Marvel's New Thor Is Officially Working For Mephisto

In Thor's absence, Marvel's other God of Thunder is sent to Hell as an agent of the Devil. Although Thor Odinson is the definitive God of Thunder, many other heroes have carried the mantle. Jane Foster became perhaps the most celebrated successor after proving worthy of Mjolnir during Jason Aaron's acclaimed run. Before her, Eric Masterson wielded Mjolnir as Thor for years before evolving into Thunderstrike, and Beta Ray Bill became the first being outside the Asgardian royal family to lift Mjolnir. Other notable Thors in Marvel lore include Dargo Ktor from Earth's future, Old King Thor at the end of time, King Thor from several alternate futures, and the frog Throg.

Meanwhile, Mephisto has accumulated a diverse list of enemies, largely due to his countless attempts to corrupt and double-cross mortals. Doctor Doom and Mephisto are mutual nemeses after the demon lord claimed his mother's soul. Spider-Man is one of Mephisto's most famous victims since the events of One More Day, but it's his future daughter Mayday Parker who Mephisto fears, as she's destined to defeat him. Johnny Blaze, Danny Ketch, Robbie Reyes, and other Spirits of Vengeance have fought Mephisto countless times, and both Doctor Strange and the Silver Surfer have opposed Mephisto and resisted his cosmic manipulations more than once.

Despite the original God of Thunder's impressive streak of feats across The Immortal Thor, Asgard and the other Nine Realms are in disarray while Thor is gone, and Mephisto himself has taken advantage of his absence.

Red Norvell Is Now The Thor Of Hell

Queen in Black: Hela #1; Written By Al Ewing; Art By Carlos Magno & Espen Gruder Jean

Queen in Black: Hela #1 shows a different angle of Thor's final days, following Hela as she prepares her plan for the God of Thor's absence after his death at the hands of Loki. The issue shows how Tyr enters the fray and how Hela retrieves the defeated Knull from the edge of the universe. Surprisingly, the human-turned-god Red Norvell returns, and Hela uses him as payment to Mephisto for his help, and Mephisto claims him as his warrior, telling Norvell he will "serve as my Thor."

Red Norvell hasn't appeared since this point in the timeline, while Mephisto has been shown in Hell, aware of Doctor Doom and Steve Rogers' arrival. In the pages of Armageddon, Mephisto is aided by his own demonic assassin Frenzah, who happens to be a character with a deep connection to Victor von Doom. While Red Norvell's current whereabouts are unknown, he should be popping up soon, wherever Mephisto comes back to attack mortal heroes or whenever he decides to double-cross Hela given her immense power as the Queen in Black.

Red Norvell's Evil Turn Starts A Thor Trend

Thor's Other Copycat Met A Tragic Fate

Red Norvell becomes the second major Thor counterpart whose life unravels after an unjust sentence in a hellish realm. Donald Blake followed a remarkably similar path in The Immortal Thor, where the man who once served as Thor's mortal alter ego was revealed to endure endless torment in a distant prison dimension, guarded by the Serpent of Midgard. Blake's suffering gradually consumed his humanity until he transformed into the Serpent, now one of Thor's most twisted villains. Norvell faces a similar fate after Hela offers him to Mephisto as a sacrifice. If prolonged torment twists his personality as it did Donald Blake's, Marvel may have created another evil Thor.

Red Norvell's parallels with Donald Blake could add another compelling layer to Thor's supporting cast, as the God of Thunder's failed successors tend to become cautionary tales about the cost of abandonment. Both Donald Blake and Red Norvell accepted lives tied to Thor's legacy, only to receive unfair punishment. A villainous Red Norvell would differ from Donald Blake in important respects, however. Blake seeks vengeance after years of isolation, whereas Norvell's conflict could fixate on Hela's betrayal and Mephisto's influence. Eventually, the two Thor legacy heroes may develop separate responses to the same kind of tragedy.

How do you think Red Norvell will adapt to Hell?

Queen in Black: Hela #1 is now available from Marvel Comics