Thor: Love And Thunder has finally delivered its first teaser trailer and there is a lot for MCU fans to scrutinize before the movie opens. There’s also a remarkable amount of comic book references in the trailer, pointing to some of the best Thor comics from across the decades for fans to read before the movie and gain a better understanding of the characters and story.
Some of the best Thor comics to read before Thor: Love And Thunder include key issues in the years-long saga of Jane Foster becoming Thor as well as the saga of Gorr the God Butcher. Other great comics go back further in time to the 60s and 70s which introduce a major character like Hercules, a powerful superhero who seems to be primed to appear in the upcoming movie for the first time.
Thor #337
While the trailer doesn’t give anything away for fans of Beta Ray Bill, there is every chance he could be in the movie. An alien warrior who proves himself worthy of Mjolnir, his first appearance in Thor #337 is a great issue to read before the movie as he could be the ultimate heir to the hammer.
The trailer teases that Thor may be walking away from the life of a warrior for good. Beta Ray Bill, who was teased in Thor: Ragnarok, ultimately wielded an ax called Stormbreaker in the comics. This is the same ax Thor wields in the MCU at the moment.
Thor #378
The trailer showcases a lot of different looks for Thor, including a very brief tease of a blue and gold armor look. It appears to be based on Thor’s iconic blue and gold battle armor from Thor #378, making this a great read for fans before the movie.
This issue is part of writer and artist Walt Simonson’s iconic run on the title, some of the best Thor comics of the 80s. The battle armor comes about as a means to keep him alive after Hela places a curse on him. If he leaves the armor, he will die.
Thor God of Thunder #6
Thor God of Thunder #6 begins the “Godbomb” storyline involving Gorr the God Butcher’s campaign to kill all gods. It’s a key issue in the epic run by writer Jason Aaron and artist Esad Ribic as it brings together three different Thors, something that could happen in the movie.
The trailer hints at flashbacks and Thor wears a lot of different costumes (including some based on the best Thor costumes ever). If there are different Thors in the movie beyond Odinson and Jane Foster, this issue becomes a must-read before the movie.
Thor Annual #5
Thor Annual #5 from 1976 has become one of the best Thor issues for fans to read before the movie thanks to an intriguing shot in the trailer. The movie is introducing Toothgrinder and Toothgnasher, the mystical goats who guide Thor’s chariot.
The two powerful beasts are based on the figures from Norse mythology, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, and they have played a consistent role throughout Thor’s adventures since the 70s. This issue also features a major battle between Thor and Hercules, making it even more compelling given the fact the trailer hints at Olympus.
Guardians Of The Galaxy #5
Thor spends at least some time with the Guardians of the Galaxy in the new movie, but he actually was never a member of the team in the comics. A member of his family was, making Guardians of the Galaxy #5 from 2015 a key issue to read before the movie.
In this issue, the Guardians of the Galaxy encounter Angela, a powerful warrior fallen from Heaven who turns out to be the long-lost sister of Thor and Loki. She would go on to join the team and it’s possible she could appear in the MCU.
The Mighty Thor #1
The Mighty Thor #1 from 2015 continues the long-running storyline by writer Jason Aaron with Jane revealed as Thor and facing new threats and challenges, making this an important issue to read before the movie as it may hint at where her story is going.
Jane Foster will play a pivotal role in the movie as one of the best alternate versions of Thor from the comics, and her struggle in this issue both with cancer and to be accepted as Thor seems as though it will factor into the upcoming movie.
Journey Into Mystery Annual #1
The trailer for Thor: Love And Thunder seems to indicate that the movie will introduce the realm of Olympus, the home of the Greek gods, including Zeus. That should include Hercules, making Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 one of the best issues to read.
This 1965 issue introduces Hercules, one of the best Thor-related characters yet to appear in the MCU. He has been a friend and foe of Thor over the years – beginning as a foe in this issue – as well as a longtime member of the Avengers.
Thor #1
One of the biggest elements of the new movie is Jane Foster becoming Thor. This fantastic development makes Thor #1 from 2014 an absolute must-read before the movie, as this is where Jane first proves herself worthy of wielding Mjolnir.
Jane is suffering from cancer and radiation treatments but is able to find strength and power in the mystical hammer. She becomes Thor while Odinson struggles with his path in the aftermath of this cataclysmic battle with Gorr the God Butcher.
Thor God Of Thunder #2
Thor God Of Thunder #2 is a key issue to read before the upcoming movie as it introduces Gorr the God Butcher, the villain of Thor: Love And Thunder and one of the most powerful villains in Thor’s Rogues Gallery from Marvel Comics.
Some of Gorr’s backstory is related here, explaining his quest to kill all gods after his prayers weren’t answered and his people were destr0yed. It’s one of the best Thor comics of the 2010s and a must-read before the movie comes out.
Thor God Of Thunder #3
Perhaps the best Thor comic to read before the movie is the one that got the most direct reference in the trailer. Thor God Of Thunder #3 features Thor discovering the fallen body of Falligar the Behemoth, a god slain by Gorr the God Butcher.
This panel is part of an outstanding sequence by artist Esad Ribic that has been replicated in the trailer in what could be the most precise comics reference yet in the MCU. The only difference between the movie and the comic is Korg is present in the MCU.
