History SelfDemonstrating / Loki

* AdaptationalWimp: My incarnation in the ''MarvelCinematicUniverse'' removes most the power I have in the comics, likely since writers found me too difficult to write since I'm one of those characters whose [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands magic powers can often do whatever the plot needs them to]].

* TheBadGuyWins: Several times Loki has succeeded in his quest to rule Asgard! In early issues, this was done by stealing my stepfather's Odin-ring, which made me supreme ruler. When Thor tried to protest, our dear father responded by [[http://www.supermegamonkey.net/chronocomic/entries/scans13/T191_Mouth.jpg removing his mouth]]. Sadly, such conquests rarely last more than a few issues.

* DyingMomentOfAwesome: [[spoiler: In ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', I managed to an Akursed after Thor proved no match for it before it fatally wounded me in turn. Subverted as I survived]].

** I once had a tea up with Spiderman. I wanted to save one my children from being possessed by Morwen, and Spiderman wanted to save the world, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and to get Morwen to stop hitting on him.]]

* TheEvilPrince: Well I am a Prince, rightfully a king and I am ''very'' good at being evil.

* TheManBehindTheMan: On several occasions the villains Thor defeats were my stooges.

* 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 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.

* OddFriendship: Spiderman and I had a short lived one during our brief team-up. It was certainly entertaining, everyone can agree on that, given our [[DeadpanSnarker witt]]. By the end I was grateful enough that told he could get a favor from in the future, which never amounted to anything despite the number of fans wishing for him to use it to get me to undo OneMoreDay.

* 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. Why, once I led almost every mortal villain to perform [[TitleDrop Acts of Vengeance]]..

* ''Anime/MarvelDiscWarsTheAvengers''

->''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!''

* SquishyWizard: ''Only'' by Asgardian standards. I am a far superior physical specimen and warrior than any mortal.

* SuperStrength: While not on the level of other Asgardians, I ''am'' a Frost Giant and stronger than you mortals by far. Eric Masterson found this out [[http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/15/150339/2970747-5647122265-Loki_.jpg the hard way]].

* NormalFishInATinyPond: As much as I hate to admit it, I am a runt by Asgardian standards. On Earth, I am unstoppable.

* GenderBender: I have been know to take on feminine form, in particular that of my brothers lover Lady Sif, why Sif? ....to torment him of course.

* ChickMagnet: While lesser mortals would think this only applied to me after the success of the movies, in my [[http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/goofythor-9.jpg very first appearance]] I wooed my brother's lover, Jane Foster.

* CardCarryingVillain: I ''am'' the God of Mischief and Evil, after all ...

* NewPowersAsPlotDemands: As is common for characters whose skill lies in magic, I'm often capable doing whatever the plot needs me to with it, though not to the level of ''ComicBook/DoctorStrange'' since the writers still need Thor to be able to defeat me.

[[redirect:Comicbook/{{Loki}}]]

->''"You ask me why I did what I did? Ask, rather, why the serpent Nidhogg eats the roots of Yggdrasil -- Why, when the tree's death means, in turn, the dragon's ruin? Because, [[TheMightyThor Thor]], I keep telling you -- That is what it was born to do -- [[TheFarmerAndTheViper That is what I was born to do!]]"''
-->--'''Loki'''

[[quoteright:230:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Loki_7310.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:230: [[ManipulativeBastard Why do people always presume I'm lying?]]]]

Welcome, Midgardian. Allow me to introduce myself- I am Loki Laufeyson, Prince of Asgard and Jottunheim, God of Mischief and Evil, 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 the 1960's, the so-called 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.]]

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 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 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 [[Film/TheAvengers Earths Mightiest Heroes]] united for the first time, in opposition of me.

But I was not humbled yet. 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.

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 for 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...altruistic 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...

In recent times, a series of films were made that told the tales of [[Film/{{Thor}} Thor and Myself]], as well as [[Film/TheAvengers his allies]], and the task of portraying me was given to one TomHiddleston. Deightfully enough, it is apparent that he performed his role masterfully.


