Loki
Cover art for Loki #1. Art by Essad Ribic.
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Venus #6 (August 1949), Journey into Mystery #85 (October 1962) (modern day)
Created by	Stan Lee Larry Lieber Jack Kirby Based on the mythological character
Characteristics
Real name	Loki Laufeyson
Notable aliases	God of Lies and Mischief; as a shape-changer, Loki has impersonated many individuals and things
Team affiliations	"Acts of Vengeance" prime movers
Abilities	Magical and mystical powers Superhuman strength, stamina, reflexes, durability and longevity Shape-shifting Extrasensory abilities High intelligence and expert manipulator

Loki (Loki Laufeyson) is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics Universe. Based on the god of the same name from Nordic mythology, and created by writer Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber and penciller Jack Kirby. This article is about the comic book company. ... In comic books, first appearance refers to first comic book to feature a character. ... Journey into Mystery is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics. ... For the fictional character of this name, see Stan Lee (Judge Dredd character). ... Larry Lieber (born October 26, 1931) is a comic book artist and writer and is the younger brother of Marvel Comics writer/editor Stan Lee. ... Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg, August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds... For other uses, see Loki (disambiguation). ... Category: Possible copyright violations ... A fictional character is any person, persona, identity, or entity whose existence originates from a work of fiction. ... Doctor Doom, one of the most archetypal supervillains and his arch-enemies The Fantastic Four (in background). ... This article is about the comic book company. ... This article is about the shared universe setting used by many Marvel Comics titles. ... For other uses, see Loki (disambiguation). ... Norse mythology, Viking mythology or Scandinavian mythology refer to the pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian people. ... For the fictional character of this name, see Stan Lee (Judge Dredd character). ... Larry Lieber (born October 26, 1931) is a comic book artist and writer and is the younger brother of Marvel Comics writer/editor Stan Lee. ... Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg, August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds...

Loki is a formidable foe in Thor's rogues gallery, and arguably the thunder god's archenemy. He has clashed with Thor many times, sometimes using various pawns in order to achieve his ends. Loki himself is not actually a member of the Asgardians, but is actually the son of Laufey, the deceased monarch of the Frost Giants, the ancient enemies of the Asgardians. Odin himself led the Asgardians into battle against the Frost Giants and killed Laufey in personal combat. Perhaps Loki's most important contribution to the Marvel Universe is that the Avengers were formed to fight him. Thor (often called The Mighty Thor) is a superhero appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. ... Rogues gallery is a police collection of pictures of criminals and suspects kept for identification purposes. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Asgardians or Gods of Asgard are a fictional race of gods in the Marvel Comics universe. ... In Norse mythology, Laufey was, with Farbauti, the mother of Loki. ... The giants of Jotunheim in Marvel Comics are a fictional race of people based on the giants of actual Norse legends. ... Odin is a fictional character and that appears in the Marvel Universe and is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology. ... The Avengers are a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. ...

Publication history

Loki made his first Marvel Comics appearance in Timely Comics' publication Venus #6 (August 1949), where Loki was inaccurately featured as a member of the Olympian gods exiled to the Underworld. He made his first official Marvel appearance in Journey into Mystery #85 (October 1962), where Loki was reintroduced by brothers and co-writers Stan Lee and Larry Lieber and he was redesigned by Jack Kirby. Loki has appeared in various issues of Journey Into Mystery, Thor, the Avengers and several other Marvel Universe titles. This article is about the comic-book character. ... Twelve Olympians, also known as the Dodekatheon (Greek: Δωδεκάθεον < δωδεκα, dodeka, twelve + θεον, theon, of the gods), in Greek religion, were the principal gods of the Greek pantheon, residing atop Mount Olympus. ... Hades, Greek god of the underworld, enthroned, with his bird-headed staff, on a red-figure Apulian vase made in the 4th century BC. For other uses, see Hades (disambiguation). ... Journey into Mystery is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics. ... For the fictional character of this name, see Stan Lee (Judge Dredd character). ... Larry Lieber (born October 26, 1931) is a comic book artist and writer and is the younger brother of Marvel Comics writer/editor Stan Lee. ... Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg, August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was one of the most influential, recognizable, and prolific artists in American comic books, and the co-creator of such enduring characters and popular culture icons as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Captain America, and hundreds... This article is about the shared universe setting used by many Marvel Comics titles. ...

Marvel eventually found the character popular enough to let Robert Rodi proceed with writing a mini-series, Loki #1-4 (July 2004 - October 2004), that features a different look at the character. The mini-series features painted covers and painted interior pages by artist Esad Ribic.

Fictional character biography

After slaying the giant Laufey, Odin found a small Asgardian-sized child hidden within the primary stronghold of the Frost Giants. The child was Loki, and Laufey kept him hidden from his people due to his shame over his son's small size. Odin took the boy, out of a combination of pity and because he was the son of a worthy adversary slain in honorable combat, and raised him as his son alongside his biological son Thor. It should be noted that in Norse mythology, Thor and Loki are frequent traveling companions. Loki finds himself in numerous situations where his mischievous deeds find him at odds with the Aesir. He is responsible for many of the gods' magic items as payment for the wrongs he has committed. Loki is also blood brothers with Odin, and bound away for his major role in the murder of Baldur. The giants of Jotunheim in Marvel Comics are a fictional race of people based on the giants of actual Norse legends. ... Odin is a fictional character and that appears in the Marvel Universe and is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology. ... Thor (often called The Mighty Thor) is a superhero appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. ...

Throughout their childhood and into adolescence, Loki was resentful of the differences in which he and Thor were treated by the citizens of Asgard. The Asgardians valued great strength, tenacity, and bravery in battle above all things and Loki was clearly inferior to his foster brother Thor in these areas. However, Loki's gifts lay in other areas, most notably sorcery. He possessed a natural affinity to command great magical forces and hoped to somehow use these powers to become the most powerful god in all of Asgard and to destroy Thor. As Loki grew to adulthood, his natural talent for causing mischief would manifest itself and earned him a nickname as the God of Lies and Mischief. However, instead of playing harmless pranks, he grew steadily more malicious in his deeds, and his lust for both power and revenge was apparent to all those around him. In time, his nickname grew from being a playful and mischievous trickster god to the "God of Evil". Over the centuries, Loki attempted on many occasions to seize rulership of Asgard and to destroy Thor. Odin, who had long tolerated Loki's attempts, magically imprisoned him within a tree. Loki eventually freed himself from his prison, and his thirst for power and vengeance became even more consuming than it had been. Loki compiled an extensive criminal record in Asgard, and was frequently exiled. Cover of Tales of Asgard #1 (October 1968) showing Asgard and some of the inhabitants of the Asgardian dimension Artist Jack Kirby Asgard is a planetoid existing in a alternate dimension within the mainstream Marvel Comics universe, Earth-616. ... Not to be confused with Magic (illusion). ... For other uses, see Trickster (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Evil (disambiguation). ...

Loki's schemes eventually came to include Earth itself and these schemes often drew some of Earth's superhuman heroes to defend Earth and, often, Asgard itself. He first battled Thor on Earth in modern times.^[1] Loki was then able to manipulate the Hulk into wreaking havoc, which inadvertently led to the formation of the Avengers.^[2] This article is about Earth as a planet. ... Incredible Hulk, The Hulk and The Incredible Hulk redirect here. ... The Avengers are a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. ...

Thor was one of the founding members of this superhuman team, and Loki often found his goals frustrated by them, even when they appeared close to success. Among Loki's better known henchmen was the human criminal Carl "The Crusher" Creel, whom Loki transformed by sorcery into the superhuman criminal known as the Absorbing Man and sent him against Thor.^[3] Creel himself would proved to be a formidable adversary to Thor over the years. Loki even went so far as to attempt to turn Odin against Thor and to steal Thor's enchanted hammer, Mjolnir, but all his efforts failed. The Absorbing Man (Carl Crusher Creel) is a fictional character that appears in the Marvel Universe. ... For other uses, see Mjolnir (disambiguation). ...

Loki's destiny to be the cause of Ragnarok was later recounted.^[4] Loki returned from his exile in space by Odin, and was stripped of his powers and exiled to Earth by Odin. Loki plotted to gain new powers from Karnilla, although this accidentally resulted in the Wrecker gaining Asgardian powers. Loki then fomented a battle between Thor and the Destroyer animated by Sif.^[5] Loki then took command of Asgard during the Odinsleep, and fled when Asgard was invaded by Mangog.^[6] Karnilla is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. ... The Wrecker is a fictional character and supervillain that first appears in the Marvel Comics universe. ... The Destroyer is a fictional character that appears in the Marvel Universe. ... Sif is Marvel Comics Asgardian warrior and lover of Thor. ... Mangog is a fictional character who appears in the Marvel Universe. ...

