The last new character reading order to be added to the Marvel Comics Guide is probably a bit of an unexpected one! Eric Masterson drops the Thor identity now that the real God of Thunder has returned. But when he finds he still has the power to transform into an Asgardian champion, he assumes the new Thunderstrike identity – taking the name from the enchanted mallet gifted to him by Odin.
Thunderstrike’s adventures would literally be short lived with Marvel culling many of their lower-tier titles in the ’90s as the comics boom began to decline. But his legacy lives on when a new Thunderstrike picks up the mallet.
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MCG Notes:
- Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read Thunderstrike stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
- Issue listings in grey: Cameo appearances or stories of note that are non-essential, not as strong or no longer considered ‘required reading’.
- Chronology: Every appearance of Thunderstrike from this period is included in chronological order, mapping out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
- Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
- WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE? Scroll down to THE CORE LIST to see a version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or the less-important appearances – just a list of core stories.
See previous appearance of Eric Masterson – as a friend, counterpart and replacement to Thor – with these reading orders:
- Thor: War of the Pantheons (1987-1991)
- Thor: Eric Masterson (1991-1993)
Thunderstrike #1 (1993)
First appearance of Eric Masterson as Thunderstrike; since Odin gave Eric Masterson the mace dubbed Thunderstrike, he’s been able to tap into the same power that turned him into his own ‘Thunder God’ form; and is still mistaken for the real God of Thunder while fighting carjackers; both Bloodaxe, Code: Blue and ‘Thor’ pursue the criminal Carjack; after a resounding defeat at Bloodaxe’s hands, Eric gets a new costume, takes down Bloodaxe and takes the name Thunderstrike; Eric continues his relationship with Jackie Lukus during THE FINAL GAUNTLET.
Quasar #47-48 (1993)
First appearance of the Explorer/Zamanathan Rambunazeth and the Judicator; Thunderstrike accompanies Quasar from Avengers Mansion into space on his search for the missing Quantum Bands; after the Bands are retrieved, the Possessor turns Thunderstrike against Quasar, but Thunderstrike breaks free so they can fight the rogue Elders of the Universe together.
Spider-Man Unlimited #2[1/2] (1993)
Thunderstrike cameo; the Avengers take Carnage into custody during MAXIMUM CARNAGE.
Secret Defenders #9-10 (1993)
Nebula plans an attack against the Eternals of Titan by using a warhead with the Silver Surfer chained to it; Doctor Strange recruits Thunderstrike and War Machine to free the Surfer and defeat Nebula.
Fantastic Four #378 (1993)
Thunderstrike and his fellow Avengers come to the aid of the Fantastic Four, outnumbering the Fearsome Foursome and forcing them into a retreat during FOUR NO MORE!
Thunderstrike #2-3 (1993)
Thunderstrike and the Black Knight examine the Bloodaxe; Thunderstrike tries to find a peaceful resolution to a confrontation with the Juggernaut; Sif and Thunderstrike investigate the assassin Sangre, but his refusal to help Thor through a bout of Warrior’s Madness strains their relationship.
Thor Corps #1-4 (1993)
Dargo Ktor – the Thor of the 26th Century – joins forces with Thunderstrike, Beta Ray Bill and the true Thor to reform the Thor Corps when Demonstaff tries to destroy the multiverse.
Quasar #54 (1994)
Thunderstrike cameo; Thunderstrike senses strange activity on the Moon during STARBLAST.
Avengers: The Terminatrix Objective #1-4 (1993)
First appearance of Revelation/Ravonna Renslayer of Earth-93091; Terminatrix (Ravonna Renslayer of Earth-6311) now rules Chronopolis as the new Kang the Conqueror and attempts to expand its borders through time; Revelation – another Ravonna from an alternate universe – selects USAgent, War Machine & Thunderstrike as her champions and tasks them with saving time; the trio are pitted against Thor, Captain America & Iron Man and find themselves joining forces with the real Kang to stop Terminatrix.
Quasar #60 (1994)
Thunderstrike cameo; Quasar says goodbye to his friends, including Thunderstrike, before he leaves Earth.
