Thor’s Epic Showdowns: Simonson’s Top 10 Must-Read Sagas!

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Among all the mighty heroes found in Marvel Comics, none are as renowned as Thor, the God of Thunder. Ever since he made his debut in Journey into Mystery #83 back in 1962, this character has brought divine beings and their realms to life within the Marvel Universe. To this day, Thor stands among the most powerful characters not just in the world, but across the universe. Throughout his adventures, Thor has fought against some of the greatest perils that threaten our universe, from the modest lands of Midgard to the farthest reaches of cosmic space.

Among numerous tales chronicling the Thunder God’s escapades over time, Walt Simonson’s tenure with Thor stands out as one that brilliantly encapsulates the enchantment and thrill. Taking the reins in 1983, writer Walt Simonson led readers on a fantastical journey through Asgard, delving into the epic exploits of Thor across the nine realms. Encountering adversaries like Surtur, Malekith, and his treacherous sibling Loki, Simonson’s work on Thor drew deeply from the characters’ ancient mythological roots, earning it a reputation as the pinnacle of Thor storylines.

Thor finds family when he needs it most

In issue #355 of Thor, after the demise of Odin and a clash with Hela, a hurt Thor stumbled through the mountains and encountered an enigmatic elder individual. This old fellow led him to his residence for healing. During his recovery, the older man would provoke Thor into sparring sessions to measure his power until he eventually managed to defeat him and enable him to return to Asgard. Yet, as Thor departed from the mountain, it was disclosed that this elderly man was none other than his great-grandfather, Tiwaz, who had been keeping a watchful eye on him.

In Norse mythology, Buri was the first Aesir deity who emerged from a block of ice licked by the cow Audhumla. This seemingly minor event in the storyline of Thor demonstrated Simonson’s skill at incorporating the genuine history of the Norse gods into the imaginative universe of Marvel Comics. Additionally, this issue marked a significant moment for Thor, as he came to terms with his power following Odin’s demise and bravely confronted the aftermath in Asgard.

Not even webbed feet will stop the God of Thunder

Following a clash with Algrim, formerly an elf now transformed into Kurse by the Beyonder, Loki embarked on another of his deceitful schemes. He employed a cosmic transmuter to cast a spell on a woman hailing from Earth (created by Walt Simonson, Max Scheele, and John Workman). Previously turned into a frog, Thor made friends with another frog named Puddlegulp and joined him in battling their mortal adversaries, the rats. Later, Thor was rescued by his faithful goats, Toothnasher and Toothgrinder, who returned Mjolnir to him. With this, he reclaimed his Asgardian powers and thwarted Loki’s attempt to seize control of Asgard.

Thor’s stint as a frog showcased Simonson’s knack for incorporating humor and absurdity within comic books while maintaining the mythological authenticity. In the Loki series, where he plays the mischievous deity, this plot stands out as particularly entertaining yet precariously close to disaster. The climax of the storyline even includes a six-foot tall frog impersonating Thor battling against Loki, an event that still ranks among the most amusing episodes in Thor’s long history.

The Executioner redeemed himself

In Thor Comic #360, Skruge the Executioner joined forces with Thor and Balder as they led an assault on Hel to rescue kidnapped Asgardian spirits, taken by Hela. Upon entering the realm of the dead, Skurge was deceived by an apparition of Amora into deserting Thor and joining her ranks of the deceased. However, Skurge managed to break free from her control and atone for his actions by heroically halting the onslaught of the dead at Gjallerbru’s bridge. In a valiant last stand, he sacrificed himself so that Thor and the Asgardians could safely depart.

In a significant shift, Skurge, formerly a persistent adversary to Thor and the Marvel Universe under Amora the Enchantress’ control, underwent a transformative act of valor by saving Thor. This selfless deed served as a powerful moment of atonement for his character, permanently etching him into Thor lore. Not only did this mark a complete turnaround for Skurge, but the comic issue featured one of the most thrilling scenes in Thor comics – The Executioner battling hordes of the undead with M-16s.

The bravest of Odin’s children had a harrowing journey

In issue #344 of Thor, the narrative shifts from Thor’s escapades to those of his brother, Brave Balder. Called upon by Odin, Balder is entrusted with delivering a message to Loki, who had killed Balder and sent him to Hel. Despite his reluctance, Balder agreed to complete this task, provided he wouldn’t have to take any lives. However, his pacifist pledge was soon shattered when he encountered demons and was compelled to kill them for self-defense. Filled with anger at having to shed blood again, Balder handed over the message to Loki before beheading him.

In this issue, Simonsson skillfully employs the authentic mythology from the Norse pantheon to craft an engaging and thrilling tale about Balder, adding depth to Marvel’s portrayal of the Aesir gods. This issue devoted to Balder was so captivating that it inspired the writer to delve deeper into the character’s storyline in the 1985 miniseries Balder the Brave, which is still considered one of Balder’s finest comic book appearances. Balder’s narrative in Simonsson’s Thor is marked by both heartbreak and valor, making it a compelling read.

Malekith the Accursed is one of Thor’s most ruthless villains

In the storyline known as the “Casket of Ancient Winters,” which started in issue #345 of Thor, Simonson introduced us to Malekith, the Dark Elf who aimed to find the Casket of Ancient Winters to trigger a foretold Fimbulwinter. After clashing with Malekith, Thor managed to vanquish him, but not before he shattered the casket and unleashed the storm that heralded Ragnarök.

In their initial confrontation, Malekith proved himself to be a pivotal antagonist for Thor within the Marvel Universe. Subsequent battles between them occurred frequently, with perhaps the most significant being when Malekith seized control over the Ten Realms and launched an assault on the entire Marvel universe during the War of the Realms. This initial encounter set the stage for showcasing just how powerful a threat he posed to Thor and the Asgardians, ultimately earning him a place among Thor’s most formidable enemies.

