Welcome to the Gods and Goats comics reading guide for Thor: Love and Thunder!
While our Mighty Thor comics reading guide covers everything about Jane Foster’s Thor saga, what about the other stars of the film? Assembled here is the greatest guide of Thor’s tales with Gods, Goats, and the Guardians, including Zeus, the Olympians, the Guardians, the Valkyries, the Celestials, and much more Thor!
Gods and Goats, Thor comics quick start:
- Thor (1966) #300-301; Annual #5, 8, 10
- Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica (2009) #1
- Thor and the Eternals: The Celestials Saga
- Thor: Alone Against the Celestials
- Thor: Blood Oath (2005)
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- Thor (1966) #164, 221-222, 283-301, 339-343, 360-366, 378-382, 386-389, 398; Annual #5-8, 10
- Avengers (1963) #47-51, 167-177, 281-285
- Incredible Hercules (2008) #116-117, 129-133, 138
- Secret Warriors (2009) #10
- Heroic Age: Prince of Power (2010) #1-2
- Asgardians of the Galaxy (2018) #1-10
- Avengers: No Road Home (2019) #1-10
- King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (2021) #1-4
Take a look below to see how these comics could come into play in Love and Thunder and find some new reading recommendations for yourself! Happy reading!
Thor’s Goats (Toothgrinder & Toothgnasher)
The goats in Love and Thunder actually have a long history in both Marvel Comics and actual Norse mythology. The comics goats Toothgrinder and Toothgnasher were based on the mythological goats Tanngrisnir & Tanngnjóstr. While the Norse version pulled Thor’s chariot, Marvel’s version pulls a “goat boat”! Of course, these wonderful also a major part of Jason Aaron’s run, so they’re hard to miss!
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- Thor Annual (1966) #5
- Thor (1966) #339-340, 343, 360-366
- Thor (1998) #30, 40-41, 83-84
- Thor: Ages of Thunder (2008) #1
- Journey into Mystery (2011) #623-624, 630
- Angela: Asgard’s Assassin (2014) #1-2
- Black Bolt (2017) #9
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015) #37
- Asgardians of the Galaxy (2018) #4
- Punisher: Kill Krew (2019) #1-5
- Continue with the Mighty Thor Reading Guide!
Asgardians of the Galaxy Comics
After Taika Waititi’s hilarious reinvention in Thor: Ragnarok, fans around the world were clamoring for an “Asgardians of the Galaxy” crossover movie. And after being teased at the end of Avengers: Endgame, it seems like this is exactly how Love and Thunder is going to start!
In the comics, Thor has crossed over with the Guardians only a few times, most notably during The Korvac Saga (co-starring a future version of the Guardians). But after the popularity of Ragnarok, Marvel Comics did start a literal Asgardians of the Galaxy series. While this line-up is different from the team in Love and Thunder, the comic version was an even better team, featuring Throg (the Frog of Thunder), Angela (Thor’s sister), and Brunnhilde (the classic Valkyrie).
- Avengers: The Korvac Saga
- Thor Annual (1966) #6
- Avengers (1963) #167-177
- What If? (1976) #32 (“What If Avengers Had Become the Pawns of Korvac?”)
- Asgardians of the Galaxy (2018) #1-10
- ties into War of the Realms, includes Thor’s sister Valkyrie Brunnhilde
Thor’s New Looks Inspired by the Comics
Chris Hemsworth’s Thor has a couple of new looks in Love and Thunder! The goofy golden helmet is similar to the battle armor Thor wore at the end of Walt Simonson’s run in the 1980s, which has made only a few re-appearances in the years since.
Meanwhile, the red vest on Thor’s “rock star” look was inspired by an outfit Thor’s friend Eric Masterson wore in the comics. After serving as Thor for a couple years, Masterson switched to this costume to create his own identity as Thunderstrike! Masterson was huge in the 90s and went on to be a major member of the Thor Corps, but has rarely ever been seen again.
