Jump to content

Volstagg

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Rtkat3 (talk | contribs) at 17:35, 2 September 2011. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Volstagg
Volstagg (center) of the Warriors Three.
Art by Oliver Coipel.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceJourney into Mystery #119 (August, 1965)
Created byStan Lee and Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter egoVolstagg
Team affiliationsWarriors Three
Asgard
Thor Corps
Notable aliasesVolstagg the Valiant, Volstagg the Voluminous, Volstagg the Enormous, Lion of Asgard
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength and durability
  • Extremely long life-span due to Asgardian physiology

Volstagg is a fictional character, a charter member of the Warriors Three, a trio of Asgardian adventurers and supporting cast of Thor in the

. He is not taken from mythology but an original creation, modeled on Shakespeare's Falstaff in character and name.[1]

Fictional character biography

Early appearances

Volstagg's origin beyond being a member of the Asgardian race, a warrior and adventurer, and a friend of Thor has not been revealed. Volstagg is fairly advanced in age for an Asgardian, and it has been suggested that he was a highly respected and feared warrior in his prime.

In a sense, Volstagg's entire career has been one long origin story. The character was first introduced in a "Tales of Asgard" filler in Journey Into Mystery #119 (August 1965), the magazine carrying Thor's Asgardian adventures.[2] As originally envisioned by Jack Kirby, Volstagg was a huge, bumbling oaf much given to boasting and bragging: the last into battle and the first to claim victory (usually undeserved). Referring to himself as "The Lion of Asgard," he usually caused more problems than he solved and seemed totally unaware of the chaos that almost always followed in his wake. A flashback revealed in Captain Marvel #42 tells how a drunken Volstagg incurred the wrath of Odin by spilling the secrets of the first Frost Giants to a younger Thor. Strangely enough, he was considered a trusted and worthy comrade by his closest friends and allies, Fandral the Dashing, Hogun the Grim, and Thor.

In his first appearance, Volstagg joined with the Warriors Three in Thor's quest for the power that had cracked the Odinsword of Asgard.[3] Volstagg then helped repel the attack of the Flying Trolls of Thryheim, although he cowered for a lot of the fight,[4] helped defeat the forces of Harokin,[5] was lured into a trap by the dragon Fafnir who used an illusion, and defeated Mogul of the Mystic Mountain.[6]

As regular cast member

As the Warriors Three made increasingly frequent appearances in The Mighty Thor and other Marvel titles, a slightly more heroic side to his personality began to emerge. In Tales To Astonish #101, Volstagg squared-off with The Incredible Hulk for two panels (before being dumped contemptuously in a roadside ditch by the green-skinned behemoth);[7] Volstagg helped defend Asgard against the demonic Mangog (a creature possessed of the power of a "billion billion" beings)[8] and in Thor #164, the Lion of Asgard rushed through a tunnel to battle Mangog but was prevented when the passage proved too narrow to accommodate his considerable girth.[9] Volstagg battled the Thermal Man,[10] was among the forces of Asgard defeated by Loki,[11] and helped defend Asgard against Surtur.[12] Even more spectacular examples of his peerless bravery ensued: during a trip to Hades to rescue his comrade-in-arms Thor, Volstagg offered to battle the Arch-Fiend Mephisto in return for his friend's noble soul (despite being aware that the God of Thunder had already bested the Lord of Hell in fair combat some time previously). Ultimately, he helped Thor escape Mephisto.[13] Entranced by Infinity, Volstagg was forced to battle Thor, and battled Balder, Sif, and the other Asgardians. He was freed from his trance by Loki and Karnilla, and joined his life force to awaken Odin in time to defeat Infinity.[14] Volstagg was sent on a quest by Odin, and returned to help defend Asgard against Mangog again.[15]

A real change to Volstagg's character came in the early seventies, when Thor and the Warriors Three were battling the interstellar parasite Ego-Prime in the streets of New York City: hiding behind a festering heap of garbage, Volstagg saw a group of extraterrestrial monstrosities preparing to devour a little girl, a sight which drove him to a remarkable (for him) display of courage and resolution. Despite his obvious terror, the Volumous One struck the creatures down with his bare hands and carried the child to safety (it would be revealed much later that Volstagg was himself a family man and would never stand to see an innocent child harmed in any way). However, Volstagg and the other Asgardians battling Ego-Prime were exiled to Earth; Volstagg was abducted by Mephisto, but freed by Thor.[16] He helped Thor battle Mercurio.[17] With Thor and company, Volstagg set out on a quest to find the missing Odin. He battled Sssthgar's slavers, Mercurio, and Xorr, and defeated the doppelgangers created by the wizard Igron.[18]

