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Thor (Marvel Comics)

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. It uses material retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(Marvel_Comics) on 2011-05-06.

CONTENTS

Publication history

Fictional character biography

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

Powers and abilities

Supporting characters

Other versions

In other media

References

External links

Thor (Marvel Comics)
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This article describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. Please help rewrite it to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective. (January 2011)

Thor

Thor #272 (June 1978).
Cover art by John Buscema.

Publication information

Publisher

Marvel Comics

First appearance

Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962)

Created by

Stan Lee
Larry Lieber
Jack Kirby
Based on the mythological character

In-story information

Full name

Thor Odinson

Species

Asgardian

Place of origin

Asgard

Team affiliations

Asgard
Avengers
Warriors Three
Thor Corps
God Squad

Notable aliases

Siegmund, Siegfried, Dr. Donald Blake, Jake Olson, Sigurd Jarlson, Eric Masterson

Abilities

Superhuman strength, speed, durability and longevity (via the golden apples of Idunn)
Abilities via Mjolnir:

- Flight

- Energy absorption & projection

- Weather manipulation

- Dimensional transportation

- Electric manipulation

Thor

Thor battles Hercules on the cover of his first self-titled issue; Thor #126 (March 1966). Cover art by Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta.

Series publication information

Publisher

Marvel Comics

Schedule

monthly

Format

Ongoing series

Genre

Superhero

Publication date

Vol. 1:
March 1966 – September 1996
Vol. 2:
July 1998 – December 2004
Vol. 3:
September 2007 – present

Number of issues

Vol. 1:
376 issues, 18 annuals
Vol. 2:
85 issues, 4 annuals
Vol. 3:
29 issues, 1 annual, 2 specials

Main character(s)

List of Thor supporting characters

Creative team

Writer(s)

Vol. 1:
Stan Lee, Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, Bill Mantlo, Len Wein, Ralph Macchio, Mark Gruenwald, Doug Moench, Walt Simonson, Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz, Ron Marz, Warren Ellis, William Messner-Loebs
Vol. 2:
Dan Jurgens, Daniel Berman, Michael Avon Oeming
Vol. 3:
J. Michael Straczynski, Kieron Gillen, Matt Fraction

Artist(s)

Vol. 1:
Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, John Buscema, Keith Pollard, Alan Kupperberg, Bob Hall, Mark Bright, Walt Simonson, Ron Frenz, Bruce Zick, M.C. Wyman, Mike Deodato Jr.
Vol. 2:
John Romita Jr., Erik Larsen, Andy Kubert, Stuart Immonen, Scott Hanna, Joe Bennett, Ben Lai, Ray Lai, Paco Medina, Scot Eaton, Andrea DiVito
Vol. 3:
Oliver Coipel, Marko Djurdjević, Billy Tan, Doug Braithwaite, Rich Elson, Pasqual Ferry

Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications 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.

Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character is based on the 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 and video games.

An eponymous film based on the character and comic was released in 2011, with Kenneth Branagh as director and Chris Hemsworth starring as Thor. Hemsworth is also contracted to reappear as Thor in the film The Avengers, set to be released in 2012.

Publication history
Further information: Bibliography of Thor comics
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...[1]

The 13-page feature "The Mighty Thor" continued to be plotted by Lee and 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 a.k.a. The Mighty Thor #179 (Aug. 1970).[2]

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), a.k.a. The Mighty Thor (per most covers)[2] 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.[3] 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.[4][5]

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.[6] 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.[7][8][9] Kieron Gillen took over from Straczynski in Thor #604 with artists Billy Tan, Richard Elson and Dougie Braithwaite,[10] with his final storyline finishing in issue #614.[11] Afterward, Matt Fraction took over Thor in issue #615, after having been announced as starting in Thor #610[12] and #611.[13][14]

To coincide with the Thor film, Marvel launched a number of limited series in mid-2010. These include Thor: The Mighty Avenger by Roger Langridge and Chris Samnee,[15] Thor: First Thunder by Bryan J. L. Glass and Tan Eng Huat,[16] and Thor: For Asgard by Robert Rodi and Simone Bianchi,[17] An Iron Man/Thor limited series by writing duo Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning was announced at the San Diego Comic Con, to begin publication at the end of 2010.[18]

In April 2011, Thor is scheduled to revert to its original title of Journey into Mystery with issue #622, reuniting writer Gillen and artist Braithwaite.[19] A new ongoing series titled The Mighty Thor is also scheduled to kick off in April 2011 with writer Fraction and artist Coipel, who helped relaunch the title in 2007.[20]

Fictional character biography

This article needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (November 2010)

1960s

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

Thor's father Odin decides his son needs to be taught humility and consequently places Thor (without memories of godhood) into the body and memories of an existing, partially disabled human medical student, Donald Blake.[21] After becoming a doctor and on holiday in Norway, Blake witnesses the arrival of an alien scouting party. Blake flees into a cave after they hear him and begin pursuing him, and after discovering Thor's disguised hammer Mjolnir, and striking it against a rock, transforms into the thunder god.[22]

Defeating the aliens, Thor shares 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 attracts the attention of his stepbrother and arch-foe Loki;[23] who returns repeatedly to Earth in a bid to destroy Thor.[24] Loki is also responsible for the emergence of three of Thor's principal foes: the Absorbing Man;[25] the Wrecker,[26] and the Destroyer.[27] On one occasion, Loki's tactics are accidentally beneficial - although successful in using an illusion of the Hulk to draw Thor into battle, it results in the formation of the superhero team the Avengers, of which Thor is a founding and longstanding member.[28]

Thor's other early foes included the Red Army;[29] Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man;[30] the Radioactive Man;[31] the Lava Man;[32] the Cobra;[33] Mister Hyde;[34] the Enchantress and the Executioner[35] and the Grey Gargoyle.[36]

Falling in love with Jane Foster, Thor disobeys his father and refuses to return to Asgard, an act for which he is punished on several occasions.[37] Thor's natural affinity for Earth is also eventually revealed to be due to the fact that he is the son of the Elder Goddess Gaea.[38] Although Thor initially regarded himself as a "superhero" like his teammates in the Avengers,[38] Loki's machinations draw Thor into increasingly epic adventures, such as teaming with father Odin and Asgardian ally Balder against fire demon Surtur and Skagg the Storm Giant,[39] and defeating an increasingly powerful Absorbing Man and proving his innocence in the "Trial of the Gods".[40] This necessitates an extended leave of absence from the Avengers.[41]

Thor also encounters Greek God Hercules,[42] who becomes a loyal friend when Thor also saves him from fellow Olympian Pluto;[43] stops the advance of Ego the Living Planet;[44] rescues Jane Foster from the High Evolutionary and defeats his flawed creation, the Man-Beast.[45] Odin finally relents and allows Thor to love Jane Foster, on the proviso she pass a trial. Foster, however, panics and Thor intervenes. Although Foster fails the test, Odin returns her to Earth where she is given another chance at love, while a heartbroken Thor is introduced to Asgardian warrior Sif.[46] Thor battles the Asgardian troll Ulik for the first time when he attempts to steal Mjolnir;[47] defeats Avengers foe Kang the Conqueror[48] and the alien Super-Skrull[49] and with Odin and his Asgardian allies engages in a battle to the death with the Enchanters Three.[50]

Despite repeated attempts by Loki to destroy Thor with a series of past and new foes, Thor is victorious, and even avoids being claimed by Asgardian death goddess Hela.[51] The thunder god returns to Asgard to prevent Mangog from drawing the Odinsword and ending the universe;[52] learns the origin of the cosmic entity Galactus (and encounters Ego once again);[53] and stops the child-like Him (who would eventually become Adam Warlock) from kidnapping Sif.[54]

1970s

Thor battles Surtur once again when the fire demon attempts to storm Asgard (with Loki temporarily seizing power courtesy of the Odin Ring);[55] encounters the entity the Stranger and his pawn the Abomination[56] and overpowers an outmatched Doctor Doom.[57] Thor only returns to Earth sporadically, forced to deal with a constant wave of Asgardian (e.g. Mangog;[58] Ulik[59]); godly (e.g. Pluto;[60]) and cosmic threats (e.g. Infinity;[61] Xorr[62]).

Courtesy of the manipulation of the Elder of the Universe the Collector,[63] Thor is present to aid the Avengers against their greatest foes (Graviton;[64] Ultron;[65] Count Nefaria[66] and ultimately Korvac[67]). Thor prevents another attempt by Mangog - disguised as Odin - to draw the Odinsword;[68] is saved by the intervention of ally Volstagg when the "Odin Force" becomes a semi-sentient destructive force[69] and is rescued from death when Odin engineers a false Ragnarök (the "Twilight of the Gods") and has reporter Red Norvell die in his place battling the Midgard Serpent.[70]

1980s

Thor eventually confronts the threat of the Celestial Fourth Host, and after an extended series of encounters learns 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 depart when presented with an offering by Gaea on behalf of the "Skymothers" (e.g. Frigga and Hera) of twelve perfect humans. Thor also learns Gaea is his birth mother.[71]

After restoring the Asgardian gods (courtesy of a gathering of energies donated by Skyfathers from other pantheons)[72] Thor has a series of adventures on Earth, including encountering two Heralds of Galactus in swift succession;[73] stopping Mephisto from taking human souls;[74] clearing his name when framed by Asgardian god of war Tyr;[75] aiding Drax the Destroyer;[76] with ally Iron Man defeating the Bi-Beast and Man-Beast;[77] engaging the former king of Nastrond Fafnir (transformed by Odin into a dragon) in combat when freed by Loki[78] and battling Dracula.[79] Thor also learns of the existence of the "God Eater", a creature summoned when the death gods of several pantheons temporarily merge their realms. Thor thwarts the creature - revealed to be in humanoid guise Atum, the son of Gaea, and therefore Thor's half-brother - and ensures the cosmic balance is restored.[80]

Whilst exploring an approaching space vessel at the request of Nick Fury, Thor encounters Beta Ray Bill, who after a brief battle proves himself worthy of lifting Thor's hammer Mjolnir. After initial misunderstandings, Bill forms an alliance with the Asgardian gods, and is empowered by Odin to aid Thor and his allies in a war with an approaching army of demons[81] which is 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 are finally triumphant, although during combat Odin and Surtur disappear through a rift and are presumed dead.[82]

Thor remains in Asgard to deal with the vacuum left by Odin's apparent death, and drives off Hela;[83] meets Tiwaz, his great-grandfather;[84][85] forces Loki to cure him from the effects of a love potion;[86] with allies enters Hela's realm and rescues lost mortal souls.[87] Returning to Earth, Thor and Beta Ray Bill defeat the transformed Dark Elf Kurse,[88] although Loki also uses the power of Surtur's discarded sword to change Thor into a frog. After an adventure in Central Park, Thor manages to partially restore himself and then forces Loki to reverse the spell.[89] While rescuing X-Factor member Angel from torture by the mercenary team the Marauders, Thor is cursed by Hela, who makes his bones as brittle as glass and unable to heal if damaged; and renders him truly immortal and unable to die no matter how severe his injuries.[90] Thor is injured again during a battle with the Absorbing Man (engineered by Loki),[91] and is ultimately saved by Loki during a battle with the Dark Elves.[92]

Eventually forced to wear armour to protect his broken body, Thor and Loki defeat a group of Ice Giants, who seek revenge by trying to locate the Midgard Serpent, hoping it will kill the thunder god. The Giants instead find the dragon Fin Fang Foom, who is revealed to be the Midgard Serpent in disguise. Foom finds Thor, and after an initial deception is revealed to be the Midgard Serpent. Time slows as the pair - mortal enemies due to prophecy that states they will kill each other during Ragnarök - battle to the death. Thor kills the Serpent, although his body is completely pulverized. Loki restores the Destroyer, and after killing the Ice Giants finds Thor's now liquid form. The Destroyer attempts to disintegrate the thunder god but cannot do so due to Hela's curse. Thor then assumes mental control of the Destroyer, and forces Hela on pain of death to restore his true form. The thunder god then breaks Loki's arm as punishment for his actions.[93]

1990s

After another encounter with the Celestials on an alien world;[94] Thor finds Odin - a captive of Seth - and uses the Odinpower to fend off a returning Surtur;[95] defeats Annihilus while Asgard is in the Negative Zone[96] and on Earth battles X-Men foe the Juggernaut[97] and many other opponents. When Thor kills Loki in single combat, he is banished by the Asgardian Heimdall (acting as temporary ruler of Asgard while Odin enters the Odinsleep) and replaced by the mortal Eric Masterson, who becomes the hero Thunderstrike. When Odin awakens, Thor is forgiven and returns.[98] During a battle Thor is driven into a "warrior's madness" by a Valkyrie. After overpowering everyone who attempts to stop his rampage, Thor is brought by the Eternal Thanos before Odin, who cures his son of the madness.[99]

Thor, together with Avengers; Fantastic Four and other heroes, becomes trapped in alternate universe after defeating the villain Onslaught. The heroes live alternate lives for a year in what is revealed to be an artificial creation until returning to their own universe.[100] Thor rejoins the Avengers;[101] and with several members of the team battles the Destroyer. Thor is saved by an enigmatic being called "Marnot", who binds the life force of a mortal called Jake Olson to the thunder god.[102] Thor enters into a war with the Dark Gods (with Marnot revealed to be Hescamer, one of Odin's ravens);[103] battles the returning Enchanters Three[104] and enters into a prolonged struggle against Thanos when he seeks to remake the universe.[105]

2000s

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

When Odin dies in battle against Surtur, Thor becomes ruler of Asgard. The thunder god extends his rule to Earth, with major repercussions. Thor and the Asgardians slay or imprison those who oppose 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 marries Amora (the Enchantress), and has a son, Magni, who on reaching adulthood doubts his father's judgment. Wracked with guilt, Thor is drawn into battle with his former ally Tarene and the Destroyer (occupied by former foe Desak), and undoes the timeline via time travel.[106]

When the timeline is reset, Loki revives Surtur, who forges new uru hammers for Loki's Storm Giant followers and begins Ragnarök. Thor learns that Ragnarok is the result of the self-styled "gods to the gods" known as Those Who Sit Above in Shadow, who feed on the cycle. Thor confronts the Norns (Fates), and severs 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 enters into hibernation. With his fate unknown to the Avengers, he is believed to be missing in action.[107]

Thor's hammer Mjolnir is eventually found on Earth and put under U.S. Army protection. When the supervillain Doctor Doom escapes from Hell, Mjolnir falls through the dimensional plane, and Doom tries unsuccessfully to lift the hammer. Mjolnir then comes into the possession of a man carrying a bag with the initials "D.B".[108] Donald Blake, upon touching the hammer Mjolnir, is transported to the void of non-existence in which Thor now resides. Blake explains that when Odin originally removed the Blake persona from Thor,[109] Blake was consigned to the void that Thor now inhabits. When Thor entered that void, Blake was suddenly restored to being in New York City. Blake convinces Thor to wield Mjolnir once more, return to Earth, and renew the dual identity with Blake. Blake also reveals that Thor's fellow Asgardians are actually not dead but hidden on Earth.[110]

Thor rebuilds Asgard in the state of Oklahoma,[111][112] learns of the events of the Civil War[113] and is angered that Tony Stark and others used his DNA to create a Thor clone in a battle between pro and anti-registration heroes.[113] He battles Stark, easily defeating him. Thor accepts an offer by Stark for Asgard to be considered a foreign embassy, with diplomatic immunity granted to its inhabitants. Thor searches for his fellow Asgardians,[114] and restores each with the exception of Sif, who is trapped in an old woman's body and escapes Thor's notice. The thunder god eventually searches for his father, and locates Odin in Valhalla, waging constant battle with the fire demon Surtur. Odin advises his son that Thor must lead the Asgardians.[115][116]

During the events of the Secret Invasion, Thor rescues and heals ally Beta Ray Bill, who after being temporarily given Mjolnir, aids Thor in a battle against an invading force of alien Skrulls.[117][118] Thor also participates in the final battle against the Skrull forces, and is forced to sacrifice Avenger ally the Wasp.[119] Due to a deception by Loki, Thor battles and kills his grandfather Bor, and is banished from Asgard.[120][121] With Thor's hammer Mjolnir damaged in that battle, Thor seeks out Doctor Strange, who is 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 is able to draw out the imprisoned Sif, and return her to her own body, restoring Loki to a male body in the process.[122][123]

2010s

During the events of the Siege storyline, Thor rushes to the defense of Asgard against Norman Osborn and his invading Dark Avengers. Although the invading forces are ultimately defeated, Asgard itself is toppled and Loki is killed by the Sentry who in turn is killed by Thor. As result of the victory the Superhuman Registration Act is dissolved and Thor joins the rebranded Avengers, who came to his aid during the battle.[124][125][126][127][128] The next day Balder lifts Thor's exile and appoints Thor as his adviser.[129] Thor aids Amadeus Cho in a quest to find the necessary ingredients to bring their mutual friend Hercules back from a parallel universe.[130] During the events of the Chaos War, Thor joins Hercules' God Squad to battle the Chaos King, who is set on destroying all of existence.[131] With Asgard in ruins on Earth, the nine worlds are left undefended and are invaded by a force known as "The World Eaters". Seeking counsel on the matter, Thor restores his father Odin. Thor also restores his brother Loki, whom Thor has missed since his death.[132]

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,[38][133][134][135][136][137] even able to match (and sometimes surpass) the strength of The Incredible Hulk.[volume & issue needed] 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.[138]

Thor possesses a very high resistance to physical injury that approaches invulnerability.[139][140][141][142] Thor also possesses keen senses [143] that allows him to track objects traveling faster than light,[144] hear cries from the other side of the planet[145] and ventriloquism.[146] Thor has the ability to travel through time.[147][148] His stamina allowed him to battle the entire Frost Giant army for nine months without any sustenance or rest;[149] Thor has also shown the ability to regenerate wounded portions of his body,[150] including entire limbs or organs, with the aid of magical forces like Mjolnir,[151] Thor has superhuman speed, agility, and reflexes, enabling him to deflect bullets with his hammer.[152] 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.[153]

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.[136] As the son of the Earth goddess Gaea, Thor has shown some control over the Earth.[154]

Thor is a superb hand-to-hand combatant, and also skilled in armed combat, excelling in the use of the war hammer, sword and mace. Thor possesses two items which assist him in combat: the enchanted Belt of Strength, and his mystical hammer Mjolnir. The first item doubles Thor's strength and endurance[155] 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),[156] the Thermo-blast,[157] and the Anti-Force (which counteracts another force).[158] 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.[159] He can throw an object out of Earth's atmosphere using his strength,[160] and throw his hammer to Asgard from where it will return.[161]

When Mjolnir was damaged, Doctor Strange bound Thor's own life force into Mjolnir, meaning that if the hammer were to be broken again, Thor may also die.[122]

Supporting characters

Other versions

There are several alternate universe versions of Thor.

