Thor Comics Aren’t Superhero Stories, They’re Actually Horror

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Marvel’s Thor Odinson, commonly known as the God of Thunder, is one of their most renowned superheroes, potentially ever. Hailing from Asgard, he’s a powerhouse hero who’s saved the day numerous times. He’s revered by his people, a protector of Earth, and a frequent member of the Avengers. Given this, it’s understandable to think that all of Thor’s stories follow the traditional superhero narrative. Yet, a closer examination of the recurring themes in Thor’s tales reveals something striking. The core of Thor’s stories is rooted less in superheroics and more in cosmic horror. Specifically, his realm, adventures, and struggles often delve deeply into this chilling genre.

Cosmic horror, also known as Lovecraftian horror or cosmic dread, is a type of horror story that focuses on making us feel incredibly small compared to the vastness of the universe. This genre often portrays humans (and other humanoid creatures) as insignificant in the grand scheme of things, facing off against the overwhelming and enigmatic forces of the cosmos. Although Thor is a god, we’ll clarify how he fits into this narrative to keep things interesting!

In essence, cosmic horror generally emphasizes several crucial aspects that are worth bearing in mind. Firstly, it portrays the universe as immensely vast and indifferent. Secondly, there are some mysteries in life that may remain unresolved, and attempting to decipher them can sometimes carry a heavy personal cost. Thirdly, it highlights the delicate nature of humanity, often underscoring our insignificance amidst the grand cosmic scheme.

Some other key features of cosmic horror include feelings of despair, encounters with alien beings, mental decay, loneliness, distorted perception of reality, and forbidden wisdom that may be hazardous to one’s well-being or sanity.

Entities Beyond Our Understanding

In Thor’s comic books, you’ll frequently find characters that seem bigger-than-life due to their immense power. Given the colossal nature of any threat to Thor, this is only fitting since they generally outmatch anything humans can conceive. Consequently, Thor battles Elder Gods, Celestials, and even cosmic entities beyond our understanding.

In his extensive existence, Thor has encountered numerous adversaries, yet none tested his resilience quite like Gorr the God Slayer did. In the upcoming discussion, we’ll delve deeper into Gorr’s motivations; for now, let’s concentrate on his forces. Gorr amassed an army of dark energy against Thor (Thor: God of Thunder #5)). These minions sought to transport Thor across the cosmos and through time with the intention of imprisoning him. Of course, Thor managed to break free from this timeline, but it was only with the assistance of his future granddaughters and a future iteration of himself that he achieved this.

Facing Cosmic Indifference

In Thor’s comic books, one common motif is the idea of cosmic apathy, where many of the larger entities within the Marvel universe display indifference or even maliciousness towards lesser beings. For instance, the Celestials are highly powerful cosmic entities that occasionally intervene in the affairs of lower life-forms, often for purposes of judgment or experimentation. While they may have created the Eternals, their involvement in the Eternals’ creation is generally seen as more detrimental than beneficial by those well-versed in their lore.

In a different perspective, Galactus might not solely target Thor, but his presence serves as a clear demonstration. Regarding gods or mortals, he pays scant attention and even beings like Thor appear minuscule in comparison. The early comics of Donny Cates’ Thor series portray Thor as Galactus’ Herald, underscoring this notion effectively.

recall our discussion about Gorr the God Butcher? Gorr’s past serves as a heart-wrenching illustration that in Thor’s world, many depend on deities such as Thor for support. When these individuals are neglected and deserted, their pain can lead to retaliation.

Forbidden Knowledge

In Norse mythology and its adaptation to comics featuring Thor, forbidden knowledge often plays a significant role. Unlike Loki who notoriously delves into things he’s warned against, Thor encounters forbidden knowledge frequently. This trend has intensified in more recent Marvel stories where Thor has been compelled to scrutinize Asgard and its values. During this period, he uncovered truths about his lineage, his people, and the secrets of the gods. He’s even peered into various future incarnations of himself, as well as glimpsed a version of his own demise.

Existential Dread

Thor isn’t unfamiliar with feelings of existential uncertainty. Each day, he grapples with the same query: Am I deserving? To help him find an answer, he depends on Mjolnir. Marvel has subtly shown us that Thor struggles with this question on multiple occasions. Interestingly, when Thor became the ‘Unworthy Thor’, readers witnessed a character reduced to his core, compelled to rebuild himself from scratch. The entire concept of ‘Unworthy Thor’ hinges upon Gorr’s actions. He planted a seed of doubt in Odinson, causing him to question everything that the gods represent.

Instead, King Thor presents a starkly contrasting aspect of Thor’s existential despair. This incarnation of Thor outlives nearly everyone close to him – friends, family, and foes alike. He stands at the brink of the universe’s heat death, the final moment when all life in the cosmos ceases to exist. Isn’t this an embodiment of nothing less than profound existential despair?

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2025-09-01 05:57