| Warriors Three | |
|---|---|
 Variant cover toThor #4 (November 2007). Art byOlivier Coipel, featuring the Warriors Three (clockwise from top:Volstagg,Hogun, andFandral). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Journey into Mystery #119 (August 1965) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Base(s) | Asgard |
| Member(s) | Fandral Hogun Volstagg Hildegarde |
TheWarriors Three are a group of fictional characters appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. The characters served as supporting cast members inThor. The Warriors Three are theAsgardiansFandral,Hogun, andVolstagg. Though the characters are gods ofAsgard, they are original creations of Marvel Comics and not based on characters fromNorse mythology.
The Warriors Three have appeared in various media adaptations of Thor, including the 2011Marvel Cinematic Universe filmThor, its 2013 sequelThor: The Dark World, and the 2017 sequelThor: Ragnarok. They appear as archival footage inThor: Love and Thunder.
Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg first appeared inJourney into Mystery #119 (Aug 1965) and were created byStan Lee andJack Kirby.[1] They are first referred to as the "Warriors Three" not in a story, but in theletters page ofThor #244 (February 1976).[2]
Although not based on mythologicalNorse characters, they were each inspired by a different source, Fandral being based on actorErrol Flynn,Hogun based on actorCharles Bronson, and Volstagg being modeled afterShakespeare'sFalstaff.[3]
The Warriors Three were the stars in issue #30 of the tryout seriesMarvel Spotlight. Though it did not result in the characters getting their own series, the comedy-oriented issue became a fan favorite and has been cited by writerLen Wein as one of his favorite stories: "It was just such a joy to write, and the late, greatJohn Buscema's artwork didn't exactly hurt it no-how."[2]
In late 2010 (with cover dates January–April 2011), the Warriors Three got their own four-issue mini-series, written byBill Willingham and illustrated by Neil Edwards.[4]
The Warriors Three have played a supporting role in Marvel'sThor title since the late 1960s.[5]
For some time, Volstagg was the coward of the group, succeeding more with luck than skill. He gained courage over time and is now more than ever, likely to be found on the front lines of battle. They first appeared when going on a quest with Thor and other Asgardians to preventRagnarok.
The trio have multiple adventures with their friend Thor, such as when they battled theThermal Man.[6] For a time, they quest with him in outer space; one of their adventures involved saving an alien world from a naive tentacled beast.[7]
In the limited seriesThor: Blood Oath (published in 2005, but chronologically set much earlier), Thor and the Warriors Three are sent on a quest as penance for accidentally killing an enemy giant during a time of peace. Although they fail in their quest, through the use of each warrior's unique capabilities, the adventure eventually comes to a good end.
The group is allied with the earth-bound group theNew Mutants. During the mutants' first trip to Asgard, they drank and celebrated with Roberto da Costa (Sunspot). During the group's second visit, the Three encounter new members of the group and do not find their story ofHela's plan to killOdin believable. Volstagg's children do and free the group, helping them on their way.Boom Boom,Warlock andHrimhari rescue the Three from the fatal attentions of Queen Ula and her hive. Hrimhari's honor is enough to convince the Three and Queen Ula to join in on the attempt to defeat Hela. Other Asgardians join in on the fight and soon, Odin is saved.[8]
WhenBragi, the god of poetry, becomes lost in the wilds of Asgard, just a little bit before he was due to entertain at All-Father Odin's Mid-Summer celebration, the Warriors Three braved multiple problems to rescue the poet and bring him home.[9]
AnotherFanfare issue focused on the wife ofUlik. Despite the many attacks by Ulik against Asgardians, his wife feels she has nowhere else to go when she thinks her husband is in trouble. Hogun wants nothing to do with her, but Volstagg convinces him to at least consult with Fandral. The conclusion of the story has Ulik yet again attacking.
When Thor's misunderstood brotherLoki broughtRagnarök down upon Asgard, Fandral and Hogun were killed by an arrow storm launched from the deck of the flying shipNaglfar.Volstagg survived and was discovered by Thor hiding inside a statue, only now being emaciated and frail. Nevertheless, he would fight on with the army Thor had raised.[10]
Ragnarok seemingly destroyed all of Asgard and all the people residing there, which would leave all three members of The Warriors Three deceased.[11]
Thor has resurfaced in the Midwest of the United States of America and has vowed to find Odin and all other Asgardians, who are hidden in human form across Earth. After findingHeimdall, Thor discovers the Warriors Three inhabiting the bodies of three volunteer guards for the Umeme Mungu Refugee Camp inAfrica. The trio are restored to their true forms.[12]
In "Secret Invasion", the Warriors Three are vital to the Asgardian victory over theSkrulls.[13] They are part of the defense effort whenNorman Osborn leads a villain army against Asgard.[14][15]
After Loki's machinations to banish Thor come to fruition, the Warriors Three voluntarily leave Asgard to live in the mortal world, heading back toBroxton, Oklahoma to take over the local diner abandoned by Bill.[16] Along with many other heroes and gods, they attend the wake ofHercules, who had fallen in battle. This meeting takes place inAthena's temple in Greece.[17]
The trio are featured in their own limited series. In issue three, they encounterFenris Wolf. This backstory shows the Warriors first teamed up as the vainglorious duo of Volstagg and Fandral, to out-do each other in tasks. Hogun was a shy intellectual who went with to serve as an impartial observer.[18]
With Volstagg serving as a politician, Fandral and Hogun acquire a new job alongside Hildegarde, who has fought with them against many dangers. Under the leadership of All-Father Thor, they are asked to serve as Asgardian jail wardens. Fandral calls this new trio "The Ministers Three."[19]
During the "Empyre" storyline, the Warriors Three defend Little Asgard from theCotati invaders.[20]
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