang Foom, who was revealed to be the Midgard Serpent in disguise. Time slowed as the pair - mortal enemies due to prophecy that stated they would kill each other during Ragnarök — battle to the death. Thor killed the Serpent, although his body was completely pulverized. Loki restored the Destroyer, and after killing the Ice Giants found Thor's now liquid form. The Destroyer attempted to disintegrate the thunder god but could not do so due to Hela's curse. Thor assumed mental control of the Destroyer, and forced Hela on pain of death to restore his true form. The thunder god then broke Loki's arm as punishment for his actions.

1990s

After another encounter with the Celestials on an alien world; Thor found Odin — a captive of Seth — and used the Odinpower to fend off a returning Surtur; defeated Annihilus while Asgard was in the Negative Zone and on Earth battled X-Men foe the Juggernaut and many other opponents. When Thor killed Loki in single combat, he was banished by the Asgardian Heimdall (acting as temporary ruler of Asgard while Odin entered the Odinsleep) and replaced by the mortal Eric Masterson, who became the hero Thunderstrike. When Odin awoke, Thor was forgiven and returned. During a battle Thor was driven into a "warrior's madness" by a Valkyrie. After overpowering everyone who attempted to stop his rampage, Thor was brought by the Eternal Thanos before Odin, who cured his son of the madness.

Thor, together with Avengers; Fantastic Four and other heroes, became trapped in alternate universe after defeating the villain Onslaught. The heroes lived alternate lives for a year in what was revealed to be an artificial creation until returning to their own universe. Thor rejoined the Avengers; and with several members of the team battled the Destroyer. Thor was saved by an enigmatic being called "Marnot", who bound the life-force of a mortal called Jake Olson to the thunder god. Thor entered into a war with the Dark Gods (with Marnot revealed to be Hescamer, one of Odin's ravens); battled the returning Enchanters Three and entered into a prolonged struggle against Thanos when he sought to remake the universe.

2000s

File:Cover of Thor 3-1.jpg

Thor on the cover of the first issue of volume three showing his redesigned look by Oliver Coipel.

When Odin died in battle against Surtur, Thor became ruler of Asgard. The thunder god extended his rule to Earth, with major repercussions. Thor and the Asgardians slayed or imprisoned those who opposed them, including a young religious mutant called Davis; Zarrko the Tomorrow Man; Perrikus of the Dark Gods; the U.S. Government, and even his fellow Avengers. Thor married Amora (the Enchantress), and had a son, Magni, who upon reaching adulthood doubted his father's judgment. Wracked with guilt, Thor was drawn into battle with his former ally Tarene and the Destroyer (occupied by former foe Desak), and undid the timeline via time travel.

When the timeline was reset, Loki revived Surtur, who forged new uru hammers for Loki's Storm Giant followers and began Ragnarök. Thor learned that Ragnarok was the result of the self-styled "gods to the gods" known as Those Who Sit Above in Shadow, who feed on the cycle. Thor confronted the Norns (Fates), and severed the tapestry of Asgard's existence. After breaking the Ragnarok cycle and being advised by the Odinforce that this was his father's plan, Thor entered into hibernation. With his fate unknown to the Avengers, he was believed to be missing in action.

Thor's hammer Mjolnir was eventually found on Earth and put under U.S. Army protection. When the supervillain Doctor Doom escaped from Hell, Mjolnir fell through the dimensional plane, and Doom tried unsuccessfully to lift the hammer. Mjolnir then came into the possession of a man carrying a bag with the initials "D.B". Donald Blake, upon touching the hammer Mjolnir, was transported to the void of non-existence in which Thor resided. Blake explained that when Odin originally removed the Blake persona from Thor, Blake was consigned to the void that Thor now inhabited. With Odin's death, however, Blake was suddenly restored into being in New York City. Blake convinced Thor to wield Mjolnir once more, return to Earth, and renew the dual identity with Blake. Blake also revealed that Thor's fellow Asgardians still lived in the minds and hearts of mortals and only needed to be found and released.

Thor rebuilt Asgard over the state of Oklahoma, learned of the events of the Civil War and was angered that Tony Stark and others used his DNA to create a Thor clone in a battle between pro and anti-registration heroes. He battled Stark, easily defeating him. Thor accepted an offer by Stark for Asgard to be considered a foreign embassy with diplomatic immunity granted to its inhabitants. Thor searched for his fellow Asgardians, and restored each with the exception of Sif, who had been trapped in the body of an old woman dying of cancer, her real form stolen by Loki. The thunder god eventually searched for his father, and located Odin in a limbo between life and death, waging constant battle with the fire demon Surtur. Odin advised his son that Thor must lead the Asgardians.

During the events of the Secret Invasion, Thor rescued and healed ally Beta Ray Bill, who after being temporarily given Mjolnir, aided Thor in a battle against an invading force of alien Skrulls. Thor also participated in the final battle against the Skrull forces, and was forced to sacrifice Avenger ally the Wasp. Due to a deception by Loki, Thor battled and killed his grandfather Bor, and was banished from Asgard. With Thor's hammer Mjolnir damaged in that battle, Thor sought out Doctor Strange, who was only able to repair the hammer by transferring the Odinforce from Thor to Mjolnir, binding the two in a symbiotic relationship. With the repaired hammer, Thor was able to draw out the imprisoned Sif, and return her to her own body, thereby restoring Loki to his male body in the process.

