Fenris Wolf (Marvel Comics)
Encyclopedia
The Fenris Wolf is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe
, loosely based on Fenrisulfr from Norse mythology
.
#114 (March 1965), and was adapted from Norse legends by Stan Lee
and Jack Kirby
.
The character subsequently appeared in Thor #277-278 (November-December 1978), and Thor Vol. 2 #80-83 (August-Octorber 2004) and #85 (December 2004).
The Fenris Wolf received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition
#4.
origin, said to be offspring of Loki
and the giantess
Angrboda.
However many years ago he was part of the basis of Little Red Riding Hood
. The goddess Iduna walks the forests of Asgard carrying a bundle of golden apples. These "Golden Apples of Immortality" are for All-Father Odin, and Iduna brings them to him every year. Along her journey she meets Haakun the Hunter. Haakun greets her warmly and tells her to go in peace.
As Iduna continues further down the path, Fenris sees her, and transforms himself. Iduna next comes upon "a frail stranger". The stranger offers Iduna protection along her journey, but she declines the offer. The stranger takes a strong interest in Iduna's basket and begins asking her questions. She quickly grows suspicious, saying he his hands seem so grasping and brutal, and his voice sounds like that of a beast. She finds his manner sinister-frightening, and says his eyes burn with hatred-with pure savagery. She then discovers that the stranger is actually Fenris the Wolf God in disguise. Fenris shape shifts into his true form and attacks her. Haakun the Hunter arrives and drives Fenris away with his enchanted battle axe, causing the Wolf to shrink in an attempt to escape. The axe pursues Fenris and finally strikes him, spiriting him off to the shadowy land of Varinheim.
Just like Norse mythology, Odin had the dwarfs forge the chain Gleipnir
("deceiver" or "entangler"). It appeared to be only a silken ribbon but was made of six wondrous ingredients: the sound of a cat's footfall, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, bear's sinews, fish's breath, and bird's spittle (which explains why these things are not found today). When it came to binding the Fenris Wolf, Tyr
lost his hand in the process as the Wolf would only allow the chain to be put on if one of the Gods put their hand in his mouth.
It is prophesied that when Ragnarok
occurs, Fenris will devour Odin.
Hela
one time unchained Fenris Wolf to bring about Ragnarok only to be thwarted by Thor
.
A giant offspring of Fenris Wolf, named Hoarfen, once battled the Hulk
and his Pantheon
allies. The battle goes poorly for Hoarfen, causing him many injuries.
later unchained Fenris Wolf to aid him, Ulik
, and Hyrm in attacking Asgard using weapons that were forged for them by Surtur. Ulik and Fenris Wolf attacked Thor together only for Thor to attack them using Mjolnir which resulted in the blast removing Sif's arm. Hyrm joined up with Ulik and Fenris Wolf and managed to shatter Mjolnir.
Fenris Wolf then attacked Thor, Captain America
, and Iron Man
when they were in Asgard. When Fenris Wolf was about to attack Thor, Captain America threw his shield into the mouth. Captain America kicked Fenris Wolf in the stomach to reclaim the shield, then Thor beat him badly, followed by Captain America scaring Fenris Wolf off.
When Kurse
was protecting innocent children, Fenris fought Kurse and killed him by sending a hammer into his skull.
Fenris Wolf assisted in the attack on Vanaheim and faced Thor again in battle. Thor bound Fenris Wolf in chains and used its body to knock down Durok in order to save Sif. With Durok slain, Fenris Wolf snapped its chains and fought Thor only to be struck down by Beta Ray Bill
. Beta Ray Bill used the power of his hammer Stormbreaker upon the Fenris Wolf reducing him to a skeleton as the monster's punishment for attacking a weakened Thor. Those that were fighting with the Fenris Wolf fled.
Fenris Wolf returned to life and swallowed Asgard's sun and the moon assisting to bring about Ragnarok as Asgard perishes.
Fenris Wolf is the ancestor of the Asgardian Hrimhari
.
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
, loosely based on Fenrisulfr from Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
.
Publication history
The Fenris Wolf first appeared in Marvel Comics in Journey Into MysteryJourney into Mystery
Journey into Mystery was an American comic book series published by Atlas Comics, and later its successor Marvel Comics. It featured horror, monster, and science fiction stories...
#114 (March 1965), and was adapted from Norse legends by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
.
The character subsequently appeared in Thor #277-278 (November-December 1978), and Thor Vol. 2 #80-83 (August-Octorber 2004) and #85 (December 2004).
The Fenris Wolf received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is an encyclopedic guide which details the fictional universe featured in Marvel Comics publications...
#4.
Fictional character biography
The Fenris Wolf is a creature of AsgardianAsgard (comics)
Asgard is a fictional realm within the Marvel Comics universe based on the Asgard of Norse mythology and is home to the Asgardians and other beings of Norse mythology...
origin, said to be offspring of Loki
Loki (comics)
Loki is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. He is the adoptive brother and archenemy of the superhero Thor. He is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology...
and the giantess
Giants (Marvel Comics)
There are different kinds of Giants in Marvel Comics. The most popular of the Giants are the Giants of Johunheim, fictional race of people based on the giants of actual Norse legends.-Giants of Jotunheim:...
Angrboda.
However many years ago he was part of the basis of Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood, also known as Little Red Cap, is a French fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf. The story has been changed considerably in its history and subject to numerous modern adaptations and readings....
. The goddess Iduna walks the forests of Asgard carrying a bundle of golden apples. These "Golden Apples of Immortality" are for All-Father Odin, and Iduna brings them to him every year. Along her journey she meets Haakun the Hunter. Haakun greets her warmly and tells her to go in peace.
As Iduna continues further down the path, Fenris sees her, and transforms himself. Iduna next comes upon "a frail stranger". The stranger offers Iduna protection along her journey, but she declines the offer. The stranger takes a strong interest in Iduna's basket and begins asking her questions. She quickly grows suspicious, saying he his hands seem so grasping and brutal, and his voice sounds like that of a beast. She finds his manner sinister-frightening, and says his eyes burn with hatred-with pure savagery. She then discovers that the stranger is actually Fenris the Wolf God in disguise. Fenris shape shifts into his true form and attacks her. Haakun the Hunter arrives and drives Fenris away with his enchanted battle axe, causing the Wolf to shrink in an attempt to escape. The axe pursues Fenris and finally strikes him, spiriting him off to the shadowy land of Varinheim.
Just like Norse mythology, Odin had the dwarfs forge the chain Gleipnir
Gleipnir
In Norse mythology, Gleipnir is the binding that holds the mighty wolf Fenrisulfr . The Gods had attempted to bind Fenrir twice before with huge chains of metal, but Fenrir was able to break free both times. Therefore, they commissioned the dwarves to forge a chain that was impossible to break...
("deceiver" or "entangler"). It appeared to be only a silken ribbon but was made of six wondrous ingredients: the sound of a cat's footfall, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, bear's sinews, fish's breath, and bird's spittle (which explains why these things are not found today). When it came to binding the Fenris Wolf, Tyr
Tyr (Marvel Comics)
Tyr is a fictional character, an Asgardian god in the Marvel Comics Universe, loosely based on the Norse god of the same name. Along with Thor and Balder, he is one of Odin's biological sons.-Fictional character biography:Tyr is the Asgardian god of war...
lost his hand in the process as the Wolf would only allow the chain to be put on if one of the Gods put their hand in his mouth.
It is prophesied that when Ragnarok
Ragnarök
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures , the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water...
occurs, Fenris will devour Odin.
Hela
Hela (comics)
Hela is a fictional character, the Asgardian goddess of death in the Marvel Comics universe, based on the Norse goddess, Hel. The ruler of Hel and Niffleheim, the character has been a frequent foe of Thor...
one time unchained Fenris Wolf to bring about Ragnarok only to be thwarted by Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
.
A giant offspring of Fenris Wolf, named Hoarfen, once battled the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
and his Pantheon
Pantheon (Marvel Comics)
The Pantheon is a fictional organization appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Peter David, the Pantheon first appeared in The Incredible Hulk The Pantheon is a fictional organization appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer...
allies. The battle goes poorly for Hoarfen, causing him many injuries.
True Ragnarok
LokiLoki (comics)
Loki is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. He is the adoptive brother and archenemy of the superhero Thor. He is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology...
later unchained Fenris Wolf to aid him, Ulik
Ulik
Ulik is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Ulik was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appears in Thor #137 ....
, and Hyrm in attacking Asgard using weapons that were forged for them by Surtur. Ulik and Fenris Wolf attacked Thor together only for Thor to attack them using Mjolnir which resulted in the blast removing Sif's arm. Hyrm joined up with Ulik and Fenris Wolf and managed to shatter Mjolnir.
Fenris Wolf then attacked Thor, Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, and Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
when they were in Asgard. When Fenris Wolf was about to attack Thor, Captain America threw his shield into the mouth. Captain America kicked Fenris Wolf in the stomach to reclaim the shield, then Thor beat him badly, followed by Captain America scaring Fenris Wolf off.
When Kurse
Kurse
Kurse is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears as the Dark Elf Algrim the Strong in Thor #347 , is transformed into Kurse in Secret Wars #4 Kurse (Algrim) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel...
was protecting innocent children, Fenris fought Kurse and killed him by sending a hammer into his skull.
Fenris Wolf assisted in the attack on Vanaheim and faced Thor again in battle. Thor bound Fenris Wolf in chains and used its body to knock down Durok in order to save Sif. With Durok slain, Fenris Wolf snapped its chains and fought Thor only to be struck down by Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thor #337 and was created by writer-artist Walt Simonson....
. Beta Ray Bill used the power of his hammer Stormbreaker upon the Fenris Wolf reducing him to a skeleton as the monster's punishment for attacking a weakened Thor. Those that were fighting with the Fenris Wolf fled.
Fenris Wolf returned to life and swallowed Asgard's sun and the moon assisting to bring about Ragnarok as Asgard perishes.
Fenris Wolf is the ancestor of the Asgardian Hrimhari
Hrimhari
Hrimhari is a fictional character published by Marvel Comics. He was first introduced in the New Mutants Special Edition #1 , and was created by Chris Claremont and Art Adams.-Fictional character biography:...
.
Television
- The Fenris Wolf appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes is an American animated television series by Marvel Animation in cooperation with Film Roman based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers. The show debuted on Disney XD in Fall 2010 starting with a 20 part micro-series. A second season has been...
episode "Meet Captain America." It is seen amongst the Asgardian creatures that Red Skull and Baron Strucker captured upon finding an entrance to Asgard.
Video games
- An assortment of Fenris Wolves serve as enemies in Marvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game developed for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360 by Raven Software and published by Activision. The game was simultaneously ported to the PlayStation Portable and Wii by Vicarious Visions, and to Microsoft Windows by Beenox...
. The "Hand of Tyr" must be placed into a statue of Fenris's mouth to proceed and rescue Tyr.