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ARKIN THE WEAK

Real Name: Arkin

Identity/Class: Extradimensional (Asgardian, Mountain Giant)

Occupation: None

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Queen Knorda, the Mountain Giants, Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff)

Enemies: Asgard, Hela, Odin, Thor

Known Relatives: Loki Laufeyson (cousin)

Aliases: "The Weak"

Base of Operations: Jotunheim;
   formerly Asgard

First Appearance: Journey into Mystery I#109/2 (October, 1964)

Powers/Abilities: Although Arkin didn't display any particular power or ability he would have possessed the conventional powers of an Asgardian god: superhuman strength (lifting 25 tons), resistance to injury, and longevity.

Height: Unrevealed (12'; (Asgardian form) 6'2"; by approximation)
Weight: Unrevealed (1 ton; (Asgardian form) 510 lbs.; by approximation)
Eyes: Green
Hair: Black

History:
(Journey into Mystery I#109/2 (fb) - BTS) - Arkin was in love with Knorda, Queen of the Mountain Giants, and sought out a way to soften her heart.

(Journey into Mystery I#109/2 - BTS) - Odin had suspected a traitor in his midst and devised a plan to lure the man out. To tempt the traitor Odin banished his son Thor from Asgard for accepting a duel against his wishes.

(Journey into Mystery I#109/2) - Arkin learned of Thor's banishment, understanding Thor had to ride the mountain road alone. Arkin decided to tell it to the mountain queen so she could see he wasn't weak and would be worthy of her love. After Arkin informed Knorda about Thor's situation, she asked him if he realized that meant the death of Asgard and if he understood the extent of the treason he committed. Arkin answered that it didn't matter to him as long as Knorda was looking at him with favor. The queen answered they would own Asgard if they would dispose of Thor.

(Journey into Mystery I#109/2 - BTS) - Arkin and Knorda set up a trap for Thor in the mountain valley.

(Journey into Mystery I#109/2) - Later, Thor was slowly riding his horse along the mountain road which led to the land of his birth and was suddenly attacked by a heavily-armed band of mountain giants led by Knorda. She ordered them to show no mercy to Thor. The mighty Asgardian escaped his enemies via going through a narrow canyon pass and entering into the mouth of a small cave too tiny for the mountain giants to follow him and his horse. After reaching the top of the canyon, Thor rejoined his father Odin whose plan had been successful, flushing out the traitor Arkin. Thor renounced that Arkin and Knorda would spend all of eternity in captivity, Arkin told Knorda that he didn't realize it was a trap staged by Odin. Knorda told him to be silent and gave her sword to Odin in order to acknowledge her defeat and begged for his generosity.

(Domination Factor: Avengers#2.4) - Odin sent Thor to bring him Knorda (to favor her request) and Arkin (to punish him for his treason).

(Domination Factor: Avengers#3.6 (fb)) - The lovesick Arkin went to Hela after Knorda betrayed the Mountain Giants and left for Earth and he voluntarily allowed Hela to kill him with her mere touch. Arkin's soul ended up in Niffleheim among the spirits of the dishonored dead.

SECRET WARS III HAPPENED

(Scarlet Witch III#8 (fb) - BTS) - Arkin wished to become the leader of the remaining Mountain Giants and represent them after most were slaughtered by Malekith for not joining him during the War of the Realms. Loki rejected his claim.

(Scarlet Witch III#8) - He sought help and made his way to the Scarlet Witch through the magical door that led to her store in Lotkill, New Jersey. He explained his problem to the Scarlet Witch and she agreed to help him.

   Arkin tried to hide while the Scarlet Witch talked to Loki about Arkin's request. Loki immediately smelled his unwashed giant cousin, but still gave Scarlet Witch a chance to duel Loki for Arkin's right to lead the Mountain Giants even though Loki believed they were better off as nomads than to be led by Arkin, who was unable to protect them against Malekith. Scarlet Witch beat Loki in a duel of truth and Loki granted Arkin the right to lead and represent the Mountain Giants. He reminded Arkin that even though he was given leadership over the Mountain Giants' it wouldn't be so easy to keep it.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Vince Colletta.

Journey into Mystery I#109/2 was reprinted in Thor Annual I#3 (January, 1971) and Thor - Tales of Asgard#2 (July, 2009). Scans taken from the latter.

As Loki's cousin Arkin probably always was a giant and was transformed into the smaller form seen in Journey into Mystery.
--Markus Raymond

Profile by Julien Vivé. Update by Markus Raymond (Scarlet Witch).

CLARIFICATIONS:
Arkin the Weak has no known connections to

images: (without ads)
Thor - Tales of Asgard#2, p25, pan2 (main image)
Thor - Tales of Asgard#2, p26, pan1 (head shot)
Thor - Tales of Asgard#2, p25, pan4 (full body)
Scarlet Witch III#8, p5, pan1 (giant form)

Appearances:
Journey into Mystery I#109/2 (October, 1964) - Stan Lee (writer), Jack Kirby (pencils), Vince Colletta (inks), Stan Lee (editor)
Domination Factor: Avengers#2.4 (December, 1999) - Jerry Ordway (writer, pencils), Dennis Janke (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Domination Factor: Avengers#3.6 (January, 2000) - Jerry Ordway (writer, pencils), Dennis Janke (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Scarlet Witch III#8 (November, 2023) - Steve Orlando (writer), Lorenzo Tammetta & Sara Pichelli (artists), Alanna Smith (editor)

First Posted: 02/06/2017
Last updated: 05/11/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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