Loki Laufeyson is a character unlike any other in the Marvel Universe. Over the decades, he’s appeared in numerous forms—from villain to hero to something much more chaotic. With Marvel’s exploration of the Multiverse and games like Marvel Villainous: Mischief and Malice celebrating his legacy, it’s time to delve into the most impactful versions of Loki, each of which has added unique twists to his mythos.
The Original 616 Loki: God of Mischief
Every Loki variant begins with the original—Earth-616 Loki. Born to the frost giants of Jotunheim, he was the runt of the litter and cast aside by his father, King Laufey. Odin, after defeating Laufey in battle, took pity on the small child and adopted him, raising Loki in Asgard alongside his son Thor.
Loki’s talent for sorcery and his cunning nature made him a powerful figure, but resentment toward Thor led him down a dark path. Over time, he became the God of Mischief, constantly scheming and using his magical prowess to sow chaos. In fact, Loki’s villainy was so profound that it served as the catalyst for the formation of the Avengers.
Lady Loki: Mischief Reimagined
Lady Loki debuted following Loki’s death during Ragnarok (2004). In Thor #5 (2007), Loki’s spirit returned—this time in the body of Lady Sif. This transformation shocked Thor, but he offered her the chance to prove herself. True to form, Lady Loki began plotting Thor’s exile from New Asgard.
Her mischief didn’t end there. During the Dark Reign storyline, she joined Norman Osborn’s Cabal and helped orchestrate an attack on Asgard. Eventually, Loki was restored to his male form, but the Lady Loki identity has resurfaced several times since—cementing her place in both comic canon and the Marvel Villainous game.
Kid Loki: A Second Chance?
Kid Loki emerged after the Lady Loki era, when Thor found his brother reborn as a young boy scamming people in the streets of France (Thor #617, 2010). Thor, recognizing his brother’s soul, attempted to help him rediscover his identity. Initially, the boy had no recollection, but once he touched Mjolnir, the memories and powers of his past self flooded in.
Kid Loki became one of the most beloved versions of the character. He joined the Young Avengers and, although his mischievous ways remained, he strove to be better. His original self, however, lingered in the form of a talking crow named Ikol. Kid Loki’s charm and inner struggle made him a standout character and a playable card in Marvel Villainous: Mischief and Malice.
Agent of Asgard: Loki, the Secret Agent
The Agent of Asgard series (2014) showcased a more mature Loki—essentially Kid Loki grown up. Here, he worked as a one-man secret service for the All-Mothers of Asgardia. This version of Loki used his signature traits—lying, cheating, and spellcasting—for supposedly noble missions, though manipulation was never far behind.
But the All-Mothers had their own hidden agenda, pushing this version of Loki toward villainy. Throughout the 17-issue run, Loki struggled with identity, morality, and destiny—culminating in a transformation into something entirely new.
God of Stories Loki: The Ultimate Narrator
In Agent of Asgard #13, Loki declared, “I am the God of Stories.” This powerful transformation marked a departure from being the God of Lies. Now, Loki could control all stories—essentially rewriting fate itself.
This change was triggered by King Loki’s failed attempt to manipulate the younger Loki into evil. Instead, the reformed Loki returned to Earth with a new purpose. As the God of Stories, Loki’s power became near-limitless—arguably making him one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe.
President Loki: In Lies We Trust
Marvel’s satirical Vote Loki miniseries (2016) capitalized on the U.S. presidential election to imagine a version of Loki running for office. His slogan? “In Loki We Believe.”
This version didn’t hold back on manipulation and empty promises, embodying all the worst stereotypes of political ambition. While comedic, President Loki also served as a sharp commentary on politics and deception.
King Loki: The Embodiment of Evil
First introduced in Agent of Asgard, King Loki represents the most sinister and nihilistic form of the character. Older and more malevolent, he worked behind the scenes to twist and corrupt his younger selves, believing that Loki was destined to be a villain.
He struck deals with the All-Mothers and set out to destroy Earth and rule all. His evil peaked in King Thor by Jason Aaron, where he met his end—but given Loki’s nature, death never seems to be the end.
Ultimate Loki: Deceiver of the Ultimate Universe
From Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, this Loki first appeared in Ultimates 2 #1. He took deception to a new level by convincing the Ultimates (this universe’s Avengers) that Thor was insane, even posing as a powerless mortal named Gunnar Goldman.
We later learn in Ultimate Comics: Thor (2010) that he once operated as Baron Zemo during World War II. He is a master of manipulation and ranks among the most evil versions of Loki ever written.
Alligator Loki: Chaos With a Tail
Alligator Loki isn’t just a gag—he’s an icon. Originally from the Loki Disney+ show, this version became so popular that he got his own comic one-shot written by Alyssa Wong.
He doesn’t speak. He doesn’t need to. Alligator Loki simply causes mischief in the most hilarious and adorable ways, proving that Loki’s essence can exist in any form—even scaly and four-legged.
Viking Loki: God of Betrayal
The Mighty Thor #6 (2015) took us back to the age of Vikings. Here, a warrior named Bodolf the Black prayed to Thor before every battle—until he lost faith. After his first defeat, Bodolf sought divine help again, but this time, he turned to Viking Loki.
Loki, ever eager to cause strife, empowered Bodolf to defeat Thor himself. This ancient version of Loki reminds us that his trickery spans not just timelines, but mythological eras.
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