Balder (Marvel Comics)

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caption=Balder.
Art by Olivier Coipel.
character_name=Balder the Brave
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Journey into Mystery" #104 (May 1964)
creators=Stan Lee & Jack Kirby
alter_ego =
species =
homeworld = Asgard
alliances = Asgardian pantheon
aliases =
supports=
powers = Superhuman strength, stamina, durability and longevity
Light projection

Balder the Brave is a fictional deity that appears in the Marvel Universe and is based on the god Baldr of Norse mythology. Balder first appeared in "Journey into Mystery" vol. 1, #104 (May 1964).

Fictional character biography

In Norse mythology, Balder is the son of Odin, the Lord of Asgard. This version, however, is not aware of who his father is, and 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; ["Journey Into Mystery" vol. 1, #104] Loki; ["Journey Into Mystery" vol. 1, #111] the Executioner and Enchantress; ["Journey Into Mystery" Vol. 1, #116] the Enchanters Three ["Thor" vol. 1, #143 - 145] the Wrecker ["Thor" vol. 1, #148 -150] and Mangog. ["Thor" vol. 1, #154 - 157] Balder is also briefly named ruler of Asgard during Thor's quest to find the missing Odin. ["Thor" vol. 1, #255]

Like the mythological version, the Marvel Balder is the catalyst that will trigger Ragnarök 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. ["Thor" vol. 1, #274 - 275, 301 - 302] Balder was, however, traumatized by the experience as he saw the souls of all those he had slain in battle. Balder then renounced killing. ["Thor" vol. 1, #301 - 302] 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, ["Thor" vol. 1, #189 - 201] Karnilla later joins forces with Asgard against Surtur at Balder's request. ["Thor" vol. 1, #350-351] ) Karnilla's lust for Balder inadvertently causes the death of Balder's love, Nanna - an act that Balder has never forgotten. ["Thor" vol. 1, #305 - 306]

Balder later accepts the warrior part of himself and goes on to save Karnilla's people from a rogue giant's spell. ["Balder the Brave" #1 - 4 (1986)] Balder and all other Asgardians (with the exception of Thor) eventually perish during the final Ragnarok, ["Thor" vol. 2, #85] although he is later found inhabiting the armor of the Destroyer. ["Thor" vol. 3, #5]

Later, he learns his real origins from Loki, who tells him that in fact he is the son of Odin and Frigga, and the half-brother of Thor, which gives him the rights to rule Asgard just like him.

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 his mother and Asgardian goddess Frigga to try to avert Rangnarok, Balder is almost totally invulnerable ["Journey into Mystery" vol. 1, #106-107] and is only susceptible to mistletoe. [As seen in "Thor" vol. 1, #305] Being the Asgardian god of light, Balder can also generate intense light and heat in a wide arc. ["Balder the Brave" #4 (1986)] 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. ["Thor" Annual #1 (1966)]

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. ["Last Planet Standing" #1 - 5 (2006)]

2099

In the year 2099, the mega-corporation Alchemax transforms several people into false copies of the Norse gods via technological means, with one such "experiment" becoming a new version of Balder.

In other media

Balder appears in the video game "".

References

External links

* [http://www.marvel.com/universe/Balder Balder on the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki]