The Enchantress — also known as Amora — is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. A powerful sorceress, she is one of the most notable antagonists of Thor. Unlike many of Marvel's Asgardians, she is not an actual goddess from mythology. Some theorize, however, that she is based on the norse goddess Freyja. In comic books, first appearance refers to the date or issue of a characters first appearance. ... Journey into Mystery is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics. ... Stan Lee at the 1973 San Diego comic con Stan The Man Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922, New York, New York) is an American writer, editor, Chairman Emeritus of Marvel Comics and memoirist, who — with several artist co-creators, especially Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko — introduced... Jack Kirby (August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books. ... A fictional character is any person who appears in a work of fiction. ... Marvel Comics is an American comic book line published by Marvel Entertainment, Inc. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this comics-related article or section may require cleanup. ... A sorcerer (from Old French sorcier; fem. ... Thor (often called The Mighty Thor) is a fictional character and appears in the Marvel Universe. ... The Asgardians (aka Gods of Asgard) is a fictional race in the Marvel Comics universe. ... Freyja, in an illustration to Wagners operas by Arthur Rackham. ...

Character History

The Enchantress' parentage is unknown, though it is known she has a sister by the name of Lorelei. Amora began learning magic as an apprentice of Karnilla, Queen of the Norns but was eventually banished. She continued learning magic on her own, notably by seducing others well versed in magic and learning their secrets. In time, Amora became one of the more powerful magic-wielders in Asgard, with her magical arsenal focused on (but not limited to) charming and mind-controlling people. Her by now well renowned beauty did not hinder in this.

The Enchantress' first appearance in the Marvel Universe took place in Journey Into Mystery #103, where she attempted to eliminate Thor's love interest in order to have the thunder god for herself. From her first appearance, she was assisted by a powerful minion — Skurge, the Executioner. The Executioner loved the Enchantress, but she merely kept stringing him along with her feminine wiles, using him as her muscle. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this comics-related article or section may require cleanup. ... Skurge, The Executioner is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. ...

Amora's main motivation was to make Thor fall in love with her. As such, she was mainly an antagonist to him. However, she branched out elsewhere as well when her opportunistic motives would so entice. Most notably, she became a member of Baron Zemo's Masters of Evil, the opposite number to the Avengers, a superhero team whom Thor had joined. As a member of the Masters of Evil, the Enchantress (and Executioner) repeatedly faced the Avengers. She was especially affronted by the mortal Scarlet Witch's attempts to subvert her divine spells, though nevertheless occasionally challenged by Wanda's mutant gifts. Baron Zemo is the name of two fictional characters, both supervillains, in various Marvel Comics comic books, notably Captain America and the Avengers. ... The Masters of Evil are a fictional team of supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe. ... The Avengers are a superhero team, consisting of many of Marvel Comics most popular heroes. ... The Avengers are a superhero team, consisting of many of Marvel Comics most popular heroes. ... The Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, a mutant who began as a super-villainess before reforming and becoming a superheroine. ...

The Enchantress has notably been the one to give some other superhumans their powers. For example, she used the deceased Zemo's equipment to make Erik Josten into the original Power Man in Avengers #21 — Josten is these days well known as Atlas of the Thunderbolts. Amora also used her magics to make Barbara Norris into the Valkyrie in the early adventures of the Defenders. Without Amora, both might never have become superhumans. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. ... Valkyrie is a fictional character and Marvel Comics superheroine. ... The Defenders was a comic book series about a loosely-organized team of superheroes in the Marvel Comics universe. ...

Amora remained an antagonist for many years, exhibiting a capricious nature that was quick to toy with mortals with little concern to them. Seductive, manipulative and caring only about herself, she was the ultimate femme fatale in the Marvel Universe. Vanity was of great concern to her, few things were more important to Amora than maintaining her external veneer of beauty that made her worthy of the name Enchantress.

In the 1980s a gradual move towards a more moderate mindset began to emerge. In the Secret Wars, where she had been placed on the villains' side, she spurned the idea of fighting a gladiatorial game for the amusement of a higher being, and proposed to Thor that the two of them simply join their forces to leave both the heroes and villains behind, and go back home to Asgard. Further, during Walt Simonson's run on Thor, the Enchantress joined the Asgardian gods and heroes on their side, in final battle against the world-ender Surtur. Motivated, naturally, by enlightened self-interest, as if Surtur would end the world, Amora would perish too. The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Secret Wars (full title Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars) is the name of a twelve-issue Marvel Comics comic book limited series produced between 1984 and 1985, and a Mattel toy line that reflected the series. ... Star Slammers graphic novel (1983) Walter or, usually, Walt Simonson (born September 2, 1946) is a comic book writer and artist. ... Surtur is a fictional character, a demonic entity appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. ...