Warlock and the Infinity Watch #26-28 (1994)
Senator Kyle Munson psychically manipulates the Avengers into an assassination attempt on Adam Warlock; the Avengers are freed from Munson’s control and unmask him as the Man-Beast.
Thunderstrike #4-7(pp.1-21) (1994)
First appearance of Blackwulf/Pelops, Bristle, Alex DePaul, Lucien & Schizo; first full appearance of Lord Tantalus and Khult; Pandara – an agent of Lord Tantalus – launches an attack on Manhattan, drawing the attention of Thunderstrike, Code: Blue & Spider-Man and Thunderstrike and uncover a conspiracy regarding the Deviants of Armachedon and their longterm foe, Blackwulf, during WHERE MONSTERS DWELL.
Iron Man #303-304 (1993)
First appearance of the Hulkbuster Armour; Thunderstrike attacks Iron Man over the destruction of a dam in Africa; he turns his attention to the New Warriors when he learns they’re responsible during CRASH & BURN.
Thunderstrike #7(pp.22)-9 (1994)
Thunderstrike’s son Kevin Masterson is been kidnapped by Bobby Steele; the robot Officer ZERO that’s designed to protect cops goes rogue when its creator seeks revenge; Bloodaxe learns Eric Masterson is secretly Thunderstrike.
Thor: The Worthy #1[2/3] (2020)
Thunderstrike struggles with his failure to save Bobby Steele and gets a chance to redeem himself by confronting the Grey Gargoyle.
Incredible Hulk Annual #20[4/4] (1994)
Thunderstrike cameo; Thunderstrike attends Rick Jones and Marlo Chandler‘s wedding during WE ARE GATHERED HERE.
Spider-Man Unlimited #6[1/3] (1994)
Thunderstrike and Spider-Man join forces against Hydro-Man and tries to clear Spidey’s name when he’s accused of harming innocents.
Avengers #374-375[1/2] (1994)
Thunderstrike returns to the Avengers as Proctor and his Gatherers return to have their revenge on Sersi and destroy the Avengers; Proctor’s identity is revealed; the Avengers lose two teammates in the final battle.
Avengers Annual #23[1/2] (1994)
The Avengers are faced with an alliance between Loki and Typhon during STRANGERS ON AN ASTRAL PLANE.
Thunderstrike #10 (1994)
Thunderstrike takes on a villain disguised as Thor and fights to clear the Thunder God’s name; Thunderstrike is finally reunited with the real Thor.
Thor #477 (1994)
Thunderstrike comes to Thor’s aid when the God of Thunder loses Mjolnir to the Destroyer; Thor and Thunderstrike are shocked to discover who’s controlling the armour this time during MYTH CONCEPTIONS.
Thunderstrike #11 (1994)
Thunderstrike, Sangre & Wildstreak all clash when they go after the same man who’s selling guns to kids.
Thunderstrike #15: Double Feature[2/2] (1994)
First appearance of Kenneth & Kevin Krask; Thunderstrike assists Code: Blue against the Thermal Man.
Thunderstrike #12-15 (1994-1995)
First appearance of Bison/Billy Kitson; first appearance of Stellaris as Leah Princess; Stellaris steps out of the shadow and returns to Eric Masterson’s life; Thunderstrike and Bloodaxe both pursue Whyteout; Thunderstrike and Luke Cage battle the Bison, Mongoose & Quicksand; Mephisto kidnaps Kevin Masterson to coerce Thunderstrike into helping him obtain Thor’s soul.
Avengers #379 (1994)
Thunderstrike joins his fellow Avengers on a mission to rescue the Vision from the Lunatic Legion.
Namor the Sub-Mariner #58 (1995)
First appearance of the Deep Six; a misunderstanding leads to the Avengers battle Namor‘s Deep Six during ATLANTIS RISING.
Thunderstrike #16-19 (1995)
Thunderstrike and the Absorbing Man try to help She-Hulk and Titania sort out their differences; Bloodaxe turns to Thunderstrike for help against Seth‘s Serpent’s Teeth.
Thunderstrike #20[2/2]-21[2/2] (1994)
Eric Masterson tells his son a story from Thor‘s past.
