Ymir (Marvel Comics): Difference between revisions

Based on the frost giant of the same name from Norse mythology, Ymir is a fictional character that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey Into Mystery #97 (Oct. 1963) and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

The character Ymir first appears in Journey Into Mystery, and as with the mythological version considers all other forms of life — with the exception of his kin the Frost Giants of Niffelheim — to be aberrations that must be destroyed. He was among the first Asgardian creatures to be created, and spawned the Asgardian Gods evantually. The next story depicts an early battle with and subsequent imprisonment by being lured into a trap and imprisoned in a ring of magical fire by Odin, King of the Norse gods while attempting to bring eternal winter to Asgard with the other giants.^[1] Ymir is mentioned in Savage Tales in a story set in the prehistoric Hyborian Age. Barbarian hero Conan encounters his daughter, Atali, and slays two of her brutish brothers.^[2]

Ymir reappears in a two-part storyline in Avengers and Doctor Strange being summoned to Earth with the fire demon Surtur by the cult the Sons of Satannish. The pair are defeated and banished when the heroes trick the two into fighting one another due to Strange.^[3] Ymir and Surtur reappear in Thor, and invade the realm of Asgard. Both characters, however, are defeated when God of Thunder Thor uses the Odinpower to banish the pair to the other-dimensional Sea of Eternal Night.^[4] Ymir reappears in the publication Marvel Super-Heroes, and with the Frost and Storm Giants launches attack on Asgard. On this occasion the character and his allies are stopped by Thor and his half-brother, Vidar.^[5]

Ymir appears in an issue of the limited series X-Men: First Class, which is set during the early days of the modern Marvel universe. The original X-Men encounter a group called the Sons of the Vanir who summon Ymir to Earth, and after a brief battle Thor uses his mystic hammer Mjolnir to return the character to Niffelheim.^[6]

Ymir is a huge ice giant over 1,000 feet (330 m) tall, and possessing immense strength and durability greater than most other giants. Ymir is one of the few beings that are capable of fighting Surtur and Odin with a fair chance of actually winning. The character can generate intense, deadly cold and regenerate from as little as a particle of ice. Ymir also carries a huge icicle which functions as a club. The character is an ancient being devoted to destruction and little else.

Ymir is the villain in the giveaway title Free Comic Book Day 2009 Avengers.^[7]

Ymir and Surtur feature in the Ultimate Marvel imprint title Ultimates, invading Earth and battling the alternate universe version of the Avengers.^[8]

• Ymir appeared in the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "The Vengeance of Loki" voiced by John Stephenson. He has taken over the kingdom that was ruled by the Ice Giant Zerona. With the help of Iceman, she was able to drive him away.
• Ymir appears in the The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "The Siege of Asgard." He is among the Frost Giants assaulting Asgard, engaging in battle with Thor. In "The Fall of Asgard," Ymir and the Frost Giants end up fighting Ant-Man (who was defending an unconscious Wasp) as Ymir used the power of the Casket of Ancient Winters on Ant-Man. Luckily for Ant-Man, he and Wasp were rescued by Sif.

• Ymir appears as a villain in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Paul Eiding. Before battling the heroes, he tells them that Loki and Doctor Doom have taken the defeated Odin to the top of Raven's Spire and when Loki rules Asgard, it will be a great day for his kind. He has special dialogue with Iceman.
• Ymir appears in Thor: God of Thunder (based on the live-action film.^[9]), voiced by Mitch Lewis. Loki tricks Thor into battling Ymir by providing him with access to a secret that will allegedly destroy the Frost Giants, only for Thor to learn that the 'weapon' was actually the imprisoned Mangog.
• Ymir appears as a villain character in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online.

Ymir at the Marvel Universe wiki