Volstagg later battled Zarrko the Tomorrow Man.[19] He defeated diamond exchange robbers in New York.[20] Volstagg helped depose the usurpers Mangog and Igron.[21] He set out again on a quest to find the missing Odin, and battled Spoor, Grey Gargoyle, and the Soul-Survivors.[22] Volstagg defeated the Executioner and the Enchantress, and battled the Destroyer and Loki.[23] Volstagg then helped defend Asgard against Ragnarok,[24] and later battled Fafnir again.[25]

Under Walt Simonson

Following a brief hiatus towards the end of the seventies, Volstagg underwent a renaissance of sorts when Walt Simonson took over The Mighty Thor in 1982. Reaching back to Kirby's initial concept, Simonson redefined Volstagg as a big, likeable bear of a man, a friend to all with a song in their heart (and a glass in their hand). A good-natured old warrior somewhat past his prime, Volstagg is still held in high regard by his comrades, if only for his amusing company and unparalleled drinking ability. Simonson also added another dimension previously unseen in his earlier incarnations — a household full of plump, pampered children he never failed to indulge at every turn. His children included sons Alaric and Rolfe, and daughters Flosi, Gudrun, and Gunnhild ("Hildy").

This updated persona became a crucial plot device in several of Simonson's classic story arcs: when Balder the Brave returns broken and hopeless from the land of the dead, it is the kind-hearted Volstagg who takes the fallen warrior under his wing (introducing him to the twin joys of gluttony and drunkenness). As he tells his despairing companion, "Many there are who assume that I eat only to escape a nagging shrew of a wife. Nonsense! I eat only because I enjoy it!"[volume & issue needed]

Volstagg rescued Mord.[26] He then battled the forces of Surtur on Earth along with an Asgardian army.[27][28] The temptations of Earth does compel him to stay behind but Hogun stops this; he shoots Volstagg in the backside with approximately a dozen Migdardian tranquilizer darts. This is enough to stun and confuse the warrior.[29] In a later plotline, when Thor's actions indirectly deprive two mortal lads (Kevin and Mick) of their parents, he takes them to Asgard — and to the Hall of Volstagg — where he knows they will be loved and protected by the largest and kindest of all Odin's warriors. When the boys first mistake Volstagg for Santa Claus, he assures them that while he was not that particular time-honored saint, he is "yet a friend to children everywhere" [30] — as indeed he turned out to be, towards the end of Simonson's run on the title.

Simonson elevates Volstagg to the position of reluctant hero once more. When the Frost Giants descend upon a plague-ridden Asgard, Volstagg is the only warrior left to defend the ramparts — a role he fulfills admirably, once he realizes he has discovered an enemy even more stupid and cowardly than himself. Saving the day by default as always — although aided by the reformed villain Kurse - the Lion of Asgard accepts the praise and gratitude of his companions with his usual humility — musing on how the poets of later ages will depict his glorious exploits for all time.[31]

New Mutants

Volstagg and his family have also encountered the New Mutants. During the group's first trip to Asgard, Volstagg makes friends with Roberto DaCosta, aka Sunspot, challenging him to feats of strength, including arm-wrestling and the lifting of Volstagg himself.[32]

In the group's second visit, Volstagg's children encounter Boom Boom, Hrimhari and Warlock, who were on the run from Hela's forces. Hela herself is currently following through with a plan to kill Odin and conquer Asgard. The children switch places with the group so as to emphasize to their elders, when they return, of the seriousness of the situation. They tell the heroes of Tiwaz, a powerful sorcerer who might help them in the fight. Hrimhari, wolf-prince of a far-away tribe of wolf-people, tells the children that tales of Volstagg's children were told to his people and it was an honor to be in their debt. Volstagg, the other Warriors and various Asgardians join with the New Mutants; their efforts stop Hela from killing Odin.[33]

Volstagg is later overcome by a mystery plague.[34] He then helped defend Asgard against the forces of Seth.[35] He went alone on a quest to rescue Mord.[36] He went on a quest with Thor to seek Ulagg.[37] He helped the Avengers battle Blastaar.[38] Volsagg then battled Ymir and Surtur.[39] He also attempted to prevent the second Thor (Eric Masterson) from entering Asgard.[40]

