Fafnir (Marvel Comics)

Fafnir
Fafnir (right) on the cover of Thor #341 (March 1984). Art by Walter Simonson.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Thor #134 (Nov. 1966)
Created by	Stan Lee Jack Kirby
In-story information
Abilities	Superhuman strength and durability Fire breath Illusion casting

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

Fafnir first appears in the title Thor #134 (Nov. 1966), and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Based on Fafnir of Norse mythology, Fafnir first appeared in a two-part back-up story in Thor #134-135 (Nov.-Dec. 1966). The character did not feature again in Marvel continuity until Thor #318 (April 1982), and was finally killed in a storyline in Thor #341-343 (March–May 1984). Fafnir returned from the dead (referred to as King Fafnir of Nastrond) in Thor #486-488 (May–July 1995).

Fafnir is first encountered in the guise of an old man by the warrior Volstagg, who with his companions is currently exploring the ruined realm of Nastrond, an extradimensional realm on the continent of Asgard. Fafnir explains he was the King of Nastrond, and that the King of the Norse Gods Odin destroyed Nastrond due to the evil nature of its people. Fafnir himself was left to die in a ruined wasteland, but survives by drinking from a pool of water with magical properties. The water, however, transforms Fafnir into a massive dragon. Knowing that Volstagg and his allies were sent by Odin, Fafnir uses the power of illusion and intends to devour the Asgardians. Odin's son Thor, however, defeats Fafnir by driving the dragon into a chasm using his lightning, after which he frees Volstagg.

Fafnir reappears when Thor's stepbrother and perennial foe Loki sends the dragon to Earth to kill the Thunder God. Thor, however, uses his mystical hammer Mjolnir to hold Fafnir at bay until Odin intervenes and banishes the former king back to the ruins of Nastrond. Fafnir eventually returns to Earth, destroys several abandoned buildings in New York City and battles the National Guard. Thor and Elif, the elderly chief and last survivor of a lost Viking colony armed with a spear blessed by Odin himself, arrive to battle. They are almost defeated, but Elif gives up his life to drive the spear into Fafnir, and Thor hammers it in all the way, slaying Fafnir. Thor gives Elif a noble Viking funeral by burning Fafnir's body atop his corpse.