Laufey (comics)

Laufey is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe, sharing a name with the frost giantess from Norse mythology. Laufey was King of the Frost Giants and father of Loki, the archenemy of the superhero Thor.

Publication history

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

Contrary to Norse mythology, which describes Laufey as the mother of Loki, in the Marvel universe Laufey is Loki's father.

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.^[1] At the time, Odin was wielding the mystical hammer Mjolnir.^[2] 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.^[1] The battle ended with Odin using Mjolnir to crush Laufey's skull.^[2] Odin discovered a baby, 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.^[1]

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.^[3] 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]

Powers and abilities

Like all Frost Giants, Laufey possesses superhuman strength and resistance to physical injury, as well as a weakness to heat.

Laufey has been seen wielding many weapons, including a giant war club,^[1] a sword,^[1] and a large axe.^[3]

In other media

Television

• Laufey was mentioned in the animated show, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. In the episode, "The Fall of Asgard", when Loki revealed to Thor that Odin was the one who killed his "true father" when he was a child.

Film

• Laufey is played by Colm Feore in the Marvel Studios film Thor,^[4] he is depicted as the secondary antagonist. As in the comics, he is Loki's father, although he is unaware of the connection, Odin having taken the infant Loki after his battle with Laufey – which it is implied cost him his eye – in the hope that Loki would unite their worlds in the future. Loki never reveals his true connection with Laufey to him, and gives Laufey access to Asgard so that he could prove himself to Odin by killing Laufey when he attempted to kill Odin.

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 will be released in Hasbro's 3.75" Thor: The Mighty Avenger movie tie-in line.

References