Mimir (Marvel)
Mimir is a male comic character who features in Marvel Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Mimir was a child of Buri and uncle of Odin. He was a former opponent of Odin whom Odin transformed into a fiery being. He now dwells in the Well of Wisdom in Asgard. Odin sacrificed his right eye to Mimir for the wisdom to forestall Ragnarok.<ref>Thor vol. 1, #274</ref> Mimir is a virtually omniscient being with precognitive abilities.
At time's dawn, he bore witness to the war between Asgard and the rival tribe of the Vanir. To end hostilities, a truce was arranged and hostages were exchanged with Mimir being one of the gods sent to the Vanir. Despite the truce, Mimir was executed by his captors with his living talking and tortured head sent back to Odin. In this state, he had the power of prophecy with Odin turning him into fire and made Mimir into his advisor. As a result, Odin became the target of Mimir's anger and wrath with him desiring for the All-Father's death. (Thor Annual v1 #7) Thus, he was bound in service to Odin and became the fiery guardian of the Well of Wisdom. One day, All-Father Odin went before Mimir after learning of events of the coming of Ragnarok and consulted the well for knowledge. (Thor v1 #274) Odin travelled to the roots of Yggdrassil before the Mimis-Brunnen (Well of Wisdom) to barter for the knowledge from its guardian. (Thor v1 #240) Mimir offered it in exchange for a price which Odin agreed but was unaware that the cost was one of his eyes that the fiery guardian of the well took as part of his hatred for Asgard's ruler. After taking part of his revenge, he told Odin to travel to the domain of Hela and consult with the shade of Volla. (Thor v1 #274)
Upon Thor's return, he had the Vizier summoned Mimir despite the fact that he did not retrieve the Ruby Eye. Mimir was aware of this but revealed that he did not want a tribute but that he had tested Thor's worthiness which he passed. Thus, he pointed to the Doomsday Star stating that his father Odin was located there before the fiery head returned to the Well of Wisdom. (Thor v1 #255)
During Ragnarok, Mimir was long dead with Thor told by the Odinpower to travel to Hildstalf to seek out the wisdom from the Well of Mimir. Once there, he sacrificed both eyes for knowledge thus gaining wisdom of the ages allowing him to remember that the cycle of Ragnarok had happened many times in the past. (Thor v2 #83)
Overview
Personality and attributes
Originally, he appeared as other members of the Asgardian race until his execution at the hands of the Vanir whereupon his body was lost and he was reduced to a talking head. (Thor Annual v1 #7) From the well, he emerged as the fiery face of Mimir. (Thor v1 #255) It was said that his face burnt with the light of a thousand stars. (Thor v1 #240) He came to be known by a number of titles such as the Far-Seeing Head of Mimir. (Thor v1 #240) Mimir came to consider himself to the Fount of All Knowledge. (Thor v1 #255)
Within the Well of Mimir, he was incapable of lying and whenever he did speak he only told the truth. (Thor Annual v1 #7) Though bound to Odin's service, Mimir did not love the king of Asgard. (Thor v1 #274) The head of Mimir typically only answered the summons of Odin himself. It was not his part to explain the prophecies but only to offer wisdom. (Thor v1 #240) He claimed that he was not vain and did not require tribute for his services but did make individuals go through trials to test their worthiness. (Thor v1 #255) Calling forth Mimir was an act not to be taken lightly as he had not answered a summoned beyond those made by Odin since time immemorial. (Thor v1 #240)
He was noted for his deathless hatred of Odin for giving him away as a hostage to the Vanir long ago. (Thor v1 #274). Thus, he despised Odin and rejoiced over the death of the Asgardian people. Mimir loathed Odin and his son Thor with the family line being subjected to his hatred. (Thor Annual v1 #7)
Powers and abilities
After the death of his body, he was imparted with the power of prophecy. (Thor Annual v1 #7) Mimir thus became the fount of all knowledge with no secret hidden from him. (Thor v1 #255) Despite his power, there were some places where his eyes of wisdom could not penetrate. (Thor v1 #240) As fiery guardian to the Well of Wisdom, he was beyond the reach of Odin who could not harm him in this state. (Thor v1 #274) He could be summoned at the palace of Asgard but after completing his task he returned to his dark well of wisdom to guard it. (Thor v1 #255)
Notes
- Mimir was created Roy Thomas, Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema where he made his first appearance in Thor v1 #240 (October, 1975).
- The character was based on Mimir from Norse mythology.
- He received an entry in Thor: Asgard's Avenger v1 #1 (2011) where he was noted as being the son of Buri where Odin was said to had given him as a hostage in a truce between the Aesir and Vanir where for reasons unrevealed he came to be decapitated turning him into a talking head with the power of prophecy.
In other media
Video games
- In Marvel: Future Revolution, Mimir appeared in the setting of the mobile video game. He was consulted by Thor to help find the Yggdrasil seed to help save Midgard.
Appearances
- Thor v1: (1975)
External Links
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