Contents 1 HistoryEdit 2 Powers and AbilitiesEdit 2.1 Powers 2.2 Abilities 2.3 Strength level 2.4 Weaknesses 3 ParaphernaliaEdit 3.1 Equipment 3.2 Transportation 3.3 Weapons 4 NotesEdit 5 Significant Issues 6 LinksEdit 6.1 Discover and Discuss 6.2 Footnotes

HistoryEdit

Added by Copycat989

Due to prophecies that Balder's death would help trigger the coming of Ragnarok, the destruction of Asgard and its inhabitants, Odin, ruler of Asgard, commanded his wife Frigga to make Balder invulnerable to harm.

Frigga cast spells that would protect Balder form harm by any living or inanimate thing while he was in the Asgardian dimension; however, Balder remained vulnerable to mistletoe. Loki, the god of mischief, learned of the prophecies and vulnerability, and tricked the blind god Hoder into firing an arrow tipped with mistletoe wood at Balder. Odin prevented Balder from actually dying, but when he was finally restored to life, his hair had turned white as a result from his experiences in Hel. Later, Balder's beloved, Nanna, sacrificed herself to save Balder from entrapment in marriage to Karnilla, and Balder was so distraught that he resolved never to speak of this incident or of her again.

These experiences of death led Balder to forswear the life of a warrior and tried to forget his misery through eating, growing considerably fat. He rode to the desert to die, but encountered the Norns, three goddesses who oversaw the workings of destiny. The Norns gave Balder a vision that restored his faith, and he rode back to Asgard, eventually losing his excessive weight as he became a warrior again.

Balder fought in all the recent battles of Asgard, including one against the demon Surtur, in which he needed to seek out the aid of the sorceress Karnilla. During a time when Odin had departed Asgard, Balder became the ruler of Asgard.

Balder accompanied Greyval Grimson on the quest for the Raven Banner.

Balder was killed during the final Ragnarok by an army wielding mistletoe-tipped spears.

Balder's spirit was pushed into the Destroyer by Loki and attacked Thor who was searching for the missing Asgardians. He was restored by Thor along with Loki and resided in Asgard Oklahoma. Balder replaced Thor as Lord of Asgard due to the sinister plans of Loki during the Dark Reign, and was convinced to move the Asgardians to Latveria, the domain of Doctor Doom, where they were placed at his mercy. Until the prompt arrival of Thor who brutally bested Dr. Dooms Destroyer freeing the Asgardian's held prisoner including Balder. Once again ruler of Asgard yet broken in spirit Balder attempted to abdicate the throne. Thor convinced him to not to. When the threat of the world eaters ensued over the nine realms Balder did not pursue any action despite the encroaching threat. Forcing Thor to resurrect Odin after which Balder departed Asgard with Tyr. Intent on dying a warriors death to atone for the sins of failing to protect Asgard. Defeating many of the world eaters including Thane the prince of the Ano-Athnox before falling to their deaths. Later after the defeat and banishment of the Athnox to the limbo in the world tree Balder's vengeful spirit is present along with Tyr.

Powers and AbilitiesEdit

Powers

Balder has the ability to radiate unmeasured degrees of heat and light as the God of Light, though this ability is rarely displayed; like all Asgardians, Balder is extremely long-lived, more fast-healing than Earth-based beings, and immune to terrestrial diseases. As a senior Asgardian god Balder's physical abilities are slightly superior to common Asgardians. Balder is also a capable leader and swordsman. Also, while in Asgard, Balder cannot be mortally wounded by any weapon; however, after being reborn on Earth, he has lost this magical ability. Balder also managed to shield both himself and Odin's flying steed from mortal eyesight while on Earth in one instance. Badler has several superhuman physical attributes that are common to Asgardians. Balder possesses superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, senses and durability.

Power Grid [1]
Intelligence	2
Strength	5
Speed	3
Durability	3
Energy Projection	3
Fighting Skills	4

Abilities

Skilled warrior and horseman

Strength level

Superhuman class 50. Balder is significantly stronger than the average Asgardian and can lift 35 tons^[2]. However he may be stronger now as he is the king of Asgard and is also said to be able to lift 50 tons in his latest OHOTMU entry^[3].

Weaknesses

Is vulnerable to weapons made of mistletoe; can die of natural means (such as severe lack of food, water or air); according to Loki as she warned Balder after helping him slay a Frost Giant on Midgard as part of a ploy to gain his trust, the spells of invulnerability no longer shield him beyond the boundaries of the now-lost Asgardian dimension and he can be far more easily slain, even by mortal weapons.

ParaphernaliaEdit

Equipment

Once wielded the Norn stones.

Transportation

Asgardian horses, occasionally inter-dimensional portals.

Weapons

Pair of swords

NotesEdit

Significant Issues

• Balder 1-4 (1985)
• Thor #189-201 (Renounces Odin, and serves Karnilla)
• Thor 255 (Served as ruler of Asgard in Thor's stead)
• Thor 274-275 (Shot by Hoder with Mistletoe, but was held in suspended animation by Odin to stop Ragnarok)
• Thor 301-302 (Brought back by Odin, but renounces his warrior lifestyle)

LinksEdit

• 387 Appearances of Balder Odinson (Earth-616)
• 47 Images featuring Balder Odinson (Earth-616)
• 6 Quotations by or about Balder Odinson (Earth-616)
• Character Gallery: Balder Odinson (Earth-616)
• Fan-Art Gallery: Balder Odinson (Earth-616) 
• Balder at the Guide to the Mythological Universe
• The Unofficial Handbook to the Marvel Universe

Discover and Discuss

• Search this site for: Balder the Brave · Balder Odinson · Balder Odinson (Earth-616)
• Search the Forums for: Balder the Brave · Balder Odinson · Balder Odinson (Earth-616)
• Discuss this and other characters on the forums

Footnotes

1. ↑ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z hardcover Vol. 14
2. ↑ Thor tales of Asgard #2
3. ↑ OHOTMU:Thor & Hercules - Encyclopedia Mythologica