Balder the Brave | |
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Balder. Art by Olivier Coipel. |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Journey into Mystery #104 (May 1964) |
Created by | Stan Lee & Jack Kirby |
In-story information | |
Place of origin | Asgard |
Team affiliations | Asgardian pantheon |
Abilities | Superhuman strength, stamina, durability and longevity Light projection |
Balder the Brave is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by editor-plotter Stan Lee and penciller Jack Kirby, the character first appears in Journey into Mystery #104 (May 1964) and is based on the deity Baldr from Norse mythology.
Contents |
Fictional character biography
One of the Norse Gods of Asgard, Balder is a close friend of the Thunder God Thor, the Warriors Three and a loyal follower of Odin, ruler of the gods.
Balder has aided Thor against many of his foes, such as Skagg the Storm Giant and the fire demon Surtur[1], Thor's adopted brother Loki[2], the Executioner and Enchantress[3], the Enchanters Three[4], the Wrecker[5], and Mangog.[6] Balder is also briefly named ruler of Asgard during Thor's quest to find a then missing Odin.[7]
Like the mythological version, the Marvel version of Balder is the catalyst that will trigger Ragnarök and end Asgard. This almost happens when Loki had the blind god Hoder accidentally kill Balder, but is averted by the planning of Odin, who later restores Balder to life.[8] On the second occasion, however, Balder is traumatized by the experience as he saw the souls of all those he had slain in battle and renounces killing.[9] Balder also has a love-hate relationship with Karnilla, the Queen of the Norns, who has aided both Loki and Asgard at times; on one occasion Karnilla forces Balder to renounce Odin and serve her[10], whilst on another she joins forces with Asgard against Surtur at Balder's request.[11]) Karnilla's lust for Balder inadvertently causes the death of Balder's love, Nanna - an act that Balder has never forgotten.[12]
Balder later accepts the warrior part of himself and goes on to save Karnilla's people from a rogue giant's spell.[13] Balder and all other Asgardians (with the exception of Thor) eventually perish during the final Ragnarok[14], although he is later found inhabiting the armor of the Destroyer.[15]
Loki reveals Balder is the son of Odin and Frigga, and the half-brother of Thor.[16] When Thor is forced to kill his reborn grandfather Bor, Loki coerces Balder - now a royal prince - into exiling the Thunder God. Balder then assumes the throne of Asgard.[17] When Loki has the Asgardians moved to Latveria, he is shown at a banquet held by Doctor Doom. Balder even asked that since the Asgardians are now in Latveria, why couldn't they invite Thor as well. Loki calmed Balder down to prevent Doctor Doom from reacting to the comment.[18] Balder meets a diner owner named Bill (who fell in love with Kelda and followed her to Latveria) and gives him a cloak to keep warm.[19] Balder later witnesses Bill's assault by Loki's henchmen, upon Bill having discovered the evil nature of Loki's scheme with Doctor Doom.[20] After fending them off, Bill dies in Balder's arms having Balder tell Kelda that he loves her and telling Balder about Loki's plot.[21] Balder and the other Asgardians retaliate even after Doctor Doom kills Kelda. Balder and the other Asgardians are forced to fight Endrik (who has been modified with technological implants) and many other mutilated Asgardians.[22] Balder and the other Asgardians continued their fight with the mutilated Asgardians while Thor battled Doctor Doom.[23] Balder kills the mutilated Asgardians in order to get to Kelda's heart. After Loki restores Kelda to life and Thor defeats Doctor Doom's Destroyer armor, Balder leads the Asgardians back to Broxton, Oklahoma. Back in Asgard, Balder is concerned over his foolishness over allowing what transpired in Latveria to happen. Loki assures him he is a fine king.[24]
During the Siege storyline, Loki warns Balder that Norman Osborn is rallying up an army to invade Asgard following the incident with Volstagg and the U-Foes at Soldier Field.[25] Balder is later informed about the situation with Volstagg by Hogun and Fandral.[26] When Captain America arrives with the New Avengers and the Secret Warriors, Balder is pleased at the fact that Thor's allies have joined the battle.[27]
Powers and abilities
Like all Asgardians, Balder possesses superhuman strength significantly superior to the average Asgardian male, superhuman endurance and longevity (via the Golden Apples of Idunn). Courtesy of a spell cast by his mother and Asgardian goddess Frigga to try to avert Rangnarök, Balder is almost totally invulnerable while within the Asgardian dimension[28] and is only susceptible to mistletoe.[29] Being the Asgardian god of light, Balder can also generate intense light and heat,[30] and has also demonstrated minor magical talents on rare occasions, such as shielding both himself and Odin's flying steed from mortal eyesight while on Earth in one instance.[31] He is also a highly skilled weapons master (wielding the enchanted sword of Frey) with millennia of extensive experience and training, and is a proficient tactician, having been entrusted with several special missions by Odin.[32]
Other versions
MC2
An older version of Balder existed in the MC2 universe and gave his life to protect Thor in his battle against Galactus.[33]
In other media
Television
- Balder made a cameo appearance on the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "The Vengeance of Loki!".
