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It has been suggested that Gungnir (comics) be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since December 2007.

Odin is a fictional character that appears in the Marvel Universe and is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology. The King of the Norse Gods, Odin first appeared in Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #85 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Fictional character biography

According to Norse myth and comic continuity, Odin is the son of Bor (father, one of the first Asgardians) and Bestla (mother, a frost giantess). Bor and Bestla also have two other sons, Vili and Ve. With the aid of his brothers, a young Odin battles and defeats the fire demon Surtur. Odin becomes ruler of Asgard, and eventually falls in love with Gaea, in time becoming the father of the Thunder God Thor. Odin is also the adoptive father of Loki, a child of Giant blood whose father Laufey is killed by Odin in battle. Despite Odin's best intentions, his sons become bitter enemies, with the feuding often requiring Odin's mediation.

Thor's fascination with Earth is also a constant annoyance for Odin, who as punishment has depowered his son on at least three occasions. Thor's noble intentions and bravery, however, always sway his father who summarily undoes the ruling.

As ruler and protector of the Asgardian people, Odin has been involved in a number of crises that have threatened Asgard and on occasion Earth. Notable examples included stopping Loki, the Storm Giant Skagg and Surtur (with the aid of Thor and Balder); defeating the Absorbing Man after he absorbs almost all of Asgard; banishing the monster Mangog; sacrificing his right eye to Mimir for the wisdom to stop Ragnarok (Twilight of the Gods); attempting to stop the Celestials in the armor of the Destroyer and preventing Surtur from lighting his Sword of Doom.

Odin has also died three times in defense of Asgard. On the first occasion, Odin is killed by Mangog, although is later revived by the goddess of Death Hela. On the second occasion, the Celestials shred the Destroyer, which at the time holds the life force of Odin and all Asgardians with the exception of Thor. Thor, however, collects a portion of godly energy from each pantheon and uses it to revive Odin, who in turn resurrects the Asgardians.

The final occasion involves a massive battle against arch-foe Surtur on Earth, with Odin apparently dying once and for all as the Odin Force - the source of Odin's power - migrates to his son, Thor. As Thor eventually destroys the Loom of Fates and stops Asgard from perpetuating Ragnarok (where his spirit pops up during) - which ends the entire Norse pantheon and Asgard itself - Odin may be dead permanently.

Powers and abilities

Odin possesses all the conventional attributes of an Asgardian god, such as immunity to all known diseases and greatly extended lifespan, including superhuman strength that, despite his advanced age, is much greater than that of most other Asgardians, as well superhuman stamina that allows him to physically exert himself for much longer periods of time than a human being. Odin's body is also highly resistant to physical injury. He is capable of withstanding great forces and powerful energy blasts without sustaining injury. If injured, Odin is able to recover with superhuman levels of speed and efficiency.

Odin is capable of manipulating magical energy, referred to as the OdinPower, for a number of purposes and is highly skilled in the use of his powers during combat situations. With this power, Odin is capable of feats such as transporting the entire human race to an alternate dimension, casting foes into deep space with a thought, projecting force blasts, erecting nearly impenetrable force fields, vastly increasing his size to over a 1000 feet, endowing people or objects with powers, compressing the population of an entire planet into a single being, the Mangog, and taking a soul away from the arch-demon Mephisto. In combat, Odin was capable of simultaneously defeating the Silver Surfer, Drax the Destroyer, and Thanos with limited effort. By greatly increasing his size and power, Odin has even been shown destroying entire galaxies.

Odin often carries the magical spear Gungir ("The Spear of Heaven"), an artifact made of the metal uru, that he uses to channel his personal energies.

Odin is also a master tactician and schemer. In addition to feats such as preventing Ragnarok, it has been revealed that Odin was planning for the arrival of the Celestial Fourth Host for centuries. Odin is not, however, all-powerful. Once a year, he needs to undertake the Odinsleep - a state of deep sleep lasting for a day in which the OdinPower is recharged. During this time Odin is guarded closely as he is vulnerable.

In other media

Television

• Odin appears in segments of episodes of The Mighty Thor in the 1966 television series The Marvel Superheroes.

Films

• Odin is off-screen in the animated movie Ultimate Avengers 2 voiced by Dwight Schultz.

Video games

• Odin appears as a non-playable character in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Peter Renaday.

References

1. Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #99
2. Journey into Mystery vol. 1, #112
3. Examples include Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #101 - 102; Thor vol. 1, #126 - 127, 145 - 151
4. Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #104
5. Journey Into Mystery vol. 1 #122 - 123
6. Thor vol. 1, #157
7. Thor vol. 1, #274
8. Thor vol. 1, #300
9. Thor vol. 1, #353
10. Thor vol. 1, #198 - 201
11. Thor vol. 1, #300 - 301
12. Thor vol. 2, #40
13. Thor vol. 1, #85
14. Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #104
15. Journey Into Mystery vol. 1 #122 - 123
16. Thor vol. 1, #471
17. Thor vol. 1, #338
18. Thor vol.1, #352
19. Thor vol. 1 #339, 459, and 478
20. In flashback in Thor vol. 1, #154 - 157
21. Thunderstrike vol. 1 #15
22. Warlock and the Infinity Watch vol. 1, #25
23. Journey Into Mystery #513 (Oct. 1997)
24. Thor vol. 1, #273 - 278
25. Thor vol. 1, #283 - 301 + Annual #7
26. First seen in Journey Into Mystery vol. 1, #118

• Articles to be merged from December 2007
• Marvel Comics Asgardians
• Magic users in comics
• Marvel Comics cosmic entities
• Marvel Comics deities
• Marvel Comics immortals
• Mythology in comics