In the limited series Earth X, Thor and the other Asgardians are members of a shapeshifting alien race, with forms and identities determined by the imagination of "Odin", a human Norse storyteller. Due to Loki's trickery, Thor is female in this universe.[162][163]

In the MC2 title A-Next Thor is the King of Asgard, while Eric Masterson's son Kevin is a member of A-Next, a next-generation version of the Avengers.[164]

The limited series Marvel 1602 is set in the 17th century, and a version of Thor appears with an alter ego of an elderly Christian monk named Donal — an allusion to Thor's original secret identity Donald Blake. Donal fears and despises his alter-ego, believing that summoning a non-Christian deity will damn him.[165]

The Marvel 2099 title Spider-Man 2099 reveals the role of Thor is taken by Cecil MacAdam, who belongs to a class of priests known as "Thorites" and worship the original version of Thor.[166]

As a result of the temporary "Age of Apocalypse", the title X-Universe #1 (May 1995) features a version of Donald Blake that never discovers he is the reincarnation of Thor, and is instead an agent of the Human High Council and a doctor, traveling with Gwen Stacy to provide aid in human refugee camps.[167]

The limited series Thor Corps reveals that Dargo Ktor is the host of a 26th-century version of Thor[168] while in the Marvel Mangaverse title Marvel Mangaverse: Avengers Assemble! Thor is virtually all-powerful and aids the heroes against an other-world version of the villain Dormammu.[169]

In the limited series Marvel Zombies, set in Earth-2149, Thor appears as a cannibalistic zombie wielding a makeshift version of a hammer composed of a concrete block and pipe as he is no longer worthy to wield Mjolnir.[170]

In the title Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham, Thor appears as a dog called Thrr, Dog of Thunder.[171]

In the crossover series JLA/Avengers, Thor is one of the leading Avengers. At the beginning of the story he is forced to battle the Avengers after being possessed by The Star Conqueror and is the Avenger who first strikes, attacking Superman in Metropolis after the Avengers are told to stand down by Superman. He joins the Avengers in their quest to gain the artifacts, and battles Superman in the Savage Land, losing to the Kryptonian in the subsequent struggle (Although the dazed Superman is subsequently overpowered by a mass attack from Iron Man, Wonder Man, Hercules, the Vision, and She-Hulk in revenge). After the two universes are merged after a battle between Krona, The Grandmaster, and Galactus, he remains a member of the Avengers, but is oblivious to the changes in the universe. He joins the combined forces of the Avengers and the Justice League against Krona. Near the end, he is overwhelmed by villains and gives his hammer to Superman, who uses it to break the final wall to Krona. Later Superman is unable to lift the hammer, and Thor says sometimes Odin allows others to lift it, noting that it was in good hands for the brief moments when Superman wielded it.[172]

The Ultimate Marvel imprint title the Ultimates features a version of Thor who is generally not believed to be a god. Regarded as a delusional former mental patient, Thor proves his godhood when summoning an army of Asgardian warriors to fend off an attack by demonic forces commanded by Loki.[173]

In the Next Avengers, he has taken his place as ruler after his father Odin had died. Torunn, his and Sif's daughter, is left on Earth in the care of Tony Stark along with the other Avenger children. At the end of the movie, he welcomes Torunn into the kingdom, but she turns the offer down as she wish to stay with her friends on earth.[volume & issue needed]

In other media

References

1. ^ Excelsior!: The Amazing Life of Stan Lee (Fireside, 2002; ISBN 0-684-87305-2), by Lee and George Mair)

2. ^ [a] [b] "Thor (I) • The Mighty Thor (I) (1966-1996)" at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators: "Series is named 'Thor' in the indicia [copyright] information, but most covers have the title [trademark] 'The Mighty Thor'."

3. ^ Such as the Ring of Nibelung saga, in Thor issues #293–297 (March–July 1980).

4. ^ "Review of a trade paperback collecting some of Simonson's run at". Popimage.com. http://www.popimage.com/reviews/071001thorsimonsonrev.html. Retrieved 2010-12-28.

5. ^ "Essay on what makes certain stories definitive at Silver bullet Comics". Silverbulletcomics.com. http://www.silverbulletcomics.com/news/story.php?a=2189. Retrieved 2010-12-28.

6. ^ "Thor (III) (2007-2009)" at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators

7. ^ "Thor (I) cont. (2009-2010)" at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators

8. ^ Debuting Thor #600, IGN

9. ^ Holding the Hammer: JMS Talks Thor, Newsarama, October 17, 2008

10. ^ Richards, Dave (August 24, 2009). "Kieron Gillen Talks Thor". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22662. Retrieved October 12, 2009.

11. ^ Richards, Dave (May 21, 2010). "Gillen Sends "Thor" to Hell". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26337. Retrieved July 31, 2010.

12. ^ Richards, Dave (December 14, 2010). "Matt Fraction's Thunderous New Assignment". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24055. Retrieved July 31, 2010.

13. ^ Richards, Dave (March 12, 2010). "Fraction Ushers "Thor" into the Heroic Age". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25204. Retrieved July 31, 2010.

14. ^ Pepose, David (March 12, 2010). "Mjolnir Belongs to Fraction & Ferry with June's THOR #611". Newsarama. http://www.newsarama.com/comics/Thor-Fraction-Ferry-100312.html. Retrieved July 31, 2010.

15. ^ Mahadeo, Kevin (April 17, 2010). "C2E2: Langridge Teams with "Thor"". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25792. Retrieved July 31, 2010.

16. ^ Mahadeo, Kevin (June 11, 2010). "Bryan J.L. Glass Brings the (God of) Thunder". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26657. Retrieved July 31, 2010.

17. ^ Richards, Dave (July 8, 2010). "Bianchi Gets Epic With "Thor: For Asgard"". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27079. Retrieved July 31, 2010.

18. ^ Richards, Dave (July 23, 2010). "CCI: DnA Go High Tech & Mythic For "Iron Man/Thor"". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27380. Retrieved July 31, 2010.

19. ^ Morse, Ben (January 17, 2011). "A New Journey Into Mystery". Marvel.com. http://marvel.com/news/story/15012/a_new_journey_into_mystery. Retrieved January 17, 2011.

20. ^ Morse, Ben (January 17, 2011). "The Mighty Thor Strikes". Marvel.com. http://marvel.com/news/story/14999/the_mighty_thor_strikes. Retrieved January 17, 2011.

21. ^ Revealed in flashback in Thor Annual #11 (Jan. 1983)

22. ^ Journey Into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962)

23. ^ Journey Into Mystery #85 (Oct. 1962)

24. ^ Journey Into Mystery #88 (Jan. 1963); #91-92 (April–May 1963)

25. ^ Journey Into Mystery #114 (March 1965)

26. ^ Thor #148 (Jan. 1968)

27. ^ Journey Into Mystery #118 (July 1965)

28. ^ Avengers #1 (Sept. 1963)

29. ^ Journey Into Mystery #84 (Sept. 1962); #87 (Dec. 1962)

30. ^ Journey Into Mystery #86 (Nov. 1962)

31. ^ Journey Into Mystery #93 (June 1963)

32. ^ Journey Into Mystery #97 (Oct. 1963)

33. ^ Journey Into Mystery #98 (Nov. 1963)

34. ^ Journey Into Mystery #99 (Dec. 1963)

35. ^ Journey Into Mystery #103 (April 1964)

36. ^ Journey Into Mystery #107 (Aug. 1964)

37. ^ Journey Into Mystery #101 (Feb. 1964); #113 (Feb. 1965); #145 (Oct. 1967)

38. ^ [a] [b] [c] Thor #300 (Oct. 1980)

39. ^ Journey Into Mystery #104 (May 1964)

40. ^ Journey into Mystery #114-123 (March-Dec. 1965)

41. ^ Avengers #16 (May 1965)

42. ^ Thor Annual #1 (1965)

43. ^ Thor #126 - 130 (March - July 1966)

44. ^ Journey Into Mystery #131 - 133 (Aug. - Oct. 1966)

45. ^ Journey Into Mystery #134 - 135 (Nov. - Dec. 1966)

46. ^ Thor #136 (Jan. 1967)

47. ^ Thor #137 - 139 (Feb. - April 1967)

48. ^ Thor #140 (May 1967)

49. ^ Thor #142 (July 1967)

50. ^ Thor #143 - 144 (Aug. - Sept. 1967)

51. ^ Thor #150 (March 1968)

52. ^ Thor #154 - 157 (July - Oct. 1968)

53. ^ Thor #160 - 162 (Jan. - March 1969); #168 - 169 (Sept. - Oct. 1969)

54. ^ Thor #165 - 166 (June - July 1969)

55. ^ Thor #176 - 177 (May - June 1970)

56. ^ Thor #178 (July 1970)

57. ^ Thor #182 - 183 (Nov. - Dec. 1970)

58. ^ Thor #197 - 198 (Feb. - March 1972)

59. ^ Thor #210 - 211 (April - May 1973)

60. ^ Thor #199 - 201 (April - July 1972)

61. ^ Thor #185 (Feb. 1971)

62. ^ Thor #214 - 216 (Aug. - Oct. 1973)

63. ^ Avengers #175 (Sept. 1978)

64. ^ Avengers #158 - 159 (March - April 1977))

65. ^ Avengers #161 - 162 (July - Aug. 1977)); #170 - 171 (April- May 1978)

66. ^ Avengers #164 - 166 (Oct. - Dec. 1977)

67. ^ Avengers #176 - 177(Oct. - Nov. 1978)

68. ^ Thor #249 - 250 (July - Aug. 1976)

69. ^ Thor #263 (Sept. 1977)

70. ^ Thor #274 - 278 (Aug. - Dec. 1978)

71. ^ Thor Annual #7 (1978), Thor #283–300 (May 1979 - Oct. 1980)

72. ^ Thor #301 (Nov. 1980)

73. ^ Thor #305 - 306 (March - April 1981)

74. ^ Thor #310 (Aug. 1981)

75. ^ Thor #312-313 (Oct. - Nov. 1981)

76. ^ Thor #314 (Dec. 1981)

77. ^ Thor #315-317 (Jan.-March 1982)

78. ^ Thor #318 (April 1982)

79. ^ Thor #333 (July 1983)

80. ^ Thor Annual #10 (1982)

81. ^ Cronin, Brian (July 21, 2010). "A Year of Cool Comics – Day 202". Comic Book Resources CSBG Archive. http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/07/21/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-202/. Retrieved September 28, 2010.

82. ^ Thor #337 - 353 (Nov. 1983 - March 1985)

83. ^ Thor #354 (April 1985))

84. ^ Thor #355 (May 1985)

85. ^ Cronin, Brian (June 13, 2010). "A Year of Cool Comics – Day 164". Comic Book Resources CSBG Archive. http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/06/13/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-164/. Retrieved September 28, 2010.

86. ^ Thor #359 (Sept. 1985)

87. ^ Thor #360 (Oct. 1985 - Dec. 1985)

88. ^ Thor #363 (Jan. 1986)

89. ^ Thor #364 - #366 (Feb. - April 1986)

90. ^ Thor #374 (Dec. 1986)

91. ^ Thor #375-376 (Jan.-Feb. 1987)

92. ^ Thor #377 (March 1987)

93. ^ Thor #378-382 (April-Aug. 1987)

94. ^ Thor #387-389 (Jan.-March 1988)

95. ^ Thor #395-400 (Sept. 1988 - Feb. 1989)

96. ^ Thor #404-405 (June -July 1989)

97. ^ Thor #411-412 (both Dec. 1989)

98. ^ Thor #432-457 (May 1991-Jan. 1993)

99. ^ Thor #468-471 (Nov. 1993-Feb. 1994); Silver Surfer vol. 3, #88 (Jan. 1994)

100. ^ Avengers vol. 2, #1 - 13 (Nov. 1996 - Nov. 1997)

101. ^ Avengers vol. 3, #4 (May 1998)

102. ^ Thor vol. 2, #1-2 (July-Aug. 1998)

103. ^ Thor vol. 2, #9-13 (March -July 1999)

104. ^ Thor vol. 2, #15 - 19 (Sept. 1999 - Jan. 2000)

105. ^ Thor vol. 2, #21-25 (March–July 2000)

106. ^ Thor vol. 2, #41-79 (Nov. 2001 - July 2004)

107. ^ Thor vol. 2, #80-85 (Aug.-Dec. 2004)

108. ^ Fantastic Four #536 (May 2006)

109. ^ Thor #340 (Feb. 1984)

110. ^ Thor vol. 3, #1 (Sept. 2007)

111. ^ J. Michael Straczynski (w), Oliver Coipel (p), Mark Morales (i), Thor vol. 3, #2 (August 1, 2007), New York, NY: Marvel Comics

112. ^ Furey, Emmett (May 24, 2007). "Fallen Odinson: JMS talks "Thor"". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=10308. Retrieved September 26, 2010.

113. ^ [a] [b] Civil War #1-7 (July 2006 - Jan. 2007)

114. ^ J. Michael Straczynski (w), Oliver Coipel (p), Mark Morales (i), Thor vol. 3, #3-5 (Sept. 2007 - Dec. 2007), New York, NY: Marvel Comics

115. ^ J. Michael Straczynski (w), Marko Djurdjevic, Danny Miki (p), Thor vol. 3, #7-8 (March–April 2008), New York, NY: Marvel Comics

116. ^ CBR News Team (May 6, 2008). ""Thor" #1, 8 sell out, reprinted in one edition". Comic Book Resources News. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16309. Retrieved September 27, 2010.

117. ^ Matt Fraction (w), Doug Braithwaite, Gabriele Dell'Otto (p), Secret Invasion: Thor #1 (Oct. 2008), New York, NY: Marvel Comics

118. ^ CBR News Team (July 22, 2008). "Thor joins the battle in "Thor: Secret Invasion" #1". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17348. Retrieved September 26, 2010.

119. ^ Brian Michael Bendis (w), Gabriele Dell'Otto, Leinil Francis Yu (p), Secret Invasion #8 New York, NY: Marvel Comics

120. ^ Chris Giarrusso, Stan Lee, J. Michael Straczynski (w), David Aja, Olivier Coipel, Marko Djurdjevic, Chris Giarrusso (p), Thor #600 (April 2009), New York, NY: Marvel Comics

121. ^ Nevett, Chad (September 15, 2009). "Review: Thor Annual #1". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=1395. Retrieved September 27, 2010.

122. ^ [a] [b] J. Michael Straczynski (w), Marko Djurdjevic (p), Thor #602 (Aug. 2009), New York, NY: Marvel Comics

123. ^ Nevett, Chad (June 23, 2009). "Review: Thor #602". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=1142. Retrieved September 26, 2010.

124. ^ Siege #1-4

125. ^ Richards, Dave (January 7, 2010). "Storming Heaven: "Siege" #1". Comic Book Resources News. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24329. Retrieved September 26, 2010.

126. ^ Richards, Dave (February 17, 2010). "Storming Heaven: "Siege" #2". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24874. Retrieved September 26, 2010.

127. ^ Richards, Dave (March 29, 2010). "Storming Heaven:: "Siege" #3". Comic Book Resources News. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25450. Retrieved September 26, 2010.

128. ^ Richards, Dave (May 18, 2010). "Storming Heaven: "Siege" #4". Comic Book Resources. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26287. Retrieved September 26, 2010.

129. ^ Thor #610

130. ^ Heroic Age: Prince of Power #01-04

131. ^ Chaos War: #1-3, Chaos War: Thor #1

132. ^ Thor #616-619 (2011)

133. ^ Thor #272 (June 1978)

134. ^ Thor #379 (May 1987)

135. ^ Thor #178

136. ^ [a] [b] Journey into Mystery #94

137. ^ Silver Surfer #4

138. ^ Thor #166 (July 1969); Hulk#440 (April 1996); Thor #502 (Sept. 1996)

139. ^ Thor #309 (July 1981)

140. ^ Avengers #14

141. ^ Thor #324 (Oct. 1982)

142. ^ Thor #282 (April 1979)

143. ^ Journey into Mystery #85 (Oct. 1962)

144. ^ Thor #337 (Nov. 1983)

145. ^ Thor #341-343 (March 1984-May 1984)

146. ^ Journey into Mystery #89

147. ^ Journey into Mystery #86

148. ^ Various. Avengers; Thor & Captain America: Official Index to the Marvel Universe #1, Marvel Comics, June 2010

149. ^ Thor: The Trial of Thor #1

150. ^ Thor #155 (Aug. 1968)

151. ^ Thor #155

152. ^ Journey into Mystery #100

153. ^ Defenders vol.1 #11 (December 1973)

154. ^ Thor vol. 3, #4 (Nov. 2007)

155. ^ Journey into Mystery #91 (April 1963)

156. ^ Thor vol.1, #160-161 (Jan.-Feb. 1969); Thor #388 (Feb. 1988); Thor vol. 2, #25 (July 2003)

157. ^ Thor #133

158. ^ Thor vol. 2, #12 (June 1999)

159. ^ Thor #364-366 (Feb.-April 1986)

160. ^ Journey into Mystery #90

161. ^ Journey into Mystery #85

162. ^ Earth X #0 (March 1999); #0.5 (Jan. 2000); #1-13 (April 1999 - June 2000)

163. ^ Nevett, Chad (April 18, 2010). "The Reread Reviews — Earth X". Comic Book Resources. http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/04/18/the-reread-reviews-earth-x/. Retrieved September 26, 2010.

164. ^ Tom DeFalco (w), Ron Frenz (w,p), Brett Breeding (i), A-Next #1 (October 10, 1998), New York, NY: Marvel Comics

165. ^ Marvel: 1602 #1 - 8 (Nov. 2003 - June 2004)

166. ^ Spider-Man 2099 #15 (Jan. 1994)

167. ^ Age of Apocalypse #1 (May 1995)

168. ^ Thor Corps #1–4 (Sept.-Dec. 1993)

169. ^ Marvel Mangaverse: Avengers Assemble! #1 (March 2002)

170. ^ Robert Kirkman (w), Sean Phillips (p), Marvel Zombies #1-5 (Dec. 2005-April 2006), New York, NY: Marvel Comics

171. ^ "Tails of Arfgard" backup feature in Spider-Ham|Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham #5 (Jan. 1986)

172. ^ JLA/Avengers #1-4

173. ^ Mark Millar (w), Bryan Hitch (p), Ultimates #1-13 (March 2002 - April 2004), New York, NY: Marvel Comics

External links

- Official website

- Thor at the Marvel Universe wiki

- Larry Lieber interview, Alter Ego vol. 3, #2 (Fall 1999)

- Alan Kistler's History of Thor

v · d · eThor (Marvel Comics)

Creators

Stan Lee • Larry Lieber • Jack Kirby

Allies

Balder • Beta Ray Bill • Frey • Frigga • Jane Foster • Heimdall • Hermod • Hercules • Hoder • Hrimhari • Idunn • Kelda • Odin • Sif • Thor Girl • Thunderstrike • Tyr • Valkyrie • Vidar • Volla • Warriors Three (Fandral • Hogun • Volstagg)  • Zeus

Enemies

Absorbing Man • Atum • Bloodaxe • Cobra • Desak • Destroyer • Ego the Living Planet • Enchantress • Executioner • Fafnir • Fenris Wolf • Grey Gargoyle • Hela • Karnilla • Kurse • Laufey • Loki • Lorelei • Malekith the Accursed • Man-Beast • Mangog • Midgard Serpent • Mr. Hyde • Mongoose • Perrikus • Quicksand • Radioactive Man • Ragnarok • Seth • Surtur • Ulik • Wrecking Crew (Wrecker • Bulldozer • Piledriver • Thunderball) • Ymir • Zarrko

Bibliography

Journey into Mystery • Thor: Blood Oath • Thor: Son of Asgard • Thor: Vikings

In other media

Television

The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) • The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)

Film

Hulk Vs (2009) • Thor (2011) (soundtrack) • Thor: Tales of Asgard (2011)

Video games

Thor: God of Thunder (2011)

Related articles

Alternative versions (Ultimate Thor) • Asgard • Elves • Giants of Jotunheim • Mjolnir • Norns • Valkyrior

v · d · eAvengers

Creators

Stan Lee • Jack Kirby

Comic book titles

Current

The Avengers • Avengers Academy • New Avengers • Secret Avengers

Previous

Avengers: The Initiative • Dark Avengers • Force Works • The Mighty Avengers • Solo Avengers • West Coast Avengers • Young Avengers

Limited

Avengers: Celestial Quest • Avengers Forever • Avengers Infinity • G.L.A. • JLA/Avengers • Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers

Other continuities

A-Next • The Last Avengers Story • Marvel Adventures: The Avengers • The Ultimates

Initial characters

Ant-Man • Captain America • Hulk • Iron Man • Thor • Wasp

Members lists

Avengers members • A-Next members • Great Lakes Avengers members • New Avengers members • Ultimates members • West Coast Avengers members

Enemies

Baron Zemo • Collector • Count Nefaria • Egghead • Grandmaster • Graviton • Grim Reaper • Immortus • Kang • Korvac • Legion of the Unliving • Lethal Legion • Loki • Master Pandemonium • Masters of Evil • Morgan le Fay • Nebula • Space Phantom • Super-Adaptoid • Supreme Intelligence • Squadron Sinister • Taskmaster • Thanos • Ultron • Zodiac

Headquarters

Avengers Mansion • Avengers Island • Avengers Tower

Storylines

"Kree-Skrull War" • "Acts of Vengeance" • "Operation: Galactic Storm" • "Bloodties" • "Kang Dynasty" • "Avengers Disassembled"

In other media

Television

The Avengers: United They Stand • The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Film

Ultimate Avengers • Ultimate Avengers 2 • Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow • The Avengers

Video games

Captain America and The Avengers • Avengers in Galactic Storm

Alternate versions

Agents of Atlas • A-Next • Ultimates

Book:The Avengers

v · d · eMarvel Cinematic Universe

Iron Man • The Incredible Hulk • Iron Man 2 • Thor • Captain America: The First Avenger • The Avengers

Characters

Tony Stark • Nick Fury • Harold Hogan • JARVIS • Virginia Potts • James Rhodes • Howard Stark • Obadiah Stane • Bruce Banner • Thaddeus Ross • Emil Blonsky • Natasha Romanoff • Ivan Vanko • Thor • Loki • Clint Barton • Steve Rogers • Johann Schmidt

Video games

Iron Man • The Incredible Hulk • Iron Man 2 • Thor: God of Thunder • Captain America: Super Soldier

Soundtracks

Iron Man • The Incredible Hulk: Original Motion Picture Score • Iron Man 2 • Iron Man 2: Original Motion Picture Score • Thor

Thor

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. It uses material retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor on 2011-05-06.

