Ranking The Thors Of The Marvel Universe

ComicBook.com is counting down the top five Thors of the Marvel Universe!

That may seem a little odd. How many Thors, Gods of Thunder, can there be, right?

It turns out there’s a few, or at least there has been a few character worthy of lifting Mjolnir and taking on Thor’s role as the God of Thunder. Even as of writing there is a different person fulfilling the duties of Thor.

With that in mind, we’re taking a look at all of those worthy of the power of Thor in the Marvel Universe. Take note that this is restricted to mainstream, Marvel-616 universe and not alternate reality and possible future versions of the God of Thunder.

But which Thor is the best Thor? Read on to find out!

5. Red Norvell

Roger “Red” Norvell was part of a documentary film crew brought to Asgard by Loki. Red became infatuated with the Lady Sif and thought to challenge Thor for Sif’s affection. Red was given a belt and gloves that were imbued with Thor’s essence, created by Odin in case Thor ever died and left Asgard in need of a new protector, and became a thunder god himself.

Red defeated Thor and kidnapped Sif, taking her to Alfheim. Sif was eventually able to convince Red of the madness of his actions and Red returned to Asgard to make amends.

What no one else but Odin knew was that this was all part of a larger scheme by Odin. A prophecy stated that Thor would die fighting Jormungand the Midgard Serpent. By allowing Red to gain the power of the God of Thunder he had created a second Thor that could fall in his son’s place.

Red did die fighting Jormugand, and his soul was taken to Valhalla. When Odin in Thor had a falling out, Odin restored Red to life and granted him his own hammer called Crusher. When Thor returned to Asgard to face Odin he fought Red again, but eventually the two came to terms and Red became a friend and ally to Thor and Sif and a protector of Asgard.

4. Thunderstrike

Eric Masterson was an architect working with a  construction worker named Sigmund Jarlson. When villains like Mongoose and Quicksand began showing up, Eric quickly learned that Sigmund was actually Thor.

Eric and his family got caught up in several of Thor’s battles. Eric attempted to aid Thor in one such battle and even lifted Mjolnir, but he was fatally wounded wounded before he could swing the hammer. Thor pleaded with Odin to save Eric’s life, and so Odin bonded Eric and Thor together, forcing both personalities to share a single body.

Sharing a body with Thor caused Eric’s life to fall apart. A particularly heated battle with Thor ended with Thor breaking Odin’s law and killing Loki. As punishment, Thor was exiled by Odin, but Thor pleaded with his father to not leave Midgard without a protector. Odin heard his son’s plea and granted Mjolnir to Eric, giving him all the powers of Thor and complete control of his body and personality.

Eric acted as Thor for a time, even fighting alongside the Avengers, but the original Thor eventually returned to reclaim Mjolnir. Odin gave Eric and enchanted mace called Thunderstrike, and Eric began operating under the same name.

3. Beta Ray Bill

Beta Ray Bill is a member of the Korbonite race, whose home galaxy was destroyed by Surtur and the Fire Demons. Beta Ray Bill was chosen to be the Korbonites’ champion who would lead them to a new homeworld. The Korbonites transformed Bill into a fearsome looking cyborg to perform his duties.

Beta Ray Bill led the Korbonite fleet through space in his ship, Scuttlebutt, until they reached the Milky Way Galaxy. SHIELD sent Thor to investigate the approaching fleet, where he encountered and was defeated by Bill. Thor was separated from Mjolnir, which Beta Rey Bill then lifted, gaining the power of Thor.

Odin summoned Thor and Beta Rey Bill to Asgard. Bill claimed Mjolnir as the spoils of war. Odin commanded them to settle the dispute in a fight to the death. Beta Rey Bill defeated Thor again but refused to take Thor’s life. Mjolnir was returned to Thor, but Odin deemed Beta Ray Bill worthy and had a new Uru hammer named Stormbreaker forged and granted to him.

Since then, Beta Ray Bill and Thor have become brothers in arms and Beta Rey Bill has used Stormbreaker to defeat some of the Marvel Universe’s most fearsome threats.

2. Jane Foster

When Thor was made unworthy by whispered words from Nick Fury, Mjolnir was abandoned on Earth’s moon. Soon thereafter, a Mjolnir was gone from that place and a Goddess of Thunder was the new protector of Midgard and Asgard.

After months of mystery, it was eventually revealed that Jane Foster, Thor’s former love, had lifted Mjolnir.

Jane Foster continues to act as Thor at great personal cost. Jane was already suffering from cancer and each time she transforms into Thor it undoes the effects of her chemotherapy.

Still, Jane Foster has shown to be every bit as capable as her predecessor in the role of Thor. She’s fought alongside the Avengers and led the League of Realms while serving on the Congress of Worlds in her human identity. She’s even been capable of using Mjolnir in ways that even the original Thor never knew were possible.

1. Odinson

The Marvel Universe has seen several Thors, but there’s still only one Son of Odin.

The original Thor had to earn the right to lift Mjolnir. After doing so, he became the champion of Midgard and a founding member fo the Avengers. He’s fought through Ragnarok, returned from the dead, and restored the Asgardian people.

For all of that, it was words that fell the mighty God of Thunder. Nick Fury whispered them in his ear and Thor was made unworthy of Mjolnir.

Since them, Thor has been listless. He’s picked up his enchanted ax, Jarnbjorn, but losing an arm to Malekith has left the Odinson low.

However, Odinson isn’t done yet. He’s found a new resolve and may be getting his hands on the Ultimate Mjolnir, a remnant of the now dead Ultimate Marvel Universe.

Whatever the case, whatever his role, it’s hard to top the original Thor.