Learn more about the Thunderer, the DC version of Marvel's Mighty Thor, and what his major role in the DC multiverse is.
Thor has always been one of the most popular Marvel characters, only growing in prominence in recent years thanks to his large role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While he's often been compared to figures like Superman in the DC Universe, there's actually a character in the DC multiverse who's a direct pastiche of Thor -- and actually has a very important job in one of DC's most impactful, recent stories.
Here's what you need to know about the Thunderer, previously known as Wandjina and stillDC's version of Marvel's Thor, and what role he could play in the future of the DC Universe.
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The original Wandjina hailed from the alternate reality of Angor. Angor was distinct in that its heroes and villains were largely copycats of characters from Marvel Comics. This included Wandjina, who shared a name with an Australian Aborigine weather spirit. The ax-wielding warrior was a clear stand-in for Marvel's Thor and was counted among the Assemblers, the world's premiere superhero team. In the Post-Crisis version of the DC Universe, Wandjina was among the only survivors of a battle against the Extremists. Heading to Earth in an attempt to keep them from harnassing the same nuclear energy that doomed their world, Wandjina ultimately sacrificed himself to save the Earth.
Two new versions of the character were introduced in the Post-Flashpoint DC Universe inThe Multiversity. This included Earth-8 of the new DC multiverse, which was shockingly similar to Angor from the Pre-Crisis continuity.The Wandjina of this world was likewise similar to the previous version, and a clear reference to the mighty Marvel version of Thor. But his counterpart on Earth-7 proved to be a wholly unique character, especially for the new role he's taken in the DC multiverse.
The new Earth-7 is introduced in The Multiversity #1 and appears to be a combination of the New 52 DC Universe and a pastiche of the Ultimate Marvel Universe. Instead of just sharing a name with Wandjina, the Thunderer of the new universe is actually the weather god of the Mowanjum people, returned to the modern era as a protector of the planet. Like Marvel's Thor, he wields lightning through a mystical weapon -- in his case, the silver Thunder-Lance, shown crackling with electricity when in his hands. He references an invisible rainbow of worlds where beings can travel, presumably similar to the Bifrost Bridge from Asgard. He's able to call upon the elements similar to Thor, and also possesses superhuman strength and durability.
He was also a member of his world's premiere hero team, as the Crusader and Machinehead of Earth-8's Retaliators are very similar to fallen versions of his friends from Earth-7. Earth-7 ended up being targeted by the Gentry, who proceeded to break the entire world with their insurmountable power. Many of the apparent DC characters were absorbed into a strange and terrifying energy source held in the sky (similar to what happened to the Justice League when they were trapped in the Firestorm Matrix by Deathstorm inForever Evil), leaving the more Marvel-esque characters to face the Gentry alone -- a battle they lost decisively, ending with the horrible demises of almost all of them.
By the timeNix Uotan -- the multiversal Superjudge -- arrives on the ruins of the world, only the Thunderer is left alive. All but broken, Thunderer begged Nix Uotan to flee the world and warn the rest of creation about the coming of the Gentry and the end of all things they bring with them. But Nix ends up making a deal with the Gentry, offering himself in exchange for the freedom of the Thunderer. Despite his protests, Thunderer was sent to the House of Heroes aboard the Ultima Thule in Nix's stead, and given the chance to rally an army of superheroes to try and fight back against the Gentry and save Nix Uotan. Healing quickly from his wounds and developing a divine anger at the beings who cost him his world, the Thunderer was among the heroes who breached Earth-8.
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There, they found a twisted and corrupted version of Nix Uotan, who set in motion his plans to break time and space across the multiverse. Using the decaying bodies of Earth-7's other fallen defenders, Thunderer was forced to fight his former friends to save the multiverse. Invigorated by his allies and his drive to rescue the Super-Judge who'd saved him, Thunderer proves invaluable in the fight. His control of the elements allows him to cause a massive downpour in the middle of the battle -- empowering Aqua-Woman and allowing her to strike a major blow against the corrupted Nix. He even stood up to the Gentry when they confronted him again.
Although the Gentry wasn't stopped once and for all (as they were revealed to have merely been the first salvo against the multiverse for their master, the Empty Hand), Thunderer and his efforts were able to salvage creation from an attempted invasion. While he remains the one survivor of Earth-7, he also has proven to be an important multiversal figure and member of Justice Incarnate -- meaning the character can be called upon by the likes of Superman in certain circumstances. It's only a matter of time before DC's Thor finds himself back in the spotlight.
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Who Is Thunderer, DC's Answer to Thor? | CBR - CBR - Comic Book Resources