CONTENTS

Name

Attestations

Roman era

Migration Period

Viking Age

Post-Viking Age

Modern folklore

Archaeological record

Runestone invocations and image stones

Hammer pendants and Eyrarland Statue

Swastikas

Toponymy

Origin, theories, and interpretations

Modern influence

Notes

References

Thor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search

Thor's Battle Against the Ettins (1872) by Mårten Eskil Winge

In Norse polytheism, Thor (from Old Norse Þórr) is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, destruction, fertility, healing, and the protection of mankind. The cognate deity in wider Germanic mythology was known in Old English as Þunor and in Old High German Donar (runic þonar ᚦᛟᚾᚨᚱ), stemming from a Common Germanic *Þunraz (meaning "thunder").

Ultimately stemming from Proto-Indo-European religion, Thor is a prominently mentioned god throughout the recorded history of the Germanic peoples, from the Roman occupation of regions of Germania, to the tribal expansions of the Migration Period, to his high popularity during the Viking Age, when, in the face of the process of the Christianization of Scandinavia, emblems of his hammer, Mjöllnir, were worn in defiance and Norse pagan personal names containing the name of the god bear witness to his popularity. Into the modern period, Thor continued to be acknowledged in rural folklore throughout Germanic regions. Thor is frequently referenced in place names, the day of the week Thursday ("Thor's day") bears his name, and names stemming from the pagan period containing his own continue to be used today.

In Norse mythology, largely recorded in Iceland from traditional material stemming from Scandinavia, numerous tales and information about Thor are provided. In these sources, Thor bears at least fourteen names, is the husband of the golden-haired goddess Sif, is the lover of the jötunn Járnsaxa, and is generally described as fierce-eyed, red-haired and red-bearded.[1] With Sif, Thor fathered the goddess (and possible valkyrie) Þrúðr; with Járnsaxa, he fathered Magni; with a mother whose name is not recorded, he fathered Móði, and he is the stepfather of the god Ullr. The same sources list Thor as the son of the god Odin and the personified earth, Fjörgyn, and by way of Odin, Thor has numerous brothers. Thor has two servants, Þjálfi and Röskva, rides in a cart or chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr (that he eats and resurrects), and is ascribed three dwellings (Bilskirnir, Þrúðheimr, and Þrúðvangr). Thor wields the mountain-crushing hammer, Mjöllnir, wears the belt Megingjörð and the iron gloves Járngreipr, and owns the staff Gríðarvölr. Thor's exploits, including his relentless slaughter of his foes and fierce battles with the monstrous serpent Jörmungandr—and their foretold mutual deaths during the events of Ragnarök—are recorded throughout sources for Norse mythology.

Name

Lightning strikes in Germany

Old Norse Þórr, Old English Þunor and Old High German Donar are cognates within Germanic, descending from a Common Germanic *þonaroz[2] or *þunraz, meaning "thunder".[3] The name of the Gaulish god of thunder, Toran or Taran and the Irish god Tuireann are also related.[4]

Thor is the namesake of the weekday name Thursday. By employing a practice known as interpretatio germanica during the Roman Empire period, the Germanic peoples adopted the Roman weekly calendar, and replaced the names of Roman gods with their own. Latin dies Iovi ("day of Jupiter") was converted into Proto-Germanic *Þonares dagaz ("Thor's day"), from which stems modern English "Thursday" and all other Germanic weekday cognates.[5]

Beginning in the Viking Age, personal names containing the theonym Thōrr are recorded with great frequency. Prior to the Viking Age, no known examples are recorded. Thórr-based names may have flourished during the Viking Age as a defiant response to attempts at Christianization, similar to the widescale Viking Age practice of wearing Thor's hammer pendants.[6]

In 19th century Iceland, a specific breed of fox was known as holtaþórr ("Thor of the holt"), likely due to the red coat of the breed.[7]

The modern spelling Thor is an anglicization of the Old Norse name. The name of the Norse deity is attested already in Old English, as Þór. The modern spelling was introduced with the beginning of antiquarian interest in the Viking Age, in the 17th century.[8]

Attestations

Roman era

Forest in northwestern Germany

The earliest records of the Germanic peoples were recorded by the Romans, and in these works Thor is frequently referred to—via a process known as interpretatio romana (where characteristics perceived to be similar by Romans result in identification of a non-Roman god as a Roman deity)—as either the Roman god Jupiter (also known as Jove) or the Greco-Roman demigod Hercules. The first clear example of this occurs in the Roman historian Tacitus's 1 AD work Germania, where, writing about the religion of the Suebi (a confederation of Germanic peoples), he comments that "among the gods Mercury is the one they principally worship. They regard it as a religious duty to offer to him, on fixed days, human as well as other sacrificial victims. Hercules and Mars they appease by animal offerings of the permitted kind" and adds that a portion of the Suebi also venerate "Isis". In this instance, Tacitus refers to the god Odin as "Mercury", Thor as "Hercules", and the god Týr as "Mars", and the identity of the "Isis" of the Suebi has been debated. In Thor's case, the identification with the god Hercules is likely due to similarities between Thor's hammer and Hercules's club. In his Annals, Tacitus again refers to the veneration of "Hercules" by the Germanic peoples; he records a wood beyond the river Weser (in what is now northwestern Germany) as dedicated to him.[9]

In Germanic areas occupied by the Roman Empire, coins and votive objects dating from the 2nd and 3rd century AD have been found with Latin inscriptions referring to "Hercules", and so in reality, with varying levels of likelihood, refer to Thor by way of interpretatio romana.[10]

Migration Period

Boniface bears his crucifix after felling Thor's Oak in Bonifacius (1905) by Emil Doepler

The first recorded instance of the name of the god appears in the Migration Period, where a piece of jewelry (a fibula), the Nordendorf fibula, dating from the 7th century AD and found in Bavaria, bears an Elder Futhark inscription that contains the name "Þonar", i.e. "Donar", the southern Germanic form of the god's name.[11]

According to Vita Bonifatii auctore Willibaldo, in 723 the Christian missionary Saint Boniface felled an oak tree dedicated to "Jove," the Donar Oak near Fritzlar, Hesse, Germany.[12] Around the second half of the 8th century, Old English tales of a figure named "Thunor"—the Old English form of Thor's name—are recorded, a figure who likely refers to an Old English cult of the god. In relation, Thunor is sometimes used in Old English texts to gloss Jupiter, the god may be referenced in the poem Solomon and Saturn, and the Old English expression þunnorad ("thunder ride") may refer to the god's thunderous, goat-led chariot.[13] A 9th century AD codex from Mainz, Germany, known as the Old Saxon Baptismal Vow records the name of three Old Saxon gods; UUôden (Old Saxon "Wodan"), Saxnôte, and Thunaer (Old Saxon "Thor") for use in Christianizing Germanic pagans by way of renouncing their native gods as demons.[14]

A 16th century depiction of Norse gods by Olaus Magnus; from left to right, Frigg, Thor, and Odin

Viking Age

In the 11th century, chronicler Adam of Bremen records in his Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum that a statue of Thor, who Adam describes as "mightiest", sits in the Temple at Uppsala in the center of a triple throne (flanked by Woden and "Fricco") located in Gamla Uppsala, Sweden. Adam details that "Thor, they reckon, rules the sky; he governs thunder and lightning, winds and storms, fine weather and fertility" and that "Thor, with his mace, looks like Jupiter". Adam details that the people of Uppsala had appointed priests to each of the gods, and that the priests were to offer up sacrifices. In Thor's case, he continues, these sacrifices were done when plague or famine threatened.[15] Earlier in the same work, Adam relays that in 1030 an English preacher by the name of Wulfred was lynched by assembled Germanic pagans for "profaning" a representation of Thor.[16]

Two objects with runic inscriptions invoking Thor date from the 11th century, one from England and one from Sweden. The first, the Canterbury Charm from Canterbury, England, calls upon Thor to heal a wound by banishing a thurs.[17] The second, the Kvinneby amulet, invokes protection by both Thor and his hammer.[18]

Post-Viking Age

In the 12th century, centuries after Norway was "officially" Christianized, Thor was still being invoked by the population, as evidenced by a stick bearing a runic message found among the Bryggen inscriptions in Bergen, Norway. On the stick, both Thor and Odin are called upon for help; Thor is asked to "receive" the reader, and Odin to "own" them.[19] Also around the 12th century, iconography of the Christianizing 11th century king Olaf II of Norway absorbed elements of the native Thor; Olaf II had become a familiarly red-bearded, hammer-wielding figure.[20]

In the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from traditional source material reaching into the pagan period, Thor appears (or is mentioned) in the poems Völuspá, Grímnismál, Skírnismál, Hárbarðsljóð, Hymiskviða, Lokasenna, Þrymskviða, Alvíssmál, and Hyndluljóð.[21]

The foretold death of Thor as depicted (1895) by Lorenz Frølich

In the poem Völuspá, a dead völva recounts the history of the universe and foretells the future to the disguised god Odin, including the death of Thor. Thor, she foretells, will do battle with the great serpent during the immense mythical war waged at Ragnarök, and there he will slay the monstrous snake, yet after he will only be able to take nine steps before succumbing to the venom of the beast:

Benjamin Thorpe translation:

Then comes the mighty son of Hlôdyn:

(Odin's son goes with the monster to fight);

Midgârd's Veor in his rage will slay the worm.

Nine feet will go Fiörgyn's son,

bowed by the serpent, who feared no foe.

All men will their homes forsake.[22]

Henry Adams Bellows translation:

Hither there comes the son of Hlothyn,

The bright snake gapes to heaven above;

. . . . . . . .

Against the serpent goes Othin's son.

In anger smites the warder of earth,—

Forth from their homes must all men flee;—

Nine paces fares the son of Fjorgyn,

And, slain by the serpent, fearless he sinks.[23]

After, says the völva, the sky will turn black before fire engulfs the world, the stars will disappear, flames will dance before the sky, steam will rise, the world will be covered in water, and then it will be raised again; green and fertile (see Prose Edda section below for the survival of the sons of Thor, who return after these events with Thor's hammer).[24]

Thor wades through a river while the Æsir ride across the bridge Bifröst (1895) by Lorenz Frølich

In the poem Grímnismál, the god Odin, in disguise as Grímnir, and tortured, starved and thirsty, imparts in the young Agnar cosmological lore, including that Thor resides in Þrúðheimr, and that, every day, Thor wades through the rivers Körmt and Örmt, and the two Kerlaugar. There, Grímnir says, Thor sits as judge at the immense cosmological world tree, Yggdrasil.[25]

In Skírnismál, the god Freyr's messenger, Skírnir, threatens the fair Gerðr, who Freyr is smitten with, with numerous threats and curses, including that Thor, Freyr, and Odin will be angry with her, and that she risks their "potent wrath".[26]

Thor is the main character of Hárbarðsljóð, where, after traveling "from the east", Thor encounters a ferryman at an inlet by the name of Hárbarðr (Odin, again in disguise), who he attempts to hail a ride from. The ferryman, shouting from the inlet, is immediately rude and obnoxious to Thor and refuses to ferry him. At first, Thor holds his tongue, but Hárbarðr only becomes more aggressive, and the poem soon becomes a flyting match between Thor and Hárbarðr, all the while revealing lore about the two, including Thor's killing of several jötnar in "the east" and berzerk women on Hlesey (now the Danish island of Læsø). In the end, Thor ends up walking instead.[27]

Týr looks on as Thor discovers that one of his goats is lame in the leg (1895) by Lorenz Frølich

Thor is again the main character in the poem Hymiskviða, where, after the gods have been hunting and have eaten their prey, they have an urge to drink. They "sh[ake] the twigs" and interpret what they say. The gods decide that they would find suitable cauldrons at Ægir's home. Thor arrives at Ægir's home and finds him to be cheerful, looks into his eyes, and tells him that he must prepare feasts for the gods. Annoyed, Ægir tells Thor that the gods must first bring to him a suitable cauldron to brew ale in. The gods search but find no such cauldron anywhere. However, Týr tells Thor that he may have a solution; east of Élivágar lives Hymir, and he owns such a deep kettle.[28]

So, after Thor secures his goats at Egil's home, Thor and Týr go to Hymir's hall in search of a cauldron large enough to brew ale for them all. They arrive, and Týr sees his nine-hundred-headed grandmother and his gold-clad mother, the latter of which welcomes them with a horn. After Hymir—who is not happy to see Thor—comes in from the cold outdoors, Týr's mother helps them find a properly strong cauldron. Thor eats a big meal of two oxen (all the rest eat but one), and then goes to sleep. In the morning, he awakes and informs Hymir that he wants to go fishing the following evening, and that he will catch plenty of food, but that he needs bait. Hymir tells him to go get some bait from his pasture, which he expects should not be a problem for Thor. Thor goes out, finds Hymir's best ox, and rips its head off.[29]

After a lacuna in the manuscript of the poem,Hymiskviða abruptly picks up again with Thor and Hymir in a boat, out at sea. Hymir catches a few whales at once, and Thor baits his line with the head of the ox. Thor casts his line and the monstrous serpent Jörmungandr bites. Thor pulls the serpent on board, and violently slams him in the head with his hammer. Jörmungandr shrieks, and a noisy commotion is heard from underwater before another lacuna appears in the manuscript.[30]

After the second lacuna, Hymir is sitting in the boat, unhappy and totally silent, as they row back to shore. On shore, Hymir suggests that Thor should help him carry a whale back to his farm. Thor picks both the boat and the whales up, and carries it all back to Hymir's farm. After Thor successfully smashes a crystal goblet by throwing it at Hymir's head on Týr's mother's suggestion, Thor and Týr are given the cauldron. Týr cannot lift it, but Thor manages to roll it, and so with it they leave. Some distance from Hymir's home, an army of many-headed beings led by Hymir attacks the two, but are killed by the hammer of Thor. And although one of his goats is lame in the leg, the two manage to bring the cauldron back, have plenty of ale, and so, from then on, return to Ægir's for more every winter.[31]

Thor raises his hammer as Loki leaves Ægir's hall (1895) by Lorenz Frølich

In the poem Lokasenna, the half-god Loki angrily flyts with the gods in the sea entity Ægir's hall. Thor does not attend the event, however, as he is away in the east for unspecified purposes. Towards the end of the poem, the flyting turns to Sif, Thor's wife, who Loki then claims to have slept with. The god Freyr's servant Beyla interjects, and says that, since all of the mountains are shaking, she thinks that Thor is on his way home. Beyla adds that Thor will bring peace to the quarrel, to which Loki responds with insults.[32]

Thor arrives and tells Loki to be silent, and threatens to rip Loki's head from his body with his hammer. Loki asks Thor why he's so angry, and comments that Thor won't be so daring to fight "the wolf" (Fenrir) when it eats Odin (a reference to the foretold events of Ragnarök). Thor again tells him to be silent, and threatens to throw him into the sky, where he will never be seen again. Loki says that Thor should not brag of his time in the east, as he once crouched in fear in the thumb of a glove (a story involving deception by the magic of Útgarða-Loki, recounted in the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning)—which, he comments, "was hardly like Thor". Thor again tells him to be silent, threatening to break every bone in Loki's body. Loki responds that he intends to live a while yet, and again insults Thor with references to his encounter with Útgarða-Loki. Thor responds with a fourth call to be silent, and threatens to send Loki to Hel. At Thor's final threat, Loki gives in, commenting that only for Thor will he leave the hall, for "I know alone that you do strike", and the poem continues.[33]

Thor is unhappily dressed by the goddess Freyja and her attendants as herself in Ah, what a lovely maid it is! (1902) by Elmer Boyd Smith

In the comedic poem Þrymskviða, Thor again plays a central role. In the poem, Thor wakes and finds that his powerful hammer, Mjöllnir, is missing. Thor turns to Loki, and tells him that nobody knows that the hammer has been stolen. The two go to the dwelling of the goddess Freyja, and so that he may attempt to find Mjöllnir, Thor asks her if he may borrow her feather cloak. Freyja agrees, and says she'd lend it to Thor even if it were made of silver or gold, and Loki flies off, the feather cloak whistling.[34]

In Jötunheimr, the jötunn Þrymr sits on a barrow, plaiting golden collars for his female dogs, and trimming the manes of his horses. Þrymr sees Loki, and asks what could be amiss among the Æsir and the elves; why is Loki alone in Jötunheimr? Loki responds that that he has bad news for both the elves and the Æsir—that Thor's hammer, Mjöllnir, is gone. Þrymr says that he has hidden Mjöllnir eight leagues beneath the earth, from which it will be retrieved, but only if Freyja is brought to him as his wife. Loki flies off, the feather cloak whistling, away from Jötunheimr and back to the court of the gods.[35]

Thor asks Loki if his efforts were successful, and that Loki should tell him while he's still in the air as "tales often escape a sitting man, and the man lying down often barks out lies." Loki states that it was indeed an effort, and also a success, for he has discovered that Þrymr has the hammer, but that it cannot be retrieved unless Freyja is brought to Þrymr as his wife. The two return to Freyja and tell her to put on a bridal head dress, as they will drive her to Jötunheimr. Freyja, indignant and angry, goes into a rage, causing all of the halls of the Æsir to tremble in her anger, and her necklace, the famed Brísingamen, falls from her. Freyja pointedly refuses.[36]

As a result, the gods and goddesses meet and hold a thing to discuss and debate the matter. At the thing, the god Heimdallr puts forth the suggestion that, in place of Freyja, Thor should be dressed as the bride, complete with jewels, women's clothing down to his knees, a bridal head-dress, and the necklace Brísingamen. Thor rejects the idea, yet Loki interjects that this will be the only way to get back Mjöllnir. Loki points out that, without Mjöllnir, the jötnar will be able to invade and settle in Asgard. The gods dress Thor as a bride, and Loki states that he will go with Thor as his maid, and that the two shall drive to Jötunheimr together.[37]

After riding together in Thor's goat-driven chariot, the two, disguised, arrive in Jötunheimr. Þrymr commands the jötnar in his hall to spread straw on the benches, for Freyja has arrived to be his wife. Þrymr recounts his treasured animals and objects, stating that Freyja was all that he was missing in his wealth.[38]

Early in the evening, the disguised Loki and Thor meet withÞrymr and the assembled jötnar. Thor eats and drinks ferociously, consuming entire animals and three casks of mead. Þrymr finds the behaviour at odds with his impression of Freyja, and Loki, sitting before Þrymr and appearing as a "very shrewd maid", makes the excuse that "Freyja's" behaviour is due to her having not consumed anything for eight entire days before arriving due to her eagerness to arrive. Þrymr then lifts "Freyja's" veil and wants to kiss "her". Terrifying eyes stare back at him, seemingly burning with fire. Loki says that this is because "Freyja" has not slept for eight nights in her eagerness.[38]

The "wretched sister" of the jötnar appears, asks for a bridal gift from "Freyja", and the jötnar bring out Mjöllnir to "sanctify the bride", to lay it on her lap, and marry the two by "the hand" of the goddess Vár. Thor laughs internally when he sees the hammer, takes hold of it, strikes Þrymr, beats all of the jötnar, kills their "older sister", and so gets his hammer back.[39]

In Sun Shines in the Hall (1908) by W.G. Collingwood, Thor clasps the hand of his daughter and chuckles at the "all-wise" dwarf, whom he has outwitted

In the poem Alvíssmál, Thor tricks a dwarf, Alvíss, to his doom upon finding that he seeks to wed his daughter (unnamed, possibly Þrúðr). As the poem starts, Thor meets a dwarf who talks about getting married. Thor finds the dwarf repulsive and, apparently, realizes that the bride is his daughter. Thor comments that the wedding agreement was made among the gods while Thor was gone, and that the dwarf must seek his consent. To do so, Thor says, Alvíss must tell him what he wants to know about all of the worlds that the dwarf has visited. In a long question and answer session, Alvíss does exactly that; he describes natural features as they are known in the languages of various races of beings in the world, and gives an amount of cosmological lore.[40]

However, the question and answer session turns out to be a ploy by Thor, as, although Thor comments that he has truly never seen anyone with more wisdom in their breast, Thor has managed to delay the dwarf enough for the Sun to turn him to stone; "day dawns on you now, dwarf, now sun shines on the hall".[41]

In the poem Hyndluljóð, Freyja offers to the jötunn woman Hyndla to blót (sacrifice) to Thor so that she may be protected, and comments that Thor doesn't care much for jötunn women.[42]

In the prologue to his Prose Edda, Snorri Sturluson euhemerises Thor as a prince of Troy, and the son of king Memnon by Troana, a daughter of Priam. Thor, also known as Tror, is said to have married the prophetess Sybil (identified with Sif). Thor is further said here to have been raised in Thrace by a chieftain named Lorikus, whom he later slew to assume the title of 'king of Thrace', to have had hair "fairer than gold", and to have been strong enough to lift ten bearskins.

