Every Major Thor Variant, Ranked from Worthy to Godlike
Thor Odinson has been a cornerstone of the Marvel Universe since his debut in 1962. As the
Norse God of Thunder, he’s wielded Mjolnir, battled gods and monsters, and stood tall among
the Avengers. But the multiverse is vast and where there’s one Thor, there are many more.
Across alternate timelines, “What If?” stories, and multiversal sagas, Marvel has introduced
countless Thor variants, each bringing something new to the mythos.
Some Thors are noble and honorable, others monstrous or tragic. A few rise beyond the title of
“worthy” and become godlike forces in their own right. Here’s a look at every major Thor variant
in comics, ranked from merely Worthy to Godlike.
- Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill is one of the earliest and most beloved Thor variants, even if he isn’t a Thor by
name. First appearing in Thor #337 (1983), Bill is a Korbinite warrior who proved himself
worthy of wielding Mjolnir which is no small feat. Odin even forged him his own hammer,
Stormbreaker.
Bill embodies the nobility and strength that define Thor, and his tragic backstory adds a layer of
pathos. Still, despite his immense courage and power, he remains just below the divine tier. He’s
worthy, no doubt, but he doesn’t quite break into godlike territory.
- Throg
Yes, this one is real. Throg, formerly known as Simon Walterson, is a human cursed into frog
form who eventually lifts a sliver of Mjolnir and becomes Frog Thor in Lockjaw and the Pet
Avengers. Despite his size, Throg is every bit as brave and noble as any Thor variant.
He may not pack the world-shaking power of his full-sized counterparts, but Throg has proven
himself in battle time and again. Plus, he once led an army of frogs into combat. He’s worthy and
then some.
- Ultimate Thor
The Ultimate Universe reimagined many Marvel heroes with a grittier edge, and Thor was no
exception. In The Ultimates, Thor is a modern eco-warrior with political views and a volatile
temper. His power remains immense, and he eventually proves he’s no delusional anarchist but
the real God of Thunder.
Ultimate Thor is powerful, yes, but he lacks the wisdom and emotional depth of his mainstream
counterpart. He’s earned his place among the worthy, but his reckless brutality keeps him from
rising higher.
- Thor (Jane Foster)
When Jane Foster lifted Mjolnir after Odinson was deemed unworthy, she redefined what it
meant to be Thor. During her time wielding the hammer, Jane battled gods, monsters, and cancer
all while proving herself a hero of heart and sacrifice.
Jane didn’t just earn the title, she elevated it. Her time as Thor was marked by compassion,
bravery, and sacrifice. Though her raw power might not surpass all other variants, her spiritual
worthiness is unmatched. A Thor for a new era.
- Thor the Unworthy
After Nick Fury whispered a secret that rendered Thor unworthy in Original Sin, Odinson
entered a dark period. With Mjolnir beyond his reach, he took up the axe Jarnbjorn and fought to
regain his sense of self.
While he no longer held the hammer, Thor never stopped fighting for what’s right. His journey
through unworthiness tested his core and made him more human and in many ways, more heroic.
He may have been unworthy by the hammer’s standards, but never by ours.
- Thor (Earth-14412, King Thor)
In Jason Aaron’s epic Thor: God of Thunder run, readers were introduced to Old King Thor, an
aged, weary god ruling over a post-apocalyptic Asgard. With the Odinforce, Mjolnir, and
centuries of battle experience, King Thor is more powerful than ever.
This version of Thor is godlike not just in strength but in presence. He faces threats like the God
Butcher and universe-consuming entropy with grim determination. His power is second only to
the divine itself.
- War Thor
Volstagg, a member of the Warriors Three, briefly becomes the War Thor after picking up the
Ultimate Universe’s Mjolnir in The Mighty Thor #20 (2017). Fueled by rage over the slaughter
of innocent children, Volstagg becomes an avatar of destruction.
While War Thor possesses incredible power, his wrath blinds him. He is a cautionary tale about
how even the worthiest can fall when driven by vengeance. Godlike in strength, but tragic in
nature.
- Rune King Thor
The apex of Thor variants, Rune King Thor first appeared during the Thor Disassembled arc.
After sacrificing himself and undergoing the Odin Sleep, Thor unlocked the secrets of the runes
and transcended his former limitations.
Rune King Thor is not just powerful, he’s divine. With the ability to see past, present, and future,
and immunity to nearly all cosmic threats, he exists on a level few Marvel characters can match.
