Loki’s finale has the MCU audience lauding the story so far and ready for the next season. Kang the Conqueror (He Who Remains) set the expectation for a wide variety of possible character variants across the multiverse. Of course, one of the most anticipated character variants is the Lord of Lies himself, Loki.
While show writer Michael Waldron and director Kate Herron undoubtedly have ideas and variant versions in mind, the fan-favorite comic Loki portrayed in the show by Richard E Grant proved that comic screen appearances work.
Loki God of Stories
Credit Marvel Comics
Young adult Loki from Agents of Asgard # 13 isn’t above a bit of mischief but also a night and day comparison from what you might expect from the master of manipulation. Here fans see the conscious moral decisions of a Loki that fought to turn away from a truly terrible future. Working as an agent of the Mothers of Asgard, Loki rejected Those Who Sit Above in Shadow—later resisting the manipulations from his future self and becoming a God of Stories rather than God of lies. With newfound purpose, the God of Stories was essential to ending the War of Realms event and later creating a wave of peace between Asgardians and the Frost Giants. Ascending the throne of the Frost Giants following the slaying of his father, Laufey.
Necro God Loki
Credit Marvel Comics
Undoubtedly one of the most potent and terrifying versions is the self-proclaimed Loki the All Butcher in Jason Aarrons Thor #5 (2018). After centuries of whispering lies and madness to Ego, the former wielder of the Necro Sword All-Black. Loki had finally acquired a weapon capable of bringing all of the cosmos to heel; driven by the overflowing malice of the Necro Sword, set upon a path to kill everything. Disemboweling his brother Thor atop an erupting star before meeting a nearly identical fate by the resurrected Gorr the God Butcherer.
Loki God of Heroism and Truth
Credit Marvel Comics
After the Scarlet Witch switches the morality’s of the heroes and villain’s in yet another reality-warping series called AXIS. Here Marvel gives us probably the most accurate “good” version of Loki, honor-driven, and worthy of wielding Mjolnir becoming the God of Heroism and Truth. After gaining newfound powers, Loki selflessly endeavored to make things right, to stop Thor and help the Scarlet Witch restore reality. It’s a great look at Loki’s most nuanced and noble version; such a character could undoubtedly inspire some of the show’s more sinister iterations.
Sorcerer Supreme Loki
Credit Marvel Comics
Preferring to torment enemies with daggers and knives, Loki wields a set of formidable magic powers; seeing writers couple Asgardian magic with a Sorcerer Supreme boost and you start to imagine a universe without Dr. Strange. Appointed by the Vishanti, Loki proved to be a worthy replacement until he decided to seek out the Exile of Singhshoon, a spell that would transfer all the world’s magic to him. Loki would be defeated by a returned Dr. Strange wielding power from Asgard’s Tree of Knowledge.
King Loki
Credit Marvel Comics
Arguably the most successful version of Loki comes from Loki: Agent of Asgard; fans practically open the page to the climactic height of King Loki seizing the throne, triumphing as the unquestionable king of Asgard and defeating Thor. With absolute power King Loki began working with the All Mothers Asgardia to corrupt his younger self, further ensuring this twisted future came to pass. In the end, King Loki is foiled and even sparred by a younger version of himself; this younger version empathizes and pities King Loki choosing a different future to become the new God of Stories.
There are undoubtedly dozens of other versions/variants of the trickster that deserve an honorable mention like Unicorn Loki, Loki 2099, Loki Dark Reign, Lady Loki and Ikol to name a few. Loki is a long standing pillar for gender and character fluidity in Marvel Comics, whatever alternate versions Disney+ has in store they’re certain to be entertaining and befitting the shows unique comic verse MCU meshing.
Did you have a Loki variant, version or reincarnation in mind that should of been mentioned, put it in the comic section below and dont forget to like, lie and stay mischievous.
Marvel and DC are without a doubt the top dogs in the comic game and have been for sometime. Both were quick to dismantle any competitors following the golden age of comics. While Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige has stated in regards to a modern DC Marvel rivalry, “There’s not really a rivalry…”the resulting similarities of some of the two’s biggest icons says otherwise
Character rip offs are nothing comic fans haven’t already dissected and quantified countless times, reflecting on some of the more similar Marvel and DC characters let’s strive to determine who did it better. Leave all deliberation regarding who beats who in a fight to the diligent comic battle vines.
