The Death of Thor is Coming, as Marvel Confirms His 'Last Stand' This Summer

Marvel Comics is preparing fans for an era-defining moment, as the publisher teases the death of Thor– setting up the most monumental story arc in the character's long history with the tagline: "Even an immortal can die." While comic book readers might be rightly skeptical of a "death of" story arc, Marvel and author Al Ewing are promising a "bold transformation" for the Asgardian hero.

As first announced by Marvel, Immortal Thor #23 – written by Al Ewing, with art by Jan Bazaldua – will kick off the "Godwar" story arc, tying together the story threads and themes that the series has been setting up over the past two years.

Though it remains to be determined how Thor will die, and whether he will make a triumphant return from beyond the grave or not, but Marvel did make a point of noting that this will not mark the end of the series, but rather the next epic stage of "Ewing's continuing work on the title."

Marvel Comics Just Set Up Its Next Big Hero Death – What Fans Know About Thor's Upcoming Demise

Immortal Thor #23 – Written By Al Ewing; Art By Jan Bazaldua; Main Cover By Alex Ross; Variant Covers TBA

Death is, in a sense, meaningless in superhero stories, at least in the neverending, soap-operatic storytelling of Marvel Comics. Nevertheless, the publisher likes to have its cake and eat it too, using the "deaths" of big characters as major dramatic narrative beats. However, if there is one author at Marvel that can make death meaningful again – or at least, deliver a playful commentary on mortality, and immortality, in superhero comics – it is Al Ewing, whose current series Immortal Thor has, in many ways, made this its central driving question.

Readers who have followed Immortal Thor – as well as his earlier work, including Immortal Thor and his Defenders series – know that Ewing's work is preoccupied with ambitious questions; Immortal Thor especially has been a deconstruction of more than just how superhero stories work in general, but of how Thor stories work in particular. The "even an immortal can die" tagline suggests a further extension of that, indicating the story will explore what it means for superheroes to die, when they can and usually are readily resurrected, and specifically what that means for a god in the Marvel Universe. ​​​​

What The Death Of Thor Means For "Immortal Thor" Moving Forward

Immortal Thor #23 – Available May 14, 2025 From Marvel Comics

The synopsis for Immortal Thor #23 released by Marvel makes it clear that the issue will be the start of an arc – which will run three issues, through Immortal Thor #25 – that will serve as the culmination of the past two-dozen issues worth of stories. The inaugural arc of the series introduced the Utgard-Gods, ancient versions of the Asgardian deities, who are even more powerful, and even more dangerous. The Utgard-Thor, Toranos, was an early recurring adversary in the series, before finally being dispatched by Thor. Now, the God of Thunder must deal with the remaining Utgard-Gods.

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This will bring on what Marvel calls the "Godwar," and will push Thor to his absolute limits, perhaps even past them. According to the synopsis:

The All-Father had battled to the middle of the endless city – and now he faced the beast at the center of the maze. Kemur, who was bull and hawk and serpent, who was fire and the sword, now faced Thor Odinson... and perhaps neither would survive. This is the story of the IMMORTAL THOR... and the God of Violence.

Much of Ewing's Immortal Thor series so far has pointed to a "death" for its protagonist, but whether it will be definitive remains to be determined. In any case, it will not be the end of Immortal Thor, as Marvel promises the author's "continuing work" on the title, suggesting either that Thor's death will lead to a glorious rebirth, or someone else will take up the hero's mantle.

Source: Marvel.com

Thor

Created By

Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby

First Appearance

Journey into Mystery

Alias

Thor Odinson, Eric Masterson, Kevin Masterson, Beta Ray Bill, Thordis, Throg, Red Norvell, Jane Foster

Alliance

Avengers, Warriors Three, Thor Corps, God Squad

Race

Asgardian, Human

Franchise

Marvel

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