Volstagg would later personally participate in the battle against Hela's forces, working with his Warrior's Three comrades and other Asgardian forces; in the end Odin is saved.[volume & issue needed]

Soon after this point, when Odin is awake and aware, his mind becomes overtaken by the influence of Loki. Persecuted, the Warriors Three are forced to go on the run, gaining a new ally in the form of a young palace guardsman.[volume & issue needed]

Volstagg's role

Volstagg was used primarily as comedy relief in the same way Falstaff, who Volstagg was modeled on, was comedy relief in Shakespeare's Henry IV. Stan Lee admitted his comics were inspired by Shakespeare, his Asgardians speaking in an English halfway between Shakespeare and the King James Bible. Volstagg's name is derived from Falstaff and the Volsunga Saga of Norse mythology.

Volstagg, like Falstaff, is fat, vain, boastful, and cowardly, but also boon companion to the prince (Hal or Thor). He seems to know more about raising a mug (his favorite weapon, evidently) than raising a sword (of which he actually knew very little). Ironically, whenever his courage fails (at the slightest sign of danger), Volstagg's innate clumsiness would somehow seize victory from the jaws of defeat. In a typically Kirbyesque touch, Volstagg inadvertently saves his companions' lives on at least two occasions by stumbling onto the one weapon capable of saving the day (and later claiming that his initial cowardly retreat was all part of a vast master plan).

It should be noted that there have been at least two sub stories about Volstagg's past that presented him as exceptionally well built and a capable warrior. On the other hand, in the Thor: Son of Asgard series (confirmed to be canonical from Official Handbook files of Asgardians[volume & issue needed]), Volstagg is depicted as obese and cowardly even as a young man.[41] Oddly enough, while apparently somewhat older than Thor, he does not seem to be considerably older.

It has also been hinted at on numerous occasions that he ceased his full time warrior's life to be a husband and father.

Ragnarok and re-birth

Eventually, Loki brings about Ragnarok. The initial attack destroys the realm of the dwarves. The Warriors Three escape to Alfheim, home of the light elves. They bring Sif, who had lost an arm. Naglfar, a flying ship made from the fingernails of the dead, follows and rains arrows. Fandral and Hogun are lost. Sif, confused and disoriented, escapes. Volstagg makes a home in a statue of Frigg. He buries all he can and burns the bodies of the rest. His trials make him lose considerable weight.

He re-unites with Thor, who talks him out of his despair and gives him the uru-spawned hammer of Geirrodur, king of the trolls. Thor had met the troll in battle and slain him, taking his weapon. Loki had, weeks ago, used the mold that made Thor's hammer and created many more similar weapons. Volstagg later is granted a second of these weapons, one used by Ulik, another vanquished enemy.

The final battle of Ragnarok takes place in Vanaheim. There, Volstagg fights with the last of the Asgardian defenders. Surtur, freed by Thor to grant his people a meaningful final death, leads the charge. A soldier of Surtur spears Volstagg from behind while feet away, Sif is pierced by arrows and dies as well.[42]

As with all Asgardians, he has returned, this time to Midgard, where a new version of Asgard has arisen in Oklahoma. All the Warriors Three were in the forms of three soldiers in Africa, and are the second group to be reborn.[43] During the 'Secret Invasion' crossover, Asgard is threatened by various powered Skrulls. Volstagg is essential in distracting the Super-Skrull sent to destroy Asgard; the aliens are defeated.[44]

Siege

Volstagg is later responsible for setting events in motion that would allow the Siege of Asgard to occur, after he heads to Chicago seeking to have adventures like those of Thor. He stops a robbery but causes a lot of damage. He is attacked by the U-Foes (who were operating under orders of Norman Osborn and Loki). The incident destroys Soldier Field in Chicago, killing many, due to Volstagg deflecting the energy blasts using his sword.[45][46]

Ben Urich and Will Stern later encounter Volstagg who is returning to Asgard to turn himself in after what happened at Soldier Field. Ben Urich and Will Stern realize that Norman Osborn is attempting to shift public opinion by stacking the media in his favor. They then convince Volstagg to allow them to accompany him on his way back to Asgard to get his interview and to cover the invasion from another perspective.[47]

