Leir is a fictional character appearing in

American comic book An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of ''Action Comics'' ...

s published by Marvel Comics. He is one of the Celtic gods of Avalon, god of lightning and the spear. For quite some time, enmity existed between the gods of Avalon and the gods of Asgard. Leir is based on Lir in

Celtic mythology Celtic mythology is the body of myths belonging to the Celtic peoples.Cunliffe, Barry, (1997) ''The Ancient Celts''. Oxford, Oxford University Press , pp. 183 (religion), 202, 204–8. Like other Iron Age Europeans, Celtic peoples followed a ...

Fictional character biography

Leir dwelt in the realm of Avalon with the other Celtic gods. When the

Heliopolitan Heliopolitans are a fictional group of gods, based on Ancient Egyptian deities, appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Publication history Characters based on ancient Egyptian deities were first mentioned in ''Captain Amer ...

god

Seth Seth,; el, Σήθ ''Sḗth''; ; "placed", "appointed") in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Mandaeism, and Sethianism, was the third son of Adam and Eve and brother of Cain and Abel, their only other child mentioned by name in the Hebrew Bible. A ...

sought to make war against the other gods, he dispatched foul beasts to both Avalon and Asgard. When Thor pursued one of these beasts, the griffin-like beast traveled through a dimensional rift to Avalon, and Thor followed. When the Celtic gods saw Thor, they blamed him for the beasts, and Leir battled Thor through the misunderstanding. Hogun the Grim had followed Thor to offer his support, and when one of the beasts appeared, the gods knew that none of them were responsible for the beasts. The three gods battled the beast and drove it off. Leir felt that he owed Thor a debt for helping against the winged monster, and sent a force of Celtic gods, including

Caber Caber can refer to: * Caber toss The caber toss is a traditional Scottish athletic event in which competitors toss a large tapered pole called a "caber" (/ˈkeɪbər/). It is normally practised at the Scottish Highland Games. In Scotland, ...

, to battle the armies of Seth when he attacked Asgard. Leir and Caber next attacked the camp of the Fomorians, the traditional enemies of Avalon. Leir and Caber later entered Asgard again through a dimensional portal. Leir attempted to claim Sif as his bride, but she said he must help rescue Thor, and battle her champion. Leir and Caber clashed with Heimdall in Asgard, and then accompanied Sif to Earth in search of Thor. Leir, Caber, and Sif then traveled to the

Black Galaxy Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figurative language, figuratively to represent darkness. Bla ...

and found Thor there. The gods then traveled to Asgard, with Hercules. Leir, Caber, and Hercules then battled Ymir, and witnessed Asgard's victory over Ymir and

Surtur In Norse mythology, Surtr (Old Norse "black"Orchard (1997:154). "the swarthy one",Simek (2007:303–304) Surtur in modern Icelandic), also sometimes written Surt in English, is a jötunn. Surtr is attested in the ''Poetic Edda'', compiled in th ...

. Leir then challenged Thor to a duel over Sif, believing him to be her champion, but was instead defeated in a duel with Sif.''Thor'' #426

Powers and abilities

Leir possesses the typical powers of a member of the race of superhumans known as the Celtic gods of Avalon. This includes superhuman strength, speed, durability, stamina, and reflexes, and an extremely long lifespan. Leir has the ability to generate electrical energy from his hands in the form of a lightning-like spear, which he uses as a weapon. He also wields a shield of unknown properties. Leir is a highly proficient hand-to-hand combatant, a good swordsman, and an expert at spear-throwing.

References

External links

* *http://www.marvel.com/universe/Leir {{Marvel Comics deities Characters created by Ron Frenz Characters created by Tom DeFalco Fictional blade and dart throwers Fictional characters with electric or magnetic abilities Fictional characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability Fictional gods Fictional polearm and spearfighters Fictional swordfighters in comics Marvel Comics characters who can move at superhuman speeds Marvel Comics characters who use magic Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength Marvel Comics deities