The best budget entry points for Thor: Thor #337 (first Beta Ray Bill, €15-25), Thor #411 (first New Warriors, €5-10), and the Jurgens/Busiek runs from the 2000s at €2-4 per issue. The Thor catalog is vast and the periods excluding Walt Simonson remain very accessible.
Thor has been a Marvel mainstay since 1962, but unlike Spider-Man or X-Men, demand for his back issues remains moderate outside of major key issues. This is excellent news for the budget collector: quality entire runs can be found at a few euros per issue, and even some historic issues remain below the €25 mark.
The character has seen a massive resurgence in popularity thanks to the MCU, but that hasn't yet caused the prices of the Bronze and Modern Age back issues to explode. Now is the perfect time to build a solid Thor collection without breaking the bank.
Affordable Thor key issues
Journey into Mystery #83 (first appearance, 1962) is out of budget for most collectors. But many key issues in the series remain very accessible, including the first appearances of secondary characters who have become popular thanks to the MCU.
Key numbers under €25
- Thor #337 (first Beta Ray Bill, Simonson): €15-25 in mid-grade
- Thor #411 (first New Warriors): €5-12
- Thor #1 (1998, Jurgens)(Heroes Reborn relaunch): €4-8
- Thor #337 (newsstand variant): sometimes under €20 in good condition
- Thor #1 (2014, Jane Foster): €8-15
- Thor: God of Thunder #1 (2012, debut Jason Aaron): €10-20
Check out our complete guide to Thor key numbers to identify all the significant numbers in Asgardian mythology.
Underrated Runs to Grab
The Walt Simonson run (#337-382) is rightly celebrated, but the periods surrounding it are largely ignored and therefore very cheap. The Tom DeFalco run that immediately follows Simonson (#383-459) is narratively solid and can be found for almost nothing.
Particularly accessible periods
- Thor #250-336 (pre-Simonson, Bronze Age): €2-5 per issue
- Thor #383-502 (DeFalco/Frenz then various): €1-3 per issue
- Thor vol. 2 #1-85 (1998-2004, Jurgens then Oeming): €2-4 per issue
- Thor vol. 3 #1-12 (2007, return of JMS): €3-6 per issue
Where to find Thor cheap in France
Thor was published in French in several magazines (Strange, Thor by Arédit, then Panini). Old Arédit editions are easily found at flea markets.
- Flea markets: the Arédit/Artima pockets containing Thor at €1-3 each
- eBay.com: lots of Thor VO Bronze Age often under €40 for 15-20 issues
- Dollar bins in convention: Thor VO is very common in discount stores
- Mile High Comics: regular promotions (-40 to -60%) on Thor runs
Budget strategy for Thor
Thor has the advantage of having a single main title for most of his history (unlike Superman or Spider-Man with their multiple series). A complete run is therefore more realistic to put together.
Advice : The Simonson run (#337-382) is the most requested and costs €80-150 complete depending on the state. Start with adjacent runs at €1-3 per number, then gradually complete Simonson. Numbers #338-382 (excluding #337 itself) are often found between €3-8 each.
Modern keys Thor under €20
- Thor: God of Thunder #2 (first Gorr, Jason Aaron): €10-18
- Thor #1 (2014)(Jane Foster becomes Thor): €8-15
- Mighty Thor #700 (legacy birthday number): €4-8
- Thor #1 (2020, Donny Cates): €5-10
- Thor #6 (2020)(Thor becomes Galactus’ herald): €4-8
Thor: God of Thunder #2 (first Gorr the God Butcher) increased in value after the film Love and Thunder but remains under €20 in standard condition: an interesting investment for the future.
Follow your Asgardian quest number by number
From Journey into Mystery to the current series, Thor has more than 700 issues. My Comics Collection helps you see your progress and gaps at a glance.
🚀 Free trial 7 days, No obligationReading the numbering before you buy Thor
The main trap for Thor collectors is numbering. The character has been relaunched several times, so several issue #1s coexist: Thor #1 (1998, Jurgens), Thor vol. 3 #1 (2007, JMS returns), Thor #1 (2014, Jane Foster) and Thor #1 (2020, Donny Cates). A listing that only says "Thor #1" tells you nothing about the era or the interest of the issue. Before any purchase, always note the volume, the year and the creative team.
A timeline in five landmarks
- 1962: Journey into Mystery #83, the character's first appearance, out of reach for most collectors.
- Bronze Age: Thor #250 to #336, an unloved period that is easy to complete.
- Walt Simonson: Thor #337 to #382, with the first Beta Ray Bill in #337, the most sought-after run.
- After Simonson: Thor #383 to #502 (DeFalco, Frenz, then various), solid and very cheap.
- Modern era: Thor vol. 2 (1998 to 2004), vol. 3 (2007), God of Thunder (2012), Jane Foster (2014), then Donny Cates (2020).
A three-step buying method
Start with the periods the market ignores: pre-Simonson and post-Simonson issues let you read hundreds of pages for a tiny budget and understand the character before aiming at the keys. Then move on to accessible first appearances, such as Thor #411 (first New Warriors) or Thor: God of Thunder #2 (first Gorr the God Butcher). Keep #337, the most coveted issue on the list, for last, choosing the condition that fits your budget instead of pushing for a higher grade.
Points to watch
- #337 exists in a newsstand version: check which version is being sold, as condition and scarcity differ between editions.
- Older French editions (Strange, Thor from Arédit) do not replace the original US issues: they do not always contain the same episodes or the same numbering.
- Lots of US issues are handy for completing a run, but check the list of issues before paying so you do not buy duplicates.
- An issue labelled "first appearance" deserves a check: note the exact identity of the character (for example Gorr or Beta Ray Bill) and the precise issue number before comparing offers.
Finally, keep a list of your missing issues, number by number. With a series that goes past 700 issues and several volumes, it is the best way to avoid duplicate purchases and to see clearly what is left to find to finish each run.
Frequently asked questions
Thor #337, the first Beta Ray Bill by Walt Simonson, is the best-known affordable key. To start cheaply, the Jurgens and Busiek runs of the 2000s and the post-Simonson period are very accessible.
It runs from #337 to #382 and opens with the first appearance of Beta Ray Bill. It is the character's most in-demand run, while the periods around it remain largely ignored.
Yes. Journey into Mystery #83 from 1962 is out of budget for most collectors, but whole runs of quality remain very affordable. Thor sees little price surge outside the major keys.
Not yet on Bronze and Modern Age back issues. Thor: God of Thunder #2, the first Gorr, gained value after the film Love and Thunder, but it remains accessible in standard condition.
Older Arédit and Artima editions turn up at flea markets, and convention discount bins are full of Thor in the original US format. Lots of Bronze Age US issues are also a good way to complete a run.