Loki later usurped the throne of Asgard, but fled again when Asgard was invaded by Surtur.^[7] Much later, Loki usurped the throne of Asgard again, and set the Destroyer against Thor once more.^[8] Shortly after that, Loki caused the temporary death of Balder. At this time, Loki's estranged Sigyn returned to Asgard. Loki attempted to bring about Rangnarok, but was foiled by Odin.^[9] Alongside Tyr and his forces, Loki invaded Asgard, but then changed sides and aided Odin's forces in defeating Tyr.^[10] Surtur is a fictional demon that appears in the Marvel Universe. ... Balder the Brave is a fictional deity that appears in the Marvel Universe and is based on the god Balder of Norse mythology. ... Sigyn is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. ... Tyr is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe, based loosely on the Tyr of Norse myth. ...

However, despite Loki's loathing for half-brother and father, Loki helped to defend Asgard from destruction from Surtur and his fire demons. This was because Surtur's goal was to destroy Asgard, whereas Loki sought only to rule it. Alongside Odin and Thor, Loki battled Surtur, and witnessed the seeming demise of Odin.^[11] Not long after that, Loki transformed Thor into a frog for a time.^[12] He then involved the X-Men and Alpha Flight in a plot to gain favor with Those Who Sit Above in Shadow.^[13] The X-Men are a group of comic book superheroes featured in Marvel Comics. ... Alpha Flight is a Marvel Comics superhero team, noteworthy for being one of the few Canadian superhero teams. ...

In disguise, Loki formed an alliance with the group of villains that engineered the "Acts of Vengeance". With these prime movers, he set in motion a plot against the Avengers and other heroes. He battled the combined forces of the West Coast Avengers and the Avengers. His identity was ultimately revealed, and he was defeated by the Avengers.^[14] Loki would actually die at the hands of Thor,^[15] although, manipulation of the time stream would later bring him back. Category: Possible copyright violations ...

On another occasion, Loki actually worked with Spider-Man to stop Morwen, a Lord of Chaos, from destroying the world, although Loki was partly motivated by the desire to save his daughter, who was currently being used by Morwen as a host. Morwen herself helped in the fight, utilizing the will and fortitude that came from being a descendant of Loki. During this incident it is discovered Loki has many children. Afterwards, Loki promises Spider-Man a favor. Spider-Man swinging around his hometown, New York City. ...

It has been prophesied that Loki will lead Asgard's enemies into the "Eternal Realm" and aid them in destroying it in a final conflict known as Ragnarök, or sometimes referred to as "The Twilight of the Gods". Loki fulfilled the prophecy of leading the enemies of Asgard against the Asgardians. This battle consumed all who participated in it and it was revealed that the cycle of the birth, lives, and death of the Asgardians was a continuing cycle presided over by beings known only as "Those Who Sit Above in Shadow". Thor, Loki's foster brother and monarch of the Asgardians after Odin perished in battle against Surtur months earlier, was able to put an end to this continuing cycle. All Asgardians perished in this last Ragnarok except for Thor who would disappear into a deep sleep. But this time, "Those Who Sit Above" followed them in death and were unable to revive them. With Thor's recent return, it has been revealed that Asgardians now exist on Earth in mortal guises. For other uses, see Ragnarök (disambiguation). ...

After the Ragnarok, Loki returned, only that "he" is now a she and has been working with Doctor Doom, plotting to manipulate events so that Thor unwittingly resurrects his greatest Asgardian enemies.^[16] Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom) is a fictional Marvel Comics supervillain created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. ...

Powers and abilities

Loki is a member of the race of Frost Giants of Jotunheim, although not a giant in stature, he possesses physical attributes equal to those of the race of superhumans known as Asgardian which accounts for his physical attributes. He possesses a degree of superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, and reflexes that seem to be roughly equal to that of the average male Asgardian. His Frost Giant metabolism granted him superhuman levels of physical stamina in practically all activities. At times he imbued himself with magical abilities that enable him to withstand injuries that would prove fatal to another Asgardian, such as being beheaded. He aged at a rate vastly slower than human beings and was extremely long lived, though he did not possess the same aging process as other god pantheons, such as the Olympians. His body was immune to all known Earthly diseases and infections and possessed some degree of resistance to physical injury.