Solomon Grundy is Technically the Original
Created by Alfred Bester, Grundy first appeared in All-American Comics #61 (October 1944). You could argue that at the time of his creation he was a far cry from the monster he is now but sometimes character evolution is unhurried.
Cyrus Gold or better known as Solomon Grundy is the DC’s lumbering gray un dead “hulk” or vice versa, just keep reading. After refusing a blackmail from the pimp of a prostitute he had become romantically involved with, Cyrus was met with an unexpected shovel to the back of the head. Without remorse his body was tossed into the infamous Slaughter Swamp and left to stew in some primordial juices for the next five decades. Through yet unexplained means he emerged a zombie horror that would come to be known as Solomon Grundy. Depending on who is doing the writing Grundy is a nearly unstoppable un dead force that has contested power houses like Superman. Unlike the not so cheery associated nursery rhyme Grundy seems to have no plans on being buried Sunday or on any day of the week for that matter. Grundy can take an insane amount of damage, he has had Superman fly through the middle of his chest and been pretty much unaffected. Not just a punching bag by any means Grundy’s peak incarnations have shown him beating the likes of Wonder Woman in Injustice: Gods Among Us and even the Man of Steel himself in Superman 15 (1976).
Unique in his own right Grundy started off as a villain for the hero known as the Green Lantern Alan Scott but has since squared off with every member of the Justice League and countless others. At least at this point it would seem DC is content with using Grundy as a villainous brick that doesn’t quite go down. Be that as it may he has landed himself in over a dozen separate comic series, animated cartoons and even parts in some notable video games. You might be thinking Grundy takes the cake but when it comes down to selling comics but he is after all a villain and villains usually finish last in terms of popularity. Winning popular contests or not, nothing in the DC universe has put this lumbering monstrosity to rest yet.
“Solomon Grundy, Born on a Monday, Christened on a Tuesday, Wedded on a Wednesday, Took ill on a Thursday, Grew Worse on a FridayDied on a Saturday, Buried on Sunday, that was the end of Solomon Grundy…“
Hulk Came Second but Don’t Count Him Out
Created by the legend himself Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of The Incredible Hulk (May 1962)showing up to the big angry monster game a little he’s just in time to become one of the biggest reluctant heroes at Marvel Comics.
Hulk is everyone’s lovable green ball of infinite childhood induced rage, one of Stan Lee’s greats, joining the ranks of immortal characters thanks to Al Ewings awesome series Immortal Hulk. Hulks duality is what makes him stand out, think Dr Jekyll and Mr Hide; the Hulk is after all a manifestation from the scientist Bruce Banner. Banner meets his lifelong angry contemporary when exposed to an experimental gamma bomb saving the life of fellow scientist Rick Jones. Now whenever Banner is put under physical or emotional stress he is able to transform into the hulk with near limitless strength depending on his level of anger, super speed, durability and regeneration to name a few. Taking it with just a pinch of salt this is of course the classic take on the Hulk and just like Grundy it can vary from writer to writer. Now when it comes to tough, tough ain’t enough for the Hulk. Surviving some of the most awesome attacks in the Marvel universes:he reluctantly tanks some of the hardest blows the Skyfather Zeus had to offer, in one alternate timeline The Incredible Hulk: The End (Vol 11) Hulk lives in a post apocalyptic world where his flesh is devoured everyday by mutant cockroaches.
Apparently everyone really likes to see the Hulk just going mental and just leveling things. There have been a few versions of the hulk that were not all about smashing like Joe Fix It but what sells is an angry Hulk. Permeating through nearly every nook and cranny of western culture you can hardly go to the store or turn on a TV without seeing some reference to the Hulk be it movies, toys, clothing, food, video games or comics the hulk is almost as synonymous with America as Captain America himself. If your thinking this sounds a lot like how popular Grundy is among the fans, sadly that thought might be stretching it at best. While Solomon Grundy has become a staple villain in the DC universe the hulk has since grown out of the comic and media scene and has become somewhat of an icon. Be honest you’ve put on a pair of Hulk hands and tried to smash a wall, but you haven’t done that with Grundy hands. Do they even make those?
