Odin (Marvel Comics)

Based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology, Odin is the son of Bor (father, one of the first Asgardians) and Bestla (mother, a frost giantess). Bor and Bestla also have two other sons, Vili and Ve. With the aid of his brothers, a young Odin battles and defeats the fire demon Surtur. ¹ Many millennia later, Odin would reveal the origin of his powers and the eventual fate of his brothers. ² Odin becomes ruler of Asgard, and eventually falls in love with Gaea, in time becoming the father of the Thunder God Thor. Odin is also the adoptive father of Loki, a child of Giant blood whose father Laufey is killed by Odin in battle. ³ Despite Odin's best intentions, his sons become bitter enemies, with the feuding often requiring Odin's mediation.

Thor's preoccupation with Earth or Midgard is also a constant annoyance for Odin, who as punishment has disempowered his son on at least three occasions. Thor's acceptance of the sanctions along with his willingness to atone for his transgressions, not to mention his continued noble intentions and bravery, however, eventually convince the All-Father to relent and thereby restore Thor's original powers and identity. ⁴⁵⁶

As ruler and protector of the Asgardian people, Odin has been involved in a number of crises that have threatened Asgard and, on occasion, Earth. Notable examples included stopping Loki, the Storm Giant Skagg and Surtur (with the aid of Thor and Balder); ⁷ defeating the Absorbing Man after he absorbs almost all of Asgard; ⁸ banishing the monster Mangog; ⁹ sacrificing his right eye to Mimir for the wisdom to stop Ragnarok (Twilight of the Gods); ¹⁰ attempting to stop the Celestials in the armor of the Destroyer; ¹¹ engaging inter-dimensional tyrant Dormammu in a chess match as champions of Master Order and Lord Chaos respectively ¹² and preventing Surtur from lighting the Sword of Doom. ¹³

Odin has also died three times in defense of Asgard. On the first occasion, Odin is killed by Mangog, although is later revived by the goddess of Death Hela. ¹⁴ On the second occasion, the Celestials shred the Destroyer, which at the time holds the life force of Odin and all Asgardians with the exception of Thor. Thor, however, collects a portion of godly energy from each pantheon and uses it to revive Odin, who in turn resurrects the Asgardians. ¹⁵

The final occasion involves a massive battle against arch-foe Surtur on Earth, with Odin apparently dying once and for all as the Odin Force - the source of Odin's power - migrates to his son, Thor. ¹⁶ As Thor eventually destroys the Loom of Fates and stops Asgard from perpetuating Ragnarok - which ends the entire Norse pantheon and Asgard itself - Thor believes Odin may be dead permanently. ¹⁷

Years later, when Thor returns from hibernation in space, ¹⁸ he begins to find the lost Asgardians, ¹⁹ and although successfully restoring them all, does not attempt to find his father. During the Odinsleep, Thor has a vision in which he discovers that on a subconscious level he did not do so as he wished to be free of his father. Also during his Odinsleep, Thor does finds Odin in a limbo between life and death, where every day he does battle with Surtur to prevent the demon from re-entering the world. Odin declines Thor's offer of taking his place, and states that Thor must continue to lead the Asgardians, while Odin continues to exist in a state he describes as approximating the Asgardian equivalent of heaven in order to prevent Surtur from re-entering the world. ²⁰

Powers and abilities

Odin possesses all the conventional attributes of an Asgardian god; such as superhuman strength, stamina, durability, longevity, and immunity to all known diseases.

Odin is capable of manipulating vast amounts of magical energy - referred to as the Odin Power - for a number of purposes, such as transporting the entire human race to an alternate dimension; ²¹ compressing the population of an entire planet into a single being, the Mangog ²² summarily defeating Drax the Destroyer, the Silver Surfer, and Thanos in rapid succession,²³ or taking a soul away from the arch-demon Mephisto,²⁴ and is capable of destroying entire galaxies. ²⁵

In battle Odin often carries the magical spear Gungnir ("The Spear of Heaven"), an artifact made of the metal uru, that he uses to channel his personal energies. He can manipulate energy for various effects, including projection of concussive force, creation of force shields, levitation, molecular manipulation of matter, matter-energy conversion, illusion-casting, and inter-dimensional teleportation. Odin, however, is not totally self-sufficient. While possessing power that is inherent opposed to the need for outward sustenance Odin must once a year undertake the Sleep of Life, also known as the Odinsleep - a state of deep sleep lasting for one 24-hour day to keep his powers from waning. During this time Odin is guarded closely as he is vulnerable. ²⁶

Odin is also a master tactician and schemer. In addition to feats such as preventing Ragnarok, ²⁷ it has been revealed that Odin was planning for the arrival of the Celestial Fourth Host for centuries. ²⁸

In other media

Television

Film

Video games

References

^ Journey Into Mystery #99 (Dec. 1963)
^ Thor #349 (Nov. 1984)
^ Journey into Mystery #112 (Jan. 1965)
^ Journey Into Mystery #101 - 102 (Feb. - Mar. 1964)
^ Thor #126 - 127 (Mar. - Apr. 1966)
^ Thor #145 - 151 (Oct. 1967 - Apr. 1968)
^ Journey Into Mystery #104 (May 1964)
^ Journey Into Mystery #122 - 123 (Nov. 1964 - Jan. 1965)
^ Thor #157 (Oct. 1968)
^ Thor #274 (Aug. 1978), although Odin would later regain his eye in Thor #400 (Feb. 1989)
^ Thor #300 (Oct. 1980)
^ Thor Annual #9 (1981)
^ Thor #353 (Mar. 1985)
^ Thor #198 - 201 (Apr. - Jul. 1972)
^ Thor #300 - 301 (Oct. - Nov. 1980)
^ Thor #40 Vol. 2, (Oct. 2001)
^ Thor #85 (Dec. 2004)
^ Thor #1 (Sep. 2007)
^ Thor #3 - 5 (Nov. 2007 - Jan. 2008)
^ Thor #7-8 (March-April 2008)
^ Journey Into Mystery #104 (May. 1964)
^ In flashback in Thor #154 - 157 (Jul. - Oct. 1968)
^ Thor #470 - 471 (Jan. - Feb 1994)
^ Thunderstrike #15 (Dec. 1994)
^ Journey Into Mystery #513 (vol. 2, Oct. 1997)
^ First seen in Journey Into Mystery #118 (Jul. 1965)
^ Thor #273 - 278 (Jul. - Dec. 1978)
^ Thor Annual #7 (1978) + Thor #283 - 301 (May 1979 - Nov. 1980)

Contents

Fictional character biography