- Golden helmet look
- Thor (1966) #378-382, 386-389, 407-408, 413
- Avengers (1963) #285
- Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #9
- Avengers: Ultron Forever (2015) #1
- Avengers (2018) #4
- Thor (2020) #7-10
- “Rock star” look
- Thunderstrike (1993) #1-24
- Thor Corps (1993) #1-4
- Eric Masterson as Thor:
- Thor (1966) #391-459 (before Thunderstrike)
Jane Foster: Goddess of Thunder
Jason Aaron wasn’t the first writer to create a woman Thor! The idea goes back to the 1970s with What If? #10, and was fleshed out in the Earth-X series in the late 90s. It’s exciting to see so many Goddesses of Thunder across the multiverse, showing that the Thor mantle was never only for a man.
- What If? (1976) #10
- First Jane Foster Thor story
- “Thordis”
- Earth-X
- Earth X (1999) #0-12
- Prequel: Marvels X (2020)
- Sequels: Universe X (2000), Paradise X (2002)
Other Gods in Marvel Comics
Of course, the real special characters of a godbutcher saga are the gods that get butchered. From gods to Celestials, here are the most important stories featuring Thor’s mishaps with Marvel’s mythology!
- Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica (2009)
- The ultimate mythology guide to Marvel comics
- Eternals and Celestials
- Thor (1966) #283-301, Annual #7
- Collected as Thor and the Eternals: The Celestials Saga
- #300-301 tell the history of the Gods and Celestials
- Overlaps with the Gods section below
- Thor (1966) #387-389
- Collected as Thor: Alone Against the Celestials
- Thor (1966) #283-301, Annual #7
- Gods (Olympians and other pantheons)
- Venus (1948) #5, 8
- #5 early first appearance of Zeus
- #8 early first appearance of Olympus
- Amazing Adult Fantasy (1961) #13
- Journey Into Mystery (1952) #124, Annual #1
- Thor (1966) #129-131, 164, 221-222, 289, 291-292, 300-301, 398; Annual #5, 8, 10
- Avengers (1963) #38, 47-51, 99-100, 173, 281-285; Annual #23
- Marvel Premiere (1972) #26
- Marvel Classics Comics Series Featuring The Odyssey (1977) #1
- Marvel Classics Comics Series Featuring The Iliad (1977) #1
- Champions (1975) #2-3
- What If? (1976) #32 (“What If Avengers Had Become the Pawns of Korvac?”)
- New Mutants (1983) #81
- Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #9
- Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme (1988) #54 [B Story]
- Infinity Gauntlet (1991) #2
- Incredible Hulk: Hercules Unleashed (1996) #1
- Marvel Valentine Special (1997) #1 [C Story]
- Thor (1998) #6-7, 61, 65
- New Warriors (1999) #10
- Venus (1948) #5, 8
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- Thor Annual 2001
- Howard the Duck (2002) #6
- Thor: Blood Oath (2005) #1-6
- Ares (2006) #1-4
- Marvel Universe: The End (2003) #1-6
- Deadpool GLI – Summer Fun Spectacular (2007) #1
- Marvel Illustrated: The Iliad (2007) #1-8
- Hulk vs. Hercules: When Titans Collide (2008) #1
- Incredible Hercules (2008) #116-117, 129-133, 138
- Trojan War (2009) #1, 4
- Secret Warriors (2009) #10
- Features several god pantheons
- Heroic Age: Prince of Power (2010) #1-2
- Chaos War (2010) #1-3
- Avengers No Road Home (2019) #1-10
- Features Olympus and Omnipotence City
Valkyrie comics
Brunnhilde was the classic Valkyrie. A major player on the Defenders, Brunnhilde rode an iconic white pegasus named Aragorn, similar to the white pegasus Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie rides in the MCU. Brunnhilde also has a few appearances in Jason Aaron’s run and other assorted comics. (If you’d like a full Brunnhilde reading guide in the future, let us know on Twitter!)
Runa is a brand-new character based closely on Thompson’s Valkyrie from Thor: Ragnarok and Love and Thunder. Another version of her character appeared in Exiles, starring a Valkyrie variant from the multiverse!
