Thor and Loki: Blood Brothers is the most striking Loki origin story

Loki shows a different side of the Asgardians and why the God of Mischief may have been destined to be evil in Thor and Loki: Blood Brothers. Here’s why we’re recommending you read/watch this summer.

Loki and Thor’s rivalry is well-documented. In recent years, they’ve gone from hating each other to respecting one another. Thor has even learned to trust the God of Lies – a title that Loki is working hard to abandon. Before that, the Frost Giant-turned-Asgardian constantly worked on destroying his brother and everything he loved.

It’s a story well told but we’ve only ever seen one side of it. One that suggests Loki’s plan to rule Asgard is something that he’s always wanted because he was evil. What if that isn’t true? There could be other reasons to explain his madness and wicked ways.

"“And what of those other Lokis? They are not this one.” – Loki"

Loki isn’t the easiest person to relate to in the comics. Mostly because he’s a jerk who can’t be trusted. His lies and deceitful plans are his trademark. As Owen Wilson’s Agent Mobius said in the Marvel Cinematic Universe TV series, he literally stabs people in the back. Well, have you ever stopped to wonder why? Is there a reason why Loki does what he does? Writer Robert Rodi wrote a tale to give Marvel readers another side of the story – one that shows a life full of verbal and physical abuse. He also shows how this could just be his destiny.

This tale was later adapted into the 2011 motion comic Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers and here’s why you should check both out this summer.

Odin

"“Then look at me, father, and tell me plain that I was not brought to your court for the sole purpose of galvanizing Thor’s goodness.” – Loki"

Loki was taken by Odin after the latter killed his father. He was meant to be raised equally despite his Frost Giant lineage but we found out that this wasn’t how things actually turned out for the God of Mischief. While in his cell, Loki all but got the All-Father to admit his part in his story: Odin used Loki to make Thor look better.

For centuries, he was lied to. Odin never intended for him to be anything except Thor’s stepping stool. This was the first step in creating a villain. Odin has always been a bad father. And as the story continues, we see that his children and their friends are just as culpable for the God of Mischief’s descent into evil.

The trauma from his siblings and peers

"“I hurt because I was meant to hurt. There was ever violence in your words, Lady.” – Loki"

As a child, Loki was treated poorly. Thor and Sif would make fun of him for multiple reasons; among them was for not being as strong as them or as good of a fighter. Sif was particularly hurtful. What’s ironic, though, is that this is where the God of Lies learned to use his silver tongue. He said her words hurt more than any attack. From there he discovered the power of using words.

It wasn’t just Sif and Thor that got to him though; Balder was another person who hurt him as a child. Instead of attacking and ridiculing, Balder didn’t pay attention to him at all. He didn’t even acknowledge his existence – something that can be worse than any insult.

Ruling isn’t what he thought

Once he became King of Asgard, however, things started to sink in for Loki. Sometimes, it’s good to be the king but other times it’s hard work and a lot of aggravation, especially when you have a bill to pay. Loki called in favors from anyone he could. It was the only way he’d be able to defeat Thor and Asgard’s army. Now that the battle was won and his foes were imprisoned, it was time to do what Kings and Queens really do – keep their kingdom stable.

It looks like the God of Evil didn’t think about that part. Soon after he crowned himself king, the requests started coming in. The Bifrost Bridge needed a protector, the beings that assisted him wanted their payments and that was on top of the day-to-day aspects that came with the job. Watching Loki deal with all of that was funny. He had no idea what he was getting into. As the phrase goes, “Heavy is the head that wears the crown,”

Loki’s destiny

"“But always he plays the same role in the order of things that neither he nor any power may alter.” – Balder"

Destiny put Asgard’s new ruler in front of Balder in his prison – a moment that opened Loki’s eyes. When Balder was dead, he saw something; Balder revealing to his new king that there was never a reality where Loki ruled.

There were those with different personalities, faces, and upbringings. There’s even one reality in which Loki is Odin’s adopted brother instead of son. But none where he ruled. In response, Loki left Balder with a look of fear, going to see a sorceress who confirms his fate. Balder was right – Loki is destined to lose and be tortured in the afterlife for his crimes.

Why you should read Loki

"“Thus the unhappy paradox: The Trickster may trick all… save himself.” – Hela"

With the new Tom Hiddleston-starring Loki series on Disney Plus, fans will undoubtedly want to learn more about the God of Mischief. There are countless tales with Loki in them. There’s Avengers No. 1 where he brings the team together. There’s Jason Aaron’s run of Avengers where he does it again. He’s also had multiple solo runs and iconic battles with his brother in Thor’s comic book. But of all of the stories told, this one may be the best.

This is one of the first times we get the notorious trickster’s story from a different perspective. Thor, Sif, and Badler don’t come out of it looking good. They all attributed to Loki becoming the God of Mischief, Lies, and Evil. Once people read this, they may start to understand why the trickster turned out as evil as he did, even if this is an alternate reality. Disney Plus’ Loki has followed a similar route of exploring the character’s motivations and this is arguably even more impactful. A lot of us have been subjected to bullying in some way; this story shows that even the gods aren’t exempt from this.

What do you think? Is this a story that you’d check out? Let us know in the comments below.