Loki possesses the ability to manipulate magical forces and generate and control a great quantity of mystical abilities for a variety of purposes. He has had extensive training in the rites of black magic. He could project powerful beams of concussive force, create highly durable magical force fields, temporarily increase his own physical strength and stamina, grant superhuman abilities to living beings or inanimate objects, fly at great speeds, physical malleability, hypnotism, illusion casting, thought-casting, astral projection, and teleport inter-dimensionally. Apparently, Loki possessed some extrasensory abilities that resembled psionic powers. For instance, he could project his thoughts across great distances, even across dimensional barriers. However, he could not read the minds of other beings, though he could control their actions.

Aside from all of these mystical abilities, Loki was always depicted with a brilliant intellect. However, his passionate hatred of Thor, lust for power, and tendency to alienate others by his ignoble actions greatly impeded his ability to bring his well laid plans to fruition. Loki revealed during an encounter with Deadpool that he is fully aware he is a fictional character in a comic book. For other uses, see Dead pool (disambiguation). ...

Loki is usually armed with a sword, and has made use of various magic items.

Other versions

Ultimate Universe

Loki appears in the second volume of The Ultimates as the evil half brother of Thor. The Ultimate version of Loki has the ability to "shuffle time and space", and thus, in his first appearance caused a ripple during Thor's conversation with Volstagg. In the restaurant, Loki is apparently in the background which would mark his first "appearance" (he is mentioned and his powers apparently used, but he is only briefly seen). Loki comes to Earth after escaping from the Room Without Doors and begins to cause havoc, especially for Thor and the United States after assisting the Liberators. Through his power he creates the persona for himself of "Gunnar Golmen," the head scientist of the Norwegian extension of the "European Defense Initiative," the European counterpart to The Ultimates, and turns Thor into "Thorlief," Gunnar's brother, a former mental patient who stole the technology that Gunnar created for the Initiative. The Ultimates is a set of superhero comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics. ... Ultimate Thor is a fictional character, a superhero in the Ultimate Marvel Universe based on the mythological Thor and the Marvel Universe Thor. ... Volstagg is a fictional character, a charter member of the Warriors Three, a trio of Asgardian adventurers and supporting cast of Thor in the Marvel Comics Universe. ... For the all-female team, see Lady Liberators (comics). ...

Later in the story, he confronts the captive Thor and gloats, claiming that it is all just another one of their games, and informs him that there is a traitor in the ranks of the Ultimates. When Thor requests assistance from the guards, Loki is nowhere to be seen, though he appears as a snake around Thor's neck after they leave (most likely a nod to the real Loki in Norse mythology). Most recently (at the end of Ultimates 2 #9), Loki has stated that the reason he joined the Liberators was that "They had a Norse god on their side. It's only fair you should get one too", and that "Odin sent his son to bring the world peace. I couldn't resist the opportunity to mess that up." However, he is hesitant to use his abilities overtly, as he claims Odin will then be able to find him. Yet, once all The Liberators are defeated, he decides to do things himself. After revealing to The Ultimates who he was, he rises into the air and changes the color of the sky. At that moment, the sky opens and Thor, his brother, appears for revenge.

Issue 13 shows further demonstrations of his power by attempting to trap Thor in an illusion and withstanding a direct blow from Thor's hammer uninjured, claiming it cannot hurt him. During this battle Thor mentions that Loki's powers have, for an unexplained reason, weakened. After Loki summons an army of monsters to battle the Ultimates and nearly kills Thor, the thunder god then proceeds to summon allies from Asgard while he strikes Loki with his hammer before either killing him or sending him back to Asgard where Odin awaits him.

Loki's motivation for his actions is not completely revealed. He mentions several motivations from a desire to cause World War III to Odin favoring Thor over him and attempting to gain Odin's favor. Throughout the whole ordeal Loki regards humans as mere playthings for his pranks. In addition to creating a Norwegian super-soldier program that was supposedly part of an EU initiative, and making people believe it was real even though Norway is not part of the European Union, he claimed to have been the one who framed Captain America for treason, regarding the failure of humans to realize the problems with these assertions as humorous. This article is about the superhero. ...

MC2

In the reality of Earth-982, Loki decides to bring an end to the "Age of Heroes", still regretting the fact that his actions led to the creation of the Avengers. In the series Last Hero Standing, he kidnaps several major superheroes, brainwashes them so that they are more violent, and returns them to Earth so that they will destroy their reputations, knowing that his spell will be permanent the moment they shed innocent blood. Eventually, this plot is foiled by the superheroes of earth, most especially that reality's Captain America, who shatters the gem Loki was using to create the spell before any innocents can be killed. In battle, Loki badly injuries Captain America, but, because of his actions, Loki is banished to the limbo realm and is joined by the Hulk, who intends to punish him for affecting the Hulk with his spell and driving him to attack the other heroes. Characters from the MC2 universe. ... Last Hero Standing is a limited series published by Marvel Comics in 2005. ...