The name of the aesir is explained as "men from Asia", Asgard being the "Asian city", i.e. Troy. Alternatively, Troy is in Tyrkland (Turkey, i.e. Asia Minor), and Asialand is the name of Scythia, where Thor founded a new city named Asgard. Odin is a remote descendant of Thor, removed by twelve generations, who led an expedition across Germany, Denmark and Sweden to Norway.

In the Prose Edda, Thor is mentioned in all four books; Prologue, Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, and Háttatal.

In Heimskringla, composed in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson, Thor or statues of Thor are mentioned in Ynglinga saga, Hákonar saga Góða, Ólafs saga Tryggvason, and Ólafs saga Helga. In Ynglinga saga chapter 5, a heavily Euhemerized account of the gods is provided, where Thor is described as having been a gothi—a pagan priest—who was given by Odin (who himself is explained away as having been an exceedingly powerful magic-wielding chieftain from the east) a dwelling in the mythical location of Þrúðvangr, in what is now Sweden. The saga narrative adds that numerous names—at the time of the narrative, popularly in use—were derived from Thor.[43]

Modern folklore

Tales about Thor, or influenced by native traditions regarding Thor, continued into the modern period, particularly in Scandinavia. Writing in the 19th century, scholar Jacob Grimm records various phrases surviving into Germanic languages that refer to the god, such as Norwegian Thorsvarme ("Thor's warmth") for lightning, and the Swedish godgubben åfar ("The good old (fellow) is taking a ride") when it thunders. Grimm comments that, at times, Scandinavians often "no longer liked to utter the god's real name, or they wished to extol his fatherly goodness [...]."[44]

Thor remained pictured as a red-bearded figure, as evidenced by the Danish rhyme that yet referred to him as Thor med sit lange skæg ("Thor with the long beard") and the Frisian curse diis ruadhiiret donner regiir! ("let red-haired thunder see to that!").[44]

A Scandinavian folk belief that lightning frightens away trolls and ettins appears in numerous Scandinavian folktales, and may be a late reflection of Thor's role in fighting such beings. In connection, the lack of trolls and ettins in modern Scandinavia is explained as a result of the "accuracy and efficiency of the lightning strokes".[45]

Archaeological record

Runestone invocations and image stones

On four (or possibly five) runestones, an invocation to Thor appears that reads "May Thor hallow (these runes/this monument)!". The invocation appears thrice in Denmark (DR 110, DR 209, and DR 220), and a single time in Västergötland (Vg 150), Sweden. A fifth appearance may possibly occur on a runestone found in Södermanland, Sweden (Sö 140), but the reading is contested. Pictorial representations of Thor's hammer also appear on a total of five runestones found in Denmark, Västergötland, and Södermanland.[46]

Three stones depict Thor fishing for the serpent Jörmungandr; the Hørdum stone stone in Thy, Denmark, the Altuna Runestone in Altuna, Sweden, one of the Ardre image stones (stone VII) from Gotland, Sweden, and the Gosforth Cross in Gosforth, England.

- The Sønder Kirkeby Runestone (DR 220), a runestone from Denmark bearing the "May Thor hallow these runes!" inscription

- A runestone from Södermanland, Sweden bearing a depiction of Thor's hammer

- The Altuna stone, one of four stones depicting Thor's fishing trip

- The Gosforth depiction, one of four stones depicting Thor's fishing trip

Hammer pendants and Eyrarland Statue

Pendants in a distinctive shape representing the hammer of Thor (known in Norse sources as Mjöllnir) have frequently been unearthed in Viking Age Scandinavian burials. The hammers were worn as a symbol of Norse pagan faith and as a symbol of opposition to Christianization; a response to crosses worn by Christians. Casting moulds have been found for the production of both Thor's hammers and Christian crucifixes, and at least one example of a combined crucifix and hammer has been discovered.[47] The Eyrarland Statue, a copper alloy figure found near Akureyri, Iceland dating from around the 11th century, may depict Thor seated and gripping his hammer.[48]

- Drawing of a silver-gilted Thor's hammer found in Scania, Sweden

- Drawing of a 4.6 cm gold-plated silver Mjöllnir pendant found at Bredsätra on Öland, Sweden

- Drawing of a silver Thor's hammer amulet found in Fitjar, Hordaland, Norway

- Drawing of Thor's hammer amulet from Mandemark, Møn, Denmark

Swastikas
Further information: Swastika (Germanic Iron Age)

Detail of swastika on the 9th century Snoldelev Stone

The swastika symbol has been identified as representing the hammer or lightning of Thor.[49] Scholar Hilda Ellis Davidson (1965) comments on the usage of the swastika as a symbol of Thor:

The protective sign of the hammer was worn by women, as we know from the fact that it has been found in women's graves. it seems to have been used by the warrior also, in the form of the swastika. [...] Primarily it appears to have had connections with light and fire, and to have been linked with the sun-wheel. It may have been on account of Thor's association with lightning that this sign was used as an alternative to the hammer, for it is found on memorial stones in Scandinavia besides inscriptions to Thor. When we find it on the pommel of a warrior's sword and on his sword-belt, the assumption is that the warrior was placing himself under the Thunder God's protection.[50]

Swastikas appear on various Germanic objects stretching from the Migration Period to the Viking Age, such as the 3rd century Værløse Fibula (DR EM85;123) from Zealand, Denmark; the Gothic spearhead from Brest-Litovsk, Russia; numerous Migration Period bracteates; cremation urns from early Anglo-Saxon England; the 8th century Sæbø sword from Sogn, Norway; and the 9th century Snoldelev Stone (DR 248) from Ramsø, Denmark.

Toponymy

A city limit sign marking Thorsager ("Thor's Acre"), Denmark

Numerous place names in Scandinavia contain the Old Norse name Thorr. The identification of these place names as pointing to religious significance is complicated by the aforementioned common usage of Thorr as a personal name element. Cultic significance may only be assured in place names containing the elements -vé (signifying the location of a vé, a type of pagan Germanic shrine), -hof (a structure used for religious purposes, see heathen hofs), and -lundr (a holy grove). The place name Thorslundr is recorded with particular frequency in Denmark (and has direct cognates in Norse settlements in Ireland, such as Coill Tomair), whereas Thorshof appears particularly often in southern Norway.[6]

In English placenames, Anglo-Saxon Thunor (in contrast with the Old Norse form of the name, later introduced to the Danelaw) left comparatively few traces. One example is Thundersley, from a *Thunores hlæw (directly cognate to the above mentioned Old Norse Thorslundr). A second example is Thurstable (Old English "Thunor's pillar").[6]

In what is now Germany, locations named after Thor are sparsely recorded, but an amount of locations called Donnersberg (German "Donner's mountain") may derive their name from the deity Donner, the southern Germanic form of the god's name.[6]

Origin, theories, and interpretations

Scholars have theorized on Thor's role in Germanic religion and the origins thereof. Scholar Hilda Ellis Davidson summarizes that:

The cult of Thor was linked up with men's habitation and possessions, and with well-being of the family and community. This included the fruitfulness of the fields, and Thor, although pictured primarily as a storm god in the myths, was also concerned with the fertility and preservation of the seasonal round. In our own times, little stone axes from the distance past have been used as fertility symbols and placed by the farmer in the holes made by the drill to receive the first seed of spring. Thor's marriage with Sif of the golden hair, about which we hear little in the myths, seems to be a memory of the ancient symbol of divine marriage between sky god and earth goddess, when he comes to earth in the thunderstorm and the storm brings the rain which makes the fields fertile. In this way Thor, as well as Odin, may be seen to continue the cult of the sky god which was known in the Bronze Age.[51]

Modern influence

An early 20th century Danish bicycle head badge depicting Thor

In modern times, Thor continues to be referenced in popular culture. Starting with F. J. Klopstock's 1776 ode to Thor, Wir und Sie, Thor has been the subject of various poems, including Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger's 1807 epic poem Thors reise til Jotunheim and, by the same author, three more poems (Hammeren hentes, Thors fiskeri, and Thor besøger Hymir) collected in his 1819 Nordens Guder; Thors Trunk, Thor kams als Gast in Riesenlande (1859) by W. Hertz; the 1820 satirical poem Mythologierne eller Gudatvisten by J. M. Stiernstolpe; Nordens Mythologie eller Sinnbilled-Sprog (1832) by N. F. S. Grundtvig; the poem Harmen by Thor Thorild; Der Mythus von Thor (1836) by L. Uhland; Der Hammer Thors (1915) by W. Schulte v. Brühl, Herr Dunnar und die Bauern (published in Märchen und Sagen, 1937); and Die Heimholung des Hammers (1977) H. C. Artmann.[52]

Artists have depicted Thor in painting and sculpture, including Henry Fuseli's 1780 painting Thor in Hymirs Boot bekämpft die Midgardschlange; H. E. Fruend's 1821–1822 statue Thor; B. E. Fogelberg's 1844 marble statue Thor; M. E. Winge's 1880 charcoal drawing Thors Kampf mit den Riesen; K. Ehrenberg's 1883 drawing Odin, Thor und Magni; several illustrations by E. Doepler published in W. Ranisch's 1901 Walhall (Thor; Thor und die Midgardschlange; Thor den Hrungnir bekämpfend; Thor bei dem Riesen Þrym als Braut verkleidet; Thor bei Hymir; Thor bei Skrymir; Thor den Fluß Wimur durchwatend); J. C. Dollman's 1909 drawings Thor and the Mountain and Sif and Thor; G. Poppe's painting Thor; E. Pottner's 1914 drawing Thors Schatten; H. Natter's marble statue Thor; and U. Brember's 1977 illustrations to Die Heimholung des Hammers by H. C. Artmann.[52]

Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius (1779-1848) discovered a chemical element that he named after Thor; Thorium.[53] Donner appears as a character in German composer Richard Wagner's opera Das Rheingold (1869), and was originally written for a baritone voice.[52] In 1962, American comic book writer Stan Lee and his brother Larry Leiber, together with Jack Kirby, created the Marvel Comics superhero Thor, which they based on the god of the same name.[54]

Notes

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Thor

1. ^ On the red beard and the use of "Redbeard" as an epithet for Thor, see H.R. Ellis Davidson, Gods and Myths of Northern Europe, 1964, repr. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin, 1990, ISBN 0-14-013627-4, p. 85, citing the Saga of Olaf Tryggvason in Flateyjarbók, Saga of Erik the Red, and Flóamanna saga. The Prologue to the Prose Edda says ambiguously that "His hair is more beautiful than gold."

2. ^ OED s.v. "thunder" gives "Old Teutonic *þonar-oz".

3. ^ Simek (2007:332).

4. ^ Jacob Grimm, Deutsches Wörterbuch, s.v. "Donner"; see also J. Grimm, Über die Namen des Donners (1854).

5. ^ Simek (2007:333).

6. ^ [a] [b] [c] [d] Simek (2007:321).

7. ^ Grimm (1882:177).

8. ^ Þór and Owðen, þe hæðene men herjað swiðe (Wulfstan homilies (21a) , ca. 1020). Description of the great Idol Thor. (Richard Verstegan, A Restitution Of Decayed Intelligence In Antiquities Concerning Our Nation 74, 1605); cited after OED.

9. ^ Birley (1999:42 and 106—107).

10. ^ Simek (2007:140—142).

11. ^ Simek (2007:235—236).

12. ^ Simek (2007:238) and Robinson (1916:63).

13. ^ See North (1998:238—241) for þunnorad and tales regarding Thunor, see Encyclopedia Britannica (1910:608) regarding usage of Thunor as an Old English gloss for Jupiter and Tiw employed as a gloss for Mars.

14. ^ Simek (2007:276).

15. ^ Orchard (1997:168—169).

16. ^ North (1998:236).

17. ^ McLeod, Mees (2006:120).

18. ^ McLeod, Mees (2006:28).

19. ^ McLeod, Mees (2006:30).

20. ^ Dumézil (1973:125).

21. ^ Larrington (1999:320).

22. ^ Thorpe (1907:7).

23. ^ Bellows (1923:23).

24. ^ Larrington (1999:11—12).

25. ^ Larrington (1999:57).

26. ^ Larrington (1999:66).

27. ^ Larrington (1999:69-75).

28. ^ Larrington (1999:78—79).

29. ^ Larrington (1999:79—80).

30. ^ Larrington (1999:81).

31. ^ Larrington (1999:82—83).

32. ^ Larrington (1999:84 and 94).

33. ^ Larrington (1999:94—95).

34. ^ Larrington (1999:97).

35. ^ Larrington (1999:97–98).

36. ^ Larrington (1999:98).

37. ^ Larrington (1999:99).

38. ^ [a] [b] Larrington (1999:100).

39. ^ Larrington (1999:101).

40. ^ Larrington (1999:109—113). For Þrúðr hypothesis, see Orchard (1997:164—165).

41. ^ Larrington (1999:113).

42. ^ Larrington (1999:254).

43. ^ Hollander (2007:10—11).

44. ^ [a] [b] Grimm (1882:166—177).

45. ^ Lindow (1978:89).

46. ^ Sawyer (2003:128).

47. ^ Simek (2007:219) and Orchard (1997:114).

48. ^ Orchard (1997:161).

49. ^ The symbol was identified as such since 19th century scholarship; examples include Worsaae (1882:169) and Greg (1884:6).

50. ^ Davidson (1965:12—13).

51. ^ Davidson (1975:72).

52. ^ [a] [b] [c] Simek (2007:323).

53. ^ Morris (1992:2212).

54. ^ Reynolds (1994:54).

References

- Bellows, Henry Adams (1923). The Poetic Edda. American-Scandinavian Foundation

- Chrisholm, Hugh (Editor) (1910) Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 9. The Encyclopædia Britannica Co.

- Davidson, H. R. (1965). "Thor's Hammer" as published in Folklore, Vol. 76, No. 1 (Spring 1965). Taylor & Francis.

- Ellis Davidson, H. R. (1975). Scandinavian Mythology. Paul Hamlyn. ISBN 0 600 03637 5

- Dumézil, Georges (1973). Gods of the Ancient Northmen. University of California Press. ISBN 0520020448

- Greg, Robert Philips (1884). On the Meaning and Origin of the Fylfot and Swastika. Westminster: Nichols and Sons.

- Hollander, Lee Milton. (Trans.) (2007). Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-73061-8

- Grimm, Jacob (James Steven Stallybrass Trans.) (1882). Teutonic Mythology: Translated from the Fourth Edition with Notes and Appendix by James Stallybrass, volume I. London: George Bell and Sons.

- Lindow, John (1978). Swedish Folktales and Legends. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-03520-8

- MacLeod, Mindy; Mees, Bernard (2006). Runic Amulets and Magic Objects. Boydell Press. ISBN 1-84383-205-4

- Morris, Christopher G. (1992). Academic Dictionary of Science and Technology. Gulf Professional Publishing. ISBN 9780122004001

- Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. ISBN 0-304-34520-2

- Reynolds, Richard (1994). Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 0878056947

- Robinson, George W. (Trans.) (1916). The Life of Saint Boniface by Willibald. Harvard University Press.

- Sawyer, Birgit (2003). The Viking-Age Rune-Stones: Custom and Commemoration in Early Medieval Scandinavia. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-820643-7

- Simek, Rudolf (2007) translated by Angela Hall. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. D.S. Brewer. ISBN 0-85991-513-1

- Thorpe, Benjamin (Trans.) (1907). The Elder Edda of Saemund Sigfusson. Norrœna Society.

- Worsaae, J. J. A. (1882). The Industrial Arts of Denmark. Chapman and Hall.

v · d · eThe god Thor in Norse mythology

Family

Parents (Odin (Father)  · Fjörgyn (Mother))  · Numerous brothers  · Consorts (Sif · Járnsaxa) · Children (Móði and Magni · Þrúðr · Ullr) · Servants (Þjálfi and Röskva)

Other

Names (List of names of Thor) · Arsenal (Mjöllnir · Járngreipr · Megingjörð · Gríðarvölr) · Dwellings (Bilskirnir · Þrúðheimr · Þrúðvangr) · Goats (Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr) · Associations (Lightning · Thunder)

See also

Hrungnir · Jörmungandr · Swastika (Germanic Iron Age) · Thor's Oak

v · d · eNorse paganism

Deities,
heroes,
and figures

Æsir

Baldr · Bragi · Forseti · Dellingr · Freyr · Heimdall · Hermóðr · Höðr · Hœnir · Kvasir · Lóðurr · Loki · Meili · Mímir · Móði and Magni · Njörðr · Odin · Óðr · Thor · Týr · Ullr · Váli · Víðarr · Vili and Vé

Ásynjur

Bil · Eir · Freyja · Frigg · Fulla · Gerðr · Gefjon · Gná · Hlín · Ilmr · Iðunn · Irpa · Jörð · Lofn · Nanna · Njörun · Rán · Rindr · Sága · Sif · Sigyn · Sjöfn · Skaði · Snotra · Sól · Syn · Þorgerðr Hölgabrúðr · Þrúðr · Vár · Vör

Others

Ask and Embla · Dís (Norns  · Valkyries) · Dwarf · Einherjar · Elves (Light elves · Dark elves) · Fenrir · Hel · Jörmungandr · Jötunn · Sigurd · Völundr · Vættir

Locations

Asgard · Bifröst · Fólkvangr · Ginnungagap · Hel · Jötunheimr · Midgard · Múspellsheimr · Niflheim · Valhalla · Vígríðr · Wells (Mímisbrunnr · Hvergelmir · Urðarbrunnr) · Yggdrasil

Events

Æsir–Vanir War‎ · Fimbulvetr · Ragnarök

Sources

Gesta Danorum · Poetic Edda · Prose Edda · Runestones · Sagas · Tyrfing Cycle · Völsung Cycle · Old Norse language · Orthography · Later influence

Society

Blót · Félag · Germanic calendar · Heiti · Hörgr · Kenning · Mead hall · Nīþ · Norse pagan worship · Numbers · Seiðr · Skald · Viking Age · Völva

Origins

Germanic paganism · Proto-Indo-European religion

See also

Norse gods · Mythological Norse people, items and places · Ásatrú

v · d · eAnglo-Saxon paganism and mythology

Gods and divine figures

Beowa • Ēostre • Frige • Hengist and Horsa • Hretha • Ing • Saxnot • Þunor • Tiw • Wælcyrige • Wade • Wayland the Smith • Wōden

Heroic figures

Ægil • Beowa • Eormenric • Godwulf • Sceafa • Sigemund • Waldere • Widsith

Other beings

Cofgod • Elf • Dwarf (Dweorh) • Eoten/Thurs • Wight

Locations

Middangeard • Neorxnawang

Sources

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle • Anglo-Saxon calendar • Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem • Beowulf • De temporum ratione • Deor • Ealuscerwen • Finnesburg Fragment • Franks Casket • Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum • Nine Herbs Charm • Old English language • Spong Hill • Wið færstice • Æcerbot

Origins

Germanic paganism • (Angles • Frisians • Jutes • Saxons)

Society and culture

Anglo-Saxon law • Anglo-Saxon runes • Anglo-Saxon burial • Beot • Blōtan • Calendar • Folkmoot • Frith • Hearg • Maypole • Moot hill • Scop • Symbel • Thegn • Thing • Thyle • Weregild • Wicce • Wilweorthunga • Wyrd • Yule

Neopagan revival

Fyrnsidu • Seax-Wica • Theodism

Thor (film)

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. It uses material retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(film) on 2011-05-06.