- Multiverse
- Ultimate universe (Barbara Norriss)
- Ultimates Annual (2005) #1
- Ultimates 3 (2008) #1-5
- Ultimatum (2009) #1-5
- Ultimate Comics New Ultimates (2010) #1-5
- Exiles (2018) #1-12
- Ultimate universe (Barbara Norriss)
- Brunnhilde
- Defenders (1972) #4-152
- retitled “New Defenders” after #140
- Thor (1966) #296-300
- Secret Avengers (2010) #1-37
- Fear Itself: The Fearless (2011) #1-12
- Fearless Defenders (2013) #1-9
- Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! (2016) #1-7, 17
- Asgardians of the Galaxy (2018) #1-8
- War of the Realms (2019) #2
- King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (2021) #1-4
- Introduces Runa
- Defenders (1972) #4-152
- Runa
- King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (2021) #1-4
- Includes Brunnhilde
- The Mighty Valkyries (2021) #1-5
- Marvel’s Voices: Pride (2021) #1 (“Introduction)
- Marvel’s Voices: Legacy (2022) #1 (“A Treasure Worthy of a King”)
- Jane Foster & the Mighty Thor (2022) #1
- Marvel’s Voices: Pride (2022) #1 (“Over the Rainbow”)
- King in Black: Return of the Valkyries (2021) #1-4
New Asgard
Set in Asgardia (aka Broxton, Oklahoma), these comics were the inspiration for the Marvel Studios moving Asgard to Earth, giving these comics loose ties to the New Asgard seen in Avengers: Endgame and Thor: Love and Thunder.
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- Thor (2007) #1-12, 600-621
- Ties into Secret Invasion (2008) and Siege (2010)
- Mighty Thor (2011) #1-21
- Thor: God of Thunder (2012) #12-24
- Thor (2020) #7-8, 20
- Thor (2007) #1-12, 600-621
Starsharks
First created in the 80s, the Starsharks were minor detail that seemed to be forgotten forever… until Jason Aaron brought them back for his Thor run! Now, these hugely popular side characters have been popping up in every title from Punisher to Groot! Anytime a comic needs some extra-cosmic chaos, the Starsharks are there!
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- Uncanny X-Men (1981) #162-164, 218, 232
- Avengers (2013) #23
- Groot (2015) #1
- Civil War II: X-Men (2016) #2
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2015) #18-19
- I Am Groot (2017) #2
- Cosmic Ghost Rider (2018) #2
- Punisher (2019) Annual #1
- Venom: The End (2020) #1
More Thor comics
While not essential for Thor: Love and Thunder, here are some of the greatest Thor tales ever told!
If you have other favorites you think we should add, let us know!
- The Wrath of Odin
- Thor (1966) #143-153
- Collected in Thor Epic Collection: The Wrath Of Odin
- Collected in Marvel Masterworks: Thor Vol. 6
- Collected in Essential Thor Vol. 2 (black and white)
- Collected in The Mighty Thor Omnibus Vol. 2
- Thor by Walter Simonson
- Thor (1966) #337–382
- The greatest Thor epic of all time!
- Introduced Beta Ray Bill
- Thor: The Worthy (2019) #1
- Features Jane Thor, Sif, and Beta Ray Bill!
- Thor (1966) #337–382
- Ages of Thunder
- Series of one-shots by Matt Fraction
- Thor: Ages of Thunder (2008) #1
- Thor: Reign of Blood (2008) #1
- Thor: Man of War (2008) #1
- Thor God-Size Special (2008) #1
- Fear Itself
- Fear Itself (2011) #1-7.2
- Journey into Mystery (2011) #622-626.1, 629
- Fear Itself: The Worthy (2011) #7
- Mighty Thor (2011) #7-12
- Invincible Iron Man (2008) #507-509
- Avengers by Jason Aaron
- Avengers #1-50
- Thor/She-Hulk romance in #1-21, mainly #11
- Thor’s “true mother” is revealed in #42-43
- Features Thor and ties into War of the Realms, but not really related to Aaron’s Thor run
- Avengers #1-50
- Thor: The Mighty Avenger (2010) #1-8
- Highly acclaimed miniseries for all ages
- Alternate universe
And those are the gods and goats of Thor comics! Thor is one of the greatest long-running titles at Marvel, so I really recommend diving into anything that interests you here! Did I miss something you love? Let me know on Twitter @vinwriteswords and remember to follow the site @MyCosmicCircus for more about comics guides about upcoming Marvel projects! To learn more about Thor comics, visit the official Marvel page.
Be sure to check out our other comics guides, including our Mighty Thor Reading Guide covering the entire Jason Aaron run!
All images courtesy of Marvel Comics. Special thanks to @MaximilanMarvel for help with the Gods section.
