Mangog
Mangog is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Mangog | |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Thor #154 (July 1968) |
Created by | Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist) |
In-story information | |
Partnerships | Thanos |
Notable aliases | Odin |
Abilities | Superhuman strength, stamina, durability and endurance Shapeshifting and energy projection via magic manipulation Immortality Self-resurrection Empathic ability to feed on the hatred of sentient beings Empowerment from the selfish acts of gods |
Publication history
The character first appeared in Thor #154 (July 1968) and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.[1]
Fictional character biography
The character was described in his debut as being the sum total of the hatred of "a billion billion beings" - an alien race that once attempted to invade Asgard (thwarted by Odin, the ruler of Asgard and the Norse gods).[2] Imprisoned beneath Asgard, Mangog is freed by the rock troll Ulik, in a failed bid to secure an ally against the gods. Mangog storms Asgard, intent on drawing the Odinsword from its scabbard which will end the universe. Thor battles Mangog to a standstill, until Odin dissolves the creature by breaking the spell which had created Mangog as a living prison for his entire race.[3]
Mangog reappeared when freed by the god Loki, but was defeated when removed from the source of its power.[4] With the aid of the traitorous magician Igron, Mangog assumes the form of an imprisoned Odin, and intends to once again draw the Odinsword. After a series of skirmishes with Thor, the creature is defeated when Thor frees Odin.[5]
The character reappears twice in the second volume of Thor: as the servant of the Titan Thanos (destroyed by Thor)[6] and in a desolated Asgard during Ragnarok (dispelled by Thor with the Odinforce)[7] Mangog reappears in the Thunderstrike mini-series when accidentally summoned by a mystical generator, and is eventually defeated when cast into a distant star.[8] Reappearing in The Mighty Thor, Mangog decimates Asgard until hurled by the new Thor into the sun.[9]
Powers and abilities
Mangog possesses the strength, stamina, durability and endurance of a "billion billion beings",[10] and has the ability to manipulate magic for energy projection and shapeshifting.
The character appears to be indestructible, and has stated it will always exist so long as there is hatred.[11] Mangog is also called "the Judgement of the Gods", drawing strength from every cruel act performed by the gods.[12]
Other versions
Marvel Fanfare
In an alternate universe, Mangog battles the Herald of Galactus, Silver Surfer.[13]
What If?
Mangog attempts to take advantage of Odin's need for the Odinsleep but is stopped by Jane Foster, who has found Thor's hammer Mjolnir.[14]
Ultimate Marvel
In the Ultimate Marvel universe, Mangog is a spirit requiring a host form and battles Thor and Spider-Man.[15]
In other media
Television
- Mangog appears in the Avengers Assemble episode "All-Father's Day", voiced by JB Blanc.[16]
Video games
- Mangog is featured in the Thor: God of Thunder (2011) video game (which takes place before the events of the 2011 Thor film) voiced simultaneously by Steven Blum, Robin Atkin Downes, Mitch Lewis, Lisa Moncure, and Mari Weiss.
- Mangog appears in Thor: The Dark World - The Official Game, voiced by Chris Phillips and Marc Thompson.
Board games
- Mangog was included in the superhero-featuring board game Heroclix in 2017 as part of The Mighty Thor set of the collectible miniatures game.
References
- Brevoort, Tom; DeFalco, Tom; Manning, Matthew K.; Sanderson, Peter; Wiacek, Win (2017). Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History. DK Publishing. p. 131. ISBN 978-1465455505.
- Wells, John (2014). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 198. ISBN 978-1605490557.
- Thor #154-157 (July - Oct. 1968)
- Thor #195-198 (Jan. - April 1972)
- Thor #242 (Dec. 1975); 244 (Feb. 1975) 246-250 (April - Aug. 1976)
- Thor vol. 2, #20-25 (Feb. - July 2000)
- Thor vol. 2, #84 (Nov. 2004)
- Thunderstrike vol. 2 #5 (June 2011)
- The Mighty Thor #705 (Feb. 2018)
- Thor #157 (Oct. 1968)
- Thunderstrike v.2 #5
- The Mighty Thor #701 (Nov. 2017
- Marvel Fanfare #51 (June 1982)
- What If? #10 (Aug. 1978)
- Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #150 (Jan. 2011)
- "Marvel's Avengers Assemble, "All-Father's Day"". 23 Mar 2014. Retrieved 30 Mar 2014.