These notes are far from complete. If you are aware of anything else please let us know, Thor must appear for the material to qualify. The Blasphemy Count is a gauge for how offended a sensitive follower of Asatru would be. Where this is given as 0 we cannot remember anything unduly negative.
Regrettably almost all of these show Thor as the slow witted strongman so familiar from recent retellings of the myths rather than the wise and noble patron of the Viking farmers. But this image is so ingrained it is difficult to criticise. Surprisingly it is Marvel's Thor who is closest to the original god in this respect.
Reichert's books are set in the various worlds of Northern mythology, Midgard, Asgard and Alfheim. Midgard itself is a fantasy world, and delicately balanced between the forces of good and evil, law and chaos. The gods are too powerful to maintain the balance and rely on mortals, the four cardinal wizards, to keep the forces in check. Naturally the story revolves around what happens when the balance shifts, and the worlds tip towards Ragnarok.
The books also follow the exploits of the Renshai tribe, a people dedicated to the arts of sword craft with fanatical devotion. Their ability to plough through danger in a blur of deadly steel is - umm - impressive to say the least.
From a mythological point of view the series is interesting because Reichert takes the story far beyond the Ragnarok of the Eddas. As a result it is the minor deities, the children of the former high gods, that take the centre stage. The treatment of Odin Thor and Loki is disappointing as they are all given more negative attributes than good ones, but this lapse is easily made up for by Reicherts inventive post Ragnarok Asgard.
It is also good to see the lesser known members of Thor's household taking leading roles for a change. The Renshai are devoted to Sif and Modi, which puts a different slant on things!
Blasphemy Score: 6 Entertainment Score: 8
Superb alternative ninth century history set in Anglo-Saxon England. Harrison breaks of from our own history by strengthening the resolve of the Scandinavian pagans. After all, what would have happened if heathens anticipated the danger of Christianity and set up an organised priesthood? And those same priests encouraged the search for new knowledge, be it smith-craft or healing and started writing? This is the starting point of the series and the resulting changes to Dark Age history are fascinating and far reaching.
On top of occassional visions of Asgard, many of the leading characters are dedicated to old redbeard.
Sympathetic novel showing the Norse gods in the twentieth century. The book is based around Freyja but Odin Thor Heimdal and Loki are included. Recommended.
Blasphemy Score: 0 Entertainment Score: 8
Novel based on the tale of Balder's death.
Blasphemy Score: 0 Entertainment Score: 6
Novel based on the idea that Norse gods were mortals.
Blasphemy Score: 8 Entertainment Score: 5
Comedy based on the Norse Gods failing to adapt to twentieth century life.
Blasphemy Score: 8 Entertainment Score: 7
Comedy based on the pagan gods existing as senile geriatrics in the twentieth century.
Blasphemy Score: 10 Entertainment Score: 7
If you have escaped meeting this it's an American superhero comic, based on Norse Mythology but set in the twentieth century, and of course it is set in the US (where else would Norse gods hang out after all!). The concept works surprisingly well because Thor fits the requirements of the superhero perfectly with his traditional roles of killing monsters and rescuing damsels in distress. Marvel give a reasonably positive portrayal of Thor but there are numerous descrepanicies with the original mythology. For example Loki is portrayed as utterly evil, Mjolnir was created by Odin, Sif has black hair, and Redbread is a clean shaven blond in a leotard.
Whatever you may think of this creation, Marvel have undoubtedly helped revive interest in the ancient myths and many fans of the comic books seem to go on to research the old sources.
Blasphemy Score: 6 Entertainment Score: 8
Topper is one of the traditional British childrens comics, similar to the 'Beano'. When I was knee high to a grasshopper (1970s) it included a character called Thor Thumb who was basically a six year old version of the Marvel superhero, complete with hammer.
Blasphemy Score: 6 Entertainment Score: 6
Charming comedy based on the Norse Myths. Asatru folk need a good sense of humour for this one.
Blasphemy Score: 8 Entertainment Score: 10
Very strange. The joys of looking after brats who have read too many Marvel comics.
Blasphemy Score: 0 Entertainment Score: 6
Conan style film without the budget. It is unclear whether it is based on the god or not, frankly I hope not because the hero is a complete oaf.
Blasphemy Score: (?) Entertainment Score: 2