With rumors of Thor taking on a considerable part in the upcoming Avengers movie, it’s the perfect time to revisit some of his most heroic moments in the comics. Here are some of the best Thor comics ever made.
Best Thor comics as of 2025
Thor has been around since 1962, and in that time, he’s had more than a few standout arcs. Some are mythic, others cosmic, and a few are surprisingly personal. But if you’re looking to read his very first appearance in comics, you’ll want to start with Journey into Mystery #83.
This list, like some of our other “best of” comic roundups, isn’t trying to be definitive. It does, however, highlight just a few of our personal favorites. Whether you’re here for mythology, the epic battles, the artwork, or the characters’ evolution over time, these are worth getting into.
The Eternals Saga
Published between 1979 and 1980, The Eternals Saga is an 18-issue Thor comic arc written by Roy Thomas, with art most famously by John Buscema, with some by Keith Pollard too (we’ve got to give credit here). In this storyline, Thor meets three powerful cosmic races known as the Celestials, the Deviants, and the Eternals. The Celestials are colossal space gods who periodically return to judge planets, and this time, they’ve arrived at Earth. And if deemed unworthy (and things aren’t looking too great for us), humanity will be destroyed.
For fans of classic, grand-scale storytelling, this one is a great read. However, some readers might find themselves frustrated by the lack of character development, the need for tighter pacing, and a general lack of cohesion. Still, it stands as one of the best Thor comics and is worth the read for anyone interested in seeing the God of Thunder go head-to-head with the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe.
The Surtur Saga (Thor Vol. 1 #340-353)
In Thor issues #340–353, now known as The Surtur Saga, Walt Simonson wrote and illustrated a story that revolutionized the mythos surrounding the God of Thunder. This year-long arc, published between 1984 and 1985, centers on the fire demon Surtur, who seeks to fulfill the prophecy of bringing about Ragnarök and decimating Asgard. Odin, who had once imprisoned Surtur, mysteriously went missing. Naturally, the timing is perfect for Surtur’s attack. Thor, alongside his allies in the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the Warriors Three, rises to defend the realm. And, of course, Loki plays his part as well – although the guy is always stringing us along, testing both sides. This arc was groundbreaking, not just for its epic scale but for how it united heroes across the Marvel Universe. This quintessential Thor story also served as inspiration for Thor: Ragnarök in the MCU.
Thor vs. Mangog (Thor Vol. 1 #154-157)
From Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Mangog Saga is a three-issue arc that begins with battling brothers Thor and Loki. Odin steps in to stop this brotherly spat, warning Thor of a looming threat, which conveniently gives Loki time to slip away. Before taking on this new responsibility, Thor visits a wounded Sif. He’s confronted by Hela, the terrifying goddess of death (and Thor’s not-so-friendly half-sister), who declares she will take Sif to Valhalla. Obviously not interested in this idea, Thor refuses. Bonus issue: If you want to read more comics featuring the dark and twisty sister Hela, check out Skurge’s Last Stand (Thor #362).
Meanwhile, deep beneath Asgard, Ulik, the rock troll, unknowingly smashes open a prison door that holds a demon once sealed away by Odin. Now Mangog, the embodiment of a billion billion beings’ hatred and rage, is on the loose, and he’s capital M Mad. Each failed attempt to stop him only brings Mangog closer to drawing the Odin Sword — and, with it, the end of the universe. This one’s a Silver Age classic, with dynamic art by Kirby and Lee’s signature mythic style. We obviously couldn’t leave a Lee/Kirby Thor story off the best Thor comics list.
Thor Disassembled (Thor Vol. 2 #80-85)
One of the strongest solo arcs (and a reason it’s on our list for the best Thor comics) to emerge from Brian Michael Bendis’s Avengers: Disassembled, Thor: Disassembled was published in 2004 and written by Michael Avon Oeming, with art by Andrea Di Vito. Thor returns to Asgard, only to find the realm in complete ruins. Ragnarök, the eternal cycle of death and rebirth for the gods, has begun, but something isn’t right. As the gods continue to fall, Thor uncovers the truth behind the cycle and must rise to break it once and for all.
While this mythological, high-stakes story arc is a strong read on its own, the (temporary) end of Thor is a satisfying close to his story before his return and relaunch three years later. Oeming really honors the history of the character and the mythological weight of Ragnarök — which, as a history nerd whose favorite Marvel hero is Thor due to the Norse mythology — only adds to why this stands out as one of the best Thor comics.
Thor Vol. 3 #1-6
After Thor: Disassembled, writer J. Michael Straczynski relaunched Thor in a post-Civil War Marvel Universe. But this was more than just a relaunch — it was a resurrection. Thor’s been floating in the void for a while, reflecting on his adventures, the Asgardians, and his fellow heroes, especially Sif and the Warriors Three. Eventually, he feels a summoning — a pull from none other than Donald Blake, the mortal who once served as Thor’s human host. Good old Dr. Don, now walking the Earth thanks to a loophole in a spell, tells Thor it’s time to return to the land of the living – that the fate of Midgard depends on it. And so he must. And so he does. But where does he land? Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain.
This gives way to some hilarious exchanges between regular humans and their new Viking god neighbors. The result is a witty, fast-paced read that feels like Straczynski struck gold, easily making it one of the best Thor comics. The comic’s pencils are by Oliver Coipel, with inks by Mark Morales.
How we chose the best Thor comics
Narrowing down the best Thor comics comes down to a few key things: how important they are to the character, how enjoyable they are to read, and how they contribute to, close, or open a new chapter in the Marvel Universe. The creators and artists behind each comic also played a big role in their inclusion on this list.
