Ulik | |
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Thor battles Ulik on the cover of Thor #252 (Oct. 1976). |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Thor #137 (Feb. 1967) |
Created by | Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist) |
In-story information | |
Team affiliations | Rock Trolls of Asgardian dimension; Loki; Wrecking Crew |
Abilities | Superhuman strength, stamina and durability Superior fighting skills |
Ulik is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Ulik was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appears in Thor #137 (Feb. 1967).
Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, Ulik has appeared in over four decades of Marvel continuity, principally as a member of the character Thor's Rogues' Gallery. The character has also appeared in other Marvel-related products including animated television series; toys and trading cards.
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Publication history
Debuting in Thor #137 (Feb. 1967), writer Mike Conroy noted "In a strip as steeped in Norse mythology as Marvel's Thor, it was no surprise to come across a troll as big and mean as Ulik."[1] Created as a physical equal for the Thunder God, the Asgardian troll Ulik guest starred in an initial trilogy in Thor #137 - 139 (Feb. - Apr. 1967).
Ulik became a perennial villain in the title, and notable appearances included Thor #151 - 154 (April - July 1968); #210 - 211 (April - May 1973); #237 - 239 (July - Sep. 1975); #252 (Oct. 1976); #413 - 414 (Jan. - Feb. 1990) and #430 - 431 (March - April 1991).
Biography
Ulik belongs to a race of Rock Trolls who live in the dimension of Asgard in the "Domain of Trolls" in Nornheim. Like all trolls, Ulik has an innate hatred of the Asgardians as they were driven underground by the King of the Norse gods, Odin, and forbidden to live on the surface. Ulik is commanded by the Rock Troll King, Geirrodur, to steal Thor's enchanted hammer, Mjolnir, before an attempt to invade Asgard, leading to an extended series of battles with the Thunder God. Ulik proves to be a match for Thor, as the character possessing increasing strength and is equipped with knuckle dusters made of the metal uru (the same metal Mjolnir is composed of).[2]
Ulik returns on a regular basis: battling Thor and being thrown down a deep hole before accidentally waking Odin's former foe Mangog hoping he can be used as an ally against Asgard after reading an inscription on the prison door by Odin;[3] aiding Geirrodur once again ;[4] kidnapping Thor's mortal love Jane Foster;[5] and battling Thor for possession of a mystic artifact called the Ruby Eye.[6] The character has also travelled to Earth and battled both Thor and Olympian ally Hercules.[7][8]
Ulik, maddened and feral, is given weapons made from the same forge which created Mjolnir. He becomes the lead in Loki's attack on Asgard; this snowballs into the true Ragnarok. Ulik perishes early on in the battles. A child's hammer, made of troll-hurting iron, is thrown into his mouth by Captain America. This results in an explosion that ends his life. [9]
However, like all of Asgard, Ulik is reformed on Earth. During the World War Hulks storyline, Ulik resurfaces and is shown to have gone on a multi-state drinking binge. He ends up destroying a train bridge with the disaster being averted by A-Bomb and Marlo Chandler. When Ulik starts choking Marlo, he is defeated by A-Bomb.[10]
Powers and abilities
Ulik possesses superhuman strength, stamina, and durability and has the ability to see into the infrared range of the spectrum, allowing complete night vision. In battle Ulik uses "pounders", metal bands forged from uru and worn over the hands like brass knuckles.
Other versions
In the MC2 imprint title A-Next, a futuristic alternate universe of Ulik aids the daughter of Loki (Sylene) into temporarily turning Earth into a new version of Asgard.[11]
In the Ultimate imprint, Thor talks of how Ulik forges weapons for his father.[12]
Other media
Video games
- Ulik appears in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. He and Kurse steal a chest containing Volla's ring and the heroes have to fight them to get it back.
- Ulik is scheduled to appear in Thor: God of Thunder based on the upcoming live-action film.[13]
Footnotes
- ^ Conroy, Mike. 500 Comicbook Villains, Collins & Brown, 2004.
- ^ Thor #137 - 139 (Feb. - April 1967)
- ^ Thor #151 - 154 (April - July 1968)
- ^ Thor #210 - 211 (April - May 1973)
- ^ Thor #237 - 239 (July - Sep. 1975)
- ^ Thor #252 (Oct. 1976)
- ^ Thor #413 - 414 (Jan. - Feb. 1990)
- ^ Thor #430 - 431 (March - April 1991)
- ^ Thor vol. 2 #82-83 (2004)
- ^ World War Hulks #1
- ^ A-Next #1 - 5 (Nov. 2006 - Jan. 2007)
- ^ The Ultimates Vol.3 #4 (2008)
- ^ "SEGA Inks Actors Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston to Star in the Video Game Thor: God of Thunder". Business Wire. 2010-12-02. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101202005510/en/SEGA-Inks-Actors-Chris-Hemsworth-Tom-Hiddleston. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
External links
- Ulik at the Marvel Universe wiki
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