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.

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.[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 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.[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]

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.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6]

During the "War of the Realms" storyline, Laufey appears and is about to eat Frigga when Loki arrives and saves his adopted mother. Laufey berates Loki on his recent treachery in the past. He then picks him up and seemingly eats him.[7] Odin later gets enraged when he finds out that Laufey ate Loki.[8] Laufey is later seen at the ruins of the Statue of Liberty swatting fighter jets.[9] Laufey is later attacked by the Fantastic Four and an army of Dwarves that are wearing copies of the War Machine armor.[10] Iron Man, Punisher, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, and Wolverine are fighting Laufey's Frost Giants. As Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Sif, and Thing confront Laufey, he pulls out the Casket of Ancient Winters which he eats as it augments his powers. While protected by Hofund's magic, Daredevil fights with Laufey until Laufey eats Hofund when it is thrown at him. Noticing that the Earth-1610 Mjolnir is going to self-destruct, Jane Foster throws it into Laufey as a half-digested Loki cuts himself and the Casket of Ancient Winters using Hofund where his magic is holding his body together.[11]

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,[1] a sword,[1] and a large axe.[3]

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. 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.

Film

Laufey as he appears in Thor.

Laufey appears in the Marvel Studios film Thor played by Colm Feore.[12] Like the Frost Giants in the film, this version stands between 8 and 10 ft., has blue skin, and their eyes are red. As in the comics, he is Loki's father although he is unaware of the connection. Odin had established a treaty between Asgard and Jotunheim. After some Frost Giants tried to get into Asgard, Thor led Loki, Sif, and the Warriors Three into confronting Laufey about violating the treaty. This results in a fight until Odin shows up to break it up and recall Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three to Asgard. Later, Loki gives Laufey access to Asgard. Before Laufey can kill Odin in the Odinsleep after knocking Frigga to the ground, Loki betrays Laufey and kills him.

Video games

Laufey appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes,voiced by John DiMaggio. In a bonus mission at Jotunheim, Laufey collaborates with Malekith the Accursed where they capture Heimdall and trap him in an icy prison causing Thor and Loki to come to his rescue. Unlike Malekith the Accursed, Laufey does not engage Thor and Loki in battle.
Laufey is a playable character in Lego Marvel’s Avengers.[13]

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.

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