Ben Urich, Will Stern and Volstagg reach a roadblock as they approach Broxton, Oklahoma and are spotted in their news van by H.A.M.M.E.R. agents. Volstagg exits the van and enganges the agents directly while Ben and Will speed off but are caught only moments later.[48]

In the Broxton jail, Volstagg is speaking to the sheriff and his deputy as the news reports on the attack on Asgard, showing footage of Thor being beaten down. Realizing that what's going on is wrong, the sheriff releases Volstagg so that he can go help defend his home. Volstagg stops though, when he realizes all the lies that are being spread about him and the other Asgardians. The sheriff sets him up in front of a webcam, and Volstagg sends out a video to the world about what really happened in Chicago. Word quickly spreads, and people everywhere are beginning to question Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R.'s attack on Asgard. As Volstagg is leaving the police station, Thor lands in front of him and smacks him to the ground. Volstagg realizes that this is not the true Thor; this is the clone, Ragnarok.[49] He battles the clone in a deserted field to avoid more damage but is beaten.[50] Ben and Will meet up with Volstagg again, and all three assist injured Asgardians after the city has fallen. Finally when Osborn tries to escape after the events, Volstagg stops him with a knockout blow. Volstagg later spends time assisting in rebuilding Soldier Field.[51][52]

Powers and abilities

Volstagg possesses a number of superhuman attributes conventionally possessed by all Asgardians.

Volstagg possesses superhuman strength. While he is still stronger than most Asgardian males, he is no longer in his physical prime. Aside from his strength, some of Volstagg's other physical capabilities have decreased, mostly due to his obesity. Volstagg's speed, stamina, and agility are now inferior to that of the majority of his race.

Volstagg is extremely long lived, although not truly immortal, and ages much slower than a human being. The tissues of his body are also superhumanly resistant to physical injury. However, it is possible to injure him but his life-force enables him to recover with superhuman speed and efficiency.

In a number of stories, Volstagg is represented as an excellent overall battlefield warrior and is highly proficient in all Asgardian weapons; an excellent hand-to-hand combatant, swordsman, horseman, and archer, a superb pugilist and a master of the quarterstaff. Volstagg's battle prowess is somewhat limited by his advanced age and tremendous girth. However, Volstagg is still capable of using his sheer bulk to his advantage in combat situations. He can consume vast quantities of food and drink.

Other versions

Earth X

In the alternate Earth X reality, the Asgardians were actually aliens that were manipulated by the Celestials into believing they were the Gods of Norse myth. When the lie was revealed, "Volstagg" and the other Asgardians briefly resumed their alien form, but later returned to their Asgardian forms.[53]

Marvel Adventures

The Warriors Three appear briefly in the Marvel Adventures universe in a supporting capacity.[54]

Marvel Zombies

In the Marvel Zombies alternate universe, many heroes attend Nick Fury's briefing on how to deal with the zombie plague, including Volstagg.[55]

MC2

An older version of Volstagg has appeared in the alternate future series called Last Planet Standing.

Mutant X

Volstagg was one of many who fought the Beyonder and died in the Mutant X universe.[56]

Thor: The Mighty Avenger

A young Thor meets the Warriors Three in Thor: The Mighty Avenger.[57]

Ultimate Marvel

Volstagg the Voluminous briefly appears in Ultimates 2 #1, meeting with Thor at the Terrace in the Sky restaurant in Morningside Heights. He is there to warn Thor of Loki's plot against him. None of the other patrons can see Volstagg, and it was unclear at the time whether this is due to Loki's interference or whether Volstagg is merely a delusion of Thor. During the discussion, Volstagg states that Loki is rewriting reality even as they speak; Loki then shows up in one panel as one of the restaurant patrons. At the end of Ultimates 2, Thor was proven to be a god and it is inferred that Loki was indeed interfering.

In other media

Television

Film

File:Asano-Dallas-Stevenson as Warriors Three.jpg
Ray Stevenson as Volstagg (right) in the Marvel Studios film, Thor.

Toys

  • A figure of Volstagg will be released in the Marvel Minimates line, in the first TRU wave based on the film Thor.
  • A figure of Volstagg will be released in Hasbro's 3.75" Thor: The Mighty Avenger movie tie-in line.