CONTENTS

Plot

Cast

Production

Development

Pre-production

Filming

Post-production

Music

Release

Marketing

Box office

Critical reaction

References

External links

Thor (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is the latest accepted revision, accepted on 6 May 2011. There is 1 pending revision awaiting review. Jump to: navigation, search

Thor

International release poster

Directed by

Kenneth Branagh

Produced by

Kevin Feige

Screenplay by

Ashley Edward Miller
Zack Stentz
Don Payne

Story by

J. Michael Straczynski
Mark Protosevich

Based on

Thor by
Stan Lee
Larry Lieber
Jack Kirby

Starring

Chris Hemsworth
Natalie Portman
Tom Hiddleston
Anthony Hopkins
Stellan Skarsgård

Music by

Patrick Doyle

Cinematography

Haris Zambarloukos[1]

Editing by

Paul Rubell[1]

Studio

Marvel Studios

Distributed by

Paramount Pictures

Release date(s)

April 21, 2011 (2011-04-21) (Australia)
May 6, 2011 (2011-05-06) (United States)

Running time

114 minutes[2]

Country

United States

Language

English

Budget

$150 million[3]

Gross revenue

$124,947,700[4]

Thor is a 2011 American superhero film based on comic book character of the same name published by Marvel Comics and is the fourth film released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film was released on April 21, 2011 in Australia and on May 6, 2011 in the United States.[5] Thor was also released in 3D and IMAX 3D.[6][7] The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Stellan Skarsgård with Kenneth Branagh directing a script by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne.[8][9]

The project of a film adaptation of Thor was in "development hell" for several years before Marvel Studios signed Protosevich to write its script in 2006. Matthew Vaughn was to direct the film in late 2008 for a release in 2010. Branagh replaced Vaughn in late 2008, and the film's release was rescheduled into 2011. The main characters were cast in 2009, and principal photography took place from January to May 2010.

Plot

In 965 A.D., Odin (Anthony Hopkins), king of Asgard, wages war against the Frost Giants of Jotunheim and their leader Laufey (Colm Feore), to prevent them from conquering the Nine Realms, starting with Earth. The Asgardian warriors defeat the Frost Giants and seize the source of their power, the Casket of Ancient Winters.

In the present, Odin's son Thor (Chris Hemsworth) prepares to ascend to the throne of Asgard, but is interrupted when the Frost Giants attempt to retrieve the Casket. Against Odin's order, Thor travels to Jotunheim to confront Laufey, accompanied by his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), childhood friend Sif (Jaimie Alexander) and the Warriors Three Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Fandral (Joshua Dallas) and Hogun (Tadanobu Asano). A battle ensues until Odin intervenes to save the Asgardians, destroying the fragile truce between the two races. For Thor's arrogance, Odin strips his son of his godly power and exiles him to Earth, accompanied by his hammer Mjolnir — the source of his power, now protected by a spell to allow only the worthy to wield it.

Thor lands in New Mexico, where scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), her assistant Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) and mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) find him. The local populace finds Mjolnir, which S.H.I.E.L.D agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) soon commandeers before forcibly acquiring Jane's data about the wormhole that delivered Thor to Earth. Thor, having discovered Mjolnir's nearby location, seeks to retrieve it from the facility that S.H.I.E.L.D quickly constructed but he finds himself unable to lift it, and is captured. With Selvig's help, he is freed and resigns himself to exile on Earth as he develops a romance with Jane.

Loki discovers he is Laufey's son, adopted by Odin after the war ended. When Odin, overcome with stress, falls into the deep "Odinsleep" that allows him to recuperate, Loki becomes king and offers Laufey the chance to kill Odin and retrieve the Casket. Sif and the Warriors Three, unhappy with Loki's rule, attempt to return Thor from exile, convincing Heimdall (Idris Elba), gatekeeper of the Bifröst Bridge - the means of traveling between worlds - to allow them passage to Earth. Aware of their plan, Loki sends the Destroyer, a seemingly indestructible automaton, to pursue them and kill Thor. Sif and the Warriors Three find Thor, but the Destroyer attacks and defeats them, prompting Thor to offer himself instead. Struck by the Destroyer and near death, Thor's sacrifice proves him worthy to wield Mjolnir. The hammer returns to him, restoring his powers and allowing him to defeat the Destroyer. Kissing Jane goodbye and vowing to return, he and his fellow warriors travel to Asgard to confront Loki.

In Asgard, Loki betrays and kills Laufey, revealing his true plan to use Laufey's attempt on Odin's life as an excuse to destroy Jotunheim with the Bifröst Bridge, and thus prove himself worthy to Odin. Thor arrives and fights his brother before destroying the Bifröst Bridge to stop Loki's plan, stranding himself in Asgard. Odin awakens and prevents the brothers from falling into the abyss created in the wake of the bridge's destruction, but Loki allows himself to fall to his apparent death after realizing that he disappointed Odin once again. Thor makes amends with Odin, admitting he is not ready to be king, while on Earth, Jane and her team search for a way to open a portal to Asgard so that she can reunite with Thor.

In a post-credits scene, Selvig has been taken to a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, where Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) asks him to study the Cosmic Cube, which Fury says may hold untold power. Loki, invisible, whispers to Selvig to agree, which Selvig does.

Cast

Hemsworth promoting the film in London in April 2011.

- Chris Hemsworth as Thor:

The god of thunder based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name. Director Kenneth Branagh and Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige chose Hemsworth after a back-and-forth process in which the 27-year-old actor was initially dropped from consideration and then given a second chance to read for the part.[10] Hemsworth said the film stays true to the comics, stating, there are "so many different versions of the comic books, they've sort of bonded quite a few of them to form this particular story, but it's all very true to the original stuff".[11] On his take of the character, Hemsworth said, "We just kept trying to humanize it all, and keep it very real. Look into all the research about the comic books that we could, but also bring it back to 'Who is this guy as a person, and what's his relationship with people in the individual scenes?'"[12] About approaching Thor's fighting style, he remarked, "First, we looked at the comic books and the posturing, the way [Thor] moves and fights, and a lot of his power seems to be drawn up through the ground. We talked about boxers, you know, Mike Tyson, very low to the ground and big open chest and big shoulder swings and very sort of brutal but graceful at the same time, and then as we shot stuff things became easier".[13]

- Natalie Portman as Jane Foster:

A scientist and Thor's love interest. Marvel Studios stated in an announcement that the character was updated from the comics' initial portrayal for the feature adaptation.[14] When asked why she took the role, Portman replied, "I just thought it sounded like a weird idea because Kenneth Branagh's directing it, so I was just like, 'Kenneth Branagh doing Thor is super-weird, I've gotta do it.'"[15] Portman also stated that she really wanted to do a big effects movie that emphasized character, and getting to do it with Branagh was a new way of approaching it, relative to Star Wars.[16] Regarding her preparation for the role Portman remarked, "I signed on to do it before there was a script. And Ken, who's amazing, who is so incredible, was like, 'You can really help create this character'. I got to read all of these biographies of female scientists like Rosalind Franklin who actually discovered the DNA double helix but didn't get the credit for it. The struggles they had and the way that they thought – I was like, ‘What a great opportunity, in a very big movie that is going to be seen by a lot of people, to have a woman as a scientist'. She's a very serious scientist. Because in the comic she's a nurse and now they made her an astrophysicist. Really, I know it sounds silly, but it is those little things that makes girls think it's possible. It doesn't give them a [role] model of 'Oh, I just have to dress cute in movies'".[17]

- Tom Hiddleston as Loki:

Thor's adoptive brother and nemesis based on the deity of the same name. Hiddleston was chosen after previously working with Branagh on Ivanov and Wallander.[8] Initially Hiddleston auditioned to play Thor but Branagh decided his talent would be better harnessed playing Loki. Hiddleston stated that "Loki's like a comic book version of Edmund in King Lear, but nastier". Hiddleston also stated that he had to keep a strict diet before the start of filming because "Ken [Branagh] wants Loki to have a lean and hungry look, like Cassius in Julius Caesar. Physically, he can't be posing as Thor".[18] Hiddleston looked at Peter O'Toole as inspiration for Loki as well explaining, "Interestingly enough, he [Kenneth Branagh] said to look at Peter O'Toole in two specific films, The Lion in Winter and Lawrence of Arabia. What’s interesting about The Lion in Winter is, [O'Toole] plays Prince Henry, and what’s beautiful about his performance is you see how damaged he is. There's a rawness [to his performance], it's almost as if he's living with a layer of skin peeled away. He's grandiose and teary and, in a moment, by turns hilarious and then terrifying. What we wanted was that emotional volatility. It’s a different acting style, it's not quite the same thing, but it’s fascinating to go back and watch an actor as great as O'Toole head for those great high hills".[19]

- Anthony Hopkins as Odin:

The ruler of Asgard, father of Thor, and adoptive father of Loki, based on the mythological deity of the same name.[20] In an interview Hopkins stated he knew nothing of the comic. About the film he said, "It's a superhero movie, but with a bit of Shakespeare thrown in".[21] Hopkins stated, "I'm very interested in that relationship between fathers and sons", and that, "My father's relationship with me was cold. He was a hot-blood character but to me, cold. When I was young, he expressed his disappointment because I was bad in school and all of that. He didn't mean any harm, but I felt I could never meet up to his expectations." Hopkins also expressed that he finds a personal resonance in the Odin role, saying, "He's a stern man. He's a man with purpose. I play the god who banishes his son from the kingdom of Asgard because he screwed up. He's a hot-headed, temperamental young man... probably a chip off of the old block but I decide he's not really ready to rule the future kingdom, so I banish him. I'm harsh and my wife complains and I say, 'That is why I'm king.' He's ruthless, take-it-or-leave-it. Women are much more forgiving; men are not so forgiving. I know in my life, my karma is, 'If you don't like it, tough, move on.' And I move on. I'm a little like Odin myself".[22]

- Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig:

A scientist doing research in New Mexico who encounters Thor.[23][24] Skarsgård stated that he was not initially familiar with Thor.[25] As to why he took the part, Skarsgård remarked, I "chose Thor because of [director] Kenneth Branagh. The script was nice and we got to rehearse and talk to the writers and do some collaborating in the process to make it fit us. So I had a very happy time on it. What I always try to do is immediately do something I just haven’t done so I get variation in my life. I’ve made about 90 films and if I did the same thing over and over again I would be bored by now. I try to pick different films, I go and do those big ones and having done that I can usually afford to go and do some really small obscure films and experiment a little".[26]

- Kat Dennings as Darcy Lewis:

A co-worker of Jane Foster.[27] Dennings described her character as Foster's "little helper gnome".[16] Dennings also stated that her role was expanded during the rehearsal process.[28] Dennings explained, "She’s kind of like a cute, clueless, little puppy or maybe a hamster. There wasn't much on the page for the Darcy role to begin with and I didn't even see a script before I took the job so I didn't really know who Darcy was at first. But she really evolved — she’s so much fun now even. She's very Scooby-Doo if that makes sense. She’s always three steps behind and reacting to what's happening with these great expressions ... She gets things wrong and doesn’t care."[29]

- Idris Elba as Heimdall:

The all-seeing, all-hearing Asgardian sentry of the bifröst bridge, based on the mythological deity of the same name.[30] Elba said Branagh's involvement was a major incentive to take the role: "[Branagh] called me up personally and said, 'I know this isn’t a big role, but I would really love to see you play it.' It's Kenneth Branagh. I was like, 'Definitely'".[31] About the role Elba remarked, "I did green screen for the first time! I wouldn’t like to do a whole movie of green screen, though. You kind of forget the plot a little—like being in a Broadway play and doing it over and over and forgetting your line halfway through".[32] Elba stated he has made a four-picture commitment with Marvel Studios.[33] Elba's casting prompted a planned boycott by the Council of Conservative Citizens and a debate amongst comic book fans, some insisting it was wrong for a black man to play a Nordic god. In response Elba called the debate, "ridiculous".[34][35][36]

- Colm Feore as Laufey:

King of the Frost Giants based on the mythological being of the same name.[37][38] Feore stated it took five hours for his makeup to be applied.[39] About his character Feore remarked, "I am the King of Frost Giants. And if you’ve seen any of the Frost Giants, you know that I am, of course, the Napoleon of Frost Giants. We’ve got some massive, fabulous guys who dwarf me and come in at around eight-and-a-half feet, nine feet. But, no. Can’t you tell by the commanding presence? I am the boss".[37]

- Ray Stevenson as Volstagg:

A member of the Warriors Three; a group of three Asgardian adventurers who are among Thor's closest comrades, known for both his hearty appetite and wide girth.[40] Stevenson previously worked with Kenneth Branagh in the 1998 film The Theory of Flight, and with Marvel Studios as the titular character in Punisher: War Zone. Stevenson wore a fat suit for the role, stating, "I've tried the suit on, and what they've done is kind of sex him up: he's sort of slimmer but rounder.". Stevenson said, "He's got every bit of that Falstaffian verve and vigor, and a bit of a beer gut to suggest that enormous appetite, but he's not the sort of Weeble-shaped figure he is in the comics. He's Falstaff with muscles. I've got this amazing foam-injected undersuit that flexes with me.".[41]

- Tadanobu Asano as Hogun:

A member of the Warriors Three, primarily identified by his grim demeanor and as the only member who is not an Æsir.[40] Ray Stevenson said of Asano's character, "He doesn’t speak much but when he does, everybody shuts up. But also in the healing room where everyone licks their wounds, he’s the guy who just goes about his business".[42]

- Joshua Dallas as Fandral:

A member of the Warriors Three, characterized as an irrepressible swashbuckler and romantic.[40] Stuart Townsend was initially cast after Zachary Levi was forced to vacate the role due to a scheduling conflict.[40][43] However, days before filming began, Townsend was replaced by Dallas citing "creative differences".[44] Dallas said he believed that Fandral "would like to think of himself a philanderer. He would like to think of himself, I was saying, as the R. Kelly of Asgard. He’s a lover, not a fighter". Dallas also mentioned that Errol Flynn was an inspiration for the character stating, "He was a big inspiration for the character and for me. I watched a lot of his movies and kind of got that into my bones. I tried to bring out that little bit of Flynn-ness in it. Flynn had a lot of that boyish charm that Fandril’s got all that in him".[42]

- Jaimie Alexander as Sif:

A warrior and Thor's childhood friend based on the mythological deity of the same name. Alexander is best known for her portrayal of Jessi XX on the ABC Family series Kyle XY.[45] Alexander said that she was familiar with Marvel Comics before having taken the part, having grown up with four brothers.[46] Alexander said the part required hours a day in the gym, though training is not unfamiliar to her, explaining she was one of few girls on her Colleyville, Texas, high-school wrestling team.[47] Alexander described her character as "one of the guys" and that, "She's a very talented, skilled warrior and can stand on her own against any villain in the film". About her relationship with Thor she stated, "She is very loyal to Thor and cares a lot about protecting him and protecting Asgard".[48]

- Rene Russo as Frigga:

The wife of Odin, queen of Asgard, stepmother of Thor and adoptive mother of Loki, based on the mythological deity of the same name.[49] Russo stated in March 2011 interview that she has signed on for possible sequels, joking that, "Eventually they'll kick me out, so who knows how many I'll do".[50]

Clark Gregg reprises his role as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson from Iron Man and Iron Man 2.[51] Adriana Barraza plays diner owner Isabel Alvarez and Maximiliano Hernández plays S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jasper Sitwell. Actors Joseph Gatt and Joshua Cox portray Frost Giants.[52] Stan Lee[53] and J. Michael Straczynski[54] have cameo appearances. Samuel L. Jackson has an uncredited cameo as Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D., who as revealed in Iron Man is coordinating the "Avenger Initiative". Jeremy Renner also has an uncredited cameo as Clint Barton.[55]

Production

Development

"Thor's powers are godly, yes...But at the end of the day, he's a man... Odin sends him to Earth because he's not perfect. He's brash, arrogant. Even over-confident...he also bleeds. He struggles. Life kicks him where it hurts the most... You want to feel Thor's rage when he rages. You want to see him fight like hell, and take as much as he dishes out -- maybe more. You want to have a visceral reaction to the guy, and what happens to him. You don't want his adventures to be clean and antiseptic. You want to see the dirt, and grime and blood. You want to feel every bone crunching moment of every fight. And when he unleashes the storm, you want to feel like you're seeing the power of a GOD at work."
Ashley Miller, co-writer of Thor, about the project[56]
Sam Raimi originally envisioned the idea for Thor after Darkman (1990), meeting Stan Lee and pitching the concept to 20th Century Fox, but they did not understand it.[57] Thor was abandoned until April 1997, when Marvel Studios was beginning to rapidly expand.[58] The film first gained momentum after the successful release of the film X-Men. The plan was for the film to be made for TV. UPN was in talks for airing it; excited by the prospect, they pushed for a script and approached Tyler Mane to lead as Thor.[59] In May 2000, Marvel Studios brought Artisan Entertainment to help finance it as a film, but Thor was still laboring in development hell by April 2002, and in June 2004 the project still had yet to be optioned by a studio.[60][61][62] However, Sony Pictures Entertainment purchased the film rights, and in December 2004 David S. Goyer was in negotiations to write and direct.[63] In 2005, though there were talks between Goyer and Marvel, it was revealed that Goyer was no longer attached, though at this point the film was still set to be distributed through Sony Pictures.[64]

Mark Protosevich, a fan of the Thor comic book, signed to write the script in April 2006, during which time Paramount Pictures acquired the rights from Sony.[65] That year the film was also announced to be a Marvel Studios production.[66] In December 2007, Protosevich described his plans for it "to be like a superhero origin story, but not one about a human gaining super powers, but of a god realizing his true potential. It's the story of an Old Testament god who becomes a New Testament god".[67] In August 2007 Marvel Studios signed Matthew Vaughn to direct the film.[68] Vaughn then rewrote Protosevich's script in order to bring down the budget to $150 million, as Protosevich's first draft would have cost $300 million to produce.[3] He intended to start filming in late 2008[69] and after the success of Iron Man, Marvel Studios announced that they intended to release Thor on June 4, 2010, with Iron Man 2 being used to introduce the character of Thor.[70]

Pre-production

Director Kenneth Branagh promoting the film in London in April 2011.

