[[quoteright:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Loki_7310.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:250:"[[ManipulativeBastard Why do people always presume I'm lying?]]"]]

->''I desired the chest for my own use, [[TheMightyThor Thor]]. Still, if I was able to sow doubt and unrest amongst thy subjects, the day was a good one for Loki, the Trickster!''
-->'''-- Loki'''

Welcome, Midgardian insect. '''[[IncomingHam BEHOLD]]''' [[IncomingHam the majesty of Loki Laufeyson]], Prince of Asgard and Jottunheim, God of Mischief and Evil, the universe's rightful king and ArchEnemy of TheMightyThor, your hero and [[SiblingRivalry my dear, weak, softhearted sibling.]]

I was born of Laufey, King of the Frost Giants, in an age long since past, but of course, my ''true'' beginnings lie with a [[StanLee man with a typewriter]], [[JackKirby and his partner]], who brought me, my world, and the rest of the [[MarvelUniverse cosmos]] into existence in [[TheSixties 1960s]], the so-called [[TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]]. Rest assured, mortal, I know the truth of my reality, and I can even claim credit for sharing it with [[{{Deadpool}} a well-known other]] and [[NoFourthWall destroying his already fragile grasp on our fake reality.]] Readers were introduced to me in ''"JourneyIntoMystery''" vol. 1 #85 (October, 1962)

Laufey was [[AbusiveParents a brute of a father]], ashamed as he was of my comparatively non-giant size, but as luck- [[TimeyWimeyBall and mine own hand]]- would have it, Laufey would be slain in battle with the All-Father Odin, Lord of Asgard, and thanks to his love and pity I was taken from Jottunheim and raised as his own son as an Aesir, the giant who became a god, alongside his bloodson Thor.

But as Thor and I aged so did my happiness fade. The Asgardians- [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy a race of proud warrior deities]], loved Thor for his courage, his might, his reckless buffoonery, whilst my talents lay in cunning and sorcery.

And like a true brother, I came to detest him.

I arranged for Thor to be exiled to your puny world of Midgard in mortal form, and plotted his death, unleashing scores of monsters and mayhem upon your world in pursuit of that goal, whilst in Asgard I schemed to realize my destiny and take my rightful place on the Allfathers' throne. My plots against Thor were thwarted time and again, and when I pitted him against TheIncredibleHulk I made new mortal enemies when [[ComicBook/TheAvengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes]] united for the first time, in opposition of me.

But Loki cannot be humbled. I bartered with other mortals and gave them power to fight this new team; I schemed with other villains- [[CardCarryingVillain for what am I if not a villain?]]- and sought to defeat Thor and his allies with their aid; and I worked, tirelessly still, to one day claim Odin's crown which looks so much better on my noble head than it does my feeble brother's.

And after decades and centuries of planning and plots, I finally achieved my goal- and for my troubles, Thor brought about [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt Ragnarok.]]

I did not seek the destruction of Asgard; I have ''never'' sought something [[EvenEvilHasStandards so terrible]], but Thor's actions freed us from the tyranny of [[AbusivePrecursors the Shadow gods]], and we were reborn.

I returned as a woman, but regained my masculinity in short order, and once again worked for the good of Asgard ... and the defeat of Thor. But I paid a heavy price for my actions and I died once again, only to rise once more this time as a child - innocent, trusting, but still wily as Mischief must be.

I have become more ... appreciative, of Thor my brother, for at least he, alone among the Aesir, treats me with trust and love. I now put my mind towards more ... benevolent ends, and have assisted Thor and his friends in their hours of need- even if I am still more savvy about [[TheUnfettered how their principles sometimes get in the way of their own good.]] And still I work for the good of Asgard, the only true home I have ever known.

Until, of course, [[DependingOnTheWriter a man with a typewriter]] needs the God of Mischief once more...

A series of films tells the tales of [[Film/{{Thor}} Thor and me]], as well as [[Film/TheAvengers his allies]]. The lofty task of portraying my glorious likeness was given to one Creator/TomHiddleston. One cannot imagine how delighted I was to see that he performed his role masterfully. [[spoiler:And if not for [[SelfDemonstrating/{{TheIncredibleHulk}} that green beast of few words]], the outcome of the latter film would have been far more enjoyable...]]