References

  1. ^ Cooke, Jon B. (Editor); Thomas, Roy (Interviewer). "Stan the Man & Roy the Boy: A Conversation Between Stan Lee and Roy Thomas ", TwoMorrows. reprinted from Comic Book Artist #2, accessed May 8, 2011.
  2. ^ Journey Into Mystery #119 (August 1965)
  3. ^ Journey Into Mystery #119 (Aug. 1965)
  4. ^ Journey Into Mystery #124-125 (Jan. - Feb. 1966)
  5. ^ Thor #129-131 (June - Aug. 1966)
  6. ^ Thor #137-145 (Feb. 1967 - Oct. 1967)
  7. ^ Tales to Astonish #101 (Mar. 1968)
  8. ^ Thor #155-157 (Aug. - Oct. 1968)
  9. ^ Thor #164 (May 1969)
  10. ^ Thor #169-170 (Oct. - Nov. 1969)
  11. ^ Thor #175-176 (Apr. - May 1970)
  12. ^ Thor #177 (June 1970)
  13. ^ Thor #180-181 (Sept. - Oct. 1970)
  14. ^ Thor #185-188 (Feb. - May 1971)
  15. ^ Thor #195-198 (Jan. - Apr. 1972)
  16. ^ Thor #202-205 (Aug. - Nov. 1972)
  17. ^ Thor #208 (Feb. 1973)
  18. ^ Thor #212-217 (June - Nov. 1973)
  19. ^ Thor #242-245 (Dec. 1975 - Mar. 1976)
  20. ^ Marvel Spotlight #30 (Oct. 1976)
  21. ^ Thor #248-250 (June - Aug. 1976)
  22. ^ Thor #255-263 (Jan. - Sept. 1977)
  23. ^ Thor #264-266 (Oct. - Dec. 1977)
  24. ^ Thor #274-278 (Aug. - Dec. 1978)
  25. ^ Thor #287-288 (Sept. - Oct. 1979)
  26. ^ Marvel Fanfare #13 (Mar. 1984)
  27. ^ Avengers #249 (Nov. 1984)
  28. ^ Thor #350-352 (Dec. 1984 - Feb. 1985)
  29. ^ "Power Pack" #15 (October 1985)
  30. ^ Thor #373-374 (Nov. - Dec. 1986)
  31. ^ Thor #382 (Aug. 1987)
  32. ^ New Mutants Special Edition #1 (Dec. 1985)
  33. ^ New Mutants #83-87 (Dec. 1989 - Mar. 1990)
  34. ^ Thor #377-378 (Mar. - Apr. 1987)
  35. ^ Thor #393 (July 1988)
  36. ^ Marvel Fanfare #36 (Jan. 1988)
  37. ^ Thor #404-406 (June - Aug. 1989)
  38. ^ Avengers #310 (Nov. 1989)
  39. ^ Thor #421-426 (Aug. - Nov. 1990)
  40. ^ Thor #434 (July 1991)
  41. ^ Thor: Son of Asgard #7 (Oct. 2004)
  42. ^ Thor vol. 2, #80-85 (Aug. - Dec. 2004)
  43. ^ Thor vol. 3, #4 (Dec. 2007)
  44. ^ Secret Invasion: Thor #1-3 (Oct. - Dec. 2008)
  45. ^ Siege #1 (Mar. 2010)
  46. ^ Richards, Dave (January 7, 2010). "STORMING HEAVEN: "Siege" #1". Comic Book Resources News. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  47. ^ Siege: Embedded #1 (Mar. 2010)
  48. ^ Siege: Embedded #2 (Apr. 2010)
  49. ^ Thor #607 (Apr. 2010)
  50. ^ Thor #608 (May 2010)
  51. ^ Siege #4 (June 2010)
  52. ^ Siege: Embedded #4 (July 2010)
  53. ^ Earth X #12 (Apr. 2000)
  54. ^ Marvel Adventures: Super Heroes vol. 2, #5 (Nov. 2010)
  55. ^ Marvel Zombies: Dead Days #1 (July 2007)
  56. ^ Mutant X Annual #2001 (May 2001)
  57. ^ Thor: The Mighty Avenger #4 (Nov. 2010)
  58. ^ Mel Valentin (January 28, 2009). "Movie Review — Hulk Vs". efilmcritic.com. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
  59. ^ "Thor Update: Warriors Three Cast". Marvel.com. 2009-11-16. Retrieved 2009-11-16. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  60. ^ "New Thor: Tales of Asgard Movie Clip". Marvel.com. 2011-04-08. Retrieved 2011-04-09.

Volstagg at Marvel.com


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Volstagg&oldid=448072544"