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Balder the Brave is a fictional deity that appears in the Marvel Universe and is based on the god Balder of Norse mythology. Balder first appeared in Journey into Mystery vol. 1, #104 (May 1964).
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Fictional character biography
In Norse mythology, Balder is the son of Odin, the Lord of Asgard. The Marvel version, however, is simply a close friend of the Thunder God Thor, the Warriors Three and a loyal follower of Odin. Balder has aided Thor against many of his foes, such as Skagg the Storm Giant and Surtur; [1] Loki; [2] the Executioner and Enchantress; [3] the Enchanters Three [4] the Wrecker [5] and Mangog. [6] Balder is briefly named ruler of Asgard during Thor's quest to find the missing Odin. [7] Like the mythological version, the Marvel Balder is the catalyst that will trigger Ragnarok and end Asgard. This almost happened when Loki had the blind god Hoder accidentally kill Balder, but is averted by the planning of Odin, who later restores Balder to life. [8] Balder once traveled alone in the land of the dead, seeing many horrifying things, including souls of some of the men he had personally killed. Returning to Asgard, he was a traumatized shell of his former self. His recovery was supervised by Volstagg, a member of the Warriors Three. Balder also has a love-hate relationship with Karnilla, the Queen of the Norns, who has aided both Loki and Asgard at times (for example, while forcing Balder on one occasion to renounce Odin and serve her, [9] Karnilla later joins forces with Asgard against Surtur at Balder's request. [10] ) Karnilla's lust for Balder inadvertently causes the death of Balder's love, Nanna - an act that Balder has never forgotten. [11] Balder would spend time as a loyal companion of Eric Masterson, who was wielding the power of Thor. In one incident, as Eric battles the murderous Blooddaxe, Balder runs interference, saving the lives of many nearby policemen. Soon after this battle, Balder and Eric willingly enter Mephisto's realm, to assist Sif. This was done despite both knowing Eric had lost his powers after the battle with Bloodaxe. With the exception of Thor, Balder and all other Asgardians are dead, having died during the final Ragnarok. [12]
Powers and abilities
Like all Asgardians, Balder possesses' superhuman strength, endurance and longevity (courtesy of the Golden Apples of Idunn). Courtesy of a spell cast by the Asgardian goddess Frigga to try to avert Rangnarok, Balder is almost totally invulnerable [13] and is only susceptible to mistletoe. [14] Being the Asgardian god of light, Balder can also generate intense light and heat in a wide arc. [15] He is also a highly skilled weapons master (wielding the enchanted sword of Frey) and tactician, and has been entrusted with several special missions by Odin. [16]
Other versions
MC2
An older version of Balder existed in the MC2 universe and gave his life to protect Thor in his battle against Galactus. [17]
2099
In the year 2099, the mega-corporation Alchemax transforms several people into false copies of the Norse gods via technological means, with such "experiment" becoming a new version of Balder.
In other media
Balder appears in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.
References
- ^ Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #104
- ^ Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #111
- ^ Journey Into Mystery Vol. 1, #116
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #143 - 145
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #148 -150
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #154 - 157
- ^ Thor #255
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #274 - 275, 301 - 302
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #189 - 201
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #350-351
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #305 - 306, #11
- ^ Thor vol. 3, #85
- ^ Journey into Mystery vol. 1, #106-107
- ^ As seen in Thor vol. 1, #305
- ^ Balder the Brave #4 (1986)
- ^ Thor Annual #1 (1966)
- ^ Last Planet Standing #1 - 5 (2006)
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| Creators: | Stan Lee • Larry Lieber • Jack Kirby |
| Characters: | Balder • Beta Ray Bill • Jane Foster • Hemdall • Odin • Sif • Thunderstrike • Warriors Three |
| Villians: | Absorbing Man • Destroyer • Ego the Living Planet • Enchantress • Executioner • Fafnir • Fenris Wolf • Kurse • Loki • Radioactive Man • Surtur • Ulik • Wrecker • Ymir • Zarrko |
| Miscellanea: | Asgard • Asgardians • Journey into Mystery • Mjolnir • Thor: Blood Oath • Thor: Son of Asgard • Ultimate Thor |
