Thor Is The Best Avenger

The biggest Marvel movie yet is nearly upon us, as The Avengers are ready to storm theaters and bring audiences the comic-book crossover event most fans could only dream of.
But with so many heroes, gods and supersoldiers assembling from across half a dozen different movies, the question remains: who’s the best Avenger?

It's time to pick sides. Join both Player Affinity Movies and Comics in making the case for each member of the Avengers as truly being Earth’s mightiest hero.

Max Alborn and Dave Berg want you to remember that armor, shields and arrows may avail much in battle, but they are nothing when compared to the might of the very elements of nature themselves as wielded by the god who commands them - The Mighty Thor!

Real Name: Thor Odinson
Played By: Chris Hemsworth
Previously Played By: Erik Allen Kramer, The Incredible Hulk Returns; Kramer, notably went on to play The Skipper in the Surviving Gilligan's Island telefilm. He's currently starring on Good Luck,
Charlie; previous voiced by Chris Wiggins on 1966's The Marvel Super Heroes; Vincent D'Onofrio in Adventures in Babysitting; John Rhys-Davis on the '90's Marvel Action Hour: Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk series; David Boat on Utimate Avengers, Marvel Super Hero Squad and Ultimate Spider-Man; he is currently voiced by Rick D.Wasserman on The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

First Comic Appearance: Journey into Mystery #83

Comic Re-imaginings:  Eric Masterson alias Thunderstrike in Thor #391; Beta Ray Bill, alias Beta Ray Thor and Simon Walters (for creator Walt Simonson) Thor #337

Best Comics Issue/Moment: "If Asgard Should Perish", story arc, The Mighty Thor #247 - #253; collected as Thor: If Asgard Should Perish trade paperback. This was an amazing, sprawling journey, before there really was such a thing in comics. This was the model for today's multi-part arcs.


Abilities/Skills: Sole-wielder of Mjolnir, Hammer of the Gods. Extended lifespan. Near invulnerability. Heightened senses. Flight. Command of thunder, rain, tornadoes, etc.
Arch Nemeses: Loki
Love Interest(s): Jane Foster, Sif, The Enchantress
Catch Phrase: "For Odin! For Asgard!"

Feature Film Appearances: Thor, The Avengers, Thor 2 (2013)
Notable TV or Video Appearances: The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Hulk vs. Thor, Ultimate Avengers

Memorable Movie Quote(s):

[walking into a pet shop] "I need a horse!"

 

Strengths of the Movie Interpretation:

When dealing with a God, you've got to go big and Thor's onscreen  depictions haven't held much back. He took on an army of Frost Giants, the Destroyer and his brother Loki in under two hours, and he did it with his lightening, tornadoes and good old fashioned hammer-brawling. Thor is a near-unstoppable wrecking ball of power and the movies haven't shied away from that.

Another area that worked well for Thor's film debut was his charisma. At his start, it is clear he is prideful, arrogant and capable. While his character arc was a little rushed (he learned everything he needed to know  about humility in a weekend?!), it held true to the road Thor had to walk before he could truly become the Asgardian protector of Earth.

 

Weaknesses of the Movie Interpretation:

It isn't like Iron Man or Hulk are grounded characters, but at least they are human at their cores and more believable/vulnerable as a result. Thor is tricky to buy given he is a God with relatively few limitations. He can fly, possesses superior strength and whip up lightening storms. Not to mention he can take a hell of a beating if need be. His strengths are almost his weakness in the movies as, given he has so much power, there is very little at stake for the character. He can't really die (unless made mortal by his father) and he never gives up or questions his situation. He just fights and fights which makes him fun to watch, but not exactly interesting to listen to--one-liners aside.


Why Thor Is the Best Avenger:
 He is a nearly-immortal God dedicated to the bettermant of Earth, with limitless power and strength--so much strength that he is the only one of the Avengers who can go toe-to-toe with Hulk and live to tell about it. Given his Asgardian lineage, he is also a link and ally between Earth and the other realms, helping to bring a greater knowledge of what lies beyond, whether they be friend or foe.

Weaknesses: 
While Thor's body can withstand great physical harm (he is a God, dammit), enough of it can cause great pain and potentially impeed his ability to fight effectively. He is also not immune to the effects of magic--notably magic caused by his brother, Loki.

 
Why Thor is Better Than Iron Man:
 Tony Stark may have the lines and the brains, but he also has limitations. The Iron Man suit can only take so much whereas Thor will be fighting months after Stark's suit has lost power. Thor doesn't require thrusters to fly, nor energy reserves to fry enemies with lightening.


Why Thor is Better Than Captain America: 
Everyone in the Avengers may treat Cap like he is the oldest, most battle-worn of the group, but that'd be a lie as Thor has a few years on Rogers in terms of battle. Cap is great, don't get me wrong. But it's foolish to think he is stronger or faster than Thor. Not to mention the fact that Cap is mostly relegated to fighting enemies his own size. Thor can take on enemies the size of mountains. Or the Hulk.

 

One Thing We Hope Thor Will Do in The Avengers:
If anything, we hope that Thor's relationship with Loki will continue to grow, given how Loki's role as the villain is what brings the team together. It is also the only time Thor really becomes intriguing as a character when dealing with his conflicting feelings for his brother and the Earth he comes to love. But while character expansion is good and all, we want to see Thor do what he does best--cause some major property damage.If anything, we hope that Thor's relationship with Loki will continue to grow, given how Loki's role as the villain is what brings the team together. It is also the only time Thor really becomes intriguing as a character when dealing with his conflicting feelings for his brother and the Earth he comes to love. But while character expansion is good and all, we want to see Thor do what he does best--cause some major property damage.