Balder (Marvel Comics)

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Balder the Brave
Baldermu.jpg
Balder.
Art by Olivier Coipel.
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

[edit] 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]

[edit] Powers and abilities

Like all Asgardians, Balder possesses' superhuman strength, 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 realm of Asgard[21] and is only susceptible to mistletoe.[22] Being the Asgardian god of light, Balder can also generate intense light and heat.[23] He is also a highly skilled weapons master (wielding the enchanted sword of Frey) and tactician, and has been entrusted with several special missions by Odin.[24]

[edit] Other versions

[edit] MC2

An older version of Balder existed in the MC2 universe and gave his life to protect Thor in his battle against Galactus.[25]

[edit] Other media

[edit] Film

[edit] Video games

[edit] References

  1. ^ Journey Into Mystery #104 (May 1964)
  2. ^ Journey Into Mystery #111 (Dec. 1964)
  3. ^ Journey Into Mystery #116 (May 1964)
  4. ^ Thor #143 - 145 (Aug. - Oct. 1967)
  5. ^ Thor #148 -150 (Jan. - Mar. 1968)
  6. ^ Thor #154 - 157 (July - Oct. 1968)
  7. ^ Thor #255 (Jan. 1977)
  8. ^ Thor #274 - 275 (Aug. - Sep 1978); 301 - 302 (Nov. - Dec. 1980)
  9. ^ Thor #301 - 302 (Nov. - Dec. 1980)
  10. ^ Thor #189 - 201 (June 1971 - July 1972)
  11. ^ Thor #350-351 (Dec. 1984 - Jan. 1985)
  12. ^ Thor #305 - 306 (March - Apr. 1981)
  13. ^ Balder the Brave #1 - 4 (Nov. 1985 - May 1986 (bi-monthly))
  14. ^ Thor vol. 2, #85 (Dec. 2004)
  15. ^ Thor vol. 3, #5 (Jan. 2008)
  16. ^ Thor vol. 3, (Sep. 2008)
  17. ^ Thor #600 (Feb. 2009)
  18. ^ Thor #601
  19. ^ Thor #602
  20. ^ Thor #603
  21. ^ Journey into Mystery #106 - 107 (July - Aug. 1964)
  22. ^ As seen in Thor #305 (Mar. 1981)
  23. ^ Balder the Brave #4 (May 1986)
  24. ^ Thor Annual #1 (1966)
  25. ^ Last Planet Standing #1 - 5 (2006)

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Thor
Creators
Allies
Balder • Beta Ray Bill • Frey • Frigga • Hercules • Jane Foster • Heimdall • Hermod • Hoder • Idunn • Kelda • Odin • Sif • Thor Girl • Thunderstrike • Tyr • Valkyrie • Vidar • Volla • Warriors Three (Fandral • Hogun • Volstagg) • Zeus • Olympians 
Enemies
In other media
The Marvel Super Heroes (television, 1966) • Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends (television, 1981) • The Incredible Hulk Returns (live-action film, 1988) • Fantastic Four (television, 1994) • The Incredible Hulk (television, 1996) • Ultimate Avengers (animated film, 2006) • Ultimate Avengers 2 (animated film, 2006) • Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (animated film, 2008) • Hulk Vs (animated film, 2009) • Super Hero Squad Show (television, 2009)
Related articles
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