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On the Problem of Thor as an Avenger

Thor is undoubtedly one of the core Avengers. As founder and arguably most powerful member he is considered a mainstay of the group. Yet he remains a problem for every writer who chooses to use him in the team. Here's why:

Like Cap and Iron Man, Thor has his own series, wherein the majority of his character development takes place. Unlike Thor and Iron Man, Thor is rarely used in non-combat scenarios in the Avengers to allow for anything other than peripheral characterisation.

For example Cap interacts with almost all the Avengers at one time or anther, either as an advisor, a trainer, an inspiration, or even as an authority figure to buck. Iron Man contributes his technical expertise, sometimes his business resources, and often his worldly savoir faire. Thor - well Thor throws his hammer at bad guys and whips up an occasional dimensional portal.

Apart from providing a lot of muscle and a bit of lightning, Thor's only other regular contributions are to get an occasional reaction from other heroes ("Sheesh! That Goldilocks sure can whip up a storm! Makes me wonder why guys like me don't hang up their long underwear!") or to state the obvious (Verily, the foul miscreant hath escaped into yon tunnels!").

In fact in all the time the Thunder God has been an Avenger almost the only Thor plotlines I can think off are when Asgardian villains (Loki, Surtur, Enchantress, Executioner etc.) cause problems on Earth. The one exception to this was the Thor and Moondragon "gods amongst men" argument back around #140 or so, which led to Thor's retirement from active regular membership.

And Thor is the founder who has logged the least time as Chair (although I guess there's an argument that Hank Pym might challenge for that award). Apart from the rotating chair of the very early issues and a brief stint around #130 or somewhere I can't think of any other time Thor's led the team. In fact it would be hard for him to do so considering the demands the Avengers put on their Chair. I can't see Thor slaving away for hours over a computer console as we have seen Cap doing, nor sitting though lengthy and frustrating government meetings as the Wasp had to (I can just see it, "I say thee nay, Gyrich! The Avengers will launch their vessels from whence they please, lest the Odinson smite thy spindly form with lightning and insertest Mjolnir where it will do most good!)"

That doesn't mean that I don't like Thor, just that I don't think he's been used in very interesting ways in the Avengers. Nor am I saying that Thor can't be used in interesting ways. As a warrior with centuries of experience he surely has something to contribute to the training of the team and to its tactics. As a supernatural entity who once upon a time heard the prayer-calls of the Norse people he must have gained a vast understanding of the greatest joys and the deepest sorrows of humanity. He kills Frost Giants with no compunction but operates under the Avengers no-kill policy within the team. A simple man in many ways, Thor loves his friends and hates his enemies with a mighty passion (Remember Thor's reaction to the government taking the Cap identity from Steve Rogers? Thor was ready to join him in overthrowing Washington). He has seen mortals born, age, and die, yet he has formed associations in the modern age unlike any recorded about him before because of his period of exile as Don Blake.

All of this is ripe stuff for dragging out into Avengers characterisation. Some of it is more appropriate to deal with in the team book rather than on the pages of Thor's own title. After all, the Avengers is at least partly about how Earth's Mightiest Heroes interact with one another in exciting and innovative ways.

I can think of few scenes over the years where Thor has sat and chatted with a teammate, helped a comrade over a personal tragedy, enjoyed some social occasion with a superhero friend (except Hercules), or discussed his problems with his "boon companions". So for me the challenge for any writer in having Thor around the Avengers is to actually do something with him. If Mr Busiek still reads this bulletin board I hope he takes note.