The Mighty Thor and Superman are the heavy-hitters of Marvel and DC respectively, each of them arguably the most powerful hero in their respective universes. So its natural that this is without question the most discussed versus debate amongst comic book fans. No other versus battle comes close to being talked about as much than this one. Try to start a “Superman vs Thor” thread on any forum and the first response is sure to be: “Not this again”.
Some of you may remember our “Top 10 Most Powerful Superheroes” list that we released a while back, where we made the controversial claim that Thor was the most powerful superhero of all time (Superman coming in at number three on that list). Months later we are still receiving emails either agreeing with us, or flaming us for that decision. Many fans cite Superman’s speed as the deciding factor in any fight between the two behemoths. Other emails claim that Thor’s magical powers would be enough to stop the man of steel in his tracks. So, the natural question is, do we still stand by our claim that Thor is more powerful than Superman? The answer is still “yes.” In this article we’ll break down the seven most common arguments and give you our take on them.
1. Super Strength
The claim has often been made that Superman is stronger than Thor. Many times on versus forums threads this claim is accepted as a given by both sides of the debate. We don’t concede that the Man of Steel is physically stronger than the god of thunder though. Thor has performed feats such as lifting the World Serpent, and once hurled the Odinsword, an enormous mystical blade, through a Celestial! Thor has also single-handedly matched the strength of the Hulk on numerous occasions (the Marvel Universe’s strongest character). Not only that but Thor is capable of entering into a state known as the “Warrior’s Madness”, which will temporarily increase his strength tenfold. Some of these feats have no true equivalent in the DC universe. We think at the very least, the two character’s physical strength is equal.
2 . Super Speed
This is Superman’s one true advantage in this fight. Superman is fast. We’re talking warp speed fast. We’re talking once around the entire planet and back before you can blink fast. You could easily make the argument that Thor would be lucky if he even saw Superman before he got pounded. But is Thor as slow as everyone seems to think? Unknown to many DC fanboys Thor can throw his hammer at the speed of light (See Thor#140, Thor#274). He can also swing it at TWICE the speed of light (Journey Into Mystery#102). In Thor -#393- it’s established that the speed of Thor’s hammer TRANSCENDS both TIME & SPACE. In addition Thor can appear anywhere across the Universe or other dimensions in just seconds (see- FF#339, and Thor#166). And, most importantly, Thor could, visually, detect objects that move at fantastic speeds (this happened when Thor was the target of artillery fire- see Invaders#33- and Avengers-#281- when he saw the speedy Hermes. And yes, I do need a life). Now if we accept that Superman can move at 99% of the speed of light, and that Thor can swing his hammer at twice the speed of light, it stands to reason that big blue is in some trouble. It’s true that Thor doesn’t use his super speed abilities often, but how many times have you seen Superman not use his super speed when he should have?
3. Stanima
Who can take more punishment, Thor or Superman? This is a difficult question. Thor has withstood a blast from Asgardian Destroyer. Superman has withstood a direct hit from a nuclear bomb. Thor has taken everything the Hulk could dish out. Thor also once took a glancing hit by a Doomsday Bomb that was capable of destroying an entire planet, and soon after that explosion he fell from space (leaving a crater miles wide) to a planet called Pangoria-see Thor#387. Thor has also taken everything that Gladiator (an arguably more powerful version of Superman) could dish out. Both characters have come back from the dead a couple of times. In my mind this one is a draw. Both characters have approximately the same stanima. The difference is Superman has weaknesses (i.e. Kryptonite, Magic, and the fact he is powerless without yellow sunlight) whereas Thor pretty much doesn’t.
4. Magic
Even the most diehard Superman fan would concede that Thor’s magical abilities would be an advantage for Thor. First, I would like to note that just because an opponent can wield magic, it in no way guarantees a win over the last son of Krypton. Superman has defeated countless magic users in the past, and so I have no illusions that just because Thor has magic powers and a magic hammer that he would automatically own Superman. That being said magic is just as lethal against Supes as kryptonite. Superman has no defense against it, and it can affect him greatly. Superman getting pounded by Mjolnir is the same as you and me getting pounded by a normal hammer. And consider the guy who’s swinging it. It’s Thor. The god of thunder. Not only that, but Thor’s lightning is magical too. Remember that just a single lightning bolt is equivalent to 15,000,000 volts of electricity and could travel over 224,000 miles an hour. The clear advantage here goes to Thor.
5. Super Powers
Before Thor inherited the Odinforce, the super powers of these two heroes were a little more even. Now there is absolutely no contest. Thor has a clear edge over Superman here. His magical hammer gives Thor the ability to control the weather, the ability to fly; energy projection and absorption; dimensional apertures; matter manipulation, as well as the most powerful of his offensive powers: the God Blast, and the Anti-Force. Superman is no push over in this department either, with the already mentioned super strength, super speed, as well as heat vision, x-ray vision, enhanced senses, and the ability to blow hurricane force winds from his mouth. But what is that compared to being able to summon an actual hurricane? Not only that but with the Odinforce Thor was then capable of feats such as reconstructing the Earth’s Moon, willing the Asgardian monster Mangog into nothingness, and by focusing his entire power into a hammer throw that even decapitated a Desak-occupied Asgardian Destroyer. Having accepted his heritage as the son of the earth goddess Gaea, he has recently been shown to be capable of opening chasms in the earth itself, and who knows what other abilities he’ll be displaying now that he’s done that.
6. Superman beat Thor in the Avengers / DC Crossover
I don’t want to spend much time on this one. Most fans of comics know how much weight we should give to crossovers. Besides, I personally have no doubt that Superman would beat Galactus in a crossover. He’s DC’s flagship character after all. Enough said on that one.
7. Thor has Thousands of Years of Combat Experience
This is a common argument used by Thor fans to claim that Thor would take down Superman. It seems fairly obvious. If I somehow gained super powers and a Viking Warrior somehow gained the exact same or nearly equivalent powers, most people would put their money on the Viking if we fought each other. Now imagine the Viking warrior was thousands of years older than me, and had been using his powers for all those thousands of years to battle trolls, giants, demons, robots, aliens, and gods, and I have only been using my powers for 20-30 years. It seems clear to me that the Viking Warrior god has a clear cut advantage over me in a fight. Again advantage Thor.
It seems obvious to me that Thor has a clear advantage over Superman in a fight. I don’t think that Thor is so powerful that there is no way that Superman could ever defeat him. But I believe that the majority of the time Thor would beat Superman in a one on one fight, assuming its not a fight to the death. If it is a fight to the death, then I think Thor would almost invariably win. So there you have it, the definitive answer to one of the most talked about and controversial debates in comic book nerdom. Brought to you by your pals at Old-Wizard.com.
The qualifying bout under a red sun leaves Superman looking like about 200 pounds of raw hamburger. And that’s before the main event!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Yso0CgLFWk/Se91Bcu9fsI/AAAAAAAAAcM/Ysrbe2fhYwE/s320/4batmansuperman.JPG
BEAT up by his little cousin (super GIRL) LMFAO:
http://www.supermantv.net/superman/comicbooks/new/super-fight.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e139/RageOfTheGod/SupergirlvsTrio9.jpg
Yep rick, you’re a dumb ass pussy bitch who’s just mad over what I did to your mom. But I swear, she liked it!! At first…..
Notice the quote:
Supergirl:
“Everyone says I am stronger than you, faster than you…more powerful than you.”
http://freakcomics.com/images2/2007/07/supergirl/supergirl_19.jpg
Ha Ha Ha….
http://www.capitalcomics.com/covers/00585.jpg
Superman dead (after going all out):
http://www.mikecs.net/prodigeek/images/2bdfc490de4d_1462A/death_of_superman.jpg
http://talesofwonder.com/images/MAY070149.jpg
http://www.headinjurytheater.com/images/superman%20thundercats%20kryptonite%20lame.jpg
The MAGIC sword of the Thundercats (the Sword of Omens) cuts Superman.
This one is priceless…Superman admits He-Man could kick his ass:
http://www.headinjurytheater.com/images/super%20he-man%20superman%20cover.jpg
Wow rick, and people claim I have no life. You spend your time looking for scans you don’t even fucking comprehend. Talk about a loser. Just wait until I have the time to actually counter all your idiocy after I’ve caught-up on this one. For now I’ll keep laughing at you.
http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/8254/smbmcover29a8ou.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dNgNPwAJDI4/SEXbuSJmzRI/AAAAAAAABbc/53c0_CmXjDA/s400/halvssupesgrrrr.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dNgNPwAJDI4/SEXTqVs5fnI/AAAAAAAABbU/oMgzLBHFIE8/s400/supespowerrings.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dNgNPwAJDI4/SEXLg0gMdGI/AAAAAAAABa8/CfrYE-UERBc/s1600-h/stoppingsupes01.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dNgNPwAJDI4/SCosFbOd3xI/AAAAAAAABPM/HxaRugTRZY0/s1600-h/Johnstopssupes.jpg
This might be my favorite of all:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dNgNPwAJDI4/SEXTqBjECzI/AAAAAAAABbM/Vlx-wu9Eq-w/s1600-h/Tomvssupes01.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dNgNPwAJDI4/Rq_ubUk8q9I/AAAAAAAAAC0/5y1o33NkRAw/s400/GuySupes.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dNgNPwAJDI4/Rq_u-Ek8rAI/AAAAAAAAADM/mVn1SxgMmRs/s400/HalSupes4.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dNgNPwAJDI4/Rq_vkkk8rDI/AAAAAAAAADk/wuDacQ9tGSg/s400/HalTom.jpg
GL isn’t afraid of Superman. In fact he thinks BATMAN is more dangerous.
LMFAO at this one (Emerald Magus will like this one):
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dNgNPwAJDI4/Rq_vxUk8rEI/AAAAAAAAADs/cUTP6Ftx28o/s1600-h/KilowogSupes.jpg
Here’s some more for Emerald Magus:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/green%20lantern%20defeats%20superman/dnno1/SupermanandBlackHole.png
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2975/dccomicspresents026pt1superman.jpg
http://www.challengersoftheunknown.com/SB62.jpg
Wow..Rick those are great. I never realized how bad Superman got his ass kicked all the time.
Its even funnier because most of the people on this site think Superman = God.
Do you have any of Orion or Darkseid kicking Super-brat’s ass?
http://media.photobucket.com/image/darkseid%20vs%20superman/cory5155/Hulk_vs__Supes_by_Jrascoe.jpg
Here you go, Thorion:
http://media.animevice.com/uploads/0/543/41983-am30im1_large.jpg
lmao Thorion, you’re a fucking moron too. Many of the scans I saw your little butt-buddy rick show were of, oh, COVERS so doesn’t prove a fucking thing. Not to mention there’s many parts missing of actual scans of fights and several aren’t even in continuity.
Superman is a pussy.
I saw plenty that weren’t covers included in there. Ali made me laugh my ass off!
I think Delta and ShadowHunter should find a new website to hang out on. You idiots are the only ones here who think Superman would win.
How funny is it, when I say Hulk could kick Thor’s ass no one believes me. Thor has 0 wins against REGULAR HULK…nevermind WWH.
This all proves to me Thor and Superman combined are no match for WWH. Especially since Sentry was no match for him.
I am saving all these scans to use against Thor and Superman fanboys.
Hulk RULZ!!!
LMAO Thorion, you’re the idiot here. What little I’ve seen of you has made me laugh. I’m busy with the other article, but I will own on here when I’ve caught-up.
