Doug: I actually want to expand this beyond the Realm Eternal and offer you the chance to expound on all of Thor's supporting cast (like the Recorder, for example). The denizens of the Nine Realms await!
I'd say Loki. Because you gotta love a great villain. Plus the good old "god of mischief" was responsible for the formation of the Avengers! (So, we kind of owe him props for that one).
This kind of question, I always make it a point to have at least a first-thought answer before I go ahead and check out any other responses-- and I thought I would be a fringe-dweller when my own choice (for the classic MU) popped right up as "Volstagg". Ha-- glad to see I'm not alone in my affection and appreciation for this beloved old product of Shakespeare's imagination. Well, and at that he was really Shakespeare's expansion ancient Roman playwrite Plautus' stock character-- The Braggart Warrior, Miles Gloriosus (whom we also see in FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM).
But I think Volstagg may be the best iteration of this character, 'cause for the most part he has been handled so lovingly over the years-- treated, surprisingly, with more creative respect than many other more mainstream characters. He's the John Falstaff that we never got a chance to see more of beyond the three plays that Shakespeare included him in. And when he's written at his best, he does manage to encompass being a bumbling oaf, a bragging fool, a courageous and loyal ally, a sensitive soul, and a canny hero. . . and an intolerable boor. There seems to be an ever-sliding scale of self-awareness in the character that we have somehow been able to buy into for about 50 years now. Lord, his inane helmet-feather/scarf/tassle thingy is almost its own little icon, y'know?
Now, in the Cinematic U-? Oh my friends, it is HEIMDALL, hands down! HBSon and I are completely of a mind on this one. We came away from both Thor films going, "yeah, it was good, but-- I wanted MORE HEIMDALL!"-- and that's even with him having one of the best brief action sequences in the second one-! (Taking down a scout ship with his sword-- LOVED it--) Just about every moment the character is on-screen I found myself holding my breath-- he's the embodiment of a human (well, Asgardian) coiled-spring. If that character wandered out of the film midway through, I'd happily abandon ship and follow him to whatever tangential adventure he was embarking on. . .
HB, I have the same view of Heimdall in the movies, i.e.: I wanted to see more of him. But it's all due to the fact that such an excellent actor, Idris Elba, was cast to play him (seriously, that guy has it all: talent, charisma and looks). That's why, in a way, I think he's almost wasted playing a supporting character...
I've said here before that I've never been a big fan of Thor's solo series. I prefer Earth-bound heroes. But if I had to pick Asgardians, I'd go with the Warriors Three. I love their appearance in Marvel Spotlight. Sif would be in 2nd place.
In the movies it's Loki. Tom Hiddleston has mad Thor's brother a classic movie villain.
But seriously...I always thought Karnilla was kind of cool; she was technically a bad guy, but she genuinely seemed to love Balder and ended up helping the good guys because of that. You gotta love a (semi-)reformed bad girl!
It would be tough for me to choose. I really think that, perhaps next to Spider-Man, Thor has the best and most well developed supporting cast at Marvel.
The Enchantress and Executioner were always good for a knockdown/dragout, and Amora's enchantments could wreak havoc in a different way.
I love the loyalty of Balder. He may be the most heroic character in comics.
Jeez -- Sif or Jane Foster? For me, it's Sif all day every day. Comics and most certainly in the films.
J.A.'s mention of Tom Hiddleston is so true -- perhaps the best casting the folks at Marvel Studios have made.
If we can count Hercules in this conversation, it's always fun when he shows up.
And I'll also second J.A.'s nomination of the Warriors Three. Three disparate personalities, but so much fun together when handled by a skilled scripter.
I always had a soft spot for Hildegarde. (Maybe because a younger version appeared in the Cap'n Crunch commercials?) I got a slew of Thors at one point involving travels in space (?) aboard a Viking ship right around Avengers #105, and I was intrigued by the scope of the tales and the supporting cast. Sif was the requisite love interest, but Hildegarde seemed to be the only other female Asgardian, and I wanted to know more about her. (Roy Thomas had yet to return the goddesses and link the comics more tightly to the mythology.) I seem to be in the minority, but the movie Thor is Hemsworthy.
I haven't read Thor in a long time, but back in the day, I would say it would be Balder. As I said, I'm out of the loop, but I wondered why he hasn't been in the movies. Heimdall would be runner-up.
Am I noticing that somehow Thor himself isn't making a dent at all in this Favorite Asgardian discussion? I mean, I don't disagree-- it just seems kinda too bad, y'know? Doug, your observation about the strength (and really, depth) of the supporting cast is a very smart one. Thor himself. . . not the 100% most interesting personality in the Realm Eternal. Also not very consistently portrayed over the years. Does he actually have any particularly quirky traits at all-- or at least any that have been part of his assumed baseline personality over the years? I dunno. . .
Always liked the Warriors Three and my favorite of that trio is Hogun the Grim. He was dour and difficult before it was cool. I wish he'd gotten more screen time in the second Thor movie.
Volstagg!
ReplyDelete...and Karnilla...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'd say Loki. Because you gotta love a great villain. Plus the good old "god of mischief" was responsible for the formation of the Avengers! (So, we kind of owe him props for that one).