““There ain’t many around who can describe what it feels like to get hit by the Hulk… Simple fact bein’ there ain’t many around who can survive to tell the tale. There ain’t no pain at first. It’s like he hits ya so damn hard ya actually leave yer own body. It’s when ya come back that ya feel the pain. An’ ya realize yer goin’ toe-to-toe with a walkin’ earthquake.” – Wolverine
The Outcome
If you stuck around from start to finish to see the results you’re amazing, if you just scrolled to the bottom to see the outcome you are my people and I don’t blame you. Crunching the numbers Grundy came first and the award for originality has to go to DC (Grundy), both characters are eerily similar but have some glaring difference making each unique. Switching gears and comparing the monster level of power they both possess this was a little bit harder to determine, both had astounding feats but the Hulk simply had more and has proven his strength is all but set. Hulk takes the round for Marvel toting a nearly limitless level of physical strength. Lastly who was more popular this is indeed a popularity contest, Hulk wins this one for marvel as well hands down. Both characters sell comics and have had significant character development but apples and oranges. Hulk has had several stand alone movies, animated series etc. proving he doesn’t need a team to garner loyal fans.
Final Results
Winner is the Hulk for his dominating level of power and a fan base that continues to grow, cementing a status as one of the most popular Marvel heroes of all time. Did you see it going differently, are you a DC hard fan that knows for a fact Grundy takes the cake and the Hulk is generic knock off let us know. If your a die hard DC fan or a hard core Marvel reader or if you just enjoyed the piece, post your comments below and shoot a suggestion of what characters are a mirror image of each other.
With the conclusion of Thor #6 there can be no debating that Thor is the mightiest Avenger, was there ever a doubt. As we painstakingly await release of issue #7 we can take a look at this run so far and marvel at the depth of the story so far.
First off why is Cates writing Venom? He is and always should be first and foremost a Thor writer, I haven’t been this engaged in a comic book since Jason Aaron’s Thor God Butcher . Donny Cates is on fire, it seems the guys keyboard or fingertips have the Midas touch. Just as quickly as Thor was brought into the conflict with the Black Winter, issue 6 keeps that pace and ends an an unbearable cliff hanger for number 7. All we know up to this point is the fight so far was just warm up round.
It’s hard to put a starting point on where the magic starts in this series, is it when King Thor butchers the devourer Galactus or does it begin in the first pages of issue #1 as Thor hurls Mljonir across all ten realms. Whatever panel gets you hooked you won’t have been waiting long to appreciate the vibrant artwork and detail Nick Klein throws at you from the gate. Even if every pannel was void of a single word the tone draw into Thors face is he’s in charge and regardless of what Galactus, his heralds, Loki or the Silver Surfer think will stop at nothing do what he thinks is right. Spurned on by the Black Winter power of revealing your death has driven the King to near desperation
WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW
Personally I feel it reminds me of a darker Unworthy Thor setting, something no one is going to complain about. Apart from aesthetic scenes worthy of a forehead tattoo Cates dialogue is phenomenal. Thor’s progression through his time as King is not an evolution but a devolution of him from God to King to Herald and by the end to hopeless. The way audiences see this is unique because never once is Thor’s ability or power called into question if anything he shows new unheard of levels of strength; instead we see these holes emerging in Thor’s Psyche as he fights to save everyone and be a moral king. Avengers Endgame may have touched on this emotional mental dilemma with the chubby Thor equaling the depressed model, even Thor can only take so much. What Donny Cates highlights is Thor has been in a state of war for a very very long time, has escaped his death countless times and it is all building to something so terrible Thor can feel
Thor facing images of past foes shown by the Black Winter
The big takeaway is the demise shown to Thor by the Black Winter. The horror so profound it led Thor to return home in silence with no mention of his deeds and exploits to save everyone. Cates tries to put a scale for the challenges ahead, having the Black Winter itself state it was never here for his universe that fate is already guaranteed.
