I like both, conceptually its hard to tell. I like martial arts in real life for example, but not fighting. I like the idea of people training their bodies to be ready to fight and codes of honor that accompany physical discipline and dealing with conflict. Thor being an honorable warrior who fights is appealing to me in that sense. Physical adversary and competition isn't necessarily a bad thing to him. Then again I also love so many themes that are integral to Superman, as far as I see him. Loneliness, being different, having to fit in and conform whilst also staying true to ones self. Trying to be the best man (mankind) you can be. Having ethics and being nice, even if others think thats boring. The whole Superman/Clark Kent mythos and its various interpretations.
Execution of some of these concepts and ideas is a different story though, I have read so many bad Superman and Thor stories. So so many bad stories. Superman is also burdened in a way that Thor isn't. Superman is pretty much the face of DC comics and has been for well over fifty years. He is a much bigger icon. He is much more popular and his value extends across multiple platforms and mediums. Superman has value thus in appealing and conforming to selling to the lowest common denominator at any given time in a given situation. This is semi true of Thor just not to the same extent. A positive of this is that many people will find these characters accessible and they will appeal to all types of people. A negative of this is that both characters can be dumbed down, watered down and be used as very superficial, vapid vehicles for wish fulfillment power fantasy type illusions. Comics to me is unappealing when its about teen male boys or man children selecting fictional avatars that depend and rely on superlatives, like being da strongest, being da most powerful, being da fastest, being da etc even though each persons preference is their own. That and they are a big enough minority that comic writers and companies cater to this often. Since I am not your average mainstream reader or really fit into Marvels target audience it means I get disconnected with both. Ironically since Thor isn't as popular many of his writers have been forced to try and be more creative and have been allowed to take risks, I think Thor's four best writers are testament to this, Simonson, JMS, Oeming and Aaron. Funnily enough a place where Superman's character is afforded risks, can be found in places that aren't in mainstream continuity, like my favorite Superman story All Star Superman.
Its also a similar process as far as morals and ethics, and I am largely skeptical whenever Superman and Thor are held up as holier than thou, I get weary. Especially since Thor's arrogance is a trait of his past self that he grew and matured past. Superman actually a lot of the time doesn't behave how one advertised with his level of intelligence, morals and abilities should. I already know why, its largely for creative reasons and the stories that writers want to write about and many readers want to read about. Superman's morality is usually portrayed as lazy to me, but thats the trap his character is stuck in, and also helps make him so accessible to so many people and his fans. In this sense Thor being a bit more flawed as far as being raised in a completely different culture, and different era and being a bit bold and arrogant at times, allows me to be less critical. Thor has been around for a long time and seen humanity change a lot, I can buy him not wanting to interfere to much with humans, he should be more content but there are many aspects of Superman that I can't buy. Again, not really the characters fault, more that he exists in a shared universe with other characters and multiple writers and in a reality that tries to be similar to our own.
Lots of Thor fans get really passionate about Thor "jobbing" a lot but if anything for me, I enjoy that. Writers tend to view Thor a lot differently than fans do, Thor is used to help establish and build credit for new characters or characters that need extra credibility. Its a lot like professional wrestling where characters/wrestlers like Kane will help get over new talent and gimmicks. Mind you Superman does this as well, both Thor and Superman help make other characters, I think Superman also gets a lot more TLC though and that makes sense, he has like a whole family of books, sells way more merchandizing and is a massive fan and writer favorite. My second favorite Thor writer wrote Thor as a writing gig but his biggest writer dream was to write Superman. Says something eh?
Ultimately I'd say I personally prefer Thor more. I am a fan of Norse mythology and find Thor to be the darker, deeper and more nuanced character. When I think of funny Thor moments I think of dozens, when I think of epic Thor moments I think of dozens, when I think of quaint and cute Thor moments I think of dozens, when I think of deep and compelling Thor moments I think of dozens. Drama, poignant, witty. So on. With Superman I usually end up thinking All Star, and then after that all these instances where we have a writer and artist trying to tell me Superman is the best, Superman is the most ideal, Superman isn't the most perfect guy... but he sure tries to be and that is what makes him perfect **eye wink** and then all the various feats and power speed demonstrations. Just turns me off his character unfortunately. Side note though I find the character pretty consistent and I find Thor has had way way many bad stories too heh heh. I haven't read much of New 52 Superman though apart from Justice League so I am hoping his main series will win me over a bit more, maybe I might end up preferring him over Thor, I like to keep my mind open about such things.
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