And Adam, what the fuck are you smoking? Thor has the majority of wins over Hulk, and World War Hulk is the Royce Gracie of comics. Meaning way overrated and not nearly as impressive as people think, when you actually LOOK at what happened.
Considering how many times we just saw Superman get his ass beat…and also that Thor can’t even beat Hulk…I’ll ignore that.
Ya know Adam, it’s been shown of Hulk actually running away from the fight with Thor. Then we’ve seen Thor knock Hulk out with a lightning bolt. Thor’s also defeated Professor Hulk in a brawl in Hel. Thor also pretty much beat Hulk without even caring by keeping him at bay, with ease, just to speak with Odin. Oh we also have Hulk AND Namor BARELY restraining Thor, despite each one is using all his strength to hold ONE arm AND have the leverage advantage. Thor needed Mjolnir to get out of that, but so much for Hulk’s great strength if he was barely able to restrain ONE ARM of Thor WITH the leverage advantage. Then also more recently didn’t Thor beat BOTH Hulk and Thing with one arm?
Hulk’s possibly the most inconsistent character around. And overrated. Especially World War Hulk, the Royce Gracie of comics. War-Hulk’s much more impressive despite his few feats.
Sorry, Delta: Get you’re fucking facts straight, you fucking Thor’s-balls-licking-homo.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/Thor%20vs%20Hulk/hulklibrary/gallery/battles/battle-12.jpg
You’ve just been OWNED bitch!
Hulk was the one who beat Rulk. Let’s not forget that. Hulk if anything, is nearly a cosmic level being (don’t laugh…Rulk knocked out the Watcher, who was stated ON PANEL as just about as powerful as Galactus).
Hulk has levels of power you pussy bitch. Get your tongue out of Delta’s ass.
Let’s see a girl…OR ANYONE for that matter take out WWH. I love owning people.
Hulk only stopped himself. Otherwise, there would be no more earth…no more heroes…and Thor is only lucky he wasn’t there to get humiliated like a little bitch. Much like I’ve done to Delta!
Why don’t you show a scan of WWH getting beat? Because you can’t. LOL. You’re pathetic, kid.
@Adam
What makes you think WHH is so powerful? What has he done that was so amazing? He stalemated The Sentry, defeated a skrull Black Bolt, defeated Doctor Strange who let himself be defeated, and I guess defeated Ironman and Reed if you consider them as feats.
And in the Rulk storyline, you do know that after Thor came back, he smacked Rulk around, but was stopped by A-Bomb who said the Hulk needed to regain his honor, right?
The story arc was God-awful, anyhow.
The Celestials are beings who trump any other beings.I tried using my Geiger Counter to measure the stats on 1 of these beings that Thor faced in the past & they shorted out my device in the process.We all know they made skyfathers like Zeus & Odin look like Ants.This is the Stats what appeared in my Geiger Counter before it was destroyed.
http://marvel.com/images/85295.Celestials_Card_156/from/content.story.1066
My Geiger Counter could not get an exact number on their stats that it registered “Not Applicable.”Their power is so immense that no device could give an exact number.Thor survived a blast from these Cosmic Behemoths.This proves Thor is a lot more durable than we think.
This is a public reminder to stay away from the Celestials.Thank you & have a Nice Day!!!
You kno its been a minute since i been on this form so im doing a little catching up. This would probly be the first time ever siding with delta. But adam what is you smoking Hulk has had his ass handed to him a couple times by Thor. Two Thor would’ve have killed Rulk by himself if Hulk didnt interupt do you not remember that panel in the comic book, thor aloud hulk to finish the fight because hulk wanted to stop him and Rulk said himself thor would have killed me. Sentry is no match for WWH..i pity da fool who says that. They tied in that fight and both were k.o.’d. And Superman could take on the hulk. Superman has faced touger(doomsday).