In the comic book universe of Marvel Publishing House, along with superheroes, characters of Old Norse mythology also appear. Among them, the mighty son of Odin Thor and his cunning brother Loki. Marvel Comics allocated a separate comic book series for each Asgardian, despite the fact that the god of deception is a negative character.
Character appearance
For the first time, this cunning schemer and manipulator appeared on the pages of the Venus comics: Strange stories of the supernatural back in 1949. However, his participation was episodic, and in addition, he was called the Olympian god, exiled to hell (Tartarus) for all his atrocities.
Again, they remembered Loki Marvel Comics only after 13 years, after which this character was finalized and began to appear quite often on the pages of graphic short stories.
Despite the fact that the god of deceit was positioned as an antihero, he soon managed to win reading love. In this regard, in 2004 a small series of comics “Loki” appeared. This edition consisted of 4 issues, while it greatly influenced the events of the Marvel universe.
Since then, Loki Marvel Comics has been left without a personal series for almost 10 years. But with the release of the films "Thor", "Avengers" and their sequels, interest in the character has increased. Therefore, in 2014, the god of treachery again had a personal series “Loki: Agent of Asgard”.
Since Loki, unlike other Marvel characters, was not invented by them, but is a modern adaptation of the hero of the Scandinavian epic, it can also be used by other publishers. Therefore, in parallel with the "Marvel" publishing house Boom! Studios has published its Loki: Ragnarok And Roll comic book series (4 issues).
Loki (Marvel Comics): character abilities and weaknesses
Loki's trump card has always been his unrivaled mind. It is his ingenuity and ingenuity that help the hero get out of the many troubles in which he falls. No wonder Loki received the name of the god of cunning and deception.
From his real father, this hero inherited extreme power and ability to withstand the action of any poison, as well as immunity to various diseases. Having studied magic arts, Loki perfectly mastered the ability to turn not only into other people, but also into animals.
Among the skills acquired by the god of cunning over the years of studying magical arts, there is the ability to endow other creatures or objects with magical power. Another of his core skills is the ability to create realistic illusions.
This character is a wonderful hypnotist. Among other things, Loki has a standard set of superhero abilities such as flying and teleporting.
Loki's main weakness was his indefatigable hunger for power and an attempt to assert himself. Because of this, the hero, often subjected to the influence of emotions, was himself guilty of the failure of one plan or another.
Another quality that often turned against Loki was his ingratitude. Brutally cracking down even with those who were kind to him (Odin, the wizard Eldrad), the deceitful god made himself more enemies than it cost. Because of this, the allies often left him at the very last moment, remembering past grievances or fearing that, having gained power, the cunning asgardian would get rid of them as unnecessary ballast.
Loki (Marvel Comics): a biography of the early years
The father of this character was the ruler of the rebellious ice giants Lafey, and his mother was an unknown woman from aces. Loki was incredibly small, as for an otun, perhaps because he was a half-breed. His own father was ashamed of the small size of his son and hid him.
When Odin defeated Lafey and found his child, he did not kill the baby. The ruler of Asgard adopted Loki and from childhood raised with Thor, as a native.
The king believed that in the future he could send a foster child to his native world, as a ruler loyal to him. However, when the son of Lafey grew up and found out the truth about his origin, he further desired the throne of Odin and with all his might tried to get him.
The youth of Loki in Asgard
As in his native Jötunheim, in Asgard, the physical strength of a person, as well as his gallant victories in fights, were also respected above all. There was no equal in this Torah (the eldest son of Odin). Yielding to him in all respects except the mind, Loki felt flawed. Despite the fact that Odin tried to treat Thor and Loki equally, the latter envied his brother. That is why he, using the credulity of Thor, often acted out and substituted him.
While Thor trained his body by participating in various contests and battles, his younger brother improved his mind and mastered various magical arts. Soon, Loki became so possessed that he did not have an equal sorcerer in all of Asgard. However, no one appreciated these achievements.
When the brothers grew older, it became apparent that Asgard's throne would inherit Thor (having adopted Loki, Odin did not tell anyone except his wife about the boy’s origin, passing him off as his own). The god of deception decided to destroy his brother. After a series of unsuccessful attempts to kill Thor or kidnap his magic hammer, Odin seriously got angry at the ungrateful man and put him in a magical prison.
However, Loki was able to get out of there, becoming even more evil and cruel. A chance meeting with the mighty sorcerer Eldrad helped the god of treachery to acquire new magical knowledge and skills.
Loki's Attempts to Take Earth
At one time, due to another prank of the god of deception, Thor was sent by his father to Earth in a human body. Here he had to live the life of an ordinary person in order to learn modesty and wisdom.