It was during Simonson's run as well that we were introduced to Amora's sister Lorelei, and it was estabilished that the two sisters had somewhat of a strained relationship, rooted in rivalry. More than a little friction was between the pair, not the least due to competition over which one of them would manage to seduce Thor.

Soon after the Surtur War, Thor led a number of Asgardian heroes to Hel, the death goddess Hela's realm. The Executioner bid Thor to join the expedition, for reasons he did not reveal others. In truth, he had seen the Enchantress dallying with Heimdall, and heartbroken, Skurge wished to lose himself in a noble cause — such as led by Thor, to rescue lost souls from Hela. He perhaps got more than he bargained for — yet perhaps as much as he wished — when Thor's forces, after accomplishing their mission, needed to retreat from Hel. One man was needed to hold the bridge Gjallerbru, and the Executioner, knowing there was no more Amora for him, chose to be that man, giving his life so the others might flee. When Amora heard the news, to everyone's surprise she was truly grief-stricken. In Norse mythology, the realm Hel shares a name with its ruler, Hel. ... In Norse mythology, Hel (sometimes Anglicized or Latinized as Hela) is the queen of Hel, the Norse underworld. ...

Another regular foe of Amora's was the Scarlet Witch, as seen here in: The Vision and the Scarlet Witch (Vol. 2) #9. Cover art by Richard Howell and P. Craig Russell.

After Skurge's death, Amora continued her regular hijinks, occasionally helping Asgard, occasionally opposing them. The next significant Amora storyline came when Tom DeFalco came on board Thor in #402-403 — Lorelei perished as Amora refused to give her life for her sister's, the deceased Skurge (in Valhalla) rejected the Enchantress, and Amora went on to empower the Earthman Brute Benhurst into a short-lived new Executioner to serve as her minion in Skurge's stead. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (467x720, 238 KB) Cover of the Vision and the Scarlet Witch (v. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (467x720, 238 KB) Cover of the Vision and the Scarlet Witch (v. ... Philip Craig Russell, a. ... Tom DeFalco (June 26, 1950 - ) is one of the most prolific and well-known writers and editors in comic publishing today. ...

For most of the four hundreds of Thor's solo title, Amora lay fairly low, but towards the end of that period, Warren Ellis came on board as writer, with a story called Worldengine in Thor #491-494. In it, Thor had been spurned by his father Odin, exiled to Earth and depowered. In this vulnerable state, Thor ended up forming a willing liaison with Amora, with the two of them living out of a loft in New York City as lovers. This status quo would remain until Thor would go missing during Heroes Reborn and presumed dead. Warren Ellis (born February 16, 1968) is a British author of comic books and graphic novels, well known for his acerbic personality and sociocultural commentaries, both through his online presence and his writing. ... Nickname: Big Apple, City that never Sleeps Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ... Heroes Reborn is the name of several comic book mini-series and one-shots published by Marvel Comics after 1996s Onslaught megacrossover. ...

When Thor returned in a new title written by Dan Jurgens, Asgard was in shambles and its gods missing. This was resolved within the title's first year, and Asgard returned to its former glory. Amora played no significant part, until the death of Odin (#40 of the new series), and Thor's assumption of the Odinpower. Amora inveigled herself into the good graces of Thor, the new ruler of Asgard, and became his consort. She remained thus until Loki brought about Ragnarök, in which all of Asgard appeared to die. The new Thor title concluded with this (#85, October 2004). Dan Jurgens is an American writer and artist of comic books. ... Loki (Loki Laufeyson) is a fictional comic book character, a Marvel Comics supervillain, based upon the Loki of Norse mythology. ... In Norse mythology, Ragnarök (fate of the gods[1]) is the battle at the end of the world. ...

A further Thor title has been rumored and/or planned ever since, occasionally with names like Neil Gaiman attached, but nothing concrete has yet been materialized or announced. Recently, it has been confirmed that a new Thor book will start in 2007, written by J. Michael Straczynski. What role Enchantress would have, if any in it, is unknown at this time. Neil Richard Gaiman () (born November 10, 1960, Portchester, Hampshire) is a British author of numerous science fiction and fantasy works, including many graphic novels. ... J. Michael Straczynski Joseph Michael Straczynski (born July 17, 1954) is an award-winning American writer/producer of television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. ...

Appearances in another media

Video games

Enchantress appears a main antagonist in Marvel:Ultimate Alliance, and is one of Dr.Doom's 4 lieutenants.

In battle, she uses her axe-wielding bodyguard, Executioner, to take care of the physical work, while she casts spells on the players team of heroes.

Links

• The Women of Marvel Comics Enchantress Page