Vaughn was released when his holding deal expired in May 2008, at which point Marvel set Protosevich to work on a new draft and began searching for a new director.[71] By September 2008 D. J. Caruso had been discussing taking on the project, though he did not read the script.[72] Later that month, it was revealed that Kenneth Branagh had entered into negotiations to direct,[73] and in December 2008, Branagh confirmed that he has been hired. He described it as "a human story right in the center of a big epic scenario.”[74] Branagh stated that he hoped to begin filming in January 2010[75] and Marvel Studios set back the release date of the film from its scheduled July 16, 2010 date to June 17, 2011, almost a full year later.[76] They later moved the release date to May 20, 2011, to distance the film's release from that of Captain America: The First Avenger, another Marvel Studios film which was scheduled to be released on July 22, 2011.[77] In February 2009, Samuel L. Jackson, who had briefly portrayed Nick Fury at the end of the film Iron Man, signed on to reprise the role in the film as part of an unprecedented nine-picture deal with Marvel Studios.[78] However, in an April 2010 interview, Jackson stated that he would not be appearing in Thor. When asked why not Jackson explained, "I have no idea. I'm not in charge of making those kinds of decisions. I thought I was; they said I was in the trades, and I was like, 'Ooh! I got a job!' I called my agent he said, 'Naw, you're not in it.' I was like, 'Well shit, they need to pay me if they're gonna put my name in it.'"[79] Later in a February 2011 appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Jackson revealed that he would be filming a scene for Thor to serve as "connective tissue" for The Avengers.[80]

In February 2009, a casting call went out looking for actors with certain physical attributes to audition for the role of Thor.[81] In May 2009, Chris Hemsworth was in negotiations to portray the title role after a back-and-forth process in which the 25-year-old actor was nixed early on, then given a second chance to read for the part.[10] The next day, Marvel announced that Tom Hiddleston, who had worked with Branagh before and had initially been considered to portray the lead role, had been cast as Loki.[8][82] Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios confirmed in June of that year that both Hemsworth and Hiddleston had signed on.[83] Feige also mentioned that the film would take place on both modern day Earth and Asgard but Thor's human host, Dr. Donald Blake will not be included.[83]

With Hemsworth and Hiddleston in place, the rest of the cast began to fill out. In July, Marvel announced that Natalie Portman would portray Jane Foster.[14] Jaimie Alexander and Colm Feore were reported to have joined the cast in September, with Alexander portraying Sif and Feore's role unrevealed, though it is thought to be a villain.[45] In an interview with Swedish news site Ystads Allehanda, Stellan Skarsgård stated that he had joined the cast, though he did not specify his role.[23] In late October it was reported that Anthony Hopkins had been cast as Odin in the film.[20] Several weeks later Marvel announced that they had cast the Warriors Three; Fandral was to be played by Stuart Townsend, Hogun was to be played by Tadanobu Asano and Volstagg was to be played by Ray Stevenson.[40] A few days later it was announced that Idris Elba had also joined the cast, portraying Heimdall.[30]

In an interview, Natalie Portman revealed that actress Kat Dennings would be involved in the project.[84] Dennings will play Darcy, a coworker of Portman's Jane Foster.[27] In December, Rene Russo was cast as Frigga, Thor's adoptive mother and Odin's wife.[49] Later that month, actors Joseph Gatt, Troy Brenna, and Joshua Cox had been cast in the film, though none of their roles were revealed.[52] In January 2010, Adriana Barraza had also joined the film's cast, in a supporting capacity. Her role was not revealed, but it was said to be a human.[85] Only days before filming began, Stuart Townsend was replaced by Joshua Dallas as Fandral, citing "creative differences".[44] When Spider-Man 4's production stalled, Paramount and Marvel Entertainment decided to push up the release of Thor by two weeks to the then vacated date of May 6, 2011.[86]

Filming

In October 2008, Marvel Studios signed a long term lease agreement with Raleigh Studios to shoot their next four films - Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers - at Raleigh's Manhattan Beach, California facility.[87] Production Weekly reported that filming on Marvel's Thor was scheduled to begin in LA mid-January, then move to Santa Fe, New Mexico from March until late-April.[88] Principal photography began on January 11, 2010.[9] A few days after filming began, it was reported that Clark Gregg had signed on to reprise his role from Iron Man and Iron Man 2 as Agent Coulson, as Marvel's film division preps for the eventual production of The Avengers.[51] In February, Paramount Pictures entered negotiations with Del Mar, California to use of 300-yard stretch of beach to film a scene for Thor involving six horses running down the terrain. Paramount said this coastline was ideal because its gradual slope of sand down to the waterline creates excellent reflection opportunities on film.[89] On March 15, 2010 production of Thor moved to Galisteo, New Mexico, where an entire town was built for the shoot.[90]

Branagh, a fan of the comic book since childhood, commented on the challenge of bridging Asgard and the modern world: "Inspired by the comic book world both pictorially and compositionally at once, we've tried to find a way to make a virtue and a celebration of the distinction between the worlds that exist in the film but absolutely make them live in the same world. It's about finding the framing style, the color palette, finding the texture and the amount of camera movement that helps celebrate and express the differences and the distinctions in those worlds. If it succeeds, it will mark this film as different.... The combination of the primitive and the sophisticated, the ancient and the modern, I think that potentially is the exciting fusion, the exciting tension in the film".[91]

In April, it was reported that the prospect for filming parts of Thor in Del Mar, California had fallen through. Paramount Pictures sent a letter informing the city that it has instead chosen an undisclosed Northern California location to film a beachfront scene for the film. The letter cited cost concerns with moving production too far away from its headquarters.[92]

Post-production

Chris Hemsworth revealed that the film ended principal photography on May 6, 2010 and entered post-production.[12] It was reported in February 2010 that France-based BUF Compagnie will be the lead visual effects house working on the film.[93] Digital Domain will also work on the visual effects.[94] In June 2010, some concept art surfaced of Chris Hemsworth's costume.[95]

In July 2010, it was reported that the film will be released in 3-D. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kenneth Branagh stated that the 3-D process initially made him cringe but "We came to feel that in our case 3-D could be the very good friend of story and character for a different kind of experience".[6] Although 2-D was used for principal photography, producer Kevin Fiege stated that the "special effects for the film were conceived and executed from the beginning in 3-D".[6]

In October 2010, it was reported that Thor underwent reshoots for a couple of new scenes.[96]

In March 2011, it was reported that scenes involving Adriana Barraza were removed from the theatrical cut of the film during the editing process. Kenneth Branagh sent a letter of apology explaining the reasons for the cut and desire to work with Barraza again in the future. In response Barraza stated, "It saddens me because the movie is great and because I was acting alongside some tremendous actors that I admire very much, but I understand the nature of films, and it’s not the first or last time that scenes will be cut".[97] Barraza appears in only one scene in the film's theatrical cut. In that same month, actor Douglas Tait revealed that he provided motion capture for the Frost Giants.[98] On his hiring, Tait said "I am 6'5" and have a lean, athletic build, and they hired guys who were 6'7" and taller, and weighed over 250 pounds. When the film was being edited, they wanted to make them even bigger and move faster. They auditioned people again and Kenneth Branagh chose me to perform the motion capture movements of the Frost Giants".[98]

In April 2011, the IMAX Corporation, Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment announced that they have finalized an agreement to release the film on digital IMAX 3D screens. The release marked the continuation of the partnership between IMAX, Paramount and Marvel.[7]

Music
See also: Thor (soundtrack)
In March 2011, Walt Disney Records announced the details for the soundtrack. The album includes Patrick Doyle’s original score from the film and will be released in some European territories at the end of April.[99] Thor marks the tenth collaboration between composer Patrick Doyle and director Kenneth Branagh.

In April 2011, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed that the music of the Foo Fighters was added to the film. The song Walk will play during a scene in which Thor, stripped of his powers and marooned on Earth, retreats to a New Mexico roadhouse to drink away the night with boilermakers and carouse with a skeptical new friend, a scientist played by Stellan Skarsgard. The track will play again over the closing credits. Feige stated, "It was literally one of those things that came together in a matter of weeks, and if you asked two months ago if we would have a Foo Fighters song in this movie, I would have said I don’t think so, but we heard the song and it just has these eerie appropriate lyrics and themes. The song wasn’t written for the movie, obviously, it’s on their new album, but we almost couldn’t believe it when we heard it. Ken in particular just loved it with these lyrics about learning to walk again and the way that fit the themes of the movie about redemption, learning to be a hero. The song starts off talking about being a million miles away from home and yearning and being separated by vast distances, and it’s no secret that Thor and Natalie’s character are from different worlds".[100]

Release

The world premiere of Thor took place on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at the Event Cinemas theatre in George Street, Sydney.[101] The U.S. premiere took place on Monday, May 2, 2011 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California. The event was hosted by Isaiah Mustafa and streamed live on Marvel's official website.[102]

Marketing

Hemsworth, Portman, Dennings and Hiddleston at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International.

In July 2010 Marvel Studios held a Thor panel at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International during which director Kenneth Branagh and actors Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings, Tom Hiddleston and Clark Gregg talked about the film before showing some footage from the film.[16] A few days later, the footage shown at Comic-Con was leaked on the internet.[103] In December 2010, Marvel debuted the first poster[104] as well as the first trailer online[105] and in theaters attached to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.[106] The first television advertisement aired during Super Bowl XLV on the FOX network in the United States. The rate for advertising during the game ran about $3 million per 30-second spot.[107] Marvel Studios and Acura launched a joint viral marketing promotion at the 2011 Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo.[108] Other official promotional partners included Burger King, Dr. Pepper, 7 Eleven, and Visa.[109] In May 2011 Marvel Entertainment's President of Print, Animation and Digital; Dan Buckley and Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief; Axel Alonso rang the NYSE closing bell in celebration of the theatrical release of Thor.[110]

A post-credits scene in the film Iron Man 2 showed S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Coulson (played by Clark Gregg) reporting the discovery of a large hammer in the desert. Rick Marshall of MTV News believed it to be the weapon Mjöllnir belonging to Thor, writing, "It continues the grand tradition of connecting the film to another property in development around the Marvel movie universe."[111]

Marvel Animation announced a 26-episode animated series in November 2008, to air in late 2010 before the release of Marvel Studios' film.[112] An animated direct-to-video film, entitled Thor: Tales of Asgard is expected to hit shelves around the time Kenneth Branagh's live-action Thor hits theaters.[113]

A video game titled Thor: God of Thunder based on the film is being developed by Sega using the voices and likenesses of actors Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, and was released on May 3, 2011.[114]

Box office

Thor placed second in its opening weekend in Australia following Universal Pictures' Fast Five, earning $5.8 million. The film opened to just 1% more than the most popular Marvel property, Iron Man, did in Australia in 2008.[115] According to pre-release audience surveys the film could open to $70 million in the United States and Canada; however Paramount estimates a "more conservative" performance of $55 million to $60 million.[116] As of May 4, 2011, Thor has grossed $124,947,700 worldwide.[4]

Critical reaction

Reception for the film has been positive. Thor has a 83% approval rating on the review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes based on 133 reviews with an average rating of 6.9/10.[117] Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 1–100 reviews from film critics, has a rating score of 58 based on 32 reviews.[118]

Richard Kuipers of Variety stated, "Thor delivers the goods so long as butt is being kicked and family conflict is playing out in celestial dimensions, but is less thrilling during the Norse warrior god's rather brief banishment on Earth".[119] Megan Lehmann of The Hollywood Reporter said, "The hammer-hurling god of thunder kicks off this superhero summer with a bang".[120] Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times declared, "Thor is the most entertaining superhero debut since the original Spider-man".[121]

Conversely Glenn Kenny of MSN Movies gave it a negative review stating, "Thor is confusing because it's been getting reasonably favorable word of mouth despite the fact that it's a lot of crap".[122]

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75. ^ Wigler, Josh (2009-05-04). "Kenneth Branagh Says ‘Thor’ Filming To Begin In January, Hints At Potential Lead". MTV Splash Page. http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/05/04/kenneth-branagh-says-thor-filming-to-begin-in-january-hints-at-potential-lead/. Retrieved 2009-05-04.

76. ^ Marshall, Rick (2009-05-12). "Marvel Movies Get New Release Dates: 'Thor', 'The Avengers' & 'Captain America' Delayed, 'Iron Man 2' Unchanged". MTV Splash Page. http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/12/marvel-movies-get-new-release-dates-thor-the-avengers-unchanged/. Retrieved 2009-05-12.

77. ^ McClintock, Pamela (2009-03-16). "'Transformers 3' gets a date". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001280.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2562. Retrieved 2010-01-27.

78. ^ Kit, Borys (2009-02-25). "Jackson's Fury in flurry of Marvel films". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i57845f198f95ed938a79d4a806b64e68. Retrieved 2010-01-27. [dead link]

79. ^ Jen Yamato (2010-04-19). "Sam Jackson's Nick Fury Set For 'Captain America,' But Not 'Thor'". Cinematical. http://www.cinematical.com/2010/04/19/sam-jacksons-nick-fury-set-for-captain-america-but-not-thor/. Retrieved 2010-04-20.

80. ^ Davis, Erik (2011-02-03). "Sam Jackson Confirms Nick Fury Cameos in 'Captain America' and 'Thor'". Cinematical. http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/02/03/sam-jackson-nick-fury-cameo-captain-america/. Retrieved 2011-02-03.

81. ^ "Casting Notice for Thor Character in Movie". Corona Coming Attractions. February 18, 2009. http://www.coronacomingattractions.com/scoops/february-18-2009-thor-casting-notice-thor-character-movie. Retrieved 2010-07-10. . WebCitation archive.

82. ^ Nikki Finke (March 16, 2009). "Those Who Would Play Thor: Unknowns?". Deadline.com. http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/those-who-would-play-thor-knowns-unknowns/. Retrieved 2010-01-27. . WebCitation archive.

83. ^ [a] [b] Billington, Alex (2009-06-07). "Profile on Marvel Studios with Big Updates from Kevin Feige". Firstshowing.net. http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/06/07/profile-on-marvel-studios-with-big-updates-from-kevin-feige/. Retrieved 2010-01-27.

84. ^ Warmoth, Brian (November 23, 2009). "Exclusive: Kat Dennings Joins 'Thor' Cast, Reveals Co-Star Natalie Portman". http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/11/23/exclusive-kat-dennings-joins-thor-cast-reveals-co-star-natalie-portman/. Retrieved 2009-11-23. . WebCitation archive.

85. ^ Kit, Borys (2010-01-07). "'Babel' actress joining Marvel's 'Thor'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/babel-actress-joining-marvels-thor-19275. Retrieved 2010-01-07.  WebCitation archive of abstract.

86. ^ Pamela McClintock (2010-01-06). "'Thor' set to bow May 6, 2011". Variety. http://www.variety.com/VR1118013423.html. Retrieved 2010-01-06.

87. ^ "Marvel Signs Long-Term Lease with Raleigh". Raleigh Studios press release. October 6, 2008. . WebCitation archive.

88. ^ Baxter, Joesph (2009-11-13). "Thor To Begin Filming In Mid January". G4. http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/700710/thor-to-begin-filming-in-mid-january/. Retrieved 2011-05-02.

89. ^ "Superhero coming to town". Del Mar Times. February 11, 2010. http://www.delmartimes.net/2010/02/11/sunset-decision-delayed/. Retrieved 2011-04-27.  (requires scrolling down) WebCitation archive.

90. ^ Bord, Christine (2010-03-11). "'Thor' Begins Filming in New Mexico on Monday". OnLocationVacations.com. http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2010/03/11/thor-begins-filming-in-new-mexico-on-monday/comment-page-1/. Retrieved 2010-03-15.

91. ^ "Kenneth Branagh is hammering away on 'Thor' – and those nasty rumors [UPDATED"]. Los Angeles Times. 2010-04-01. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/03/kenneth-branagh-and-thor-.html. Retrieved 2010-04-01. [dead link]

92. ^ Horn, Jonathan (2010-04-15). "Paramount selects site farther north for filming". Del Mar Times. http://www.delmartimes.net/news/268364-no-thor-for-del-mar. Retrieved 2010-04-28. [dead link]

93. ^ Hopewell, John, & Elsa Keslassey (2010-02-02). "Films draw French rebates". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118014554.html?categoryId=19&cs=1. Retrieved 2010-02-02.

94. ^ "Digital Domain Announces Vancouver Leadership Team". Digital Domain. 2010-01-12. http://www.awn.com/news/visual-effects/digital-domain-announces-vancouver-leadership-team. Retrieved 2010-02-02.

95. ^ Goldberg, Matt (2010-06-02). "Exclusive: New Images of Chris Hemsworth as Thor". Collider. http://www.collider.com/2010/06/02/thor-chris-hemsworth-new-images-concept-art/. Retrieved 2010-06-03.

96. ^ "Hollywood Insider : Thor back in front of the cameras". What's Playing. 2010-10-10. http://www.whatsplaying.com.au/2010/10/hollywood-insider-thor-back-in-front-of-the-cameras/. Retrieved 2010-10-10.

97. ^ "Adriana Barraza, fuera de 'Thor'" (in Spanish). Esmas.com. 2011-03-31. http://www2.esmas.com/entretenimiento/cine/273876/. Retrieved 2011-03-31.

98. ^ [a] [b] Carlo Coratelli (2011-03-19). "Intervista a Douglas Tait - Thor". Comicus. http://www.comicus.it/blog/movie-comics/item/48299-intervista-a-douglas-tait-thor. Retrieved 2011-03-23.

99. ^ "‘Thor’ Soundtrack announced". Film Music Reporter. 2011-03-25. http://filmmusicreporter.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/thor-soundtrack-announced. Retrieved 2011-03-28.

100. ^ Boucher, Geoff (2011-04-15). "‘Thor’: Foo Fighters take a ‘Walk’ with Marvel film". Los Angeles Times. http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/04/15/thor-foo-fighters-take-a-walk-with-marvel-film/?dlvrit=63378. Retrieved 2011-04-15.

101. ^ "Kenneth Branagh’s THOR: “WORLD PREMIERE” TO BE HELD IN SYDNEY!". The Spotlight Report. 2011-03-14. http://thespotlightreport.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/kenneth-branagh%E2%80%99s-thor-world-premiere-to-be-held-in-sydney/. Retrieved 2011-03-14.

102. ^ "Watch the U.S. Premiere of Thor, LIVE on Marvel.com". marvel.com. 2011-04-26. http://marvel.com/news/story/15740/watch_the_us_premiere_of_thor_live_on_marvelcom. Retrieved 2011-04-27.

103. ^ "Thor Comic Con Trailer". Trailer Addict. http://www.beyondhollywood.com/by-odins-beard-extended-thor-comic-con-trailer-online/. Retrieved 2010-07-29.

104. ^ "Behold! New Thor Movie Poster". Marvel.com. 2010-12-09. http://marvel.com/news/story/14785/behold_new_thor_movie_poster. Retrieved 2010-12-10.

105. ^ "See the First Thor Trailer!". Marvel.com. http://marvel.com/news/story/14785/see_the_first_thor_trailer. Retrieved 2010-12-10.

106. ^ Eisenberg, Eric (2010-12-09). "First Thor Trailer Will Be Attached To Narnia". CinemaBlend. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/First-Thor-Trailer-Will-Be-Attached-To-Narnia-Vague-Description-Online-22138.html. Retrieved 2011-01-11.

107. ^ McClintock, Pamela (2011-01-19). "EXCLUSIVE: Studios Set Super Bowl Ads; 'Pirates,' 'Transformers,' 'Captain America'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/studios-set-super-bowl-ads-73548. Retrieved 2011-01-20. . WebCitation archive.

108. ^ Filipponi, Pietro (2011-03-18). "C2E2 Report: Marvel Unveils S.H.I.E.L.D. Viral Marketing Campaign". The Daily Blam!. http://www.dailyblam.com/news/2011/03/18/c2e2-report-marvel-unveils-shield-viral-marketing-campaign. Retrieved 2011-03-21.

109. ^ "Brand tie-ins for 'Thor' and more.". Variety. 2011-3-31. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118034701. Retrieved 2011-3-31.

110. ^ "The Mighty Thor and Marvel Execs to Ring Closing Bell at NYSE". Comic Book Resources. 2011-05-02. http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=cal_event&id=2787. Retrieved 2011-05-02.

111. ^ Marshall, Rick (2010-04-28). "'Iron Man 2' Post-Credits Scene Revealed!". MTV News. http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/04/28/iron-man-2-post-credits-scene-revealed/. Retrieved 2010-10-20.

112. ^ Harvey, James (2008-11-17). "Hi-Res Promotional Image From Upcoming "Thor" Animated Series, Press Release". marvel.toonzone.net. http://marvel.toonzone.net/news.php?action=fullnews&id=131. Retrieved 2010-09-12.

113. ^ Marshall, Rick (2010-02-08). "New 'Thor: Tales Of Asgard' Trailer". MTV Splash Page. http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/02/08/new-thor-tales-of-asgard-trailer/. Retrieved 2010-02-08.

114. ^ "SEGA Inks Actors Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston to Star in the Video Game Thor: God of Thunder". Business Wire. 2010-12-02. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101202005510/en/SEGA-Inks-Actors-Chris-Hemsworth-Tom-Hiddleston. Retrieved 2010-12-02.

115. ^ Kaufman, Amy (2011-04-24). "'Fast Five' races ahead of 'Thor' overseas". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/04/thor-fast-five-international-box-office.html. Retrieved 2011-04-24.

116. ^ Kaufman, Amy (2011-05-05). "Movie Projector: 'Thor' to hammer competition at the box office". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/05/movie-projector-thor-something-borrowed-jumping-the-broom-beaver.html. Retrieved 2011-05-05.

117. ^ "Thor Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1197233-thor/. Retrieved 2011-05-05.

118. ^ "Thor Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. http://www.metacritic.com/movie/thor. Retrieved 2011-05-05.

119. ^ Kuipers, Richard (2011-04-17). "Thor". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945029?refcatid=31. Retrieved 2011-04-18.

120. ^ Lehmann, Megan (2011-04-17). "Thor: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2011-04-18. http://www.webcitation.org/5y2UvfZPr. Retrieved 2011-04-18.

121. ^ Roeper, Richard. "Thor Review - RichardRoeper.com". Richard Roeper & The Movies. http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/thor.aspx. Retrieved 2011-05-03.

122. ^ Kenny, Glen. "'Thor': God of Awful". MSN. http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-critic-reviews/thor/. Retrieved 2011-05-05.