ReplyDeleteThis kind of question, I always make it a point to have at least a first-thought answer before I go ahead and check out any other responses-- and I thought I would be a fringe-dweller when my own choice (for the classic MU) popped right up as "Volstagg". Ha-- glad to see I'm not alone in my affection and appreciation for this beloved old product of Shakespeare's imagination. Well, and at that he was really Shakespeare's expansion ancient Roman playwrite Plautus' stock character-- The Braggart Warrior, Miles Gloriosus (whom we also see in FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM).
ReplyDeleteBut I think Volstagg may be the best iteration of this character, 'cause for the most part he has been handled so lovingly over the years-- treated, surprisingly, with more creative respect than many other more mainstream characters. He's the John Falstaff that we never got a chance to see more of beyond the three plays that Shakespeare included him in. And when he's written at his best, he does manage to encompass being a bumbling oaf, a bragging fool, a courageous and loyal ally, a sensitive soul, and a canny hero. . . and an intolerable boor. There seems to be an ever-sliding scale of self-awareness in the character that we have somehow been able to buy into for about 50 years now. Lord, his inane helmet-feather/scarf/tassle thingy is almost its own little icon, y'know?
Now, in the Cinematic U-? Oh my friends, it is HEIMDALL, hands down! HBSon and I are completely of a mind on this one. We came away from both Thor films going, "yeah, it was good, but-- I wanted MORE HEIMDALL!"-- and that's even with him having one of the best brief action sequences in the second one-! (Taking down a scout ship with his sword-- LOVED it--) Just about every moment the character is on-screen I found myself holding my breath-- he's the embodiment of a human (well, Asgardian) coiled-spring. If that character wandered out of the film midway through, I'd happily abandon ship and follow him to whatever tangential adventure he was embarking on. . .
HB
HB, I have the same view of Heimdall in the movies, i.e.: I wanted to see more of him. But it's all due to the fact that such an excellent actor, Idris Elba, was cast to play him (seriously, that guy has it all: talent, charisma and looks). That's why, in a way, I think he's almost wasted playing a supporting character...
ReplyDeleteI've said here before that I've never been a big fan of Thor's solo series. I prefer Earth-bound heroes. But if I had to pick Asgardians, I'd go with the Warriors Three. I love their appearance in Marvel Spotlight. Sif would be in 2nd place.
ReplyDeleteIn the movies it's Loki. Tom Hiddleston has mad Thor's brother a classic movie villain.
ULIK!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously...I always thought Karnilla was kind of cool; she was technically a bad guy, but she genuinely seemed to love Balder and ended up helping the good guys because of that. You gotta love a (semi-)reformed bad girl!
Mike Wilson
It would be tough for me to choose. I really think that, perhaps next to Spider-Man, Thor has the best and most well developed supporting cast at Marvel.
ReplyDeleteThe Enchantress and Executioner were always good for a knockdown/dragout, and Amora's enchantments could wreak havoc in a different way.
I love the loyalty of Balder. He may be the most heroic character in comics.
Jeez -- Sif or Jane Foster? For me, it's Sif all day every day. Comics and most certainly in the films.
J.A.'s mention of Tom Hiddleston is so true -- perhaps the best casting the folks at Marvel Studios have made.
If we can count Hercules in this conversation, it's always fun when he shows up.
And I'll also second J.A.'s nomination of the Warriors Three. Three disparate personalities, but so much fun together when handled by a skilled scripter.
Thanks for the feedback so far!
Doug
This one's easy...
ReplyDeleteThor Frog!!
I'm a huge Beta Ray Bill fan. His design is cool and the tragedy of his backstory combined with his heroism gives him depth.
ReplyDelete- Mike Loughlin
I always had a soft spot for Hildegarde. (Maybe because a younger version appeared in the Cap'n Crunch commercials?) I got a slew of Thors at one point involving travels in space (?) aboard a Viking ship right around Avengers #105, and I was intrigued by the scope of the tales and the supporting cast. Sif was the requisite love interest, but Hildegarde seemed to be the only other female Asgardian, and I wanted to know more about her. (Roy Thomas had yet to return the goddesses and link the comics more tightly to the mythology.)
ReplyDeleteI seem to be in the minority, but the movie Thor is Hemsworthy.
I haven't read Thor in a long time, but back in the day, I would say it would be Balder. As I said, I'm out of the loop, but I wondered why he hasn't been in the movies. Heimdall would be runner-up.
ReplyDeleteThor, Balder and the Warriors Three! So sayeth we all!
ReplyDelete- Mike 'by the bristling beard of Odin' from Trinidad & Tobago.
Am I noticing that somehow Thor himself isn't making a dent at all in this Favorite Asgardian discussion? I mean, I don't disagree-- it just seems kinda too bad, y'know? Doug, your observation about the strength (and really, depth) of the supporting cast is a very smart one. Thor himself. . . not the 100% most interesting personality in the Realm Eternal. Also not very consistently portrayed over the years. Does he actually have any particularly quirky traits at all-- or at least any that have been part of his assumed baseline personality over the years? I dunno. . .
ReplyDeleteHB
Toothgrinder and Toothgnasher.
ReplyDeleteAlways liked the Warriors Three and my favorite of that trio is Hogun the Grim. He was dour and difficult before it was cool. I wish he'd gotten more screen time in the second Thor movie.
ReplyDeleteRip Off