DC’s Thor Replacement Has Always Been More Interesting Than Marvel’s Original

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Superheroes and comic books are frequently seen as a modern form of mythology, sharing similar themes of extraordinary heroes fighting against evil. When people consider this connection, Marvel’s Thor, based on the Norse god of thunder, often comes to mind first. Known for his powerful hammer, Mjolnir, and a blend of science fiction and fantasy, Thor is incredibly popular. However, DC Comics offers a more thought-provoking hero with Orion, a divine warrior who forces us to question the very nature of godhood.

Both Thor and Orion, powerful superhero figures, were shaped by the work of comic book legend Jack Kirby. At Marvel, Kirby teamed up with Stan Lee to create Thor, who first appeared in 1962. Later, seeking more creative control, Kirby moved to DC Comics in 1971. There, he developed his most ambitious project: the Fourth World and the New Gods. This introduced a new group of deities split between the forces of good, led by Highfather on the planet New Genesis, and the evil forces of Darkseid on the planet Apokolips. Orion, a key character from this series and intended to be DC’s answer to Thor, is the New God of War and Darkseid’s son.

Though often overlooked, Orion is a surprisingly compelling character in the DC universe – arguably more so than Thor when it comes to inner conflict. Unlike Thor, who is naturally heroic due to his lineage and power, Orion actively chooses to be a hero, constantly battling his own darker impulses. This makes his heroism feel earned and far more complex.

Orion is a War God Who Resists His Nature

Both Orion and Thor are powerful warriors who thrive in battle, capable of defeating massive armies while falling into a furious rage. However, their journeys as heroes are quite different. Thor is a classic, powerful storm god who starts out arrogant and reckless, and his story centers around learning humility and proving himself worthy of his power and Asgard’s throne. Orion, on the other hand, is a more complex and troubled character, demonstrating how a person’s upbringing can shape them despite their inherent nature.

Orion is the son of Darkseid, one of DC Comics’ most powerful villains. As part of a fragile peace agreement, Darkseid and Highfather swapped sons. While Darkseid’s other children embrace their cruel nature, Orion was raised in a peaceful world and became New Genesis’s greatest defender. However, he constantly battles the violent impulses he inherited from his father. This internal conflict—his desire to be good versus his inherent darkness—causes him immense self-doubt and fear. To manage this, Orion focuses his aggressive tendencies, striving to be a force for justice as a God of War.

Unlike most gods who embrace their fate, Orion fights against who he’s meant to be, terrified of becoming like the villain Darkseid. He struggles with a destructive rage and hides his face, which bears a disturbing resemblance to Darkseid, out of shame. This leads him to constantly seek balance between his inner darkness and his commitment to protecting New Genesis and the wider DC Multiverse. While Thor confidently enjoys his role as the God of Thunder, Orion views his position as a warrior as a heavy burden, a constant reminder of the difficult legacy he’s trying to escape.

Orion and the New Gods are More Worthy of Their Status as Gods

Both Orion and Thor are considered gods – Orion as a New God, and Thor as an Asgardian. However, Orion and the New Gods play a much larger and more complex role in the overall structure of their universe than Thor does in the Marvel multiverse. They offer a more interesting and impactful vision of what a god can be and how much influence they can wield.

Thor and the Asgardians have often been presented in different ways. Some stories depict them as god-like beings rooted in Norse myth, similar to powerful, ancient entities. Others portray them as simply advanced aliens with magical abilities – basically Vikings in space. The New Gods, however, are consistently shown as beings from another dimension, forces of nature so powerful they can change the very rules of reality. Because of this, Orion (of the New Gods) generally has a much larger impact on protecting the multiverse than Thor does.

Orion’s importance to the New Gods, and his crucial role in the cosmic conflict, is most clear during the Final Crisis. When Darkseid’s forces kill Orion, Apokolips gains a significant advantage, throwing the entire DC Multiverse into chaos. Villains begin to overpower and defeat heroes. Without Orion to oppose them, Darkseid would have conquered everything, but Superman intervened and prevented total destruction.

In Reflecting Humanity’s Struggles, Orion Rises Above Thor

The story of Orion and the New Gods offers a unique take on the nature of gods, portraying them not as beings with inherent power, but as living concepts that define the universe. The Orion seen in the comics is just a small part of a much larger, immensely powerful entity – the true essence of war residing in a higher dimension. This idea of gods possessing incomprehensible power is something rarely delved into in Marvel’s Thor stories. The conflict between New Genesis and Apokolips symbolizes the age-old battle between good and evil, and Orion represents the difficult choice everyone faces in deciding which side to support.

Orion carries the potential for darkness due to his origins, but the support of his loved ones helps him control his destructive impulses. He doesn’t just fight against his inner demons; he transforms that darkness into a powerful force for good, becoming New Genesis’s greatest protector. Orion’s journey demonstrates that who we are isn’t determined by our birth, but by the people who raise us, the lessons we learn, and the choices we make. Leaving Marvel allowed Jack Kirby to create a more complex and fascinating god, one who embodies the timeless human battle between good and evil and our constant striving for improvement.

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2025-10-30 02:12