Mangog is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Mangog
Mangog as depicted in Thor #155 (August 1968).
Art by Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThor #154 (July 1968)[1]
Created byStan Lee (writer)
Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
PartnershipsThanos
Notable aliasesOdin
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength, stamina, durability and endurance
Shapeshifting and energy projection via magic manipulation
Immortality
Self-resurrection
Empathic ability to feed on the hatred of sentient beings
Empowerment from the selfish acts of gods

Publication history

edit

The character first appeared in Thor #154 (July 1968) and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.[2]

Creation

edit

The character was based on the giants Gog and Magog, who would combine their bodies to become Gogmagog.[3]

Fictional character biography

edit

The character was described in his debut as being the sum total of the hatred of "a billion billion beings" and the sole survivor of an alien species who attempted to invade Asgard before Odin stopped them.[4] Imprisoned beneath Asgard, Mangog is freed by the rock troll Ulik, in a failed bid to secure an ally against the gods.[5][6] Mangog storms Asgard, intent on obtaining the Odinsword to destroy the universe. Thor battles Mangog to a standstill, until Odin stops him by breaking the spell which had created Mangog as a living prison for his entire race.[5][7]

Mangog is later freed by Loki, but defeated after being drained of his power.[8] With the aid of the traitorous magician Igron, Mangog assumes the form of an imprisoned Odin, and intends to once again draw the Odinsword. After a series of skirmishes with Thor, the creature is defeated when Thor frees Odin.[9]

The character reappears twice in the second volume of Thor: as the servant of a clone of the Titan Thanos (destroyed by Thor)[10] and in a desolated Asgard during Ragnarok (dispelled by Thor with the Odinforce)[11] Mangog reappears in the Thunderstrike mini-series when accidentally summoned by a mystical generator, and is eventually defeated when cast into a distant star.[12]

In The Mighty Thor, Mangog decimates Asgard until Jane Foster / Thor throws him into the sun.[13] He later absorbs Mjolnir's power and becomes the God of Hammers before Thor fatally drains his energy.[6][14][15]

Powers and abilities

edit

Mangog possesses the strength, stamina, durability and endurance of a "billion billion beings",[16][5] and has the ability to manipulate magic for energy projection and shapeshifting.[5]

Mangog appears to be indestructible, and has stated that he will always exist as long as there is hatred.[5][17][18] Mangog is also called "the Judgment of the Gods", drawing strength from every cruel act performed by the gods.[19]

Other versions

edit

Heroes Reborn

edit

In an alternate reality depicted in Heroes Reborn, Mangog becomes All-Gog: Final All-Father, Destroyer of Asgard after destroying Asgard. He then joins the Masters of Doom before being petrified by Power Princess.[20][21]

Marvel Fanfare

edit

In an alternate universe, Mangog battles the Herald of Galactus, Silver Surfer.[22]

What If?

edit

Mangog attempts to take advantage of Odin's need for the Odinsleep but is stopped by Jane Foster, who has found Thor's hammer Mjolnir.[23]

Ultimate Marvel

edit

An alternate universe variant of Mangog from Earth-1610 appears in Ultimate Spider-Man #150. This version is a spirit who requires a host to survive and was previously imprisoned in the Eye of Avalon.[24]

In other media

edit

Television

edit

Mangog appears in the Avengers Assemble episode "All-Father's Day", voiced by JB Blanc.[25]

Video games

edit

Miscellaneous

edit

Mangog appears in HeroClix as part of "The Mighty Thor" set.

References

edit
  1. ^ Misiroglu, Gina Renée; Eury, Michael (2006). The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9780780809772.
  2. ^ Brevoort, Tom; DeFalco, Tom; Manning, Matthew K.; Sanderson, Peter; Wiacek, Win (2017). Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History. DK Publishing. p. 131. ISBN 978-1465455505.
  3. ^ Morrow, John (November 1999). "The Jack Kirby Collector" (26): 23. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Wells, John (2014). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 198. ISBN 978-1605490557.
  5. ^ a b c d e Stone, Sam (May 25, 2019). "Mangog: Why the Thor Villain is One of Marvel's Strongest Characters". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Dodge, John (February 3, 2022). "Why Thor's Worst Enemy Is Another MCU Icon's Biggest Mistake". CBR. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Thor #154-157 (July-Oct. 1968). Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ Thor #195-198 (Jan. - April 1972). Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ Thor #242 (Dec. 1975); 244 (Feb. 1975) 246-250 (April-Aug. 1976). Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Thor vol. 2 #20-25 (Feb.-July 2000). Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ Thor vol. 2 #84 (Nov. 2004). Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Thunderstrike vol. 2 #5 (June 2011)
  13. ^ The Mighty Thor #700-705 (Feb. 2018). Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ Nolan, Liam (January 26, 2022). "Marvel Just Completely Reinvented a Major Thor Villain". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Thor (Vol. 6) #23 (March 2022). Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Thor #157 (Oct. 1968). Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ Donohoo, Timothy Blake (August 31, 2024). "10 Most Underrated Thor Villains". CBR. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  18. ^ Thunderstrike vol. 2 #5. Marvel Comics.
  19. ^ The Mighty Thor #701 (Nov. 2017). Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ Heroes Reborn vol. 2 #1. Marvel Comics.
  21. ^ Heroes Reborn vol. 2 #6. Marvel Comics.
  22. ^ Marvel Fanfare #51 (June 1982). Marvel Comics.
  23. ^ What If? #10 (Aug. 1978). Marvel Comics.
  24. ^ Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #150 (Jan. 2011). Marvel Comics.
  25. ^ a b c "Mangog Voices (Thor)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved February 27, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
edit