AGNAR

Real Name: Agnar

Identity/Class: Extradimensional (Asgard) sentient animal

Occupation: King

Group Membership: Apparent ruler of the eagles (whether this is just a title he holds as a sentient being who is the largest and most powerful of the eagles, or whether it is a true role and he governs and guides the eagles of Asgard and/or Earth, is unrevealed)

Affiliations: Balder Odinson, Greyval Grimson, Loki Laufeyson, Thor Odinson

Enemies: Storm Giants of Jotunheim

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: King of Eagles, King of the Eagle

Base of Operations: 
    formerly Jotunheim

First Appearance: Journey into Mystery I#100/4 (January, 1964)

Powers/Abilities: An immense eagle, Agnar can fly great distances at high speeds while safely carrying at least two adult male gods, and perhaps a lot more. Apparently of human-level intelligence, he can understand the language of the gods, and he can speak in his own bird-dialect, which can be understood by certain gods.

Height: Approximately 15' from head to foot; approximately the same length from beak to tail; wingspan approximately 30'
Weight: Approximately 1200 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Feathers: Gold (gray and white in first appearance, so perhaps variable?)

 

History:
(Journey into Mystery I#100/4 (fb) - BTS) - Agnar was captured by Storm Giants who kept him tethered to the top of one of their buildings until he was needed, presumably for transport.

(Journey into Mystery I#100/4 (fb) - BTS) - After the Storm Giants stole the golden apples of Idunn, which granted the gods their immortality, they left them in a basket atop Agnar.

(Journey into Mystery I#100/4) - Invading Jotunehim to retrieve the Golden Apples, the youthful Thor (not yet able to hold the hammer Mjolnir) and Loki evaded the giants and discovered Agnar carrying the apples and tethered to a roof. Loki attempted to flee with Agnar and the apples, leaving Thor behind to fight the storm giants alone, but Thor severed the tether holding Agnar and leapt on Agnar's claw in the same instant. They escaped just before a giant could grab them and dodged the boulders hurled by the giants.

(Journey into Mystery I#100/4) - Agnar delivered the apples, Loki, and Thor to Asgard and was presumably set free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Marvel Graphic Novel No. 15: The Raven Banner) - When Balder agreed to help Greyval Grimson retrieve the Raven Banner he had allowed to be stolen by the trolls, the sage Morduk arranged for Agnar to transport them towards Valhalla on the first leg of their journey. Balder bade Agnar in bird tongue to carry them Valhalla-wards, and Agnar agreed, telling them they may alight, as Balder translated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agnar soared aloft, sailing past the raging river Gopul, skimming across hills higher than heaven; the sun shone pleasantly atop Greyval and the clouds never drizzled a drop on Balder. Eventually, Agnar came to rest on an aerie overlooking the Enchanted Chasm separating Asgard from the lands of the dead. Agnar then told Balder that this was far as he would fly, as not even the king of birds dared to cross the gorge of perilous mists. Agnar then told them that the rope of mountain shrubs would hold their weight as they descended down the steep mountain slope. Balder thanked him, and Agnar flew away.

 

 

 

 

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Paul Reinman

    The Thor: Official Index to the Marvel Universe listed only three stories, but I also counted the two page text feature: "Tricky Travel"

    I based my weight information on extrapolating from a 35" eagle weighing about 10 lbs.

In Mighty Thor I#12.1 (June, 2012) Sif told the story of Thor's encounter with Agnar and it was completely different. In her version the Golden Apples were not the only thing taken by the giants. In addition she and Idunn were both captured by Agnar, the half-king of eagles, who was actually a giant and Thor tricked Agnar to come after him while riding on a giant eagle. Loki trapped Agnar beneath his fortress' sliding gate and Thor slew the giant.
--Markus Raymond

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Agnar, King of Eagles, should be distinguished from:

images: (without ads)
Journey into Mystery I#100/4: Tales of Asgard, pg. 5 (gray & white image)
Marvel Graphic Novel No. 15: The Raven Banner, story pg. 21, panel 1 (landing by Balder, Greyval, Morduk, & Sygnet);
                panel 2 (standing by Balder, Greyval, Morduk, & Sygnet);
                panel 3 (face with Balder & Morduk);
        pg. 24, panel 3 (landing at aerie)

Appearances:
Journey into Mystery I#100/4: Tales of Asgard (January, 1964) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (penciler), and Paul Reinman (inker)
Marvel Graphic Novel No. 15: The Raven Banner (1985) - Alan Zelenetz (writer), Charles Vess (artist), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Mighty Thor I#12.1 (June, 2012) - Matt Fraction (writer), Barry Kitson (pencils/inks), Jay Leisten (inks), Lauren Sankovitch (editor)

First Posted: 02/02/2014
Last updated: 06/08/2020

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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