RAVEN BANNER

Classification: Extradimensional (Asgard) magic item

Creator: Unrevealed

User/Possessors: Balder, Grim Magnus (deceased), Greyval Grimson

First Appearance: Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner (1985)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Raven Banner magically assures victory to the side who fight beneath it, though he whose honor it is to carry the pennon must always die in battle. It is traditionally passed from father to son, and its magic apparently only works if passed on in this fashion.

History:
(Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner (fb) - BTS) - The ancestors of Grim Magnus accepted the tradition of carrying the Raven Banner in battle, with each dying in turn to assure Asgard's victory and then passing on the Banner to his son.

(Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner) - Grim Magnus, carrier of the Raven Banner, accepted his noble fate, falling before the Storm Giant Snorth, and seconds later Magnus' war-fellows trumpeted Asgard's victory as they drove back their foes. Dying, Magnus looked for his son, Greyval Grimson, so that he could pass the Banner to him. Magnus died disappointed, as Greyval had been manipulated into abandoning his fate by Trolls, and a group of Trolls, including Svin, claimed the Banner from Magnus' dead hands and carried it off to their subterranean caverns.
    Greyval eventually regained his wits and -- aided by Balder, Agnar (king of the Eagles), and Oddbrand Otter -- retrieved the Banner and sped to the battlefield for the next struggle between the Asgardians and their enemies. Again the gods one, and Greyval perished in the conflict.
    Greyval's bride, the Valkyrie Sygnet, entrusted Balder with the Raven Banner until the day her son, conceived on her recent wedding night with Greyval, would be old enough to hold it.

(Uncanny X-Men Annual#9) - The Raven Banner of Odin hung over the head table at an Asgardian ceremony at the Hall of Heroes as Loki granted Storm the power of a goddess of thunder.

Comments: Created by Alan Zenetz, Charles Vess, and Ralph Macchio.

    I'm not 100% certain that the Banner seen in Uncanny X-Men Annual#9 was the same thing. It was an immense drape and showed a side view of a raven. Perhaps it can magically alter itself to this form during times of relative peace?

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Raven Banner has no known connection to:

images: (without ads)
Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner cover

Appearances:
Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner (1985) - Alan Zenetz (writer), Charles Vess (artist), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Uncanny X-Men Annual#9 (1985) - Chris Claremont (writer), Arthur Adams (penciler), Alan Gordon + Mike Mignola + Art Adams (inkers), Ann Nocenti (editor)

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Last Updated: 02/06/14

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