For some of my more recent exploits can be found [[JourneyIntoMystery here]] and [[YoungAvengers here]].

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!! Tropes associated with Loki:
* AbusiveParents: Laufey was ''not'' a good father but he suffered for his transgressions. As a time-travelling adult I took revenge on my wounded progenitor with a sword, screaming "YOU WILL NEVER STRIKE ME AGAIN!"
* AbortedArc: The mortal known as [[ComicBook/SpiderMan Spider-Man]] once aided me in subduing my wayward daughter, [[http://arousinggrammardotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/spiderloki12.jpg leaving a debt I've yet to pay.]] Due to the Siege, and other [[ComicBook/OneMoreDay events]] I doubt I'll ever have the chance.
* ADayInTheLimelight: There are some who see Loki as the hero that he is and as of #622, I- in my younger form- have taken over the main Thor books as the protagonist (Thor is the protagonist in another one) and they have been renamed Journey in Mystery, to great critical acclaim. Along with my solo adventures as of October 2012 I am also a member of the Young Avengers.
* AffablyEvil: Depending on my mood, but just because I'm [[ManipulativeBastard a ruthless manipulator]] doesn't mean I can't be ''civil'' about it.
* AGodAmI: You'd better believe it! And NOT a '''[[Film/TheAvengers PUNY GOD!!!]]'''
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: '''LIES!!!!''' Loki has NO EQUAL, much less a superior. Nevertheless in Asgard, because of my giant heritage, I was always overlooked for my accursed brother, Thor. This, coupled with AbusiveParents above, is what lesser beings say is the source of my nature but truly I simply am who I am.
* AmbitionIsEvil: At least, ''my'' ambitions are, or so Thor and the fools of Asgard seem to believe.
* AmplifierArtifact: The Norn Stones are my most recent example, though I have a collection of these.
* AmnesiacDissonance: The whole point of the New Journey into Mystery Arc-I am a preteen again, with apparently no memories form before my preteen years (except for possibly in my nightmares). I therefore do not remember my hatred of Thor, which started when we were teens. Instead, I [[BigBrotherWorship almost worship him]].
* ArchEnemy
* AstralProjection
* BadassBookworm: My intelligence is without question and I may be an unusually scholarly Asgardian, but I am still a Norse god, and one does not grow up amongst the Aesir without learning how to fight, nor have a blood feud with TheMightyThor without being ''good'' at it.
* BalefulPolymorph: Amongst other things, I have transmogriffed Thor into a frog and my own grandfather into the snow- yes, '''the''' snow, as in, all snow ''everywhere.''
* BatmanGambit: And why does the Caped Crusader get this named after him when I have been playing Thor, the Avengers and all of Asgard like a fiddle since time immorial?
* BigBad: Of many ''Thor'' stories, as well as both the first ''[[Comicbook/TheAvengers Avengers]]'' story and the [[Film/TheAvengers film]] (though, admittedly in the latter I was in an alliance with [[spoiler: {{Thanos}}]], but he stayed [[TheManBehindTheMan in the shadows]] the entire time, leaving me to be TheHeavy). [[spoiler:I am also the true villain of ''JourneyIntoMystery''.]]
* BigBrotherWorship: Perhaps I might be a little ... dishonest with myself, insofar as how much I truly detest Thor, and I might begrudgingly admit there are some things I might admire about him, at least now that I have forgotten that I ever hated him in the first place. Even if [[CallingTheOldManOut daddy doesn't like it]].
** As "Kid Loki" at least, I am justified with this line of thought, as Thor is currently the only person who likes me at all and is nice to me.
* BlackMagic
* BrainsEvilBrawnGood: So Thor's sycophants would have you believe but intellect is always superior to physical might.
* CainAndAbel: Well, duh! I am in the role of Cain while my brother is the Abel!
* CardCarryingVillain: I ''am'' the God of Mischief and Evil, after all ...
* ChronicVillainy: [[spoiler:Right before allowing himself to be overwritten by my memories]], my child self called me out on it.
* ClassicVillain: {{Pride}} and Ambition are my principal traits and LIARS would have you believe that I also possess {{Envy}}.
* ConsummateLiar: I would say that I do not lie nearly so often as everyone else seems to believe; then again, I am so ''good'' at it, aren't I?
