Encyclopedia

Surtur

Surtur

(pop culture)
In Journey into Mystery #97 (1963), writer/editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby introduced their version of Surtur, one of the greatest enemies of the gods in Norse mythology. Utilizing traditional imagery of the devil, Kirby drew Surtur as a giant with two immense horns on his forehead, red skin, and a long tail. Lee and Kirby established that Surtur rivaled Odin, king of the Asgardian gods, in power, and that Surtur intended to destroy both Asgard and the universe with his ability to generate intense heat and flame. Following the myths, Lee and Kirby depicted a prophetic vision in which Surtur would set Asgard aflame following the battle of Ragnarok, “the twilight of the gods.” The comics creator who most prominently featured Surtur was writer/artist Walter Simonson in the story arc in Thor vol. 1 #337–#353 (1983–1985). Simonson revealed that in ages past Odin and his older brothers Vili and Ve journeyed into Surtur's domain Muspelheim, realm of the fire demons. There the brothers learned that Surtur intended to destroy the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology (including Asgard and Midgard, meaning Earth) with his flaming sword. The brothers broke the sword, but Surtur seemingly slew Vili and Ve. In Simonson's storyline Surtur forged a new sword, Twilight, and was narrowly prevented from destroying the Nine Worlds by Odin and his sons Thor and Loki. Though Ragnarok took place in the final issues of Thor vol. 2 (2004), Surtur may be indestructible and possibly survived even Asgard's (presumably temporary) end.
The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood © 2006 Visible Ink Press®. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
From the opening scene of Thor hanging out in a subterranean cavern, blissfully unconcerned that he's being held captive by an ancient fire demon named Surtur (picture a more eloquent Balrog), you are invited to kick off your clogs, settle in and pay as much or as little attention to the plot as you please.
Thor returns home after destroying the fire demon Surtur -- who had vowed to fulfill the ancient prophesy about Ragnarok, or the total annihilation of Asgard -- when he finds that his devious brother has banished Odin (Anthony Hopkins) to Earth and is ruling the kingdom in his guise.
AaAaAeA{AaAaAeA You canAa Ragnarok,AaAaAeA{AaAaAeAo sneers the evil Surtur; AaAaAeA{AaAaAeA Why fight it?AaAaAeA{AaAaAeAo.
There will be an army of Valkyries streaming from the heavens, as Thor and Loki shoot down bad guys with laser blasters, The Hulk fights a giant wolf called Fenrir, and Kate Blanchett as the all-powerful goddess of death, Hela, and The Hulk together battle against a giant flaming monster called the Surtur.
Deceiver of Gods, Death in Fire, Guardians of Asgaard, Warriors of the North and Runes To My Memory were all performed in keeping with the band's love of the theatrical before the huge backdrop behind drummer Fredrik Andersson fell to be replaced by Surtur: Destroyer of the Universe.
Next, battle with Thor across the cosmos to save his beloved home world of Asgard in Sega of America's "Thor: God of Thunder." In an epic journey through Norse mythology, players will take on massive foes pulled straight from the pages of Marvel's comics, including Ulik, Ymir, and Surtur.
It was named after the giant Surtur the black, ruler of fire, from Viking legend.
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