Volstagg

Volstagg is an Asgardian warrior and a member of the Warriors Three. He is a good friend of Thor, Sif, and fellow members Hogun and Fandral. Alongside all his fellow warriors, Volstagg took part in a poorly considered strike against all the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, which soon resulted in Odin deciding to directly punish Thor by banishing him to the Earth without his powers. When Loki then took the throne of Asgard during Thor's banishment, Volstagg and his allies played a key role saving Thor from the Destroyer before bringing him back to Asgard where he successfully stopped Loki from stealing the throne of Asgard and restoring the peace.
== Biography ==
=== Warriors Three ===
==== Following Thor ====
: "Volstagg, who introduced you to delicacies so succulent you thought you'd died and gone to Valhalla?""You did."
: ―Thor and Volstagg
Volstagg is a seasoned and highly respected Asgardian adventurer and a good friend of the Asgardian princes, Thor and Loki. Thor eventually got Volstagg to meet his other two friends, Hogun and Fandral. The three soon became good friends and formed the Warriors Three, protecting the people of Asgard from whatever threat came their way. Volstagg also became good friends with fellow warrior Lady Sif, who would often join them on their adventures.
==== War with the Frost Giants ====
: "Thor, this is madness.""Madness? What sort of madness?"
: ―Loki and Volstagg
Volstagg attended the ceremony of Thor's coronation to support his friend, along with most of Asgard's citizens and, before the ceremony began, Volstagg looked at his reflection to ensure his beard looked good enough. Volstagg then noticed several Asgardians walking by his with plates of food. Although he was not fast enough to take food from the plates, Volstagg managed to find a grape hidden within his beard, much to his delight as he swiftly ate the grape.
Volstagg then joined the other Warriors Three alongside Lady Sif as they awaited Thor's arrival. Volstagg complained about still being hungry, which Fandral teased him about, with Volstagg then jokingly threatening to hit Fandral as a result of his mockery. Volstagg then listened with amusement as Fandral teased Hogun by insisting that he consider smiling at least once for the event while Lady Sif then challenged him to keep his mouth shut during the ceremony.
During the ceremony, three Frost Giants broke inside Odin's Vault to steal the Casket of Ancient Winters. Luckily, they are stopped and killed by the Destroyer before they could escape: However, by this time, they had already killed several Guards. As a result of the attack, Odin decided not to retaliate against King Laufey or make Thor King of Asgard. Thor became so enraged by the interruption to becoming king that he stormed into the dining hall and overthrew a table.
The Warriors Three and Sif came in to discover the destruction and found Loki trying to comfort his brother. Thor recommended that they attack the Frost Giants in revenge for their invasion and discover how they had gotten into Asgard, reminding each of his friends of their many adventures together. Volstagg was the first of Thor's own friends who readily agreed to accompany him to Jotunheim to exact retribution for the Jotuns' aggression against their people.
==== Attack on Jotunheim ====
: "If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, my gate will remain shut and you will be left to perish on the cold waste of Jotunheim.""Couldn't you just keep the bridge open for us?"
: ―Heimdall and Volstagg
Volstagg and the Warriors Three, together with Thor, Lady Sif, and Loki, decided to journey towards Jotunheim where Thor intended to challenge Laufey, the Jotuns' ruler, over the incident in Asgard. The team went to see Asgard's Gate-Keeper Heimdall, although Loki attempted to fool Heimdall, the wise gate-keeper told them he knew of their plan and would allow them to go so they could discover how the Frost Giants had made their way in Asgard.
Upon arriving into Jotunheim, Hogun then immediately expressed his concern that they should have never come, while Thor led them on. While Thor and Sif discussed where all their enemies were, Volstagg kept a close watch to ensure that their group were not ambushed. Eventually, they found and confronted Laufey, who, revealing that he had strength in numbers and mindful of an ancient truce between the two peoples, dismissed the Asgardian group from his realm.
As Laufey warned that Asgard was full of traitors, Loki attempted to convince Thor that they were outnumbered while Volstagg readied himself for a fight. As they turned to leave, however, Thor was baited by the heckling of a nearby Jotun named Hailstrum, plunging them all into mortal combat as Volstagg used his battleaxe to cut down the Frost Giants as they charged into battle against them, attempting to use their vast numbers to overpower the Asgardian warriors.
During the battle, one of the Frost Giants grabbed Volstagg's onto unarmored arm, causing serious burns as Volstagg warned the other warriors not to allow the Frost Giants to touch them. As the Frost Giants' forces had begun to overwhelm them, Fandral was grievously injured in the fight as both Volstagg and Hogun had to help carry him clear, demanding that Thor escape with them as they turned and ran for their lives while Thor continued fighting the Frost Giants.
As the Warriors ran from the battle, with Volstagg carrying Fandral on his back, Laufey sent a Frost Beast after them, which eventually cornered them only for Thor to come to their aid and slay the Beast. While the Frost Giants cornered them, however, the Asgardians were saved by the timely arrival of Odin on Sleipnir, who intervened and tried to make peace with Laufey, only to fail as he them quickly drew them back to Asgard where they would be safe for now.
==== Thor's Banishment ====
: "If I may, beg the indulgence of Your Majesty, to perhaps reconsider...""We're done!"
: ―Volstagg and Loki
They used the Bifrost Bridge to return home and Volstagg carried Fandral to the healing room. As punishment for causing a second war between Asgard and Jotunheim, Odin banished Thor to Earth without his powers or hammer. While Volstagg and Fandral had their injuries treated, they discussed Thor's banishment, with Fandral noting that at least Thor was only banished and not dead, while Volstagg questioned how Odin could have discovered their plans.
Just as Volstagg was questioning how the Einherjar guard had known of all their plans before telling Odin, Loki then revealed that it was he who had informed the Einherjar guard of their scheme, which was directly resulted in Thor's banishment. While Volstagg confronted him over this, Loki argued that Thor was too reckless to be their King. Once Loki had left, Sif and the Warriors Three discussed whether or not he was a spy for Laufey which had unnerved them all.
Seeking to return Thor onto Asgard, the Warriors Three and Lady Sif went to speak to Odin; however, when they arrived, they discovered Loki had taken the throne as his father had fallen into the Odinsleep. When they demanded to instead speak with Frigga about the matter, Loki informed them that she had refused to leave Odin's bedside and therefore demanded that they could bring their urgent matter to him, announcing himself as King and demanding they bow to him.
Accepting their new king with suspicion, they requested that he end Thor's banishment which Loki refused as he claimed to be unable to contradict his father's final orders as King, making their group more suspicious while Loki claimed that the Asgardians still needed some continuity before they were to return to War against Jotunheim. When Volstagg had tried to politely get Loki to reconsider his decision, Loki refused and ordered them to leave, much to their frustration.
==== Disobeying the King ====
: "Is it just me or does Earth look a little different to you now?""It has been a thousand years.""Changes happen so fast. I mean, you leave for a millennium and look at the state of the place."
: ―Volstagg and Sif
Concerned over what Loki's true motivations for taking up the throne of Asgard, the Warriors Three and Lady Sif discussed what should be done next, with Volstagg then being accused by Fandral of not caring enough about their situation and having more of a focus on food. Hogun suggested that the next step would have to be to disobey their king's demands and bring Thor find Thor on Earth, despite knowing this would likely be viewed as treason by King Loki.
As they discussed this, Volstagg then warned that Heimdall might be listening to their conversation, just as an Einherjar guard entered the room and informed them that Heimdall was demanding to see them, with Volstagg nervously noting that they were doomed. Much to their surprise, however, Heimdall was also opposing King Loki's rule over Asgard and therefore allowed them to use the Bifrost Bridge to go to Earth and rescue Thor, hoping to overthrow Loki as a result.
They arrived at Thor's last known location within Puente Antiguo and searched for their lost friend. As they walked through the town, they attracted odd looks from the locals due to their armor and weapons. At one stage, Volstagg helped a girl find her ball before knocking out two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who were spying on them. Eventually, they found Thor with his new friend, Dr. Jane Foster, as they all delighted to see one another again.
Although he had expressed his delight and seeing his dearest friends once again, Thor told them that they should not have come for him. When Volstagg informed Thor that they were there to take him home, Thor told him that Loki had claimed that Odin was dead, meaning that he could not return to Asgard as they had desired. However, Sif revealed to Thor that his father was still alive and they realized that Loki had lied to them all, before Thor agreed to come home.
==== Battle of Puente Antiguo ====
: "And then, with a mighty bellow, I flew into the giant metal beast and laid it low.""Is that another way of saying you fell on your huge ass?""As a matter of fact, falling down was a tactic."
: ―Volstagg and Fandral[
While they were still in Puente Antiguo, they faced an unexpected threat when Loki dispatched the Destroyer to kill Thor and all of his friends. Although Volstagg delighted in the idea that he and Thor could fight side by side once more, Thor revealed that he was powerless and could only help to get the innocent civilians of the town to safety while Sif and the Warriors Three battled the attacker.
While Thor and his friends evacuated the Humans, Volstagg attacked the Destroyer by having Hogun and Fandral throw him towards it as he swung his Axe; however, he was knocked backwards into a car. While it was distracted, preparing to blast Volstagg, the Destroyer was stabbed by Sif with her double-edged sword through its throat. Volstagg was relieved to have not been destroyed, but this barely slowed the Destroyer down, however, and the battle continued.
They proved to be no match for the construct, and it battered them without much effort, firing its beams of pure energy at the Asgardians as they were soon separated and Volstagg ended up being thrown inside Isabela's Diner. Just as Volstagg had gotten back onto his feet, however, the Destroyer caught sight of him once again and fired yet another beam of energy at him, launching Volstagg across the street and seriously injuring him as the other came to his aid.
Eventually, Thor ordered them to leave, assuring them that he had a plan on how to handle the Destroyer while Volstagg was carried away by Fandral and Hogun. However, instead of charging into battle, Thor calmly walked over to the Destroyer without any weapons to defend himself and spoke directly to Loki, allowing the Destroyer to kill him in exchange for it leaving the innocent people alone, Volstagg then watched helplessly as his friend died in Jane Foster's arms.
