Ymir is a

fictional character In fiction, a character (or speaker, in poetry) is a person or other being in a narrative (such as a novel, Play (theatre), play, Radio series, radio or television series, music, film, or video game). The character may be entirely fictional or b ...

appearing in American comic books published by

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Comics'' in 19 ...

. He is based on the frost giant of the same name from

Norse mythology Norse, Nordic, or Scandinavian mythology is the body of myths belonging to the North Germanic peoples, stemming from Old Norse religion and continuing after the Christianization of Scandinavia, and into the Nordic folklore of the modern peri ...

Publication history

Ymir first appears in '' Journey into Mystery'' #97 (October 1963) and was adapted by

Stan Lee Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which w ...

and

Jack Kirby Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg; August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was an American comics artist, comic book artist, writer and editor, widely regarded as one of the medium's major innovators and one of its most prolific and influential c ...

Fictional character biography

The character Ymir first appears in '' Journey into Mystery'', and considers all other forms of life — with the exception of his kin the

Frost Giants Frost is a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from water vapor in an above- freezing atmosphere coming in contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below freezing, and resulting in a phase change from water vapor (a ...

of Niffelheim — to be aberrations that must be destroyed. He was among the first Asgardian creatures to be created and spawned the Asgardian gods. The next story depicts an early battle with and subsequent imprisonment by being lured into a trap and imprisoned in a ring of magical fire by Odin, King of the

Norse gods Norse is a demonym for Norsemen, a medieval North Germanic ethnolinguistic group ancestral to modern Scandinavians, defined as speakers of Old Norse from about the 9th to the 13th centuries. Norse may also refer to: Culture and religion * Nors ...

while attempting to bring eternal winter to Asgard with the other giants. Ymir is mentioned in ''

Savage Tales ''Savage Tales'' is the title of three American comics series. Two were black-and-white comics- magazine anthologies published by Marvel Comics, and the other a color comic book anthology published by Dynamite Entertainment. Publication history ...

'' in a story set in the

prehistoric Prehistory, also known as pre-literary history, is the period of human history between the use of the first stone tools by hominins 3.3 million years ago and the beginning of recorded history with the invention of writing systems. The use o ...

Hyborian Age The Hyborian Age is a fictional period of Earth's history within the artificial mythology created by Robert E. Howard, serving as the setting for the sword and sorcery tales of Conan the Barbarian. The word "Hyborian" is derived from the le ...

Barbarian A barbarian (or savage) is someone who is perceived to be either uncivilized or primitive. The designation is usually applied as a generalization based on a popular stereotype; barbarians can be members of any nation judged by some to be less ...

hero Conan encounters his daughter, Atali, and slays two of her brutish brothers. Ymir reappears in a two-part storyline in ''

Avengers Avenger, Avengers, The Avenger, or The Avengers may refer to: Arts and entertainment In the Marvel Comics universe * Avengers (comics), a team of superheroes **Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe), a central team of protagonist superheroes of ...

'' and '' Doctor Strange'' being summoned to Earth with the fire demon

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 ...

by a cult called the

Sons of Satannish Satannish is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Publication history Satannish first appeared in '' Doctor Strange'' #174 and was created by Roy Thomas and Gene Colan. Fictional character biograph ...

. The pair are defeated and banished when the heroes trick the two into fighting one another due to Strange. Ymir and Surtur reappear in ''

Thor Thor (; from non, Þórr ) is a prominent god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred groves and trees, strength, the protection of humankind, hallowing ...

'', and invade the realm of Asgard. Both characters, however, are defeated when God of Thunder ''Thor'' uses the ''Odinpower'' to banish the pair to the other-dimensional ''Sea of Eternal Night''. Ymir reappears in the publication '' Marvel Super-Heroes'', and with the Frost and Storm Giants launches attack on Asgard. On this occasion the character and his allies are stopped by Thor and his half-brother, Vidar. Ymir appears in an issue of the

limited series Limited series may refer to: *Limited series, individual storylines within an anthology series *Limited series, a particular run of collectables, usually individually numbered * Limited series (comics), a comics series with a predetermined number ...

'' X-Men: First Class'', which is set during the early days of the modern Marvel universe. The original

X-Men The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, first appearing in ''The X-Men'' #1 by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and writer/editor Stan Lee in 1963. Although initially cancelled in 1970 due to ...

encounter a group called the "Sons of the Vanir" who summon Ymir to Earth. After a brief battle, Thor uses his mystic hammer Mjolnir to return Ymir to Niffelheim. Ymir makes another return in the pages of '' A+X''. He has fashioned a version of the Casket Of Ancient Winters and plans to freeze the world. Thor confronts him with the X-Men Bobby Drake, AKA Iceman. Bobby is powered up by this new Casket and is the deciding force in Ymir's defeat.

