IDUNN
Real Name: Idunn (also Iduna)
Identity/Class: Asgardian god
Occupation: Goddess of immortality
Group Membership: The Asynjur, Gods of Asgard
Affiliations: Balder, Haakun, Odin, Thor, Warriors Three
Enemies: Fafnir, Fasolt, Fenris Wolf, Loki, Tyr
Known Relatives: Freya (mother), Iwaldi (father), Njord (grandfather), Gaea (grandmother, alias Nertha), Nertha (great-aunt), Frey (uncle), Ve (step-father, alias Lodur), Hnossa (half-sister), Nanna, Syn, Sjofn, Sigyn, Lofn, Var, Snotra (sisters), Bragi (husband), Odin (father-in-law, deceased), Frigga (mother-in-law), Thor (half-brother), Balder, Hermod, Hoder, Heimdall (brothers-in-law)
Aliases: Freya (see Comments)
Base of Operations: Breidablik (Hall of Bragi) in Asgard
First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery I#114 (March, 1965)
Powers/Abilities: Idunn possesses the conventional attributes of the Asgardian gods including superhuman strength (Class 25), stamina, longevity, vitality and resistance to harm. She also has several undefined powers mystical in nature which involve the care of the apples of immortality.
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 370 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
History: (Norse-German Myth)- Idunn is the daughter of Freya, the goddess of fertility, after one of several dalliances with Iwaldi, one of many dwarves who created treasures for the gods. Freya had a great fondness for gold and Odin assigned her with the temporary duties of a Valkyrie for a while. Idunn, meanwhile, protected the golden apples of immortality that provided the Asgardians with their youth and long-lives. She was also married to the son of Odin named Bragi, the god of speech and poetry. Loki, however, was eventually taken prisoner by the storm-giant, Thiassi, who demanded the golden apples of the gods from him. He surrendered Idunn to him, but Odin then ordered Loki to return Idunn to Asgard under penalty of death. Loki then impersonated a falcon and kidnapped Idunn from Thiassi with him in pursuit as an eagle. Odin then demanded a great fire to be raised and they consumed Thiassi alive in its flames as Idunn returned to Asgard.
Idunn along with her sisters is also one of the Asynjur, female goddesses who attend Frigga, wife of Odin.
(Journey into Mystery I#114/2)- Idunn was once assaulted by the Fenris Wolf, who attempted to steal the Golden Apples from her, but she was saved by Haaken the Hunter.
(Thor I#294-295)- Following the destruction of Valhalla, Odin promised Idunn to the giants Fafnir and Fasolt if they would rebuild it and fortify its walls. Loki had promised him that he would not have to surrender Idunn to the two giants, but then Thor and Frey arrived to fight the two giants. Odin ordered them to stand down in order to stay to his oath. Loki, however, wanted to cause Ragnarok as the two giants refused to surrender Idunn. They instead held her in return for the fabled Ring of the Nibelung. Odin, Thor and Loki retrieved the ring and Idunn was returned unharmed to her uncle.
(Avengers: Domination Factor#3 (fb)) - Idunn was present as Odin bestowed her golden apples upon Queen Knorda.
(Thor I#325/2-326/2)- As part of their plot to lay siege to Asgard, Tyr and Loki captured Idunn and fed her golden apples to the Midgard Serpent. She was resuced from their clutches by Balder and the Warriors Three, and the golden apples were eventually retrieved by Thor.
(Marvel Fanfare I#13) - Idunn is seen when the Warriors Three venture out to search for her husband.
Comments: Adapted by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta.
In the minor entry for Idunn under the Asgardians profile of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe#1, Idunn seems to have been mistakenly confused with her mother, Freia, but she might have used the name Freia as an alias.
In myth, Idunn is the neice of Frey, who is sworn to protect her and her sisters. Any references to him as her brother may have to be taken with a grain of salt.
Idunn supposedly died during the Ragnarok in Thor II#85.
by Will U and Prime Eternal
CLARIFICATIONS:
Idunn should not to be confused with:
Fafnir, foe of Idunn, should not be confused with:
Images taken from:
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#1, page 35, panel 2
Thor I#325/2, page 2, panel 2
First Posted: 02/22/2004 Last updated: 02/05/2006
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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