| Thialfi | |
|---|---|
 Thialfi from Thor vol. 2 #71 (January 2004), art by Scot Eaton | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Thor vol. 2 #43 (January 2002) |
| Created by | Adapted from mythological Thjálfi by Dan Jurgens |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Thialfi |
| Team affiliations | Asgard |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength and durability via Asgardian physiology, super-speed granted by Odin, extremely long life span |
Thialfi is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is adapted from Þjálfi, a character in Norse mythology, and was created by Dan Jurgens.
Fictional character biography
Thialfi began his life as a human boy centuries ago. Viking marauders from the north raided his peaceful Norse village, murdered Thialfi's father, and left him and his mother P'aesi to die. Later, when the Vikings were celebrating their victory and giving praise to Odin and Asgard, a young and naive Thor appeared before them to join in their revelry. P'aesi interrupted them, however; she accused Thor of inciting the Vikings to murder, which Thor of course denied, claiming death was simply a consequence of battle. P'aesi assured Thor that there was no battle, merely slaughter. Thor decided to see the battlefield and judge for himself, but as he walked away a Viking declared P'aesi a blasphemer and killed her.[1]
Thor's father Odin told him to ignore the humans, as they were inherently flawed. Thor was galled at Odin's apparent lack of compassion and demanded that he at least help Thialfi, who had been orphaned. Odin agreed and used the Odinforce to transform Thialfi into an Asgardian "blessed with wisdom, insight and speed enow to escape any enemy." In return, Thor found Thialfi a home in Asgard; upon Thialfi's coming of age, Thor would return to him and treat him as he would his closest friend.[1]
After Odin is killed by Surtur, Thor ascends to the throne and follows Odin's instructions, taking Thialfi as his personal advisor. Thialfi's sudden inclusion in Thor's circle of allies causes tension, especially with Thor's childhood friend Balder. Thialfi proves himself after saving Thor's life by delivering the Bloodaxe to him in battle against Desak and is accepted. When a cabal of businessmen and political leaders attacks Asgard, Thialfi was caught in the turmoil. He notices Zarrko escaping and tried to stop him, but fall sZarrko's temporal portal into the future.[2]
Thialfi emerges in the year 2170 to find that Thor has transformed Earth into New Asgard. At first, Thialfi is overjoyed that Thor has put the gods' power to use constructing a utopia for the humans Thialfi still identified with. After Kya, the daughter of the Scarlet Witch, and her band of resistance fighters show him Mjolnir abandoned, Thialfi begins to doubt Thor. His fears are confirmed when he witnessed Loki's police force quell an uprising through sheer brutality without trying to find another solution. After exchanging words with Thor's son Magni, which planted the same seed of doubt that Kya had given him, Thialfi resolves to kill Thor. Thor's wife, the Enchantress, frees Odin's pet wolf Freki, who kills Thialfi.[3]
Powers and abilities
Thialfi was transformed from a human being into a member of the Asgardian race by Odin. Thialfi had superhuman strength and a high resistance to injury due to the increased density of his Asgardian body, as well as an extremely long life span and immunity to all Earthly diseases. Odin enchanted Thialfi with a high degree of superhuman speed, as well.
Additionally, Thialfi presumably received training in the Asgardian arts of war, giving him some proficiency in armed and unarmed combat.
Weapons and equipment
For situations where running was not enough, Thialfi used one of Asgard's many flying horses for transportation.
References
- ^ a b Thor (vol. 2) #52 (October 2002)
- ^ Thor (vol. 2) #67 (October 2003)
- ^ Thor (vol. 2) #74 (February 2004)
