For an Asgardian deity, Thor sure does make a lot of human mistakes. Don't get us wrong, that's a big reason why so many of us are fans of the Norse God of Thunder; empathizing with Thor over lost loves and past regrets is a surreal experience to be certain.
However, some of Thor's actions would make you forget that he's more than a few centuries old. At best, some of Thor's worst moments come off as naive mistakes. But on the other end of the spectrum, Thor's committed war crimes and threatened entire states, countries, and planets! Here are 10 of the darkest moments in the Lightning - Caller's history.
10 Teaming Up With Hitler
Old school comics are weird. If you read anything from the Golden or Silver Ages of Comics, you're bound to come across some mind-boggling material. It could be as (relatively) tame as Iron Man riding around on roller skates, or as bonkers as this - Thor teaming up with Adolf Hitler!
In fairness, Thor didn't know what Hitler was up to; it's not like the Thunderer willingly signed up with a mass-murdering despot. However, Thor's still at fault for not doing his homework. It wouldn't have taken him more than two minutes to fly around and ask about the Third Reich. But hey, patience hasn't ever been one of Thor's strong suits.
9 Joining Hydra
We guess desperate gods, as well as desperate, do dangerous things. When Captain America (seemingly) turned evil during the Secret Empire event, he took a few of his friends along for the ride. Having recently lost his hammer, Thor decided to throw his lot in with Hydra Cap - because when you work with one fascist dictator, you've worked with them all.
Thor can't use ignorance as an excuse either - he's much older, wiser, and world-weary at this point. As much as it sucks to admit, Thor willingly joined Hydra Cap so he wouldn't feel Unworthy - oxymoronic, isn't it?
8 Encouraging Vikings To Kill In His Name
Most of Thor #52 centers around the God of Thunder owning up to his past mistakes - chiefly, his impact on Viking culture. We're not going to say that Thor's responsible for every life taken in his name - that'd just be plain unfair. However, Thor does need to own up for the instances in which he specifically encouraged his fighters to loot and pillage for him.
Not valuing human lives in his youth, Thor got a kick out of amping his followers into a frenzy and then sicking them on others. In a way, Thor cursed them Warrior's Madness - something we'll delve into a bit later.
7 Wrecks Numerous Landmarks
This man destroyed countless landmark for a wager with Loki, of all people! Off tops, we know that Thor demolished the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pyramids of Giza, and Eiffel Tower. To make matters worse, Thor wasn't even hypnotized or anything like that - he just wanted to prove that he was a greater threat to mortals than his brother.
Like, is this even a bet worth taking? Thor is the God of Thunder, Lightning, Earthquakes, and Battle. Loki's a glorified troll with a cool hat. Who of those two do you think us mortals are going to worry about more?!
6 Invading Niflheim
There is such a thing as being too enthusiastic, especially in times of war. Long ago, the Aesir and the Giants of Niflheim made a treaty; in essence, it said: "let's not got to war with each other, so long as we stay out of each other's turf." A simple enough truce to honor unless your name is Thor Odinson.
We always knew that Thor loved fighting giants in his youth, but we only fully learn about this incident in Thor Vol 1 #159. Purely for the sake of fighting, Thor invaded Niflheim and started beef with Giants - nearly inciting a war that would've resulted in uncountable deaths!
5 Standoff
Okay, Marvel has a few events called Standoff, so we'll need to clarify. The incident we're talking about occurs in Thor Vol 2 #58 - debuting in March 2003. On one fine day, the peasants of Slokovia decide to worship Thor like the people of old used to. In response, the Slokovian government decides to execute Thor's followers!
Rather than attempt to deescalate things and reach out to his fellow Avengers for aid, Thor threatens to invade Earth with an Asgardian army. This one is a clear reminder that two wrongs don't make a left, no matter how you spin it. You know, 'cuz Thor spins his hammer to do stuff. Moving on.
4 Killing Loki
Well, the tagline for this comic was "at death do we part." This incident occurred in Thor Vol 1 #432, long before Thor and Loki developed a love/hate relationship.
Admittedly, Loki forced Thor's hand here - he tried to kill a lady named Marcy and a guy named Kevin for goodness sake! Still, even Odin thought that Thor murdering his brother was bad enough to warrant banishment. With all the rules and restraints placed on Thor, you figure the pressure might get to him one day.
3 Having A Meltdown In Manhattan
Usually, the only Avenger that we consider a threat to planet Earth is the Hulk. However, near the end of Thor: First Thunder, the Thunderer went on a rampage in New York!
Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four tried to restain Thor, but that only led to greater casualties in the long-run. Turns out that Thor was afflicted with a bad case of Warrior's Madness, bringing everything full circle.
2 Bombing China
Some of Thor's worst moments come early in his career. Journey Into Mystery #93 is proof positive of that claim.
After getting into a battle with the Radioactive Man, Thor prepares to knock him back home. This is in spite of the fact that doing so would cause RM to detonate - you know, just like a radioactive bomb!
1 Becoming Lord of Earth
In Thor #68, we see a dark future wherein Thor and Loki team up and take over the world. Wiser and more sinister than ever before, Thor quickly neutralizes the Avengers and locks down Earth's other heroes. He also carves out a statue of his face on Mount Rushmore, to really sell the whole "I'm a megalomaniacal douchebag" angle.
What makes this whole ordeal all the more harrowing is that Thor was in his right mind - we can't chalk it up to Warrior's Madness or naivete this time.
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