Laufey (comics)

Laufey
Laufey
Thor vol. 3, #12 (Jan. 2009)
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Journey into Mystery #112 (Jan. 1965)
Created by Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
In-story information
Species Frost Giants
Place of origin Jotunheim
Team affiliations Dark Council
Abilities Superhuman strength and resistance to injury
Cryokinesis
Resistance to Earthly diseases
Immunity to hypothermia and frostbite

Laufey is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is depicted usually as an enemy of the Asgardian king Odin, father of Thor. He is the King of the Frost Giants, the biological father of Thor's adopted brother and archenemy, Loki. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Journey into Mystery #112 (Jan. 1965), and was based on the frost giantess of the same name who in Norse mythology was actually the mother of Loki.

Laufey appears in the film Thor, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe played by Colm Feore.[1]

Publication history

Laufey was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Journey into Mystery #112 (Jan. 1965).

Fictional character biography

In the early days of the universe, Odin, the King of Asgard, marched his forces into Jotunheim to battle Laufey and the Frost Giants.[2] At the time, Odin was wielding the mystical hammer Mjolnir.[3] Odin faced down Laufey and destroyed his war club, prompting Laufey to brandish a sword. Laufey tried to use his knowledge of land, such as trying to stop Odin with a concealed fire pit. A sprawling battle between the two forces ensued.[2] The battle ended with Odin using Mjolnir to crush Laufey's skull.[3] Odin discovered a baby that was Laufey's son Loki amongst the wreckage of the castle and made the decision to raise him as his own. Laufey had kept Loki hidden as he was ashamed that Loki had been born a runt.[2]

It was later retconned that Loki had been a child, rather than a baby, when Laufey was killed. The day prior to the battle, Loki had attempted to inform him of an opportunity to stealthily kill Odin prior to the battle. Laufey struck Loki for calling him a coward.[4] The next day, after the fateful battle and Odin's claiming of Loki as a son, Laufey was left wounded, but alive. A version of Loki from the future, who had traveled back in time to alter events, proceeded to decapitate him, stating that Laufey would never strike him again. He also made Odin adopt him.[4]

The remains of Laufey, specifically his skull, play an important role in the first three issues of the renewed Thor series. Laufey's revitalized men attempt to reclaim his remains from a Roxxon facility owned by Minotaur.[5] Upon traveling to Jotunheim with Malekith the Accursed, Minotaur used the blood of the Light Elves that were killed as part of a spell to resurrect Laufey.[6]

As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel event, Laufey appears as a member of the Dark Council alongside Malekith the Accursed, Minotaur, Ulik, and some unnamed Fire Demons.[7]

Genealogy

Powers and abilities

Like all Frost Giants, Laufey is immortal and possesses superhuman strength and resistance to physical injury and Earthly illness, as well as a weakness to heat. As a Frost Giant, Laufey is unharmed by cold temperatures, making him immune to hypothermia and frostbite.

Laufey is cryokinetic and has been seen wielding many weapons, including a giant war club,[2] a sword,[2] and a large axe.[4]

In other media

Film

Laufey as he appears in Thor.
  • Laufey appears in the Marvel Studios film Thor played by Colm Feore.[1] As in the comics, he is Loki's father although he is unaware of the connection. Loki gives him access to Asgard, but later betrays and kills him before he can kill Odin in the Odinsleep.

Television

  • Laufey appears in the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. episode "Hulks on Ice", voiced by Enn Reitel. He leads the Frost Giants in a plot to take over the Nine Worlds. Upon confronting Laufey, the Hulks and Thor end up subdued by the cold winds and captured. Laufey arrives revealing his plot and even commented that he doesn't know what Thor sees in the humans. She-Hulk breaks free from the ice and frees Thor and the Hulks as Laufey gets away. After defeating the three-headed Ice Serpent, the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. and Thor arrive at Laufey's lair as Laufey unleashes his ice creatures on them. Following the plug-up of the ice, Laufey states that they have helped to free Ymir who will help bring an endless winter to Earth. Thor engages Laufey in battle while the others work to fight Ymir's weak spot. Laufey states that as Earth grows cold, his power increases. After Red Hulk's heat had helped to defeat Ymir, Laufey retreats back to Jotunheim. In the episode "Into the Negative Zone," it is revealed that Leader tipped off Laufey on where he could find Ymir.

Video games

Toys

  • A figure of Laufey was released in the Marvel Minimates line, in the single-pack army builder wave based on the film Thor.
  • A figure of Laufey was released in Hasbro's 3.75" Thor: The Mighty Avenger movie tie-in line.

References

  1. 1 2 Weintraub, Steve (2010-12-10). "Colm Feore On Set Interview THOR; The King of the Frost Giants Reveals All!". Collider. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Journey into Mystery #112 (Jan. 1965)
  3. 1 2 Thor vol. 2, #80 (Aug. 2004)
  4. 1 2 3 Thor vol. 3, #12 (Jan. 2009)
  5. ↑ Thor Vol. 4 #1-3 (2014)
  6. ↑ Thor Vol. 4 #8
  7. ↑ Mighty Thor Vol. 2 #1
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