In a bold and unpredictable move, Marvel Comics has shaken the very foundations of its mythology by officially removing Thor from the Earth-616 continuity. That’s right, the God of Thunder, one of the original Avengers and arguably one of the most iconic Marvel characters of all time, is no longer part of the mainstream Marvel Universe.
And if that wasn’t earth-shattering enough, the hammer-wielding god has been replaced by Beta Ray Bill. This change comes in the finale of ‘The Immortal Thor #25’. It’s a farewell and a rebirth in one sweeping moment.
Thor Dies And Beta Ray Bill Takes His Place
The events of ‘The Immortal Thor #25’ are nothing short of explosive. In a shocking betrayal, Loki uses the Eternity Arrow to stab Thor in the back, literally and figuratively. However, this is no simple act of fratricide. The arrow is a cosmic artifact capable of rewriting the very fabric of reality. And that’s exactly what it does. With one devastating act, Loki severs all ties between Asgard and Midgard (Earth).
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This is not just in the present, but retroactively in history and even in memory. Thor dies, his connection to the Marvel Universe shattered. And more than that, the Asgardians (Odin, Sif, the Warriors Three, even Loki himself) are now erased from Marvel continuity. They live in an entirely separate, mythical dimension. In Thor’s place, Marvel has installed Beta Ray Bill as the new founding Avenger.
Yes, Bill, the alien warrior with the face of a horse and the heart of a god, now occupies the role Thor once held, from battles with Ultron to the events of Infinity War. For fans who know his history, it’s a logical, if bittersweet shift. Beta Ray Bill has long been one of Thor’s most respected allies and one of the very few deemed worthy to lift Mjolnir.
He was a loyal companion and blood brother to Thor. However, now he wears the mantle of history itself. He has fought Surtur, wielded Stormbreaker, and even loved Sif. Now, he’s also the Avenger that Earth remembers, filling the god-sized hole Thor left behind. The implications are massive, not only for Bill’s own character arc but for the entire Avengers canon as we know it.
Thor Is Reborn As A Mortal Named Sigurd Jarlson With No Memory Of His Godhood
So, what becomes of Thor? He doesn’t stay dead. But his resurrection is nothing like anything we’ve seen before. In the final moments of ‘Immortal Thor #25’, Thor is reborn, not as a god, but as a human, bearing the name Sigurd Jarlson. Long-time comic fans may remember this name from Thor’s brief stint as a construction worker in the 1980s. However, this time, it’s no disguise; Sigurd is real, with no memory of Asgard.
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He’s not alone in this new life. Watching over him is Loki, now going by the name Lucky, and helping his brother navigate the world as a mortal. Marvel’s upcoming series ‘The Mortal Thor’ picks up from this dramatic shift, launching August 27, and promises a deep exploration of Thor’s humanity for the first time. Classic villains such as Mister Hyde, Grey Gargoyle, and Radioactive Man will return.
Thor, now completely human, will have to face these threats without divine power. This reimagining isn’t just a fresh take; it’s a philosophical shift. Thor, once the untouchable god of thunder, now walks among us. He’s vulnerable, confused, and open to love again. Sigurd will also have a new love interest, someone who falls in love with him not for his godhood, but for his humanity.
