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A god who uses his divine powers to protect the innocent from monsters and villains, Thor is a character who connects the heroes of ancient myth to the superheroes of the modern day. Because of their great scope and interesting character studies, many of Thor’s best storylines have been adapted into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. These are the stories that prove Thor’s worthiness as one of Marvel Comics’ greatest heroes.
10) “Goddess of Thunder”
After Nick Fury whispered a mysterious phrase into Thor’s ear, the god suddenly found himself incapable of lifting Mjolnir. “Goddess of Thunder” follows the aftermath of this event. After Thor loses his hammer, an unseen woman lifts Mjolnir and gains Thor’s power. Even though the woman uses her newfound gifts to protect the world from villains like Malekith, she still finds herself at odds with the original Thor, who naturally wants his magical hammer back. While it’s not revealed in this storyline, the new Thor’s identity is later revealed to be Jane Foster, the original Thor’s love interest. “Goddess of Thunder” is an incredible introduction to Jane’s role as the new Thor, who changes the status quo while also tackling themes of legacy and worthiness.
9) “Ragnarok”
Scarlet Witch’s attack on the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes during the events of Avengers: Disassembled was a significant tragedy, but things only got worse for Thor afterwards. Following the disbanding of the Avengers, Thor and the rest of Asgard are faced with the return of Ragnarok, the apocalypse prophesied in Norse mythology. In this harrowing tale, “Ragnarok” has the God of Thunder unable to prevent villains like Loki, Hela, Surtur, and Fenris from slaughtering his people. While this isn’t the first time that Ragnarok has arrived, Thor discovers the perpetrators behind the never-ending doomsday cycle: the all-powerful deities known as Those Who Sit Above in Shadow. The climax of this tremendous battle would have long-lasting ramifications, as an exhausted Thor would enter a deep sleep for several years.
8) “Mangog”
When another Ragnarok is on the horizon, Odin’s past returns to haunt him and all of Asgard in the form of one of Thor’s most powerful enemies: Mangog. The titular villain of this storyline is the manifestation of billions upon billions of aliens who were slain by Odin and who want their revenge. What follows is an epic battle that shakes all of Asgard. However, no matter how much divine power Thor puts into his mighty strikes, he finds himself unable to put the beast down. Of course, in the background, Loki has his own schemes to use the conflict to his advantage. Mangog is a terrifying addition to Thor’s rogues’ gallery, and his debut storyline shines a light on Odin’s dark past as the ruler of Asgard.
7) “Mjolnir’s Song”
In classic Norse mythology, Thor is destined to die fighting Jormungand, the Midgard Serpent, who is so massive that he wraps his body around the Earth. In Marvel’s story “Mjolnir’s Song,” the prophecy seems set to play out, as Thor has his climactic battle against the gargantuan serpent. Even though a curse from Hela had weakened Thor’s bones, he still bravely charges headfirst to challenge the beast. To emphasize the all-encompassing scale of the Midgard Serpent and his battle against Thor, each page of the comic features just one massive panel. The action never slows down, and every moment feels like it was ripped straight from an ancient Norse legend. It’s a classic tale of a hero facing off against insurmountable odds.
6) Thor Vol. 3 #1-6
Three years after the destruction of Asgard and Thor’s entering a deep sleep during the events of “Ragnarok,” the God of Thunder and his people make their triumphant comeback in the first arc of Thor Vol. 3. The storyline has Thor awakening from his slumber and using his powers to recreate Asgard as a floating city above rural Oklahoma. What follows is a tale of Thor searching for and recruiting the lost Asgardians, who had become trapped in the bodies of ordinary humans. The storyline is also set after the events of the Civil War, which leads to significant political unrest between New Asgard and America. There’s also an awesome confrontation between Thor and Iron Man. Thor came back swinging with this story of rebirth.
