SVIN

Real Name: Svin

Identity/Class: Extradimensional (Asgardian) rock troll

Occupation: Trickster, manipulator

Group Membership: Rock Trolls of Asgard

Affiliations: Askella, Giants of Jotunheim (including Snorth), Gullen the Boar God, and other enemies of Asgard, Horskuld, Otny, Troll king (possibly Geirrodur)

Enemies: Asgardian gods, Balder, Grim Magnus, Greyval Grimson, Oddbrand Otter, Odin, Sygnet

Known Relatives: None confirmed;
    Askella may be his mother, and/or Otny may be his brother...or not.

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Unrevealed; possibly Niffleheim or Hel;
    formerly the Sea of Marmora.
    formerly the caverns beneath Gundershelm, on the Asgardian landmass

First Appearance: Marvel Graphic Novel No. 15: The Raven Banner (1985)

 

Powers/Abilities: Svin is a metamorph. He could take the form of a humanoid/lesser god, and a deer, at least. He seemed to be a more magical being than most trolls; this presumably relates to his association with the trollwitch Askella.

    As a troll, he likely has superhuman strength, perhaps lifting 10-25 tons. He would similarly have superhuman endurance and durability, as a troll's hide is far tougher than human skin. The trolls are reportedly slower than human, Svin seemed to move quickly for brief movements. He is accustomed to seeing in the dark -- via vision extending into the infra-red spectrum -- and is pained by bright sunlight or radiant light. He is also adapted to breathe the lower levels of oxygen present in a subterranean realm. He would be immune to most terrestrial diseases and aged at extremely slow rate, with a lifespan measuring centuries, if not millennia.

Height: Unrevealed; approximately 5'4"
Weight: Unrevealed;
Eyes: Unrevealed; dark, likely brown
Hair: Orange eyebrows; his body may be covered with coarse, orange fur, as is common with trolls

 

History:
(Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner (fb) - BTS) - During a battle between Asgard and its enemies, Greyval Grimson -- son of Grim Magnus, bearer of the Raven Banner, which assured Asgard's victory but at the cost of the standard bearer's life -- strode off to battle, but then three trolls (possibly including Svin and Otny) rushed up, slid his sword out of its sheathe, and ran off laughing. Greyval gave chase, and the trolls led him to their kingdom beneath dark Gundershelm, where they got him intoxicated with their honeyed wine. The trolls assured Greyval that another god would retrieve the Banner should Grim Magnus fall, and that another family would thus take over the role of dying for Asgard, freeing him from that unwanted destiny, Greyval sang and danced with the Trolls.

(Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner - BTS) - The trolls claimed the Raven Banner after Grim Magnus' death and took it to the altar of the Bottomless Abyss, presumably aka the Abyss of Shadows.

(Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner) - Askella brought word to the trolls (with Greyval) of the battle's outcome. Greyval was pleased for the victory but saddened by his father's death, though he incorrectly assumed another Asgardian had taken up the Banner and freed him from its destiny. When Greyval noted that he was not a coward, and swung his sword dramatically, Svin pretended to be Greyval's foe and to fall beneath his swordthrusts. Greyval then recounted how he had hurled a great buck to the ground by its antlers, and Svin transformed into a stag and allowed Greyval to duplicate the feat. Greyval worried that he had hurt Svin, but, as he returned to his troll form, Svin assured him he had worn enchantment against Greyval's vigor.
    Shortly thereafter, Greyval, recalling his vows, departed to return to his beloved Sygnet in preparation for their wedding. Svin guided Greyval back to the tunnels, but stopped short of approaching the daylight, which he could not abide.

 

 

(Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner - BTS) - Balder convinced Odin to allow him to guide Greyval in a quest for the Raven Banner. During their quest, Balder progressively honed Greyval into a noble, brave, and skilled warrior.

(Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner - BTS) - Askella and Svin posed as a widow (presumably some lesser goddess) and her son in a cottage with a boat on the edge of the Sea of Marmora.

(Marvel Graphic Novel #15: The Raven Banner) - Needing to cross the Sea of Marmora, Balder and Greyval (along with their new ally Oddbrand Otter) approached the cottage, and the disguised Askella told them her boat was indeed for hire. As they reached a patch of smooth sailing, the ferrywoman advised her other passengers to sleep to renew their strength, then tried to seduce Greyval, asking him to sail with her beyond destiny to the carefree land of trolls where they could be lovers for eternity. When Greyval forced her away, she revealed her true form, as did Svin, who rushed Greyval, exhorting him to give it up (presumably his quest). Greyval impaled Svin, who cried out, noting the mortal thrust. Askella attempted to destroy the heroes for slaying Svin, but they survived.

    Greyvall eventually retrieved the Raven Banner, falling in battle while assuring Asgard's victory of their enemies.

 

 

 

Comments: Created by Alan Zelenetz and Charles Vess.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
No KNOWN connections to:

images: (without ads)
Marvel Graphic Novel No. 15: The Raven Banner, pg. 8, panel 6 (mock-fighting with Greyval);
    pg. 9, panel 9 (adopting stag form);
    pg. 39, panel 5 (illusory widow form - behind Askella's similarly illusory form);
    pg. 41, panel 5-6 (charging and impaled by Greyval)

Appearances:
Marvel Graphic Novel No. 15: The Raven Banner (1985) - Alan Zelenetz (writer), Charles Vess (artist), Ralph Macchio (editor)

Last updated: 01/17/14

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Back to Characters