- Balder will appear in Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, voiced by Nolan North.[34]
Film
- Balder makes an appearance in the animated direct-to-video film Hulk vs. Thor voiced by Michael Adamthwaite.
Video games
- Balder appears in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Dave Wittenberg.
Bibliography
- Avengers Vol. 3 #63
- Balder The Brave #1-4
- Breaking Into Comics the Marvel Way! #2
- Captain Marvel Vol. 5 #7-8
- Dark Wolverine #82
- Fantastic Four #537
- Iron Man Vol. 3 #64
- Journey Into Mystery 85, 88, 102, 104, 106-107, 11, 113-114, 116-117, 119, 121-123, 125, 503-513 Annual #1
- Marvel Comics Presents Vol. 1 #66
- Marvel Graphic Novel #15
- Marvel Saga #4-5
- Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 2 #9
- New Avengers Vol. 1 #63
- New Mutants Vol. 1 #84-87
- Secret Invasion: Thor #1-3
- Secret Warriors #10
- Siege #1-4
- Siege: Storming Asgard - Heroes & Villains #1
- Silver Surfer Vol. 1 #4
- Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica #1
- Thor #126-129, 135, 142-159, 162, 164, 165-170, 172, 175-184, 186-194, 199-206, 212, 216-221, 244, 246-267, 273-278, 283, 288-289, 293-294, 301-302, 305-306, 311, 313, 322, 326-328, 337-354, 360-379, 381-382, 386-387, 389-402, 404-405, 423-426, 434-435, 437-442, 447-460, 466, 468, 472-474, 477-478, 480, 482, 487-490, 600-present King-Size Special #2Annual #5, 7, 9-10
- Thor Blood Oath #1
- Thor Giant-Size Finale #1
- Thor Son of Asgard #1-2, 7, 10
- Thor Vol. 2 #8, 10-12, 14, 16, 20, 22-26, 28-36, 39-44, 46-48, 50-56, 61-62, 66-67, 79-85, Annual '00
- Thor Vol. 3 #5, 7, 9-12, God-Size Special #1
- Thor: Man of War #1
- Thor: The Truth of History #1
- Thor: Trial of Thor #1
- Thunderstrike #17-18
- Warlock Chronicles #7
- Warlock and the Infinity Watch #25
- What If? Vol. 4 #5
References
- ^ Journey Into Mystery #104 (May 1964)
- ^ Journey Into Mystery #111 (Dec. 1964)
- ^ Journey Into Mystery #116 (May 1964)
- ^ Thor #143 - 145 (Aug. - Oct. 1967)
- ^ Thor #148 -150 (Jan. - Mar. 1968)
- ^ Thor #154 - 157 (July - Oct. 1968)
- ^ Thor #255 (Jan. 1977)
- ^ Thor #274 - 275 (Aug. - Sep 1978); 301 - 302 (Nov. - Dec. 1980)
- ^ Thor #301 - 302 (Nov. - Dec. 1980)
- ^ Thor #189 - 201 (June 1971 - July 1972)
- ^ Thor #350-351 (Dec. 1984 - Jan. 1985)
- ^ Thor #305 - 306 (March - Apr. 1981)
- ^ Balder the Brave #1 - 4 (Nov. 1985 - May 1986 (bi-monthly))
- ^ Thor vol. 2, #85 (Dec. 2004)
- ^ Thor vol. 3, #5 (Jan. 2008)
- ^ Thor vol. 3, (Sep. 2008)
- ^ Thor #600 (Feb. 2009)
- ^ Thor #601
- ^ Thor #602
- ^ Thor #603
- ^ Thor Giant-Size Finale
- ^ Thor #604
- ^ Thor #605
- ^ Thor #606
- ^ Siege #1
- ^ Thor #607
- ^ Siege #3
- ^ Journey into Mystery #106 - 107 (July - Aug. 1964)
- ^ As seen in Thor #305 (Mar. 1981)
- ^ Balder the Brave #4 (May 1986)
- ^ Journey into Mystery #104
- ^ Thor Annual #1 (1966)
- ^ Last Planet Standing #1 - 5 (2006)
- ^ Jenna Busch (2010-02-08). "AVENGERS Animated Assembling w/ Phil Lamarr". Newsarama. http://www.newsarama.com/tv/Lamarr-Avengers-Animated-100208.html. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
External links
- Balder at Marvel.com
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