Previous Post Remember that he was lectured once by Moon Dragon, after he finally unloaded and KO Orca that was 3X more powerful than his normal self... She said he watered his powers down, being among Humnas so much that he almost forgotten just how powerful he was, afraid to "let it go"... Almost like in JL cartoon when Supes "enjoyed" cutting loose on darkseid, as he knew that he could withstand his full power attack... Another reason for Thor to appear weaker at times? just as Supes raised among Humans, thinks like a Human, and "holds it back" afraid to hurt others?

..but I think the real reason is that creative teams need to come up with compelling stories where these uber-powerful characters are challenged. Rather than facing a new galactic threat each month (even that would start to be unbelievable), there has to be a way for more mundane threats to seem plausible. Thus, the bad showings must creep in and show that even the god and visitors from another planet are 'mortal'. For every Imperiex or Surtur battle, so too must these guys be challenged by the likes of Toy Man and the Wrecker.

Also - folks like Thor and Superman who routinely face existential threats in their own books, have to be watered down in their team books as to not always be overshadowing the other characters (which is hard for me as an Iron Man fan to say). Sure the other earth-bound heroes are valiant and powerful, but when all existence is being threatened, MU and DCU authorities aren't putting a call in for the Vision or Wonder Woman, they're going to their big guns...Thor or Superman. In a team book, this would get old fast (especially to fans of the other characters) so the demi-gods must step back so the other heroes may step forward...