Laufey (character)

Laufey
Laufey as depicted in Thor vol. 3 #12 (January 2009). Art by Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales and Laura Martín.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Journey into Mystery #112 (January 1965)
Created by	Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Species	Frost Giant
Place of origin	Jotunheim
Team affiliations	Dark Council
Notable aliases	The King of the Frost Giants
Abilities	Superhuman strength and durability Cryokinesis Immortality Weapon proficiency

Laufey is a 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 (January 1965), and was based on the goddess of the same name.

Colm Feore portrays Laufey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor (2011).

Publication history

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

Fictional character biography

In the early days of the universe, Laufey ruled Jotunheim, realm of the Frost Giants. When his son Loki was born a runt, an ashamed Laufey ordered the baby hidden. ^[1] Odin, the King of Asgard, attacks Jotunheim and confronts Laufey. ^[1] Wielding the mystical hammer Mjolnir, Odin faces down Laufey and destroyed his war club, prompting him 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. The battle ended when Odin used Mjolnir to crush Laufey's skull. ^{[1] [2]} Odin discovers Loki in the wreckage of the castle and decides to raise him as his own.

It was later retconned that Loki had been a child, rather than a baby, when Laufey was killed. The day before the battle, Loki had attempted to inform his father of an opportunity to stealthily kill Odin. Laufey struck Loki for calling him a coward. 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. ^[3]

Laufey's skull plays an important role in the fourth volume of Thor , where his former associates attempt to obtain his remains from a Roxxon facility owned by Minotaur. ^[4] After traveling to Jotunheim with Malekith the Accursed, Minotaur uses the blood of dead Light Elves as part of a spell to resurrect Laufey. ^[5]

In "All-New, All-Different Marvel", Laufey appears as a member of the Dark Council alongside Malekith, Minotaur, Ulik, and several unnamed Fire Demons. ^[6]

During the "War of the Realms" storyline, Laufey attempts to kill Frigga. Loki arrives and saves Frigga, only to be eaten by Laufey. ^[7] As Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Sif, and the Thing confront Laufey, he consumes the Casket of Ancient Winters, which augments his powers. Daredevil fights with Laufey until Laufey eats the sword Hofund when it is thrown at him. Loki uses the sword to cut Laufey's body open, allowing him to escape with the Casket of Ancient Winters. ^[8]

Powers, abilities, and equipment

Like all Frost Giants, Laufey possesses immense physical abilities and the ability to manipulate ice. As a Frost Giant, he is immune to cold temperatures, but is vulnerable to extreme heat. ^[9] He has been seen wielding many weapons, including a giant war club, sword, an axe, and the Casket of Ancient Winters.

Other versions

An alternate universe variant of Laufey from Earth-22260 appears in What If...? Thor #1. This version adopted Thor and raised him alongside Loki after killing Odin. ^[10]

In other media

Television

Laufey appears in the Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. episode "Hulks on Ice", voiced by Enn Reitel. ^{[11] [12]}

Laufey as he appears in Thor .

Marvel Cinematic Universe

• Laufey appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thor , portrayed by Colm Feore. ^[13] This version previously came into conflict with Odin while seeking a new home for the Frost Giants, invading Earth in the process. Subsequently, Laufey was defeated and agreed to a truce with the Asgardians. In the present, Laufey breaks the truce and allies with Loki in an attempt to kill Odin before being betrayed and killed by him.
• Two alternate universe variants of Laufey appear in the What If...? episodes "What If... Thor Were an Only Child?" and "What If... Howard the Duck Got Hitched?", voiced by Andrew Morgado. ^{[14] [11]}

Video games

• Laufey appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by John DiMaggio.^{[ citation needed ]}
• Laufey appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel's Avengers. ^[15]
• Laufey appears as a boss in Marvel Future Revolution . ^[16]

Merchandise

• A figure of Laufey was released in the Marvel Minimates line, based on the Thor film.
• A figure of Laufey was released in Hasbro's Thor: The Mighty Avenger tie-in toyline.

References

1. Lee, Stan  ( w ), Kirby, Jack  ( p ), Colletta, Vince  ( i ), Goldberg, Stan  ( col )."The Coming of Loki!" Journey into Mystery ,vol. 1,no. 112(January 1965).Marvel Comics.
2. Oeming, Michael Oven ; Berman, Daniel ( w ), Di Vito, Andrea  ( p ),Di Vito, Andrea ( i ),Villari, Laura ( col )."Ragnarok, Part the First" Thor ,vol. 2,no. 80(August 2004).Marvel Comics.
3. Straczynski, J. Michael  ( w ), Coipel, Olivier  ( p ),Morales, Mark ( i ), Martin, Laura  ( col )."Diversions and Misdirections" Thor ,vol. 3,no. 12(January 2009).Marvel Comics.
4. Aaron, Jason  ( w ), Dauterman, Russell  ( p ),Dauterman, Russell ( i ), Wilson, Matthew  ( col )."The Goddess of Thunder" Thor ,vol. 4,no. 2(January 2015).Marvel Comics.
5. Aaron, Jason  ( w ), Dauterman, Russell  ( p ),Dauterman, Russell ( i ), Wilson, Matthew  ( col )."The Woman Beneath The Mask" Thor ,vol. 4,no. 8(July 2015).Marvel Comics.
6. Aaron, Jason  ( w ), Dauterman, Russell  ( p ),Dauterman, Russell ( i ), Wilson, Matthew  ( col )."Thunder In Her Veins" The Mighty Thor ,vol. 2,no. 1(January 2015).Marvel Comics.
7. Aaron, Jason  ( w ), Dauterman, Russell  ( p ),Dauterman, Russell ( i ), Wilson, Matthew  ( col )."Chapter One: The Last Realm Standing" The War of the Realms ,vol. 1,no. 1(June 2019).Marvel Comics.
8. Aaron, Jason  ( w ), Dauterman, Russell  ( p ),Dauterman, Russell ( i ), Wilson, Matthew  ( col )."Chapter Six: The Storm of Thors" The War of the Realms ,vol. 1,no. 6(August 2019).Marvel Comics.
9. The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Update '89 Vol 3 (September 1989)
10. Marino, Kyle (September 28, 2021). "How Another What If...? Made Thor the Opposite of a Party Animal". CBR . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
11. "Laufey Voices (Thor)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 6, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
12. Hughes, Joseph (October 26, 2013). "Hulk And The Agents Of S.M.A.S.H.: 'Hulks On Ice' [Interview]". ComicsAlliance . Retrieved September 25, 2024.
13. Weintraub, Steve (December 10, 2010). "Colm Feore On Set Interview THOR; The King of the Frost Giants Reveals All!". Collider. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
14. Amin, Arezou (December 25, 2024). "What If...? Season 3 Episode 4 Recap: Keeping Up With the Ducks". Collider. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
15. "Characters | Asgard - secrets". Game Guides. May 11, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
16. ""Soon all of the realms will be frozen solid." Laufey issues a chilling warning to Omega Flight's heroes. #MARVELFutureRevolution". Marvel Future Revolution. Twitter. June 3, 2021.