Thunderstrike #20[1/2]-21[1/2] (1994)
Thunderstrike continues to investigate the Serpent’s Teeth, allying with the Black Panther, Black Widow, She-Hulk and War Machine to battle Stegron and end Seth’s deadly alliance with Loki.
Avengers #383 (1995)
The Avengers assist Psi-Lord & Devlor of Fantastic Forces against the Kree super-soldier Shatterstar.
Tales of the Marvels: The Wonder Years #2 (1995)
Thunderstrike cameo; Thunderstrike attends Wonder Man‘s funeral.
Force Works #10[2/2] (1995)
Thunderstrike cameo; Century watches Wonder Man‘s funeral from afar.
Spider-Man The Power of Terror #3 (1995)
Thunderstrike cameo; the Avengers rescue those caught up in Spider-Man‘s clash with the Maggia.
Fantastic Four #400[2/2] (1995)
Thunderstrike cameo; Thunderstrike attends Mister Fantastic‘s funeral during EVEN THE WATCHERS CAN DIE.
Thunderstrike #22-24 (1995)
Thunderstrike learns Bloodaxe’s true identity; Thunderstrike picks up the Bloodaxe and becomes an amalgam of Thunderstrike & Bloodaxe in order to defeat Seth’s army; the Avengers watch as Thor battles Thunderstrike/Bloodaxe when Eric Masterson loses control; Eric Masterson overcomes the Bloodaxe’s influence at the cost of his own life during THE STORM AND THE SACRIFICE.
Thor #490 (1995)
Thunderstrike appears in flashback; Thor battles the Absorbing Man at Thunderstrike’s grave during THE STORM AND THE SACRIFICE.
Avengers #10-11 (1998)
Thunderstrike is among the deceased Avengers briefly resurrected by the Grim Reaper to join his Legion of the Unliving and battle the current Avengers line-up.
Strange #1-2 (2022)
First appearance of Stephen Strange as the Harvestman; Thunderstrike is resurrected as a zombie once again, but is returned to true death by the Harvestman.
A version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or less non-essential guest appearances – just the primary Thunderstrike stories:
- Thunderstrike #1-3
- Thor Corps #1-4
- Thunderstrike #4-9
- Thor: The Worthy #1
- Thunderstrike #10
- Thor #477
- Thunderstrike #11-24
Kevin Masterson picks up his father’s mantle in this reading order:
- THUNDERSTRIKE: Kevin Masterson (2010-2022)
Thor‘s reading order from Eric Masterson‘s time as Thunderstrike and beyond:
- THOR: Worldengine (1993-1997)
Notable multiversal versions of Thunderstrike:
EARTH-138
Superior Octopus #1 (2018)
Edge of Spider-Geddon #1 (2018)
Thunderstrike (Eric Masters) didn’t exhibit powers but claimed he’d been granted power by Odin; his fight with Spider-Punk is interrupted when Kang the Conglomerator electrocutes him during SPIDER-GEDDON.
EARTH-9907
A-Next #10-11 (1999)
Spider-Girl #58-59 (2003)
Heralding from a world ruled by Doctor Doom and policed by his Thunder Guard, Stormtrooper (Eric Masterson) was sent on a mission to infiltrate Earth-982; meeting that world’s version of his son, Kevin Masterson (who had inherited his father’s Thunderstrike identity), encouraged him to turn his back on Doom and seek a better life.
EARTH-15513
A-Force #1 (2015)
Red Skrull #1 (2015)
Armor Wars #5 (2015)
Squadron Sinister #4 (2016)
Star-Lord and Kitty Pryde #3 (2015)
Thors #2, 4 (2014-2015)
Heralding from another reality, Thunderstrike is among the versions of Thor from around the multiverse who made up the Thor Corps – Emperor God Doom‘s police force on Battleworld – during SECRET WARS.
EARTH-983107
What If #107 (1998)
A reality in which Thor doesn’t fall prey to the Warrior’s Madness; Thunderstrike takes Thor‘s role among the Avengers while Thor himself becomes ruler of Asgard.
Other reading orders that feature Thunderstrike:
