Balder (Earth-616)

From Marvel Database

Contents 1 History 2 Powers and Abilities 2.1 Powers 2.2 Abilities 2.3 Strength level 2.4 Weaknesses 3 Paraphernalia 3.1 Equipment 3.2 Transportation 3.3 Weapons 4 Notes 5 Significant Issues 6 Links 6.1 Discover and Discuss

History

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.

Powers and Abilities

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

Abilities

Skilled warrior and horseman

Strength level

Superhuman class 50. Balder is slightly stronger than the average Asgardian and can lift 35 tons .^[1]

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

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Once wielded the Norn stones.

Transportation

Asgardian horses, occasionally inter-dimensional portals.

Weapons

Pair of swords

Notes

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)

Links

• Appearances of Balder (Earth-616)
• Character Gallery: Balder (Earth-616)
• Images that feature Balder (Earth-616)
• Fan-Art Gallery: Balder (Earth-616)
• Quotations by Balder (Earth-616) 
• Balder at the Guide to the Mythological Universe
• The Unofficial Handbook to the Marvel Universe

Discover and Discuss

• Search News for: Balder the Brave · Balder · Balder (Earth-616)
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