However, Thor's self-sacrifice had in fact proved him to be worthy of his former power as Mjølnir launched into his hands and restored his power back, allowing him to finally defeat The Destroyer as Volstagg and the others watched on. The team returned back to Asgard and discovered Loki had nearly killed Heimdall with the Casket of Ancient Winters, while the Warriors took Heimdall to the Healing Room, Thor went to confront his brother and remove him from the throne.
Thor and Loki battled across Asgard, leading to the destruction of the Bifrost Bridge and Loki's apparent death when he fell into a Wormhole. With Odin having awoken from his Odinsleep and reclaimed the throne of Asgard, the Warriors Three and Lady Sif gathered together at a banquet to celebrate the return of Thor and the return to peace. Volstagg entertained the guests with the tales of his battles with the Frost Giants and the Destroyer, delighting in the reactions.
== Personality ==
: "I hope this goes quickly, I'm famished.""No?""Are you attached to that pretty face of yours? Because one more word and you won't be!""My, we are hungry aren't we."
: ―Volstagg and Fandral[src]
Volstagg was very bright and carefree. He was a loyal and good friend to Thor, willing to commit treason for him when journeying to Jotunheim and holding off the Einherjar to prevent them from capturing Thor and Loki. Volstagg was a very strong-willed and brave warrior, as seen when he silently appeared to almost accept his death at the hands of the Destroyer. He loved eating, drinking and celebrating, along with spending time with his family.
== Powers and Abilities ==
=== Powers ===
* Asgardian Physiology: As an Asgardian, Volstagg possesses all of the various superhuman attributes common among his people, including superhuman strength, durability, speed, agility, stamina, reflexes, healing, and is extremely long-lived. He is part of the Warriors Three, a highly trained group.
** Superhuman Strength: Like all Asgardians, Volstagg possesses great superhuman strength which he uses to swing a heavy battleaxe with minimal effort, and hold his own against Frost Giants and Marauders, in addition to easily lifting a car with one hand.
** Superhuman Durability: Volstagg's body is durable enough to withstand a punch from a Frost Giant and being smacked into a car by the Destroyer without any signs of injury. He is even able to withstand blows from the highly trained Einherjar. However, he was injured by a Frost Giant's freezing touch.
** Superhuman Speed: Volstagg can run and move at great superhuman speed even with his big stature. He managed to outrun a Frost Beast while carrying an injured Fandral on his back.
** Superhuman Agility: Volstagg naturally possesses great agility, equilibrium and flexibility. This allows him to effortlessly move around during a fight, despite his big stature.
** Superhuman Stamina: Volstagg's can perform at max energy for way longer than humans. His endurance allows him to exercise his maximum capacity for an extremely long period of time without tiring at all. This helps a lot while he fought his enemies.
** Superhuman Reflexes: Volstagg can react and dodge objects traveling at high speeds allowing him to dodge punches by Frost Giants.
** Regenerative Healing Factor: Volstagg possesses a far greater healing ability. He is able to heal from a frostbite caused by a Frost Giant within days. His metabolism is so great, he managed to consume four wild boars, six pheasants, a side of beef, and two casks of ale without effort, according to Fandral, following Thor's banishment and Loki's coup.
** Longevity: Volstagg, like all other Asgardians, is not truly immortal. It is possible to kill an Asgardian and other beings in the Nine Realms. More accurately, Asgardians are extremely long-lived beings, Volstagg ages considerably slow pace, being able to live for thousands of years. Even though he is more than a thousand years old, Volstagg still looks like a middle-aged man by Earth standards.
=== Abilities ===
* Master Combatant: Along with the rest of the Warriors Three, Volstagg is a highly skilled and formidable hand-to-hand combatant, having received extensive training in unarmed combat as well as having centuries of combat experience, making him one of the most powerful and best warriors in Asgard. He has fought in multiple battles against highly trained combatants such as Frost Giants.
* Axe Mastery: Volstagg is highly skilled at using his axe in combat, with centuries of training and experience in wielding it. He is able to use it to kill multiple Frost Giants with relative ease. His axe is his primary weapon in battle and his fighting style revolves around his weapon.
* Bilingualism: Volstagg is fluent in his native Asgardian, as well as English.
== Equipment ==
=== Current Equipment ===
* Asgardian Armor: Volstagg’s armor is made of a brown and gold tunic and pants. Over his chest he wears a two part metal vest. The top part has various swirling designs and the bottom was made of overlapping gold plates that made room for Volstagg’s considerable stomach. He wore simple brown boots.
* Axe: In combat, Volstagg usually used a battle axe, applying his brute strength in battle.
== Relationships ==
=== Allies ===
* Asgardian Royal Family
** Odin - King
** Frigga - Queen
** Thor - Close Friend
* Warriors Three - Teammates and Close Friends
** Fandral
** Hogun
* Sif - Close Friend
* Heimdall
* Einherjar
* Sleipnir
* Jane Foster 
== Appearances ==
In Order:
* Thor
Category:Thor Characters
Category:Asgardians
Category:Males
Category:Comics Characters
Category:Red hair
Category:Blue eyes
Category:Heroes
Category:Warriors Three