Read more about Balder the Brave at: Wikipedia Official Site: Marvel Entertainment Balder the Brave is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by editor-plotter Stan Lee and penciller Jack Kirby, the character first appears in Journey into Mystery #85 (October 1964) and is based on the deity Baldr from Norse mythology. One of the Norse Gods of Asgard, Balder is the half brother of the Thunder God Thor, companion to the Warriors Three and a loyal follower and son of Odin, ruler of the gods. Balder has aided Thor against many of his foes, such as Skagg the Storm Giant and the fire demon Surtur when he warned Thor about them being released by Loki who planned for them to kill Odin after being told by Heimdall, Thor's adopted brother Loki, the Executioner and Enchantress, the Enchanters Three, the Wrecker, and Mangog. Balder is also briefly named ruler of Asgard during Thor's quest to find a then missing Odin. Like the mythological version, the Marvel version of Balder is the catalyst that will trigger Ragnarök and end Asgard. To prevent this, Odin cast spells to keep Balder invulnerable. This almost happens when Loki had the blind god Hoder accidentally kill Balder with a mistletoe arrow, but is averted by the planning of Odin, who creates a shield around Balder's pyre, and later restores Balder to life when the Asgardians, after being slain in battle with the Celestials, were brought back to life by Thor using portions of energy donated by other Gods. On the second occasion, however, Balder is traumatized by the experience as he saw the souls of all those he had slain in battle and renounces killing. whilst on another she joins forces with Asgard against Surtur at Balder's request. Karnilla's lust for Balder inadvertently causes the death of Balder's love, Nanna - an act that Balder has never forgotten.
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