External links

- Official website

- Thor Movie Hub at Marvel.com

- Thor at Allmovie

- Thor at the Internet Movie Database

- Thor at Metacritic

- Thor at Box Office Mojo

- Thor at Rotten Tomatoes

v · d · eThor (Marvel Comics)

Creators

Stan Lee • Larry Lieber • Jack Kirby

Allies

Balder • Beta Ray Bill • Frey • Frigga • Jane Foster • Heimdall • Hermod • Hercules • Hoder • Hrimhari • Idunn • Kelda • Odin • Sif • Thor Girl • Thunderstrike • Tyr • Valkyrie • Vidar • Volla • Warriors Three (Fandral • Hogun • Volstagg)  • Zeus

Enemies

Absorbing Man • Atum • Bloodaxe • Cobra • Desak • Destroyer • Ego the Living Planet • Enchantress • Executioner • Fafnir • Fenris Wolf • Grey Gargoyle • Hela • Karnilla • Kurse • Laufey • Loki • Lorelei • Malekith the Accursed • Man-Beast • Mangog • Midgard Serpent • Mr. Hyde • Mongoose • Perrikus • Quicksand • Radioactive Man • Ragnarok • Seth • Surtur • Ulik • Wrecking Crew (Wrecker • Bulldozer • Piledriver • Thunderball) • Ymir • Zarrko

Bibliography

Journey into Mystery • Thor: Blood Oath • Thor: Son of Asgard • Thor: Vikings

In other media

Television

The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) • The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)

Film

Hulk Vs (2009) • Thor (2011) (soundtrack) • Thor: Tales of Asgard (2011)

Video games

Thor: God of Thunder (2011)

Related articles

Alternative versions (Ultimate Thor) • Asgard • Elves • Giants of Jotunheim • Mjolnir • Norns • Valkyrior

v · d · eFilms directed by Kenneth Branagh

1980s

Henry V (1989)

1990s

Dead Again (1991) · Peter's Friends (1992) · Much Ado About Nothing (1993) · Frankenstein (1994) · A Midwinter's Tale (1995) · Hamlet (1996)

2000s

Love's Labour's Lost (2000) · As You Like It (2006) · The Magic Flute (2006) · Sleuth (2007)

2010s

Thor (2011)

v · d · eMarvel Cinematic Universe

Iron Man • The Incredible Hulk • Iron Man 2 • Thor • Captain America: The First Avenger • The Avengers

Characters

Tony Stark • Nick Fury • Harold Hogan • JARVIS • Virginia Potts • James Rhodes • Howard Stark • Obadiah Stane • Bruce Banner • Thaddeus Ross • Emil Blonsky • Natasha Romanoff • Ivan Vanko • Thor • Loki • Clint Barton • Steve Rogers • Johann Schmidt

Video games

Iron Man • The Incredible Hulk • Iron Man 2 • Thor: God of Thunder • Captain America: Super Soldier

Soundtracks

Iron Man • The Incredible Hulk: Original Motion Picture Score • Iron Man 2 • Iron Man 2: Original Motion Picture Score • Thor

v · d · eFilms based on Marvel Comics

Live-action

Serials

Captain America

Single
films

The Amazing Spider-Man (1977) • Howard the Duck • The Punisher (1989) • Captain America • The Fantastic Four • Hulk • The Punisher (2004) • Man-Thing • Punisher: War Zone • Kick-Ass • The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Blade

Blade • Blade II • Blade: Trinity

Daredevil

Daredevil • Elektra

Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four • Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider • Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Iron Man • The Incredible Hulk • Iron Man 2 • Thor • Captain America: The First Avenger • The Avengers

Men in Black

Men in Black • Men in Black II • Men in Black III

Spider-Man

Spider-Man • Spider-Man 2 • Spider-Man 3

X-Men

X-Men • X2 • X-Men: The Last Stand • X-Men Origins: Wolverine • X-Men: First Class

Animated

Single
films

The Invincible Iron Man • Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme • Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow • Hulk Vs • Planet Hulk • Thor: Tales of Asgard

Series

Ultimate Avengers

Ultimate Avengers • Ultimate Avengers 2

See also

Marvel Studios • The Punisher films

Thor (comics)

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. It uses material retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(comics) on 2011-05-06.

CONTENTS

Marvel Comics

DC Comics

Comico Comics

Willy Vandersteen group (Flemish)

Madsen’s Valhalla Thor (Danish)

Other uses of Thor in comics

Thor (comics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search
Thor has appeared as a character in various comics over the years, appearing in series from a range of publishers.

Marvel Comics
See also: Ultimate Thor
Thor (often called The Mighty Thor) is a Marvel Comics superhero, based on the thunder god of Norse mythology. The superhero was created by editor Stan Lee and penciller Jack Kirby, who co-plotted, and scripter Larry Lieber, and first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962).

On a mission from his father, Odin, Thor acted as a superhero while maintaining the secret identity of Dr. Donald Blake, an American physician with a partially disabled leg. Blake would transform by tapping his walking stick on the ground; the cane became the magical hammer Mjolnir and Blake transformed into Thor.

Thor often battled his evil adoptive brother Loki, a Marvel character adapted from the Norse god of mischief, and was a member of the superhero group the Avengers. Apart from this superhero Marvel featured a number of Thors (and similar characters) based on him.

DC Comics

Thor appears briefly in Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. In "Seasons Of Mists", he, Odin and Loki try (and fail) to get the key of Hell. Later in the "Kindly Ones", he helps Odin bring Loki back (after he escaped them and caused chaos).

Comico Comics

Thor is also a fictional character in the Comico comic book series Elementals. He was created by Bill Willingham and first appeared in Elementals #23 (Volume 1).

Willy Vandersteen group (Flemish)

The Flemish comic artist Willy Vandersteen started three series in which a Thor was featured. His very first published newspaper comic series (when World War II stopped US-import in 1941) was "Tor de Holbewoner", about a caveman called Tor. Taking into account that "Tor" is a Dutch word for beetle, in Dutch the difference between T and Th is hardly (if at all) heard and that it was about a caveman living way before the invention of orthography, it is no miracle that this caveman returned (still during the war) with his name changed to "Thor".

In "De Rode Ridder" series the existence of the thunder god Thor is shown in #45, (The Hammer of Thor, 1970) and the Thunderer has a role in #63 (The Valkyrie, 1974), in which the Rode/Red Knight has been chosen by Odin to complete a mission the gods cannot do themselves without causing Ragnarok. Both albums are by Karel Biddeloo. Unlike the Marvel Thor, Biddeloo's Thor is more or less a country boy, with enormous powers but bound by responsibility (avoidance of Ragnarok). The hammer of Thor was a weapon mortals could and did carry and use, but it was too powerful to control.

In the most popular series started by Vandersteen, Suske en Wiske (Spike and Suzy), Thor is featured once in #158 in a story by Paul Geerts. Thor in this version is a cruel, grey-bearded god, going a bit bald on top, thundering and lightninging with his hammer, without throwing it. (Odin in this story is the young-looking, bearded redhead). Like Biddeloo’s Thor, this one is also dressed in animal skins, and that may be seen as a reference to the caveman.

Madsen’s Valhalla Thor (Danish)

This is Thor in the European "comedic adventure" tradition of Asterix, Lucky Luke etc. with the difference that where those series are using history as source material, Peter Madsen uses mythology for his series Valhalla (1978), with the same freedom to make jokes about current reality or other works of fiction, mostly following the Eddas.

Thor is one of the main heroes of the series and can be seen as a central character.

Thor is here rather correctly put, as the honest, red bearded muscular, powerful god, with a bit of extra human weaknesses to keep the comic funny. Statements that he would be fat are false, but may be based on his disguise in #3 as Volstagg, thus parodying Marvel's Asgardians.

Thrud and Modi are his firstborn children (in #2), their mother is Sif (pregnant from the start of the series). Magni has Jarnsaxa as mother and shows up in #9.

Other uses of Thor in comics

Other uses of the name Thor in comics include:

- In issues 1-5 of the Golden Age anthology Weird Comics, a scientist given the powers of the Thundergod by lightning strike is active as Thor, while in issues 6-8 Dynamite Thor’s adventures were shown.

- Thor, along with the other Norse gods, appears in David Brin's comic, The Life Eaters.

- Thôrr-Sverd: The Sword of Thor #1-3, published ca. 1987 by Vincent Creations, began the telling of the story of the impact of the gods on the Proto-Indo-European people. It suggested that perhaps, contrary to canonical mythology, the giants were the good guys and the gods were the villains.

- A villainous Thor appeared in Rob Liefeld's comic book Youngblood.

- Johnny Hart's comic strip BC also features a caveman named Thor

- The Quality Comics version of Manhunter had a (later revealed to be a robot) dog named Thor that assisted him.

- Erik Larsen's Savage Dragon has its own version of Thor, a red-headed villainous thunder god.

- El Cazador de Aventuras from Argentina included in its 32-34 issues a remake of the Ragnarok, with Cazador in the middle of it.

Thor (rocket family)

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. It uses material retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(rocket_family) on 2011-05-06.

CONTENTS

Origins and early history

Ablestar

Thor and the Corona program

Thor spawns Delta

Use with Agena upper stage

Thrust Augmented Thor

Thorad

Long Tank Thor

Notes

See also

Thor (rocket family)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search

Thor Able with Pioneer 1 at Cape Canaveral in Florida

See also: PGM-17 Thor
Thor was an American space launch vehicle derived from the PGM-17 Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile. The Thor rocket was the first in a large family of space launch vehicles that came to be known as Delta. A derivative of the Thor was still in service as of 2009, as the first stage of the Delta II.

Origins and early history

Thor Able on display at LC-26B of the Air Force Space & Missile Museum

The first type of space launch mission Thor was asked to perform was testing of the warhead reentry vehicle for the Atlas missile. For these three tests a Thor core stage was topped by a second stage named Able using the Aerojet AJ-10-40 engine from the Vanguard second stage. The first such launch, 116, was lost April 23, 1958 due to a turbopump failure in the main engine. The recovery of the reentry vehicles on the succeeding two attempts were not successful. Three mice, one on each vehicle, died in these tests.[1]

The Able stage from the Atlas reentry vehicle tests was upgraded (to become the Able I) with a third stage consisting of an unguided Altair X-248 solid rocket motor. A Thor Able I was used in an attempt to place the 84 lb (38 kg) Pioneer spacecraft into lunar orbit where it would take pictures of the lunar surface with a TV camera. The mission ended prematurely at 77 seconds after launch on August 17, 1958, due to a turbopump failure.

On August 7, 1959 a Thor-Able was used to successfully launch Explorer 6, the first satellite to transmit pictures of Earth taken from orbit.

Ablestar

Ablestar was a liquid rocket stage burning hypergolic propellants fed from gas-pressurized propellant tanks. It was used as the upper stage, and provided improved performance.[2] On April 13, 1960 a Thor-Ablestar launched Transit 1B, the first experimental satellite to demonstrate the feasibility of using satellites as navigation aids.[3] On June 22, 1960, a Thor-Ablestar launched the first Galactic Radiation and Background (GRAB) electronic intelligence (ELINT) satellite for the United States Navy. These now-declassified satellites, operated under a cover story of providing solar radiation data, included an electronics package to detect Soviet air defense radar signals.[4] GRAB-1 was thus the world's first successful reconnaissance satellite, preceding the first Corona mission to return film (Discoverer 14 on August 18) by almost two months. On 1961-06-29 the Ablestar stage used to launch Transit 4A became the first object to unintentionally explode in space, creating at least 294 trackable pieces of space debris.[5]

Thorad-Agena D with SERT-2 satellite at Space Launch Complex 10 (SLC-10), Vandenberg AFB, California. The complex is now listed on the National Historic Registry and serves as the site for a museum known as the Space & Missile Heritage Center

Thor and the Corona program

Thor formed the core of the Thor-Agena vehicle used to launch the early Corona (also known as "Keyhole" and "Discoverer") satellites from Vandenberg AFB.[6] These were the first photographic spy satellites, used for photographic surveillance of the Soviet Union, China and other areas. Thor-Agenas were used as launch vehicles for Corona satellites from June 1959 through May 1963.

Thor spawns Delta

A fourth modification to Thor for space launch purposes, the Thor-Delta, has proven to be the longest-lasting of all Thor-derived rockets. Members of the Delta rocket family derived from the Thor-Delta continue to launch satellites and space probes.

By 1969 the Thor core was being used regularly both in Delta vehicles and in the USAF Standard Space Launch Vehicle (SLV-2), with thrust augmentation and a variety of upper stages.

Use with Agena upper stage

The Thrust-Augmented Thor (TAT) was used with the Agena upper stage, as was the Thrust-Augmented Long Tank Thor/Agena, capable of sending payloads ranging from 1400 to about 2800 pounds into 100-nautical-mile (190 km) polar circular orbits.[7]

Thrust Augmented Thor

The Thrust Augmented Thor, or TAT, was developed to handle the growing recon sats of the Corona program. It added three Castor solid rocket strapon boosters—each providing 53,000 lbf (236 kN) thrust—to the standard Thor core stage. The boosters were lit on the ground and jettisoned after burnout.

Thorad

The Thorad-Agena (pictured) was developed from Thor. It used a Thor, modified for use as a Delta rocket, to launch an Agena upper stage.

Long Tank Thor

- Tapered fuel tank changed to cylindrical.

- Both tanks lengthened.

- Core stage 14 feet (4.3 m) longer.

- 49,000 lb (22,000 kg) more propellant.

Notes

1. ^ "Thor Able". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/thorable.htm.

2. ^ "Able-Star". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/stages/ablestar.htm.

3. ^ "Transit 1B - NSSDC ID: 1960-003B". NASA NSSDC. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1960-003B.

4. ^ "GRAB: 1st Recon Satellite". U.S. Navy. http://ncst-www.nrl.navy.mil/HomePage/GRAB/GRAB.html.

5. ^ "Orbital Debris: A Chronology". NASA JSC. 1999. p. 18. http://ston.jsc.nasa.gov/collections/TRS/_techrep/TP-1999-208856.pdf.

6. ^ "Corona". NASA. http://samadhi.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/Programs/corona.html.

7. ^ Bleymaier, Joseph S.. "Future Space Booster Requirements". USAF. http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1969/jan-feb/bleymaier.html.

See also

- List of Thor-Able launches

- List of Thor-Ablestar launches

v · d · eExpendable launch systems

Current

Spaceflight portal

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v · d · eRocket families

Carrier rockets

Angara · Ariane · Athena · Atlas · Delta · Falcon · H-II · Kosmos · Long March · Minotaur · Mu · R-7 · Saturn · Scout · Shuttle · Titan · Thor · Tsyklon · Zenit

Sounding rockets

Black Brant · Lambda · Skylark

Missiles

Aggregate · Agni · Redstone · Universal Rocket

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v · d · eThor and Delta rockets

Main articles

PGM-17 Thor · Thor family · Delta family

Rockets

Thor

Thor · Thor-Able · Thor-Ablestar · Thor-Agena · Thor-Burner · Thor-Delta · Thor DSV-2 · Thor DSV-2U · Thorad-Agena

Delta

Alphabetical

Delta A · Delta B · Delta C · Delta D · Delta E · Delta G · Delta J · Delta L · Delta M · Delta N

Numerical

Delta 0100 · Delta 1000 · Delta 2000 · Delta 3000 · Delta 4000 · Delta 5000 · Delta 6000 · Delta 7000 · Delta 8000 · Delta 9000

Modern

Delta II · Delta III · Delta IV

Export

N-I · N-II · H-I

Launch Sites

Canaveral

(S)LC-17 · LC-18B · SLC-37B

Johnston

LE-1 · LE-2

Tanegashima

Osaki

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SLC-1 · SLC-2 · SLC-3 · SLC-6 · SLC-10

Bases

Bardney · Breighton · Caistor · Carnaby · Catfoss · Coleby Grange · Driffield · Feltwell · Folkingham · Full Sutton · Harrington · Hemswell · Ludford Magna · Melton Mowbray · Mepal · North Luffenham · North Pickenham · Polebrook · Shepherds Grove · Tuddenham

Components

Boosters

Castor-1 · Castor-1 · Castor-4 · Castor-4A · CBC · GEM-40 · GEM-46 · GEM-60

First Stages

Common Booster Core

Upper Stages

Delta

Delta-A · Delta-D · Delta-E · Delta-F · Delta-K · Delta-P

Other

Able · Ablestar · Agena · Altair · Burner · FW-4D · IABS · PAM-D · Star · UM-129

Engines

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Manufacturers

Rocket

Douglas · McDonnell Douglas · Boeing · United Launch Alliance

Engines

Alliant · Rocketdyne · Thiokol · TRW

Launches

1957–1959 · 1960–1969 · 1970–1979 · 1980–1989 · 1990–1999 · 2000–2009 · 2010–2019

Thor (band)

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. It uses material retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(band) on 2011-05-06.

CONTENTS

Biography

Line-up

Discography

Albums

EPs

References

External links

Thor (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search

Thor

Origin

Vancouver, Canada

Genres

Hard rock
Heavy metal

Years active

1978
1983–1986
1997–present

Website

thorcentral.com

Members

Jon Mikl Thor
Steve Price
Mike Favata

Past members

Pantera (Rusty Hamilton)
Keith Zazzi
Ani Kyd

Thor is a heavy metal band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Biography

Thor started out out as a concept band in 1973. They were first called "Centaur" and then "Mikl Body Rock". These entities were the brainchild of Jon Mikl Thor, a vocalist, musician and body building champion who won titles such as Mr. USA and Mr. Canada. He decided to combined Muscle with Music. Mikl Body Rock toured throughout North America seeking fame and to garnish enough attention to secure a record deal. The press dubbed them "Kings of Muscle Rock" or " Warriors of Gladiator Rock". In 1976 Jon Mikl Thor met guitarist Frank Soda while touring Canada. They formed the first incarnation of Thor called "Thor and The Imps". The band toured constantly in the Eastern USA and Canada region building a large following. The first album was recorded in Toronto, Canada under the name Thor and The Imps and was called "Muscle Rock". Released by the independent label, God Of Thunder Records, the record became an immediate success. The buzz created, grabbed the attention of various managers and producers who wanted to sign the act. Jon Mikl Thor was offered a large deal to star in a production at the Aladdin in Las Vegas called Red Hot and Blue. Frank Soda wanted to keep touring with the band. Frank Soda and The Imps were formed. Jon Mikl Thor went on to star in Las Vegas and was discovered by Merv Griffin. Merv had Thor perform live on the Merv Griffin show from Caesars Palace on national televeision. Thor's performance was a hit. The offers poured in from various major labels. Thor decided to sign with RCA records in late 1976.

This new incarnation of Thor was formed in 1977 by Jon Mikl Thor and released their debut album Keep the Dogs Away. After much touring, Jon Mikl Thor resided in New York City. He formed a new band with Rusty Hamilton aka Queen Pantera, Mike Favata, Steve Price and Keith Zazzi in 1983 and released the Unchained EP. The record, which was on Mongel Horde Records in the USA got picked up for distribution in England through Albion Records. The band travelled to London, England to perform at the Marquee. They were sensations overnite and signed with Motorhead's manager Douglas Smith. In 1984, the band decided to live in the UK. Most of the time was spent at Studios in London, writing and recording new material. The songs "Let The Blood Run Red" and "Thunder On The Tundra" became instant chart toppers with Thunder On The Tundra reaching number one on the British rock chart. the success of the singles soon led to 1985's Only the Strong. Thor's stage performances involved antics such as Jon Mikl breathing into hot water bottles until they burst, breaking bricks over his chest and head and bending steel bars and microphone stands.[1] In 1986, Thor released "Recruits- Wild In The Streets" on GWR Records. The band would break up in 1987 and Jon Mikl entered the world of acting, starring in such movies as Recruits, Zombie Nightmare,Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare.[1]

Ten years later the band released the compilation album Ride of the Chariots (An-Thor-Logy) Following this release the band returned with new material and in 1998 they released Thunderstruck (Tales from the Equinox) and have since released five additional albums.[2]

From 2000-2011,Thor continued to record, release albums and tour, building a larger following and connecting with a new generation. Albums released have been Dogz II (2000), Triumphant (2002), Beastwomen From The Centre Of The Earth (2003), Are U Ready (2004), Thor Against The World (2005), Devastation Of Muscularion (2006) Into The Noise (2007), Steam Clock (2008) Sign Of The V (2009), The Guardian (2010) and the new release Soundtrack (2011).