What Thor saw when Black Death showed him his end
Now at first I was giddy as a schoolgirl with the imagery but the excitement soon faded as I realized Marvel Zombies has been done time and time again. If you notice though Thanos is wielding a black gauntlet, maybe this is not the Zombie virus at all. Could Thanos have trapped death itself into a weapon? I definitely have no more ideas under my tin foil hat but maybe you do, leave your theories and comments in the section below.
Absolute Carnage #5, written by Donny Cates cover artist Ryan Stegman
One of the most enthralling events surrounding the two symbiotes you’ve read about, Cates has done something special here.
While readers are left to explore the complex exposed relationship between Eddie Brock and Kletus Kasady, there is no clues for what we can expect from the symbiote god Knull and Carnage being a byproduct of a much darker sickness in the Marvel universe. Cates choosing issue 5 to highlight the escalating danger that Dark Carnage poses not to just Eddie but the Avengers and earth gives us a sense of overwhelming momentum for this series. You can expect a spectacular fight between the old rivals as the duality of the two symbiotic hosts is poised in a magnificent send off. Ending on a slice of father son closure you’ll be happy you took the time. Unable to contain the joy of soon getting my hands on Venom issue #25 fans of Cates work need only be patient if anticipating the next step in the symbiote god Knulls plan.
The series will leave you wanting more but in the best way, a good read definitely worth the $5.99. You can buy the complete series here on Amazon.
Earth (all of them) seem to be among the busiest places in Marvel comics, especially when there is a universal ending weapon or item lying around. Throughout the MCU you will find a multitude of powerful items that could tip universal scales: the Eternal Flame, Hadron Enforcer, Casket of Ancient Winters etc. Avengers Infinity Wars allowed audiences a glimpse at “some” of the most powerful items in the universe; the Infinity Stones. Thanos was capable of changing the universe as he saw fit by combining the power of the Infinity Stones into the Infinity Gauntlet. Individually they allow the wielder power augmentations over reality. Placing the stones (not the Infinity Gauntlet) in an item power ranking, they fall lower on the universal threat scale than you’d think. Thankfully comic writers have created and will continue to create grandeur plot devices of unimaginable power to one up the last one.
Following the theme “if it’s powerful it appears on earth”; the Tactigon first appeared in Avengers: The Initiative #1, as an alien weapon that fell to San Francisco and bonded with the suicidal teen Violet Lightner. This pairing transformed Violet into the powerful hero Armory. The Tactigon was soon passed to Michael Van Patrick’s clone KIA after Armory accidentally killed MVP in a training exercise. Marvel databases classify the alien weapon as an omega level threat ranked among the Kree Nega Bands and Thor’s Mjolnir. War Machine himself stated that the Tactigon was a dangerous omega level weapon, that’s coming from War Machine the guy who uses weapons for a living. What makes the Tactigon so deadly is that after it bonds with a host it begins to learn and exploit an enemies weakness, taking the form of the perfect weapon to defeat your opponent. Along with transforming some other Tactigon’s powers are potent energy projection abilities.
Powerful items often yield terrible results, when it’s the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak it yields an unstoppable Juggernaut. First appearing in Uncanny X-men #12. The Crimson Gem is easily recognized as the source of the Juggernaut villains power. Exemplars are the mortals who come into contact with mystical artifacts like the Crimson Gem and bestowed unimaginable power. As the Juggernaut you are essentially immortal, possessing; limitless kinetic energy, immeasurable strength, physical invulnerability, a nearly impenetrable shield and super speed. Exemplars capable of tapping into the full power of the Crimson Gem become the Trion Juggernaut; capable of matter manipulation, creating portals, causing dimensional tares and growing in size. The Gem itself is a mystical artifact that serves as an extension of Cyttorak, an entity so powerful villains like Dormammu draw on his power. Not to mention the gem itself can be used for creating mystical constructs, teleportation and generating energy blasts. Often the Juggernaut is defeated by his own methods, if the gem fell into the hands of someone with a little more ambition, everyone could be in trouble.
