There's a lively discussion going on across social media about the design of the new Thor character in the game God of War Ragnarok. Heathens and polytheists are making generally approving posts since the art follows descriptions in the Lore pretty closely. There are also a lot of negative comments from those who apparently expected a depiction close to the Marvel Chris Hemsworth Thor.

The Lore is what Asatruers and other Heathens call the body of literature we've collectively decided constitutes our religious cannon. Much of it is Norse Mythology and Icelandic Sagas and Eddas because that is what was written down, even though many American heathens are actually more Germanic than Scandinavian. In the Lore, Thor is described as having a red beard and carrying a war hammer with a short haft. One of his adventures in the Lore was a drinking contest in which he drank down the ocean so much he created the tides. This character looks like he could perform that notable feat.

Thor is a protector and warrior seen more as a champion than a general, so he's not actually considered a god of war in heathenry. The gods of war are Tyr, Odin, and Freya. Thor is who you call upon if you need a frost giant slain, rather than if you want to defeat other humans in a war. He is seen as the most personally badass fighter who will kill a monster rather than the one who will grant you victory over other humans like a god of war would do. He is strong like the giants he fights. Therefore his depiction in this art is very much in line with how he is described in the Lore.

This art is very clearly based on the type of physical body that wins Strongman competitions. This is the body of a lifter rather than a bodybuilder like the Marvel Thor. It's maximized for actual strength and ability rather than pure beauty.

Of course, the real god Thor doesn't have a human body because he is not a human. However, our mythology describes the gods as if they had human bodies because it would be hard to tell a relatable story about them otherwise. The real god Thor made an appearance in the sky shortly after I first saw this art yesterday, in the form of a monsoon thunderstorm that dropped a massive amount of rain without being destructive. So all in all I think Thor approves.

 

Relevant news article: https://screenrant.com/god-war-ragnarok-thor-model-revealed-art-director/