Powers and abilities

Ymir is a large

frost Frost is a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from water vapor in an above- freezing atmosphere coming in contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below freezing, and resulting in a phase change from water vapor (a g ...

giant over 1,000 feet (300 m) tall with physical attributes far greater than most others. He can project intense, deadly cold and regenerate from as little as an ice particle. Ymir wields an enormous icicle that functions as a club for destruction or battle. He is vulnerable to extreme heat that melts him down.

Other versions

Free Comic Book Day

Ymir is the villain in the giveaway title ''

Free Comic Book Day Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is an annual promotional effort by the North American comic book industry to attract new readers to independent comic book stores. It usually takes place on the first Saturday of May and is often cross-promoted wi ...

2009 Avengers''.

In other media

Television

* Ymir appears in the '' Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends'' episode "The Vengeance of Loki" voiced by John Stephenson. * Ymir appears in '' The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'' episode "The Fall of Asgard", voiced by

Rick D. Wasserman Rick Darrin Wasserman is an American voice, stage and television actor. Early life and career He graduated from Temple University with a BA in Theatre in 1995 and later from the University of Missouri with a MFA in Acting in 1998. His best kn ...

. * Ymir appears in the ''

Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. ''Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.'' is an American animated television series based on the superhero character by Marvel Comics. The series premiered on August 11, 2013, on Disney XD as part of the ''Marvel Universe'' block, and ended on June 2 ...

'' episode "Hulks on Ice". He is awakened from his ice volcano prison on Earth by Laufey as part of the Frost Giants' plot to bring an endless winter to Earth. Ymir then attacks Thor and the Hulks as they work to defeat Ymir. When Skaar tried to repeatedly stab Ymir, he froze Skaar who was caught by A-Bomb before he can hit the ground. Thor tells Hulk that they will have to find Ymir's weak spot. Skaar's sword was left in Ymir as the Hulk's act as they attack the weak spot. Before Ymir can hit A-Bomb, She-Hulk gets both of them out of the way. Thor comes up with a plan where he and Hulk attack Red Hulk enough to heat him up and throws him towards Ymir which cracks up Ymir. Thor then fires his lightning which shatters Ymir as Laufey retreats back to Jotunheim. * Ymir appears in the ''

Ultimate Spider-Man ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' is a superhero comic book series that was published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2011. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel's long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of the company's Ultimate ...

'' episode "Contest of Champions" Pt. 2. After Spider-Man, Captain America, Red Hulk, and Iron Fist remove Sandman from the game of "Capture the Flag," Grandmaster pairs Ymir and

Blastaar Blastaar (, ), sometimes called the Living Bomb-Burst and Blasstaar, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Blastaar is an opponent of the Fantastic Four and lives in the Negative Zone. He is also ...

against the heroes. Ymir managed to freeze Captain America removing him from the game before Red Hulk could thaw him. After Red Hulk, Blastaar, and Iron Fist are removed from the game, Spider-Man was left to fight Ymir after claiming the flag. Spider-Man managed to defeat Ymir by using an electrical wire on him. * Ymir appears in '' Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Frost Fight!'', voiced by

Fred Tatasciore Fred Tatasciore (; ) is an American voice actor who has provided voices in animated and live-action films, television shows, and video games. He is known for voicing the Hulk and Beast in various Marvel media and Solomon Grundy in various DC m ...

. He collaborates with Loki to steal the powers of

Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnigh ...

Video games

* Ymir appears as a boss in '' Marvel: Ultimate Alliance'', voiced by Paul Eiding. * Ymir appears in '' Thor: God of Thunder'' (based on the live-action film), voiced by Mitch Lewis. * Ymir appears as a villain character in '' Marvel Super Hero Squad Online''. * Ymir appears as a villain character in '' Marvel: Avengers Alliance''. * Ymir appears in '' Thor: The Dark World - The Official Game'', voiced by Tyler Bunch. * Ymir is featured as an enemy in the

virtual pinball game for Pinball FX 2 released by Zen Studios. * Ymir appears as a non-playable boss in World boss invasion in '' Marvel Future Fight'' by Netmarble.

References

External links

Ymir
at Marvel Database
Ymir
at Comic Vine
Ymir
at Superhero Database - Superheroes, Villains, Battles {{Jack Kirby Characters created by Jack Kirby Characters created by Stan Lee Comics characters introduced in 1963 Fictional characters with ice or cold abilities Fictional characters with immortality Fictional characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability Marvel Comics characters with superhuman strength Marvel Comics giants Marvel Comics supervillains Thor (Marvel Comics) Ymir