Eitri (character)

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Wikipedia

Eitri
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Mighty Thor Annual #11 (November 1983)
Created byAlan Zelenetz
Bob Hall
In-story information
SpeciesDwarf
Team affiliationsAsgard
Supporting character ofThor
The New Mutants
Notable aliasesDwarf King
King Eitri
AbilitiesExpert weapons forger
Extended lifespan

Eitri is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Eitri is a Dwarf who lives on Svartalfheim and is the King of the Dwarves. He is a weapons forger and is notable for being the creator of Thor's hammer Mjolnir. Eitri has also occasionally aided the New Mutants.

Peter Dinklage portrayed the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Avengers: Infinity War (2018).

Publication history

Eitri was created by writer Alan Zelenetz and artist Bob Hall and first appeared in Thor Annual #11 (November 1983). He continued to appear throughout the '80s in the pages of the New Mutants, starting with The New Mutants Special Edition from writer Chris Claremont and artist Arthur Adams.

Following a long absence, Eitri returned in Thor vol. 2 #80 from Michael Avon Oeming, Daniel Berman and Andrea Di Vito.

Fictional character biography

Eitri ruled as king of the Dwarves of Nidavellir. In his first appearance, he and his brother Brokk were tasked with creating a spear for Odin. Due to a young Loki's magic, the spear was cursed and Thor was asked to have the dwarves create a new weapon. Loki once again attempted to thwart the dwarves forging, but they manage to complete the creation of Mjolnir, along with the creation of the boar Gullinbursti and the golden armband Draupnir which they give to Odin. Years later, Loki destroys Sif's golden hair, leaving her bald. Thor threatens him to replace her hair and meets with Eitri and Brokk, who — due to Loki being unable to pay them — give Sif black hair as a replacement, which she and Thor do not seem to mind.[1]

These stories were slightly retconned, with it being explained that Eitri's creation of Mjolnir caused the extinction of dinosaurs. Eitri and his siblings Brokk and Buri took it upon themselves to get rid of the mold that created it so that it did not fall into the hands of Loki.[2] Another version revealed that Mjolnir was created alongside Sif's new hair which Eitri was able to make gold. It was through Loki's own doing that Mjolnir ended up with Thor and Sif's hair became black.[3] The story of the forging was later returned to its original version.[4]

Odin later visits Eitri to help in forging something for him. In return, Eitri asks that Odin send a female warrior to defeat a rogue dwarf named Throgg. Sif defeats him, and Eitri happily tells her that since Throgg has been bested by a woman, he and the dwarves can now leave peacefully and proceed to begin forging the hammer Stormbreaker for Beta Ray Bill at Odin's request.[5] Eitri is later visited by Odin and Balder who wish to stop a fight between Thor and Eric Masterson. To do this, Eitri creates Thunderstrike, a mace that evidently becomes Masterson's code name.[6]

Eitri and his dwarves became supporting characters of the New Mutants. Due to Loki's magic, Storm and her team were transported to but separated on Asgard. Cannonball encounters Eitri in a cave and rescues his family from Throff the Terrible, but Cannonball is severely injured in the process. For this, Eitri brings him into his home and allows him to heal there, and Eitri's daughter Kindra strikes up a flirtatious relationship with Cannonball. Not long after, Eitri aids Cannonball in fending off Magma, who is possessed by Dark Elves. After helping her, Loki arrives and threatens Eitri and his kingdom. In response, he uses his magic to help Cannonball and Magma find their friends.[7] Eitri gives Cannonball enchanted armor and a sword as well as a special hammer to give to Loki to expose him.[8]

The New Mutants returned to Asgard due to magical influence upon one of them. The dwarves initially mistook them for spies. However, Eitri freed the team and happily greeted Cannonball and his friends. They were soon attacked by the Valkyrior who was controlled by Hela. Eitri leads his Dwarves into battle after Boom Boom insults them.[9] Eitri is captured by Hela and forces him to forge a sword out of the uru metal by threatening the life of his daughter Kindra.[10] He comforts her by acknowledging the New Mutants' plan of action as well as his own in which the sword has "sown the seeds of Hela's destruction".[11] Eitri frees himself, Kindra and many of Asgard's warriors from prison and then reveals that he built a flaw in the sword. He has Kindra flee and then strikes the sword, allowing Cannonball to see the flaw and destroy it. Eitri's efforts, along with those of many other Asgardians and the New Mutants, save Odin from death.[12]

Shortly before Ragnarok, Eitri travels with Brokk and Buri to dispose of the forge that was used to create Mjolnir and prevent Loki from using it to create weapons for himself. The attempt ends in disaster, killing all three dwarves.[2] Eitri is resurrected following the events of Ragnarok.

In Thor (vol. 6), Eitri is killed by the God of Hammers during his attack on Nidavellir.[13]

Powers and abilities

Eitri is an expert weaponsmith. He also has an extended lifespan.

Other versions

Infinity Wars

An alternate universe variant of Eitri, amalgamated with Ho Yinsen, appears in Infinity Wars. This version was captured by the Dark Elves and given a cursed collar that forces him to make weapons for them. He eventually meets fellow captive Sigurd Stark and helps him escape before being killed by Krimson Kurse.[14]

Ultimate Universe

An alternate universe variant of Eitri from Earth-6160 appears in The Ultimates. This version works along with Brokkr in Nidavellir.[15]

What If

An alternate universe variant of Eitri from Earth-904 appears in the What If? issue "What If the X-Men Stayed in Asgard?", After he is killed in battle with Hela, Sam Guthrie succeeds him as the leader of the dwarves.[16]

In other media

Television

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Eitri appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portrayed by Peter Dinklage.[18] This version is depicted at a giant's size.

References

  1. ↑ Thor Annual #11 (November 1983)
  2. 1 2 Thor (vol. 2) #80 (August 2004)
  3. ↑ Loki (vol. 2) #1 (February 2011)
  4. ↑ Avengers Origins: Thor one-shot (January 2012)
  5. ↑ Thor #339 (January 1984)
  6. ↑ Thor #458-459 (January - February 1993)
  7. ↑ The New Mutants: Special Edition (December 1985)
  8. ↑ Uncanny X-Men Annual #9 (December 1985)
  9. ↑ The New Mutants #79–80 (September - October 1989)
  10. ↑ The New Mutants #82–83 (December 1989)
  11. ↑ The New Mutants #84 (December 1989)
  12. ↑ The New Mutants #85 (January 1990)
  13. ↑ Nolan, Liam (December 30, 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: Marvel's Thor Kills Off a Key MCU Character". CBR. Retrieved October 21, 2025. Thor #20 opens with a look at the destruction that Mjolnir has wrought across the universe. Soon, the issue moves back to Thor, carrying the body of Eitri.
  14. ↑ Infinity Wars: Iron Hammer #1 (November 2018)
  15. ↑ Ultimates #11 (April 2025)
  16. ↑ What If? (vol. 2) #12 (April 1990)
  17. 1 2 "Eitri Voices (Thor)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 12, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  18. ↑ Fletcher, Rosie (April 25, 2018). "Here's who Peter Dinklage plays in Avengers: Infinity War". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  19. ↑ Hayes, Jackson (October 6, 2021). "What If...? Season 1, Episode 9, 'What If... The Watcher Broke His Oath?,' Recap & Spoilers". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  20. ↑ Miller, Leon (June 30, 2022). "Thor: Love and Thunder Star Confirms Two Major Marvel Characters Were Cut". CBR. Retrieved July 4, 2022.