* DaddysLittleVillain: [[SubvertedTrope If only.]] My [[SarcasmMode dear]] Hela is neither little -- thrice my size, in fact; apparently giantism skips a generation -- nor particularly fond of me. Our relationships are rather ... strained, at best, and though we sometimes co-operate most of the time ungrateful wretch wants nothing to do with me. Unfortunately, as the Goddess of the Dead she is much more powerful than me as well, and worse I may even be destined to someday end up in her custody. Apparently, the insolent fool thinks me rather ... childish, but I am the God of Mischief after all, so I do have a reputation to live up to.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: My early childhood was littered with neglect and physical abuse. Also the fact I'm a runt giant, 1/5 the size of my kindred however if my oaf of a father had not abandoned me in the ice, Odin would not have taken me in and I might not have evolved into the god I am.
* DealWithTheDevil: I have been pressed-gang into deals with actual devils at times such as my forced alliance with [[Comicbook/DoctorStrange the dread Dormammu]], but I have been on the better end of this more often than not; Crusher Creel, the Absorbing Man, is just one of many mortals who have gained [[SuperpowerLottery special gifts]] courtesy of myself. And if I may be so modest, I am rather more honourable in my dealings than others that might be mentioned...
* DistaffCounterpart: So unmatched is Loki that I am my ''own'' DistaffCounterpart. [[EarthX Not for the first time, either.]]
* DoNotAdjustYourSet / HauntedTechnology: I pulled this once on [[ComicBook/{{X-Men}} Apocalypse]], appearing on one his television monitoring screens and then having a chat with him from it, then popping out of it to have a proper conversation. It was fun until he took me prisoner with his AntiMagic tech...
* EasilyForgiven: Thor and Odin ''always'' forgive me in the end and give me another chance but I refuse to accept their mercy.
** Though averted with my recent return as a child, Odin has apparently run out of patience with Thor being the only reason I have not been banished or killed. The ''only'' person who has forgiven me is Thor. Everyone else wants to kill me.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: I seek to rule Asgard; I do ''not'' seek to destroy it.
* EvilChancellor: Prince Balder could not have had [[BlatantLies a more trustworthy advisor...]]
* EvilIsPetty: Loki is never petty! Admittedly, my main motivation is showing up my pathetic brother, by any means necessary but then, I'd say he had it coming.
* TheEvilPrince: Well I am a Prince, rightfully a king and I am ''very'' good at being evil.
* EvilPlan: I set my sights on Odin's throne or otherwise see how I can make Thor suffer.
* EvilSorcerer: My knowledge of the mystic arts is unparalled in all of Asgard, even though many mighty sorcerers and sorceresses make it their home.
* TheFightingNarcissist: If you must use such a loaded term, Loki would say that merely maintains a healthy and realistic awarness of his own greatness but I can certainly fight and my style is far more based on grace and agility than brute strength.
* [[MotherOfAThousandYoung Father Of A Thousand Young]]: As {{Spiderman}} was once surprised to learn, [[ReallyGetsAround Norse gods have a lot of time on their hands.]] But while most of my children are normal enough and mortal, I do have a few that have...[[EldritchAbomination not inherited my handsome looks]].
* ForTheEvulz: [[Comicbook/DarkReign Norman]] [[{{Siege}} Osborn]] was an amusing toy... for a while.
* [[GodOfEvil God of Mischief and Evil]]
* {{Hand Blast}}s: Just in case you start thinking I'm all guile and manipulation I can certainly take care of myself in battle.
* [[InferioritySuperiorityComplex Inferiority Superiority Com...]] '''LIES!!!!''' No doubt spawned by my snivelling brother. I am entirely secure in my superiority and '''DO NOT OVERCOMPENSATE!!!'''
* ItsAllAboutMe: "[[Film/TheAvengers There are no men like me]]."
** Odin might fight for Asgard, and Thor may fight for Midgard, but [[TheMightyThor I fight for myself]].
* KnightOfCerebus: Whenever I turn up, you know shit's going to go down!
* LackOfEmpathy: I think myself above you? Well yes.
* LargeHam: I need to enjoy myself while displaying my superiority to those pathetic Midgardians!
* LeanAndMean: Watch out, here I come, I'm a fighting machine!
* LevelAte: One of my ... [[EvilIsPetty more frivolous]] acts of mischief was to change buildings and cars into candy.