Having lived for several years as the brilliant surgeon Donald Blake, Thor really rethought his behavior. However, even after returning to Asgard, he remained attached to the Earth and periodically took part in its fate.
Loki, dreaming of revenge on his brother, decided to destroy the world dear to him. Arriving on Earth, he clouded the mind of the Hulk and tried to use the superhero to take over the planet. And in order to remove Thor, which could interfere, from the path, the deceitful god tried to inspire him with the idea of returning to his native world.
However, through the efforts of the heroes of the Earth, Loki’s plan was foiled. Moreover, Thor and other people with superpowers united in the Avengers organization, which then repeatedly violated the plans of the god of covartswa.
Another time, Loki convinced Odin to attack the Earth, and he remained to guard Asgard. While his father was absent, the deceiving god freed two monsters, Skagg and Surtur, so that they would kill his adoptive father. However, through the efforts of Thor, both Odin and the Earth were saved.
The further fate of the character
The adventures of Loki (despite the fact that this character has his own series, and in addition, he is a participant in the events of other comics) are most often associated with Asgard and Thor.
In recent years, this character begins to be positioned as a neutral hero, sometimes able to speak for good.
In addition, due to numerous restarts of the Marvel comics, Loki’s biography sometimes changes. So, although he is not married and does not have a lover, in one of the universes the god of deception has a daughter, Silenus.
Loki's character in film and television
Due to its popularity with readers, during the creation of the cinema universe Marvel Loki, a place was found here. So, for the first time the character appeared on the screen in 1966 in the animated series "Marvel Superheroes". Later, he was present in other animated projects (Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Avenger: Powerful Heroes of the Earth, Lego Marvel - Superheroes, and others).
On the movie screen, the first full-fledged appearance of Loki (Marvel Comics Universe) occurred in 2011 in the movie "Thor". Played by Tom Hiddleston. The actor later returned to playing this role in Avengers and Thor 2: The Kingdom of Darkness.
In addition to film and television, the character of Loki is often present in video games.
Tom Hiddleston - actor who played Loki
This British artist began his career as a performer of roles in British costumed melodramas, and no one, not even himself, expected him to embody the cult comic book hero on the screen.
Born in 1981 in London, Tom Hiddleston spent his childhood as a classic Briton - private schools and colleges. When he grew up, the young man began to study acting at the British Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After that, he played for several years quite successfully on television and earned several nominations for prestigious British awards.
In the early 2010s, Tom Hiddleston was selected for the role of Loki (Marvel Comics). The actor immediately signed a contract for two films (“Thor” and “Avengers”). Later, his contract was extended to two more projects dedicated to the Torah.
In parallel with the role of the god of deception in the universe, Marvel Tom starred in various costumed projects. The most significant of them: "Henry V", "Midnight in Paris", "Crimson Peak" and others.
In 2016, Hiddleston began acting in the television series Night Administrator. In this project, he plays an unusual role for himself as a special agent undercover, trying to bring an arms dealer to the clear.
In recent years, the actor has won the Teen Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards, and Empire for the role of Loki.
Marvel Comics (photo of the actor is presented in the article) actively uses the image created by Tom. So, after the release of “Thor”, the appearance of the god of deceit in comics, as well as video games, becomes more like an actor.
In addition, Loki figures and dolls are produced, like two drops of water similar to Hiddleston.
Fan art for your favorite hero
Despite the fact that the younger brother of Thor is a negative character, thanks to the masterful play of Tom Hiddleston, it is Loki (Marvel Comics) who is gaining more and more popularity. Fan fiction from fans of this hero has recently become a frequent occurrence not only in the United States, but also in the CIS. The most famous of them are: The Non-Childish Game (dedicated to the relationship between Loki and the Black Widow), The Sides of the Medal, The Quarter Hours After Midnight, The Valkyrie, The Deal of the Gods, etc.
In addition to writing various stories about the likely fate of the god of treachery, fans paint his portraits or comics. Thus, despite the image of a scoundrel, it gradually turns into a national favorite of Loki (Marvel Comics). Art dedicated to him, quite possibly, will affect the fate of the character in the future, and this hero will finally be singled out for his own love story.
Over 60 years ago, the ancient Scandinavian god of deceit was turned by Marvel Comics into a hero of graphic novels. Today, Loki from a negative character is gradually becoming a favorite of readers, and thanks to actor Tom Hiddleston - and the audience. In 2017, the third film about the adventures of the thunder god “Thor: Ragnarok” will be released, in which fans will see a new meeting with the charming bastard Loki.