If you blinked in Thor Ragnarok you might have missed the Twilight Sword. First in the weakened grip of a de-powered Surtur, and later being driven into the magical realm Asgard; it receives little attention in the movie. Surtur lugs around what is known as the Sword of Twilight or Sword of Doom. A serious piece of mystical hardware that at one point even houses the infinity stones. Surtur first destroyed the galaxy of the Korbinites (Beta Ray Bill’s home) creating the “burning galaxy” to harness the massive amount of energy needed to forge the Twilight sword. The sword is a conduit for magical energies, increasing the users powers and simultaneously acting as a magical barrier against physical and magical attacks. While in the hands of a champion, the sword has the ability to cut through nearly anything. Not limited to physical objects like metal or rock but also energy/magical barriers and dimensions. Surtur is not the only one to wield the Twilight Sword for terrible purposes. Morgan Le Fay was able to use the sword and her elven magic to completely change reality into a middle ages equivalent with her as the leader. God of tricks Loki even combines his knowledge of science and magic to harness unlimited energy from the sword. The Twilight Sword was created to be coated in the Eternal Flame and used by Surtur to bring about Asgard’s Ragnarok this is a small portion of the many abilities making the wielder a universal powerhouse.
Another item based on a pointy ends that can end you, the Odin Sword is a magical weapon kept under lock and key by the Skyfather Odin. Created from a Golden Nibelung ring it was rumored to be so powerful if unsheathed, “the end of the universe is at hand”. Making its appearance in Journey Into Mystery #117 and later retconned in the “Celestial Saga”. Capable of harnessing cosmic energies primarily drawing on the Odin Force, and cutting through nearly anything including celestial armor. Just to add a background, that powerful magic the Odin Sword uses flows through the Tree of Life and utilizes is one of the most powerful forms of magic in the Marvel universe. Using the power of the Odin Force, Odin is able to access magic as an unlimited source of power, to augment his strength, manipulate matter, alter time and bring the dead back to life. All of this power is being channeled through the sword. Among the strongest weapons available to the Asguardians the might of this weapon allowed Odin to hold his own against a group of Celestials before finally being overcome.
Forged by Avalon’s alchemist from the mystical realm of otherworld, The Evil Eye of Avalon is classified as a dangerous and powerful magical item. Created by Marvel titans Stan Lee and Jack Kirby making its appearance in Fantastic Four #54, originally intended as a weapon against the Formor. Not limited to purely destruction, the Eye can manipulate and disintegrate matter at a molecular level, project blasts of concussive force, emit disintegrating rays, create or destroy force fields, and possess powers over both dimensional and time travel. Equipped with a safety button that when turned on would recharge the device, if left in the on position the Eye would eventually cause a devastating explosion. Used for an occasional villainous purpose, the EEOA was seized by Dormammmu who intended to use it to merge the earth into his dark dimension. The Eye of Avalon was even considered powerful enough by the Grandmaster to be one of the 12 artifacts wagered in the JLA/Avengers crossover event.
Typically used by Annihilus in a terribly underwhelming fashion the coveted Cosmic Control Rod is a force to be reckoned with first appearing in Fantastic Four Annual #6. Annihilus made use of a knowledge transference helmet to acquire the knowledge to create the Cosmic Control Rod rumored to contain the essence of a Tyannan starship’s stardrive. This means the device is on a scale of incalculable power. Capable of manipulating cosmic energies, matter, and interdimensional warps the wielders’ aging is also slowed to a near stagnation. Not even the items most overwhelming feature, any personal abilities the user has are augmented far beyond current levels. Annihilus has a history of using the Cosmic Control Rods mastery of cosmic energy for improving his own abilities; flight, teleportation, superhuman strength and self resurrection. Already a universal boomstick the Rod grants whoever holds it leadership of the Negative Zone and absolute dominion over the universe ending Annihilation wave. What came to be known as Annihilation Day the Annihilation Wave used advanced technology, significant firepower and overwhelming numbers to take overtake million planets on the first day. Mastery over an entire universe and sovereignty over all its inhabitants alone makes the wielder of the Cosmic Control Rod a threat to an entire universe.