* MagicKnight: I much prefer to manipulate things from afar or use magic than to resort to barbarian methods... But if I [[CombatPragmatist need to fight]], [[PragmaticVillainy I WILL fight]]!
** The Disir [[TooDumbToLive learned]] ''the hard way'' [[CurbStompBattle what happens to those who underestimate my battle prowess]].
* ManipulativeBastard: I have manipulated pretty much everyone in Asgard at some time or another. Fitting, given that I am [[NorseMythology the god of deception]]. Oh and in this case, "bastard" is meant quite literally.
** I actually insist that I'm not really the "God of Lies", just mischief. Of course, I'm such a good liar anyway, who could ever tell?
** I am so good that even when people know not to trust me (which has been Status Quo for fifteen real time years), I still end up manipulating them anyway.
** My younger self in the current books is a good version of this (I need to be, since I don't have my magic, only my brains and my silver tongue).
* TheManBehindTheMan: On several occasions.
* ManOfWealthAndTaste: When I travel to the mortal realm, at least in [[SilverAge the good old days]], I try to dress my best- I do look [[BadassInANiceSuit damn good in a suit, after all]].
* MasterOfIllusion: My film incarnation in particular is fond of this, but I am more than his equal in my own right.
* MemoryGambit: [[spoiler:"Kid" Loki]] was a scheme to let me return from death with a new lease on life and a better reputation.
* MindControl: I have used this on TheIncredibleHulk and various others, mortal and otherwise, with varying degrees of success. As an EvilSorcerer, I can do it anytime, but how effective it is depends on the mind.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: Frost Giants are very big, very stupid, and typically DumbMuscle. I am a brilliant schemer, a powerful sorcerer, and slightly shorter than Thor (the horns on my helmet notwithstanding) and very slender. While I am still very strong and durable, that is primarily in comparison to the so called superheroes and villains of Earth, not Asgardians or other Frost Giants.
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: I once schemed to pit Thor in a deadly battle against the Hulk, but [[IronMan some]] [[AntMan other]] [[TheWasp heroes]] showed up as well. My plot was soon uncovered, and - much to my later irritation - I ended up inadvertently bringing the Avengers together. Indeed, this incident is my single greatest regret in life.
* NighInvulnerability: As a small Frost giant I am as durable and strong as any average Aesir, though I am not naturally as durable as that muscle-bound moron, Thor. Fortunately, as a sorcerer, I do have ''super''natural durability as I have granted myself a range of advantages no other Aesir has- most Asgardians would be more bothered than I at the prospect of decapitation, for a start.
* NormalFishInATinyPond: As much as I hate to admit it, I am a runt by Asgardian standards. On Earth, I am practically unstoppable.
* NorseMythology: Once, the mighty warriors of the north venerated Loki Laufeyson!
* PapaWolf: My relationship with my children can be strained ''at best'', but as it became evident with my (temporary) partnership with {{Spider-Man}}, I ''DO'' [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes care for my progeny]], and as Morwen [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown painfully]] [[TooDumbToLive learned]] , [[RoaringRampageOfRescue I do not take lightly anyone possessing them]].
* PhysicalGod
* PopCulturalOsmosisFailure: I would like to safely say that this is [[AvertedTrope not the case.]] It looks like [[spoiler:assimilating my child self]] has given me knowledge of Internet culture and popular media such as Series/GameOfThrones, despite being of a species and from a culture vastly different from that of Midgard.
* ProgressivelyPrettier: While Loki has always maintained a certain "je ne sais quoi," there is no arguing that, as Kid!Loki, my design grew from "[[http://25.media.tumblr.com/aa9fc8169b4895e08882fc8a311ad34a/tumblr_mfz3hyvR2u1r2mzigo1_1280.png almost eyebrowless goblin child]]" to "[[http://25.media.tumblr.com/ad42603b2281d19d805600fc55302987/tumblr_mf4kfw9xp61rxd4cao5_250.png handsome young lad]]."
* PsychopathicManchild: Type C, if you think, as some do, that this applied to me. But, well, God of Mischief and all that- I suppose I can understand.
* PsychicPowers
