Mangog

Publication history

The character first appeared in Thor #154 (July 1968) and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Creation

The character was based on the giants Gog and Magog, who would combine their bodies to become Gogmagog.

Fictional character biography

The character was described in his debut as being the sum total of the hatred of "a billion billion beings" and the sole survivor of an alien species who attempted to invade Asgard before Odin stopped them. Imprisoned beneath Asgard, Mangog is freed by the rock troll Ulik, in a failed bid to secure an ally against the gods. Mangog storms Asgard, intent on obtaining the Odinsword to destroy the universe. Thor battles Mangog to a standstill, until Odin stops him by breaking the spell which had created Mangog as a living prison for his entire race.

Mangog is later freed by Loki, but defeated after being drained of his power. With the aid of the traitorous magician Igron, Mangog assumes the form of an imprisoned Odin, and intends to once again draw the Odinsword. After a series of skirmishes with Thor, the creature is defeated when Thor frees Odin.

The character reappears twice in the second volume of Thor: as the servant of a clone of the Titan Thanos (destroyed by Thor) and in a desolated Asgard during Ragnarok (dispelled by Thor with the Odinforce) Mangog reappears in the Thunderstrike mini-series when accidentally summoned by a mystical generator, and is eventually defeated when cast into a distant star.

In The Mighty Thor, Mangog decimates Asgard until Jane Foster / Thor throws him into the sun. He later absorbs Mjolnir's power and becomes the God of Hammers before Thor fatally drains his energy.

Powers and abilities

Mangog possesses the strength, stamina, durability and endurance of a "billion billion beings", and has the ability to manipulate magic for energy projection and shapeshifting.

Mangog appears to be indestructible, and has stated that he will always exist as long as there is hatred. Mangog is also called "the Judgment of the Gods", drawing strength from every cruel act performed by the gods.

Other versions

Heroes Reborn

In an alternate reality depicted in Heroes Reborn, Mangog becomes All-Gog: Final All-Father, Destroyer of Asgard after destroying Asgard. He then joins the Masters of Doom before being petrified by Power Princess.

Marvel Fanfare

In an alternate universe, Mangog battles the Herald of Galactus, Silver Surfer.

What If?

Mangog attempts to take advantage of Odin's need for the Odinsleep but is stopped by Jane Foster, who has found Thor's hammer Mjolnir.

Ultimate Marvel

An alternate universe variant of Mangog from Earth-1610 appears in Ultimate Spider-Man #150. This version is a spirit who requires a host to survive and was previously imprisoned in the Eye of Avalon.

In other media

Television

Mangog appears in the Avengers Assemble episode "All-Father's Day", voiced by JB Blanc.

Video games

• Mangog appears in Thor: God of Thunder, voiced simultaneously by Steve Blum, Robin Atkin Downes, Mitch Lewis, Lisa Moncure, and Mari Weiss. This version was previously created by Odin and bound in Scabrite chains to limit his destructiveness. However, he eventually escapes and empowers himself with the souls of the Vanir before Odin defeats him.
• Mangog appears in Thor: The Dark World - The Official Game, voiced by Chris Phillips and Marc Thompson.

Miscellaneous

Mangog appears in HeroClix as part of "The Mighty Thor" set.

References

References

1. (2006). "The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood". Visible Ink Press.
2. (2017). "Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History". DK Publishing.
3. (November 1999). "The Jack Kirby Collector".
4. (2014). "American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965-1969". TwoMorrows Publishing.
5. Stone, Sam. (May 25, 2019). "Mangog: Why the Thor Villain is One of Marvel's Strongest Characters".
6. Dodge, John. (February 3, 2022). "Why Thor's Worst Enemy Is Another MCU Icon's Biggest Mistake".
7. ''Thor'' #154-157 (July-Oct. 1968). Marvel Comics.
8. ''Thor'' #195-198 (Jan. - April 1972). Marvel Comics.
9. ''Thor'' #242 (Dec. 1975); 244 (Feb. 1975) 246-250 (April-Aug. 1976). Marvel Comics.
10. ''Thor'' vol. 2 #20-25 (Feb.-July 2000). Marvel Comics.
11. ''Thor'' vol. 2 #84 (Nov. 2004). Marvel Comics.
12. ''Thunderstrike'' vol. 2 #5 (June 2011)
13. ''The Mighty Thor'' #700-705 (Feb. 2018). Marvel Comics.
14. Nolan, Liam. (January 26, 2022). "Marvel Just Completely Reinvented a Major Thor Villain".
15. ''Thor'' (Vol. 6) #23 (March 2022). Marvel Comics.
16. ''Thor'' #157 (Oct. 1968). Marvel Comics.
17. Donohoo, Timothy Blake. (August 31, 2024). "10 Most Underrated Thor Villains".
18. ''Thunderstrike'' vol. 2 #5. Marvel Comics.
19. ''The Mighty Thor'' #701 (Nov. 2017). Marvel Comics.
20. ''Heroes Reborn'' vol. 2 #1. Marvel Comics.
21. ''Heroes Reborn'' vol. 2 #6. Marvel Comics.
22. ''Marvel Fanfare'' #51 (June 1982). Marvel Comics.
23. ''What If?'' #10 (Aug. 1978). Marvel Comics.
24. ''Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man'' #150 (Jan. 2011). Marvel Comics.
25. "Mangog Voices (Thor)". Behind The Voice Actors.