Within the Avengers Next miniseries it is revealed that Loki's daughter {within the MC2 universe}, Sylene, is on a mission to restore Asgard, as a way to honor her father and to prove herself to the Asgardians. Unfortunately, her plan is not only to transform Midgard/Earth into a version of Asgard, but also to eliminate the Avengers, since Loki was blaming himself for his part of indirectly creating the team. // A-Next is the Marvel Comics MC2 Universe version of the Avengers. ...

Marvel 2099

In the Marvel 2099 line of series, the original Asgardians were no more. However, belief in them had grown into a full-fledged religion with many followers. Seeking to take advantage of this, a corporation called Alchemax decided to create their own pantheon. One of the company's scientists, Jordan Boone, decided that he wanted to have powers and sneaked himself into the program. He ensured that he avoided the receiving of a computer chip implant which would give him falsified memories of his godhood. Jordan became the Loki of the program, but fled before the program and their floating fortress were destroyed. He later reappeared and remade himself as the villainous Halloween Jack who went about trying to warp the entire world with a Virtual Unreality Projector. His plan would have succeeded if not for President Doom stepping in with the help of the X-Men Meanstreak and Krystalin. Halloween Jack was supposedly killed in 2099 World of Tomorrow #2, but made an unexpected cameo in X-Force #92. He was somehow pulled from the time-stream before his death and re-deposited in the present where he pestered Domino. Since then his resident time period and/or location have been unknown. Marvel 2099 is a Marvel Comics imprint, begun in 1993, that explores one possible future of the Marvel Universe. ... A pantheon (from Greek Πάνθειον, temple of all gods, from πᾶν, all + θεός, god) is a set of all the gods of a particular religion or mythology, such as the gods of Hinduism, Norse, Egyptian, Shintoism, Greek, vodun, Yoruba Mythology and Roman mythology. ... Halloween Jack is a fictional villain created by Marvel Comics for their 2099 series. ... Doom is a Marvel Comics anti-hero featured in the Marvel 2099 comic book Doom 2099. ... X-Men 2099 is a comic book published by Marvel from 1993 to 1996 that explores the possibility of what a team of X-Men would be like in the year 2099. ... Meanstreak is a fictional character created by Marvel Comics for their futuristic comic book line Marvel 2099 in X-Men 2099. ... Krystalin is a fictional character in Marvel Comicss 2099 universe, a look at superheroes in the year 2099. ... A cameo role or cameo appearance (often shortened to just cameo) is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television. ... Domino (Neena Thurman) is a Marvel Comics character, best known as a member of the X-Men offshoot X-Force. ...

Earth X

In the reality of Earth-9997, Loki duped Odin into transforming Thor into a woman and he cast a spell across Bifrost that would prevent Thor from returning to Earth if he ever returned to Asgard. Among several heroes, in this reality, he opposed the Celestials due to finding out the falsehood of the Asgardians' origins. Realizing that his form was actually solely dependent on his convictions (as that of all Asgardians), he became an angelic being with a very ambiguous appearance. With his new state, he was instrumental in defeating the Absorbing Man and he later formed the new Avengers and became the new Thor. Earth X Hardcover (2005), written by Jim Krueger cover by Alex Ross This article is about the Marvel Comics miniseries Earth X and its sequels. ... Celestials redirects here. ...

Guardians of the Galaxy

In the Guardians of the Galaxy timeline (Earth-691), Loki is alive and well in the 31st Century. The Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional superhero team active in the 31st century in an alternate timeline that is a version of the Marvel Universe. ... The 31st century of the anno Domini (common) era will span the years 3001–3100 of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In other media

Television

• In Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Loki appears in the episode "The Vengeance of Loki" voiced by John Stephenson.
• If there was a second season of The Avengers: United They Stand, it might have featured Loki in the same episode with Thor.
• Loki also appears in the Thor segment of the Marvel Superheroes show (1966).

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends is an animated series produced by Marvel Productions Ltd. ... John Stephenson (born August 9, 1923 in Kenosha, Wisconsin) is an American voice actor. ...

Video games

• Loki appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Larry Cedar.

Larry Cedar (born 6 March 1955) is an actor and a voice actor. ...

References

External links

• Loki at Marvel.com