Have you noticed Marvel has a thing about imbuing swords with over the top power? Me either. The Necro Sword (All Black) was the first symbiote ever created by the god Knull. Knull pulled the weapon from his shadow and forged it using the power of a fallen celestial to reap a terrible vengeance against all life. All Black has had a number of owners and has even bonded with beings such as Galactus and Odin. Like other symbiotes it will influence/corrupt the host, following its creators plan to wipe out all life in the universe (emphasis on Celestials). If god slaying is on the agenda the Necro Sword is the way to go since it is responsible for killing millions of gods across the multiverse. With sword in hand the owner possesses superhuman strength to a high degree so high that Gor the God Butcher was able to battle old Thor, current Thor and young Thor all at once and still gained the upper hand. Along with planet shattering strength the wielders are given enhanced speed, durability and reflexes that are at least on a God of Thunder level. Due to the dark nature of its creation and master, the Necro Sword also possess a command over dark energy, able to change its physical form to nearly anything it pleases. Similar to the Twilight Sword this weapon will enhance the natural abilities of the user, when Odin bonded with all black it enhanced his rune lighting so much that when striking Galactus it appeared with a fiendish a blackish purple hue. While the main purpose is the killing of Celestials, gods, and other cosmic entities what makes the sword truly terrifying is that it can bypass the victims immortality and slay them like mortals. Like all symbiotes, All Black is susceptible to fire but has survived being thrown into a star with virtually no damage, making its one weakness a nearly invulnerable one.
Described as the universe’s ultimate weapon the Ultimate Nullifier (say that 5 times fast) resides in the possession of the cosmic entity Galactus, is the only known item to inspire outright fear when used against him by Mr. Fantastic. Equipped with the ability to completely destroy a target of the wielders choosing by violating the law of conservation of mass, it first appeared in Fantastic Four #50. Whoever holds the Nullifier has a large impact on the effectiveness, dependent upon the concentration, knowledge, and mindset of the wielder. In the hand of a highly intelligent being like Galactus, the Nullifiers holds multiversal powers over creation and destruction. Even in the hand of a supreme human intellect like Reech Richards, this item holds enough power to force Galactus himself to retreat from destroying the earth. At one point the Nullifier was even pitted against an Infinity Gauntlet powered by five infinity stones. Qasar hoped to use it to stop Magus in the Infinity War, but failed to activate the Ultimate Nullifier. Spider Man actually theroizes in Marvel Adventures that, “ he believes that it instead alters the laws of probability, changing the universe so that “everything has an equal likelihood of affecting everything else”. This is later proved accurate.
Officially existing outside of the main Earth 616, Marvel universe continuity is the Heart of the Universe last appearing in Marvel: The End, a six issue comic series. So powerful that when held by Thanos, he said the Infinity Gauntlet pales in comparison, describing the gauntlet as external control over the universe and the Heart as the actual fabric and understanding of all existences and power. The Heart was created by the One Above All to correct a fundamental imbalance of good and evil in all of existence and to also reigns as a supreme power above all cosmic and extract entities. Using the heart, Thanos easily dispatched the threat Akhenaten, and when the Living Tribunal gathered together the Marvel heroes and cosmic abstracts (Eternity, Infinity, Death and the Celestials) in a vain attempt to take back the heart Thanos simply absorbed all of the Marvel Multiverse. In the End, the Heart was officially stated to be “gone” when Thanos used its power to restore everything he had destroyed but if the past tells us anything, nothing in comics stays dead or gone for long. Similar to the powers of the Infinity Gauntlet the Heart of the Universes gives an ultimate power and understanding of all things that no other object, item, force or artifact can compete with.
Looking to expand on your deadly Marvel item and weapon list , here are some honorable mentions that are still a force to behold; the Darkhold, Nega Bands, Casket of Ancient Winters, Excalibur, Mandarins Ten Rings, Destroyer Armour and the Staff of One. Did you see this list going differently, leave a comment with what you think should or shouldn’t have made the post. Don’t forget to follow to get updates about the latest gaming, comic, movie and nerdy news.
The series will leave you wanting more but in the best way, a good read definitely worth the $5.99. You can buy the complete series here on 
NERD CHUM 