!! Tropes associated with Loki:
* AbusiveParents: Laufey was ''not'' a good father. In one particularly [[TearJerker poignant]] scene, as a time-travelling adult I took revenge on a wounded Laufey with a sword, screaming "YOU WILL NEVER STRIKE ME AGAIN!"
* ADayInTheLimelight: 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.
* AffablyEvil: Depending on my mood, but just because I'm [[ManipulativeBastard a ruthless manipulator]] doesn't mean I can't be ''civil'' about it.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: Thor was this to me during our childhood in Asgard. This, coupled with AbusiveParents above, is basically my FreudianExcuse....or maybe I simply am who I am?
* AmbitionIsEvil: At least, ''my'' ambitions are, or so Thor and the rest 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: I may be an unusually scholarly Asgardian, but I am still a Norse god, and one does not grow up amongst the Aesir without learing how to fight, nor have a blood feud with TheMightyThor without being ''good'' at it.
* BalefulPolymorph: Amongst other things, I have turned 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 the first ''[[Comicbook/TheAvengers Avengers]]'' story.
* 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
* CainAndAbel
* CardCarryingVillain: I ''am'' the God of Mischief and Evil, after all...
* ClassicVillain
* 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 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 she 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, she 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. Some offer this as an explanation for my self-loathing and mean behavior.
* 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...
** Recently, I've made a few deals with Mephisto - and even he concedes that I'm about the only one he considers an equal in such dealings.
* DistaffCounterpart: I bear the dubious honor of being one of the few characters to become his ''own'' DistaffCounterpart. [[EarthX Not for the first time, either.]]
* DoNotAdjustYourSet / HauntedTechnology: I pulled this once on [[XMen 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. I used to be so convinced that they secretly hate me that I never took it.
** Though averted with my return as a child. Odin has apparently run out of patience. Thor is 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: My main motivation is simply showing up Thor, by any means necessary. But then, I'd say he had it coming.
* TheEvilPrince
* EvilPlan: I will gladly take credit for many of the devious plots of the Marevel Universe. I set my sights on Odin's throne or otherwise see how I can make Thor suffer.
* EvilSorceror: My knowledge of the mystic arts is unparalled in all of Asgard, even though many mighty sorcerors and sorceresses make it their home.
* [[MotherOfAThousandYoung Father Of A Thousand Young]]: As {{Spiderman}} was once suprised 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]].
* [[GodOfEvil God of Mischief and Evil]]
* {{Hand Blast}}s: Just in case you start thinking I'm all guile and manipulation...
* InferioritySuperiorityComplex: Some believe I actually hate myself and have a raging inferiority complex, and I just love to hide it behind false arrogance and superiority.
* LeanAndMean
* LevelAte: One of my...pettier acts of mischief was to change buildings and cars into candy.
* ManipulativeBastard: I have manipulated pretty much everyone in Asgard at some time or another. Fitting, given that I am [[NorseMythology the god of deception.]]
** 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 good in a suit, after all.
* MasterOfIllusion: My [[MarvelCinematicUniverse film incarnation]] in particular is fond of this, but in the Marvel universe that I am most familiar with, I am perfectly capable in my own right.
* MindControl: I have used this on TheIncredibleHulk and various others, mortal and otherwise, with varying degrees of success. As an EvilSorceror, 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 fairly lean. While I am still very strong and durable, that is primarily in comparison to Earth superheroes/villains, not Asgardians and 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.
* NighInvulnerability As a small Frost giant I am as durable and strong as any average Aesir, though I am not naturally as durable as someone like Thor. Fortunately, as a sorceror, 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.
* PhysicalGod
* 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
* 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...
* SorcerousOverlord: On the occasions I manage to take Asgard over.
* 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 predicatable took a bad turn. I'm quite fond of this, really.
* [[TakeOverTheWorld Take Over The Nine Worlds]]
* 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 effect 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. With that said, some would argue over whether I am correct or not, and if I am, whether I have brought it on myself with my...antics.
* TheUnfettered: Whether I am opposed to Thor or working towards some mutual end, I am always willing to go further than he is.
* VillainTeamUp: I am rather fond of these; 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.

In recent times, a series of films were made that told the tales of [[Film/{{Thor}} Thor and Myself]], as well as [[Film/TheAvengers his allies]], and the task of portraying my likeness was given to one TomHiddleston. One cannot imagine how delighted I was to see that he performed his role masterfully.

* MasterOfIllusion: My movie counterpart in particular is fond of this, but I am more than his equal in my own right.

In recent times, a series of films were made that told the tales of [[Film/{{Thor}} Thor and I]], as well as [[Film/TheAvengers his allies]], and the task of portraying my likeness was given to one TomHiddleston. One cannot imagine how delighted I was to see that he performed his role masterfully.

** 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.

* EvilPlan: I will gladly take credit for many of the devious plots of the Marevel Universe.

->''You ask me why I did what I did? Ask, rather, why the serpent Nidhogg eats the roots of Yggdrasil -- Why, when the tree's death means, in turn, the dragon's ruin? Because, [[TheMightyThor Thor]], I keep telling you -- That is what it was born to do -- [[TheFarmerAndTheViper That is what I was born to do!]]''

* DealWithTheDevil: I have been pressed-gang into deals with actual devils at times such as my forced alliance with [[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...

I arranged for Thor to be exiled to 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 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 [[TheAvengers Earths Mightiest Heroes]] united for the first time, in opposition of me.

* TheUnfavorite: It has long been obvious to me that I am Odin's least-favourite son. With that said, [[YourMileageMayVary some would argue]] over whether I am correct or not, and if I am, whether I have brought it on myself with my...antics.