Thor wrote the music for and are starring in the new movie "Thor-The Rock Opera". In 2009 Thor performed at the Sweden Rock Festival, Sauna Open Air Festival in Finland and the Muskelrock Festival (named after Thor and The Imps first album "Muscle Rock") in Alvesta, Sweden. In 2011 Thor will headline the Shock Stock Festival in London, Ontario, April 30th. The band will head over to Scandinavia where they will headline at DOM(The Dome) in Helsinki, Finland June 1st before returning to the Muskelrock Festival June 2-4.

A new album is in the works to be released in 2012.

Line-up

- Jon Mikl Thor - vocals

- Steve Price - guitar

- Vincent Romagnoli/Mike Favata - drums

- Mike Kischnick - guitar

Discography

Albums

- Keep the Dogs Away (1977)

- Only the Strong (1985)

- Recruits - Wild in the Streets (1986)

- The Edge of Hell (1986) (Credited as Tritonz)

- Thunderstruck: Tales from the Equinox (1998)

- Triumphant (2002)

- Beastwomen From the Center of the Earth (2004)

- Thor Against the World (2005)

- Devatation Of Musculation (2006)

- Into the Noise (2008)

- Sign Of The V (2009)

- The Guardian (2010)

- Soundtrack-from the movie THOR-The Rock Opera (2011)

EPs

- Muscle Rock (1977) (Credited as Thor & the Imps)

- Gladiator (1979)

- Striking Viking (1980)

- Unchained (1983)

- Odin Speaks (2001) (Split with Thor & the Ass Boys)

References

1. ^ [a] [b] [1] at Rockdetector

2. ^ Thor at AMG

External links

- Thor site

- MySpace page

- MySpace page

v · d · eThor

Jon Mikl Thor · Steve Price · Mike Kischnick · Paul Falcon · Mike Favata

Studio albums

Keep the Dogs Away · Only the Strong · Recruits - Wild in the Streets · The Edge of Hell · Thunderstruck: Tales from the Equinox · Triumphant · Beastwomen From the Center of the Earth · Thor Against the World · Devastation of Musculation · Into the Noise

EPs

Muscle Rock · Gladiator · Striking Viking · Unchained · Odin Speaks

Live

Live in Detroit

Compilation

Ride of the Chariots · Mutant  · Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare

Ultimate Thor

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. It uses material retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_Thor on 2011-05-06.

CONTENTS

Character biography

Origin

Ultimates

Ultimate War

Ultimate Six

Ultimate Secret

Ultimate Fantastic Four

Ultimates 2

Ultimate Power

Ultimates 3

Ultimatum

New Ultimates

Ultimate Comics: Spiderman

Ultimate Comics: Thor

Powers and abilities

References

Ultimate Thor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search

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Thor

Ultimate Thor

Publication information

Publisher

Marvel Comics (Ultimate Marvel imprint)

First appearance

Ultimates #4

Created by

Mark Millar
Bryan Hitch
Based on the Marvel Universe Thor, adapted by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

In-story information

Alter ego

Thor Odinson

Team affiliations

Asgardians
Ultimates
S.H.I.E.L.D.

Notable aliases

Thorlief Golmen

Abilities

Belt grants: Superhuman strength, stamina and durability
Mjolnir grants:
Flight,
Teleportation,
Weather manipulation,
Ability to control lightning

Ultimate Thor is a superhero in the Ultimate Marvel Universe based on the Marvel Universe version of Thor who is in turn based on the god of the same name of Norse mythology.

Unlike his counterpart in primary Marvel continuity, Ultimate Thor has no human alter ego. The "Ultimate" redesign of the character also reduces the number and diversity of Thor's powers, and reduces the character's reliance upon his hammer, Mjolnir, as a source of power. Perhaps most significantly, the Thunder God's long-established personality is drastically altered, changing him from an eager and willing divine combatant into an ecocentric, arguably unstable, and somewhat reluctant warrior.

Though the series is written in such a way as to leave the reader uncertain about Thor's true divinity, it is finally confirmed in Ultimates Vol. 2, #13.[1]

Character biography

Origin

Ultimate Thor is referred to as once being a psychiatric nurse called Thorlief Golmen, until he suffered a nervous breakdown before his 30th birthday. He spent 18 months institutionalized, during which time he claims to have realized who he is and why he has been sent to Earth. He claimed to be Thor, Norse god of thunder, on a mission to save the planet and to stop the "war to end all wars". His political and social activism, as well as his own self-help books, attracted rebellious hippies and conspiracy theorists. He has spoken against America's military aggression against other world powers and the military-industrial complex. However, the truth behind these statements is questionable, as they came from characters aligned with or later revealed to be Loki, a reality-changing Norse god.

Ultimates

When General Nick Fury contacted him about joining the Ultimates, Thor refused to work for the military-industrial complex that he detests. When the Hulk appeared in Manhattan, Thor refused to assist unless the President doubled the foreign aid budget. Not long after the Ultimates confronted the Hulk, the President relented and Thor appeared in time to save Captain America from Banner. Following the battle, Thor became good friends with Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, pledging his support whenever lives are in danger. Soon thereafter, Thor was briefed on the Chitauri and sent to investigate a suspected Chitauri base in Micronesia. Finding the base abandoned and about to explode, they were saved by Iron Man's force field. Once a Chitauri fleet appeared in Arizona, Thor brought the survivors there, and alongside Iron Man provided air support against the Chitauri spacecraft until the Air Force arrived. Iron Man asked Thor to help him dispose of the Chitauri bomb that would obliterate the entire solar system, so Thor teleported it to the wastes of Náströnd, where its detonation caused only a small ripple in our space-time.

Ultimate War

In Ultimate War, Thor appears as a member of the Ultimates, retrieving the dead with Iron Man after the attack in issue one. When Magneto attacks the Ultimates, he says he is surprised to see Thor with the Ultimates, and asks him if he thinks he can change them. Thor throws Mjolnir at the Master of Magnetism, but Magneto manages to stop it an inch from his helmet and throws it back at Thor, sending him through a wall. Thor joins the Ultimates in attacking the X-Men later on; he fought Storm but is defeated by Colossus.[2]

Ultimate Six

In Ultimate Six, Thor appears with the Ultimates while bringing in Kraven the Hunter, although he refuses Captain America's requests to catch Kraven or bring him back. He is seen aiding in reconstruction efforts in Bosnia when summoned following the Six's breakout. Thor is the one who defeats Electro during the climactic battle at the White House.

Ultimate Secret

In Ultimate Secret, Thor and Iron Man escort the Fantastic Four to Nevada. When the Kree attack the base, Thor, Black Widow, Johnny Storm, and The Thing fight off the aliens. As he is idolized by Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm, he fraternizes with them to the point of ordering Carol Danvers to prepare a keg of beer for after the battle.

Ultimate Fantastic Four

Thor has appeared or been mentioned in several storylines of the Ultimate Fantastic Four. Reed Richards at one point created infant hard light versions of the Ultimates and thought Thor to be the most powerful superhuman on the planet. This was proved wrong when Namor appeared to be physically stronger. In another storyline an interdimensional parasite that sought out the most powerful being on the planet bypassed a present Thor and possessed Doctor Doom. This is attributed to a combination of Doom’s physical states and knowledge of Atlantean magic.

Thor appeared as a minor character in an alternate timeline as the President of the United States due to time travel involving Skrull invaders. In it his powers were described as “natural.” This alternate version was killed during the Skrull invasion and ceased to exist when the timeline was erased.

Thor appeared in a later storyline involving Thanos. He stated he had fought Thanos in the past and tried to fight him again along with the rest of the Ultimates. He was quickly defeated due to Thanos possessing the Cosmic Cube and turned into a tree. This was undone when Thanos was defeated by the Fantastic Four.

Ultimates 2

In “Ultimates 2” Thor has resigned from the Ultimates due to his belief that the team has become a tool for American foreign policy. In a restaurant, he meets fellow Asgardian Volstagg who warns him his half-brother Loki has escaped and is shifting reality on Earth to strike at Thor. Volstagg is then erased from reality making it look like Thor is crazy. After Bruce Banner’s identity of the Hulk is leaked to the public, Captain America accuses Thor of the act, but Thor denies the charge and tries to warn Captain America of Loki's influence. An anti-super-soldier demonstration in Italy turns violent due to Loki’s interference. When Thor intervenes on behalf of the protesters, the incident is used as an excuse for the Ultimates to team with the European Defence Initiative’s super-soldiers to arrest him. The EDI’s head scientist, Gunnar Golmen, reveals that Thor’s powers are technological in nature, coming from his belt and hammer. Gunnar explains that Thor is really his own mentally troubled brother who stole the equipment and has been being acting as Thor, God of Thunder, ever since. Gunnar claims the equipment gives Thor physical strength and powers beyond anyone else on the planet, and that he is too dangerous to take on alone.

Thor is tracked to Norway. After he fails to convince the Ultimates that Gunnar is really a masquerading Loki manipulating reality, a battle ensues. Despite initially holding his own, Thor is eventually overwhelmed and has to call upon a storm. At the last moment, Quicksilver is able to remove his belt stripping Thor of his powers and his ability to use Mjolnir. Thor is then locked up in the Triskelion all the time being mocked by Loki, who is invisible to all but him.

Thor is imprisoned in the Triskelion until the last issue of the series, where his attempts to warn the Ultimates about the coming dangers are ignored. Following the Liberators' conquest of America, Thor is freed by Odin and restored to full power in time to battle a revealed Loki. At first Loki has the upper hand by using his powers over reality to become immune to Thor’s hammer and overpowering the thunder god while summoning an army of Asgardian monsters to kill the Ultimates. After an army of Asgardian warriors arrive to fight the monsters, Loki’s powers stop working for an unknown reasons. During the battle Loki reveals he is responsible for creating the idea of a Norwegian super-soldier program and framing Captain America. Thor is able to destroy Loki’s mortal form and send his spirit back to Odin for punishment. Now vindicated in his claims of godhood, Thor learns that the Ultimates will no longer be working for the government, and rejoins the team.

Ultimate Power

In Ultimate Power, Thor appears alongside the rest of the new Ultimates alongside Nick Fury arriving to battle the Squadron Supreme when they destroy the roof of the Baxter Building. After the battle Thor used his hammer to teleport the Helicarrier with the team to the Supremeverse. There he engages Hyperion in combat, but is defeated by the former's superior speed.

In Ultimate Power #7 Thor gains the upper hand against Hyperion, after the latter is weakened by both a spore specifically designed to kill him and his power is stripped in half by the Scarlet Witch, felling him with a huge bolt of lightning then severely beating him with Mjolnir. He also knocks back Zarda as she attempts to stop him from beating Hyperion.

Ultimates 3

In Ultimates 3 Thor undergoes many changes making him closer to his mainstream counterpart. He is redesigned with a beard and a bulkier build. He becomes much more eager for battle and vengeful. His ax/hammer is replaced with one closer to the mainstream version of Mjolnir in look. He has formed a romantic relationship with Valkyrie, who has mysteriously gained superhuman powers. He starts speaking in a Shakespearean pattern, claiming it is the way he truly speaks and with his godhood no longer in doubt feels he no longer has to hide it. During the course of the story he reveals he has a collection of weapons which were a gift from Odin forged by Ulik the troll. The ax/hammer weapon is among them.

During the course of the story Thor aids the team when the Brotherhood of Mutants attacks their mansion. He later travels to the Savage Land with the Ultimates to confront Magneto. He once again battles Magneto, but is quickly defeated and buried near the center of the Earth. After the true mastermind behind the events is revealed, Thor attempts to confront Magneto again, but Magneto uses his powers to take Thor's hammer from him and then leaves. Following this, Thor begins using a sword.

Donald Blake also appeared in the first issue of the series as the doctor who attempted to revive the Scarlet Witch after she was shot. Blake was never seen again in the series, so it is unknown what his part is in the Ultimate Universe. However Doctor Blake also appears in the Ultimate Thor and is revealed to be Balder, Thor and Loki's brother and Odin's eyes and ears, revived in Human form after being murdered by Loki.

Ultimatum

As mentioned, Magneto uses Thor's hammer to create world wide destruction. During these events Thor, upon finding Valkyrie's lifeless body, enters Valhalla to reclaim her soul. He is then confronted by Hela, who forces Thor to battle Hela's army of fallen warriors to reach Valkyrie. Captain America suddenly appears in Valhalla, implying that he has died. In Valhalla, Thor sacrifices himself to save Valkyrie and Captain America from Hela and this allows them to go back to live.

New Ultimates

In New Ultimates #1 he is shown still imprisoned, demanding Hela returns him to Earth and to Valkyrie. She tells him she will give him whatever his heart desires in exchange for a son. The next issue has a vision shown to Valkyrie by Amora where he is making love with Hela as he had no other choice. Later Hela tells him that another soul is still needed for him to leave, Thor says it will be hers but finds himself unable to kill her because she is already pregnant. At the end of the issue he is resurrected at the price of the death of Valkyrie. Thor then goes into a rage searching for his brother and attacking the Ultimates in the process until he finally finds him and gets his hammer back with the Ultimates watching as he is still extremely angry.

Ultimate Comics: Spiderman

Thor's return and rejoining into the Ultimates was confirmed in the pages of Ultimate Comics: Spiderman where he is seen as one of the Ultimates Director Danvers ask's his advice. And one of the Ultimates who will teach Spiderman to be a hero.

Ultimate Comics: Thor

Thor will be appearing in a four part limited series written by Jonathan Hickman and penciled by Carlos Pacheco starting in October 2010 titled Ultimate Comics: Thor. The limited series was officially announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2010, and will detail the origins of Ultimate Thor.[3].

Powers and abilities

Thor possesses immense superhuman strength, stamina, and durability. At the beginning of the series, his physical powers were entirely dependent on his belt due to Loki's reality manipulations. After being restored by Odin, however, it is unclear if the belt boosts his powers or, in fact, serves any purpose at all.

Thor possesses the ability to control the weather on a large scale. He is capable of summoning thunderstorms and controlling massive amounts of lightning. He can teleport across space and between dimensions. It is unknown to what extent he relies on his weapons for these abilities. It is unknown if Thor can control other types of weather.

Thor possesses some skill at combat. He is depicted with an armory of weapons ranging from different types of hammers to swords and daggers. However, the ax/hammer hybrid primarily wielded by the character is considered to be the "Ultimate" version of Mjolnir, as revealed in Ultimate Power #9. However in the Ultimate Thor miniseries it is revealed that the original axe hammer is no longer necessary, as it's not the "real" Mjolnir but instead Dr. Braddock gives Thor, tech-armor, and Thor suggests to turn the power supply into a hammer.

References

1. ^ http://marvel.wikia.com/Comics:Ultimates_Vol_2_13

2. ^ http://www.marvel.com/universe/Thor_%28Ultimate%29

3. ^ http://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/news/251/sdcc-ultimate-comics-thor-by-hickman-and-pacheco

v · d · eThor (Marvel Comics)

Creators

Stan Lee • Larry Lieber • Jack Kirby

Allies

Balder • Beta Ray Bill • Frey • Frigga • Jane Foster • Heimdall • Hermod • Hercules • Hoder • Hrimhari • Idunn • Kelda • Odin • Sif • Thor Girl • Thunderstrike • Tyr • Valkyrie • Vidar • Volla • Warriors Three (Fandral • Hogun • Volstagg)  • Zeus

Enemies

Absorbing Man • Atum • Bloodaxe • Cobra • Desak • Destroyer • Ego the Living Planet • Enchantress • Executioner • Fafnir • Fenris Wolf • Grey Gargoyle • Hela • Karnilla • Kurse • Laufey • Loki • Lorelei • Malekith the Accursed • Man-Beast • Mangog • Midgard Serpent • Mr. Hyde • Mongoose • Perrikus • Quicksand • Radioactive Man • Ragnarok • Seth • Surtur • Ulik • Wrecking Crew (Wrecker • Bulldozer • Piledriver • Thunderball) • Ymir • Zarrko

Bibliography

Journey into Mystery • Thor: Blood Oath • Thor: Son of Asgard • Thor: Vikings

In other media

Television

The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) • The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)

Film

Hulk Vs (2009) • Thor (2011) (soundtrack) • Thor: Tales of Asgard (2011)

Video games

Thor: God of Thunder (2011)

Related articles

Alternative versions (Ultimate Thor) • Asgard • Elves • Giants of Jotunheim • Mjolnir • Norns • Valkyrior

v · d · eUltimate Marvel

Current series

Ultimate Comics: Avengers • Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man • Ultimate Comics: X

Finished series

Ultimate Fantastic Four • Ultimate Spider-Man • Ultimate X-Men • Ultimate Marvel Team-Up

Ultimate Comics limited series

Armor Wars • Captain America • Enemy Trilogy • New Ultimates • Thor

Ultimate Marvel limited series

The Ultimates • The Ultimates 2 • The Ultimates 3 • Ultimate Adventures • Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra • Ultimate Elektra • Ultimate Galactus Trilogy • Ultimate Human • Ultimate Iron Man • Ultimate Origins • Ultimate Power • Ultimate Requiem • Ultimate Six • Ultimate Vision • Ultimate War • Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk • Ultimate X4 • Ultimatum

Characters

Ultimates • Ultimate Captain America • Ultimate Nick Fury • Ultimate Iron Man • Ultimate Thor • Ultimate Wolverine • Mahr Vehl  • Tyrone Cash • Herr Kleiser • Magician • Kenny McFarlane • Gregory Stark

Films

Ultimate Avengers • Ultimate Avengers 2

Television

Ultimate Spider-Man

Video games

Ultimate Spider-Man

Miscellaneous

List of Publications • Tomorrow Men

v · d · eS.H.I.E.L.D.

Creators

Stan Lee · Jack Kirby

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Directors

G. W. Bridge · Sharon Carter · Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan · Nick Fury · Maria Hill · Norman Osborn · Steve Rogers · Tony Stark

Agents

Yelena Belova · Carmilla Black · Sally Blevins · Abigail Brand · Stanley Carter · Cheesecake · Edward Cobert · Izzy Cohen · Crimson · Carol Danvers · Valentina de Fontaine · Jessica Drew · Johann Fennhoff · David Ferrari · Marvin Flumm · Victoria Hand · James Howlett · Brent Jackson · Daisy Johnson · Gabriel Jones · John Kelly · Eric Koenig · Al MacKenzie · Jamie Madrox · Dino Manelli · Marrow · Tony Masters · Danielle Moonstar · Barbara Morse · Elektra Natchios · Kate Neville · Eric O'Grady · Alexander Pierce · Percival Pinkerton · Kitty Pryde · Clay Quartermain · Natasha Romanova · Jasper Sitwell · Howard Stark · Vincent Stegron · Mitchell Tanner · Jack Truman · Wendell Vaughn · Veranke · Jennifer Walters · Kate Waynesboro · Simon Williams · Sam Wilson · Jimmy Woo · Larry Young

Enemies

Groups

A.I.M · The Corporation · HYDRA · ULTIMATUM · Zodiac

Individuals

Doctor Demonicus · Godzilla · Mad Dog · MODOK · Plantman · Red Skull · Scorpio · Silver Samurai · Sin · Baron Strucker · Super-Patriot · Viper

Film

Live-action

Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998)

Animated

Ultimate Avengers (2006) · Ultimate Avengers 2 (2006)

Technology

S.P.I.N. Tech · Life Model Decoy · SJ3RX (Red Ronin) · S.H.I.E.L.D. Flying Car

Bases and facilities

Helicarrier · Stark Tower · Camp Hammond · Camp H.A.M.M.E.R. · The Vault · Ryker's Island · The Raft · Prison 42 · The Cube · Big House

Related agencies,
teams, and subdivisions

A.R.M.O.R. · H.A.M.M.E.R. · H.A.T.E. · S.A.F.E. · S.T.R.I.K.E. · S.W.O.R.D.
Superhuman Restraint Unit · S.H.I.E.L.D. Hulkbusters · Godzilla Squad · Project Livewire

Howling Commandos

Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos · Nick Fury's Howling Commandos · Secret Warriors

Ultimate Marvel

S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Ultimates · Ultimate Nick Fury · Ultimate Captain America · Ultimate Thor · Ultimate Iron Man · Ultimate Carol Danvers · Ultimate General Ross · Ultimate Betty Ross · Ultimate Karma · Gregory Stark

Enemies

Liberators · Ultimate Loki · Ultimate Ultron · Tomorrow Men

See also: Nick Fury in other media