* RageAgainstTheAuthor: It's hard not the read the entirety of [[spoiler:my younger self's sacrifice]] without seeing a touch of... aggravation at the fact that, because of the Editors and my new found popularity as the villain of the [[Film/TheAvengers Avenger's]], no matter what this was only a temporary arrangement. He even looks at the viewer while describing how it's beyond either of our power to make the story actually have a happy ending. (And declares that an unspecified "they" won't let me change, the imprudent brat). The only way for the new Loki to be allowed to change without being forced to become evil at some point in the future under a new writer [[spoiler:is for my younger self to be entirely erased from existence.]] (And even this is admittedly something that can be undone if someone has the gall to.)
-->'''Leah:''' [[{{Foreshadowing}} Better to die as good fiction than live as bad.]]
* RedemptionEqualsDeath: The first time I took responsibility for my deeds and sided with heroes, I got torn apart by an eldritch horror.
* SealedEvilInACan: Odin once imprisoned me in a tree. I would become free only if my plight caused someone to shed a tear. No one missed me strongly enough to want to cry, so I resorted to [[WhenTreesAttack poking Heimdall in the eye with a leaf]].
* SiblingRivalry
* SmugSnake: I admit that sometimes I am a little ... overconfident, and my plans don't go ''quite'' the way I want them to, and that I might, on the odd occasion, be somewhat responsible for my own failures, and maybe not take them as well as I could. But if you were a PhysicalGod and master of sorcery with a genius level intellect, you'd be high on yourself too.
* SorcerousOverlord: On the occasions I managed to ascend to my rightful place as King of Asgard.
* SquishyWizard: ''Only'' by Asgardian standards. I am a far superior physical specimen and warrior than any mortal.
* SuperEmpowering: I turned Crusher Creel into the Absorbing Man and have given powers to several other less known villains; I also gave The Hood some [[AmplifierArtifact Norn Stones]] when his arrangement with Dormammu predictably took a bad turn. I'm quite fond of this, really.
* [[TakeOverTheWorld Take Over The Nine Worlds]]: Loki is the rightful lord of all creation and someday [[KneelBeforeZod all will bow before him]]!
* ThirdPersonPerson: [[SelfDeprecation Loki has a habit of doing this in various comics.]]
* TimeTravel: I can do this more or less at will; it gives me a distinct advantage when carrying out my gambits. Even I cannot guess how much of Asgardian history was shaped by me until I decide to go back and affect it- the disappearance of my foster grandfather, my own adoption and the death of Laufey, and who knows what else? All me, and I didn't even know it!
* TheUnfavorite: It has long been obvious to me that I am Odin's least-favourite son but he will regret so contemptuously underestimating me when all of Asgard bows at my feet!
* TheUnfettered: Whether I am opposed to Thor or working towards some mutual end, I am always willing to go further than my spineless brother.
* VillainTeamUp: Well Loki is incomparable, I will sometimes work with my inferiors if need be; I don't see why all the other miscreants aren't as pragmatic as I am.
* VillainTeleportation: I'd be a poor master of BlackMagic if I could not teleport at will....
* VoluntaryShapeshifting: When disguises are called for, mostly.
* WeaksauceWeakness: When I first appeared, I had one- I couldn't use my powers ''when wet.'' Against Thor, who could easily make it rain. Do you wonder why this is ignored now?
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Do not imagine that all my ambitions are selfish in nature; I have worked for the good of Asgard when it needed me, and the universe on occasion, and often I see the answers more clearly than the so-called "heroes" who are held back by too many ethics.
* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic: After my reincarnation as Kid!Loki, my gold headband doesn't have his horns, but a little V that looks similar to them (the V is also on my tunic). The headband also has little wings over my ears--just like the ones on Thor's helmet. Commentary on how I could still be good, perhaps?
** Though some artists forget them--like in the entirety of issue 628.
** And when I pretended to betray Asgard out of resentment, the flames of Muspelheim surrounding me briefly took the shape of my old horns.
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