2010s

During the events of the Siege storyline, Thor rushed to the defense of Asgard against Norman Osborn and his invading Dark Avengers. Although the invading forces were ultimately defeated, Asgard itself was toppled by the Sentry, who also killed Loki. Thor was then compelled to kill the Sentry at his request. As a result of the victory, the Superhuman Registration Act was dissolved and Thor joined the rebranded Avengers, who had come to his aid during the battle. The next day Balder lifted Thor's exile and appointed Thor as his adviser.

Thor aided Amadeus Cho in a quest to find the necessary ingredients to bring back their mutual friend Hercules from a parallel universe. During the events of the Chaos War, Thor joined Hercules' God Squad to battle the Chaos King, who was set on destroying all of existence.

With Asgard in ruins on Earth, the nine worlds were left undefended and are invaded by a force known as "The World Eaters". Seeking counsel on the matter, Thor restored his father Odin. Thor also restored his brother Loki, whom Thor had missed since his death.

During the Fear Itself event, Sin frees Odin's long-forgotten brother, the Serpent: the god of fear, from his underwater prison. Once free, The Serpent dispatches his generals known as the Worthy, each armed with magical uru hammers of their own, to descend the Earth into a state of fear. Although, Thor and the Avengers manage to defeat the Serpent and his followers, Thor dies from the injuries he sustains during the battle. At Thor's funeral, Thor and the memories of Thor are replaced by Ulik under the guise of Tanarus, a new thunder god. However, Thor returns from the limbo of forgotten dead gods with the help of Loki and the Silver Surfer, and vanquishes Ulik.

During the Avengers vs. X-Men event, Thor leads the Secret Avengers into deep space to battle the Phoenix Force but is defeated. He is later captured and taken prisoner by the phoenix-empowered duo of Colossus and Magik. Following the war, Captain America selects Thor to join the Uncanny Avengers, a new team of Avengers composed of both classic Avengers and X-Men.

Powers and abilities

Like all Asgardians, Thor is not truly immortal but relies upon periodic consumption of the Golden Apples of Idunn to sustain his extended lifespan, which to date has lasted many millennia. Being the son of Odin and the elder goddess Gaea, Thor is physically the strongest of the Asgardians. If pressed in battle, Thor is also capable of entering into a state known as the "Warrior's Madness" ("berserkergang" in Norwegian), which will temporarily increase his strength and stamina tenfold, although in this state he attacks friend and foe alike.

Thor possesses a very high resistance to physical injury that approaches invulnerability. Thor also possesses keen senses that allows him to track objects traveling faster than light and hear cries from the other side of the planet. Thor has the ability to travel through time. His stamina allowed him to battle the entire Frost Giant army for nine months without any sustenance or rest; Thor has also shown the ability to regenerate wounded portions of his body, including entire limbs or organs, with the aid of magical forces like Mjolnir, Thor has superhuman speed, agility, and reflexes, enabling him to deflect bullets with his hammer. Like all Asgardians he has immunity to all Earthly diseases and some resistance to magic. However, exceptionally powerful magic can overwhelm Odin's enchantment that transforms him between Asgardian and mortal forms.

As the Norse god of Thunder, Thor can summon the elements of the storm (lightning; rain; wind; snow) and uses Mjolnir as a tool to focus this ability, although the hammer cannot command artificial weather, only natural. He can cause these weather effects all over the world and destroy entire buildings; by whirling his hammer he can also lift entire buildings with the wind. As the son of the Earth goddess Gaea, Thor has shown some control over the Earth.

Thor is a superb hand-to-hand combatant, and also skilled in armed combat, excelling in the use of the war hammer, sword, axe and mace. Thor possesses two items which assist him in combat: the enchanted Belt of Strength, and his signature weapon, the mystical hammer Mjolnir. The first item doubles Thor's strength and endurance while the second is used to control his weather abilities; flight; energy projection and absorption; dimensional travel; matter manipulation and the most powerful of his offensives, the God Blast (which taps into Thor's life force), the Thermo-blast, and the Anti-Force (which counteracts another force). Using Mjolnir by throwing in the desired direction and then holding on to the handle's leather loop, Thor can also fly at supersonic speeds in Earth's atmosphere and travel faster than light in space. When Thor has to transport companions and/or objects to a destination by himself, he has a chariot drawn by two huge mystical goats called Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder that can fly nearly anywhere he desires almost as easily as with Mjolnir. He can throw an object out of Earth's atmosphere using his strength, and throw his hammer to Asgard from where it will return.

When Mjolnir was damaged, Doctor Strange bound Thor's soul into Mjolnir, meaning that if the hammer were to be broken again, Thor may also die.

Supporting characters

Main article: List of Thor supporting characters

Thor's family tree as it appears in Thor #500 (July 1996);

Other versions

Main article: Alternative versions of Thor

In other media

Main article: Thor (Marvel Comics) in other media

External links

• Official website

Thor at the Marvel Universe wiki

• Larry Lieber interview in Alter Ego vol. 3, #2 (Fall 1999)
• Alan Kistler's History of Thor