Eitri (character)

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, making 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 black hair as the replacement which Thor and Sif do not seem to mind. The loss of Sif's blonde hair is also detailed in a four-part series focusing on Loki's history.

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. 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. The story of the forging was later returned to its original version.

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. 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.

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. Eitri gives Cannonball enchanted armor and a sword as well as a special hammer to give to Loki to expose him.

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. 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. 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". 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.

In the stirrings of Ragnarok, Eitri traveled with his kin, Brok and Buri, to dispose of the forge that made Mjolnir itself. Such a forge, still churning with energies, might be used by Loki to create yet more weapons. The attempt ended in disaster, killing all three dwarves. The realms were later restored, putting Eitri in charge of his people yet again.

In "The War of the Realms", Eitri helps fend off Malekith's invasion.

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.

Ultimate Universe

During the "Ultimate Invasion" storyline, Maker traveled to Earth-6160 and remade it into his own image. Eitri appears working along with Brokkr in Nidavellir. He and Brokk fashion invisibility cloaks for Thor and Sif, in exchange for the head of Loki who has enslaved the Nine Realms since the day when Maker helped Loki kill Odin..

What If

An alternate universe variant of Eitri 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.

In other media

Television

* Eitri appears in '' The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes'', voiced by John DiMaggio. 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.
* Eitri appears in the ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' episode "Field Trip", voiced by Troy Baker.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Eitri appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portrayed by Peter Dinklage. This version is depicted at a giant's size.
* First appearing in '' Avengers: Infinity War'' (2018), Thor, Rocket, and Groot recruit Eitri to create Stormbreaker, a weapon capable of killing Thanos. He reveals that Thanos previously forced him to make the Infinity Gauntlet before massacring the dwarves and encasing his hands in metal to prevent him from forging again.
* An alternate timeline variant of Eitri makes a cameo appearance in the '' What If...?'' (2021) episode " What If... the Watcher Broke His Oath?". He assists Gamora and Tony Stark in making a device that would help destroy the Infinity Gauntlet after they kill Thanos.
* Eitri was intended to appear in '' Thor: Love and Thunder'', but his scenes were cut.

References

External links

Eitri
at the Marvel Wiki

{{New Mutants

Marvel Comics male characters
Fictional dwarves
Comics characters introduced in 1983
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Fictional kings