Even the Thunder god needs help sometimes

In issue #378 of Thor, Loki whisked his battered brother to his castle amid a siege by Frost Giants. Even though Thor was tricked by Loki, he returned the favor when Loki was cornered by the giants in his weakened state. As Thor struggled against the Frost Giants, he discovered one of Loki’s transportation gadgets and employed it to conjure a suit of armor that Thor had crafted in Pittsburgh. With this armor shielding his fractured body and amplifying his power, Thor effortlessly overpowered the Frost Giants. However, Thor felt no satisfaction from the victory as he regarded the armor as an unfair edge.

In this thrilling saga, we follow the twin sons of Asgard, where Loki schemes mischievously and Thor demonstrates heroism despite his flaws. Initially, Thor discards the armor once he’s liberated from the enchantment, but later, the God of Thunder has reused this battle armor on various occasions in his escapades. Notably, this armored version of Thor was showcased in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as recently as 2022’s “Thor: Love and Thunder.

Every story has its end

Following his victory over the Midgard Serpent, Thor found himself engaged in another conflict – this time against Hela, the Death goddess. In the realm of Hel, he donned the Destroyer Armor to fight Hela’s hordes of the deceased who wielded the ability to bring down Celestials. So powerful was Thor that he discarded Mjolnir as the immense power overtook even the God of Thunder. The strength was so intense that it came close to killing Hela while under its sway, but it was later unveiled as a ruse by Thor – designed to allow Hela to mend his undamaged form. Once Hela was vanquished, Thor liberated the spirits of Asgard and was released from his curse.

Walt Simonson’s last issue on Thor concluded his grand saga with a fittingly Asgardian finale. The Thunder God engaged in epic battles against his timeless adversaries, showcasing the pinnacle of his strength to provide a satisfying conclusion to an extraordinary journey. This final chapter resolved the fates of most characters, including Skurge who earned a place in Valhalla following his selfless act in Thor issue #362.

The thunder bringer faces the world ender

Following Thor’s victory in a test of strength against Fin Fang Foom by lifting his toe, the creature unveiled itself as Jormungand the World Serpent, foretelling Thor’s demise. In a fight reminiscent of epic Norse sagas, the two behemoths clashed violently, causing the world to tremble. Exchanging powerful blows, Thor acknowledges his destiny at the paws of the World Serpent and employs all his might to strike a fatal blow, one that takes them both down.

In this retelling, Walt Simonson skillfully depicted the legendary battle between Thor and the World Serpent, a story deeply rooted in Norse mythology that claimed Thor’s life. The entire issue was a series of striking, full-page illustrations by Sal Buscema, breathing life into this epic confrontation. Moreover, the comic book issue highlighted one of Thor’s most noble qualities – his readiness to make the ultimate sacrifice. Despite knowing that his final strike would cost him his life, Thor faced it bravely.

Walt Simonson set the bar

From the earliest pages of Walt Simonson’s initial issue of Thor, upon taking over the title, Surtur had been devising his ultimate attack on Asgard. This plot was developed throughout the series, and in Thor #348, Surtur managed to escape his confinement when the Casket of Ancient Winters was opened. To prevent Surtur and the destruction of Asgard, Odin summoned all of Asgard’s forces to confront the demon on Earth, just before they reached the base of the Rainbow Bridge. However, despite their valiant attempts, Surtur reached the Rainbow Bridge and overpowered Odin and Thor, triggering Ragnarök. But it was none other than Loki who stepped in to halt Surtur. Later, Loki teamed up with Thor and Odin, and together they fought back against their impending doom. In a final act, Odin sacrificed himself to send Surtur back to Musphelheim.

In these issues #348-353 of Thor, Walt Simonson shines, masterfully weaving together all the threads he’d established earlier into an unprecedented mythological tale. Adhering closely to the lore of Ragnarok, this epic battle unfolds as Asgard’s army and Beta Ray Bill engage demons in New York City, while Thor and Surtur clash violently on the Rainbow Bridge. The narrative reaches its climax with the sons of Odin uniting with their father to confront their destiny. Not only does this Surtur saga demonstrate Simonson at the pinnacle of his skillset, but it also served as a crucial stepping stone in showcasing Thor’s potential and establishing a lasting impact on the character.

Walt Simonson’s first issue introduced the iconic Beta Ray

In the comic book “Thor” #337, I found myself examining a humongous spaceship hovering around Earth. There, I had my initial encounter with Beta Ray Bill. Instantly, we engaged in a fierce battle. After losing grip of Mjolnir, Bill was summoned to Asgard. There, Odin made us fight for the right to wield Mjolnir again, and once more, Bill emerged victorious. However, he didn’t just take advantage of his win; Bill also saved my life. As a token of appreciation for his triumph, Odin bestowed upon him a new hammer in “Thor” #339 – Stormbreaker. Since then, Bill has stood tall as a champion of Asgard and one of my most trusted allies.

Initially, when Walt Simonson assumed the role of writer and artist for the Thor comic at issue #337, he dared to introduce a fresh character capable of besting Thor in his debut. This risky decision might have led to Simonson leaving the series early, but it ultimately proved to be highly rewarding. The character, Bill, has since become one of Thor’s most iconic and adored figures in his mythology. With Bill’s distinctive appearance combined with his compelling backstory, Simonson crafted a character that has become an essential component of Asgard and has grown to be one of Marvel’s strongest and influential characters overall. Among the numerous memorable stories in Simonson’s tenure as Thor’s writer, none have had such a profound effect as the introduction of Beta Ray Bill.

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2025-05-05 07:52