Red Norvell

Origin

Roger Norvell or Red as he prefers people to call him, was a member of film crew making a documentary. The team were tricked and transported to asgard by Loki. When Red first saw Sif he was stunned by her beauty, but was rejected. Red did not like this rejection, and this led him wanting to battle Thor. Loki saw this as a chance to defeat Thor, so Gave Red Thor-like Powers. Neither Red or the trickster god realized they were fulfilling Odin the All-father's plan.

Odin made a number of contingency plans in case of the loss of his son. He bestowed a copy of Thor’s essence in Thor’s Iron Gloves, Belt of Strength, Megingjord, and the Fires of Geirrodur, so that he could empower another Asagrdian or mortal were Asgard threatened in the Thunder god's absence.

Character Creation

Red Norvell was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema.

Story arcs

Roger Norvell (or Red as he prefers people to call him), was a member of film crew making a documentary. The team were tricked and transported to asgard by Loki. When Red first saw Sif he was stunned by her beauty, but was rejected. Red did not like this rejection, and This led him wanting to battle Thor. Loki saw this as a chance to defeat Thor, so Gave Red Thor-like Powers. Neither Red or the trickster god realized they were fulfilling Odin the All-father's plan.

Odin made a number of contingency plans in case of the loss of his son. He bestowed a copy of Thor’s essence in Thor’s Iron Gloves, Belt of Strength, Megingjord, and the Fires of Geirrodur, so that he could empower another Asagrdian or mortal were Asgardthreatened in Thunder gods absence.

Sometime, Odin learns of Loki's and his daughter Hela's plans to trigger the cataclysmic event Ragnarök. According to the Norn's prophecies would cause the thunder god's death fighting the Jormungand (also known as the Midgard Serpent). Odin made plans to create another Thor to die in his son’s place.

Roger Norvell put on the enchanted belt and gloves and entered the Fires of Geirrodur, emerging transformed into a thunder god equal but insane with his new power. Red defeated the true Thor, but refuses to yield, so Norvell fires a lethal blast. The documentary’s sound engineer Joey, at a attempt to stop the madness leaps between them, and is instantly killed.

Roger Norvell shocked by what had just occurred tells the Lady Sif he would spare Thor's life if they leave together. They couple travel to Alfheim, where the kidnapped Sif, tries to convince him of his mistakes. After a long time he is convincved of his error and returns to Asgard to make up for what he has done. Red later takes Thor’s place fighting Jormungand the Midgard Serpent and dies, his spirit is then taken to Valhalla due to his sacrifice.

Odin later restored Red to life and returned godlike powers. This was due to Thor and Odin falling out. He gave Norvell his own Uru hammer, which he calls Crusher. Red becomes Asgard’s new protector. In his time he battled some of the Nine Worlds most dangerous threats such as the Hulk and the giant wolf Hoarfen. When Thor finally returned to face his father, the two thunder gods came to blows again. Sometime later Thor gave Red Norvell his blessing, recognized his bravery and realized that both Asgard and Midgard need a protector. Though it was clear that Red still had feeling for the Lady Sif, he accepted she would never love him and became friends.

To trick Yggdrasil from starting Ragnarök and prevent the Egyptian god of death,Seth from destroying them, Odinexiles the Asgardian gods to Earth in mortal form, unaware of their true identities. Red Norvell actually kept his memories, but lost his god like powers. Sometime later when Thor gets repowered, so does Red. They reunite Asgardians, but before they could, Thor seemingly died battling the psychic being Onslaught along with the rest of the Avengers. Red finally finds the last of the missing gods just before Seth’s minions kill him. Red does not go to Valhalla; he is trapped in Seth’s domain.

Seth meanwhile learns how to restore the Asgardian’s memories and powers; he also discovers if he destroys Yggdrasil all the Asgardian would die. Seth sends Red to carry out the first part, but when Red Norvell restores the Asgardians, he also resurrects himself, breaking Seth’s hold. He then returns to Asgard to help battle Seth.

Moments after Odin vanquished Seth, the mysterious Dark Gods start a sneak attack, capturing the the Asgardians. It is assumed that Norvell is freed when Thor returns and defeats the Dark Gods, Red’s fate in light of the recent, final Ragnarök is not clear

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Superhuman Strength: Like Thor, he is superhumanly strong. He possesses vast superhuman strength enabling him to lift well in excess of 100 tons without any effort. The upper limits, if one exists, is unknown.

Known Powers: It is presumed he some of the powers of the original Thor.

Weather Control: Like Thor, he is the god of thunder and has control over the base elements of a storm, ie. rain, wind, thunder and lightning. He can create raging electrical storms complete with thunder, lightning, hurricane-force winds, tornadoes and torrential rains. He can also create any of these phenomena individually. Another aspect of this power allows him to stop any of these weather conditions as well. The powers are shown as being channeled through Mjolnir.

• Electrical Immunity: Like Thor, he also shows an immunity to the effects of lightning and electricity.

Superhuman Speed: Like Thor, he possesses the superhuman ability to move at superhuman speeds, think with such speed, thus granting him a superhuman reaction time. He can fly at superluminal speeds if he desires.

Superhuman Stamina: Like Thor, he has a highly efficient musculature that produces almost no fatigue toxins, granting him almost limitless stamina in all physical activities.

Superhuman Durability: Like Thor, his body is able to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures, and virtually all toxins, corrosives, punctures, and concussions without sustaining injury. His flesh and bones are several times denser than a human's.

• Disease Immunity: immune to all terrestrial diseases due to his god-like physical constitution.
• Longevity: He is extremely long-lived (though not completely immune to aging)

Thor also has access to other powers provided by Crusher, a copy of Mjolnir.

Paraphernalia

Equipment

He initially needed Thor's belt of strength (Megingjard) and his gloves for holdingMjolnir, though now all he needs is his own hammer.

Transportation

Red can teleport between dimensions using his hammer, like the real Thor.

Weapons

Crusher, his copy of the hammer Mjolnir. This hammer was also forged from Uru metal. It is virtually unbreakable, and allows Red to command the powers of the storm, causing rain, thunder and lightning. He can also channel his godly energies through Mjolnir into blasts so powerful that they can slay even immortals. Like Mjolnir it can absorb other energies into itself, which Red can then release.

Crusher obeys Red’s commands as though it were alive, and if Red’s will is strong enough, the hammer can pass through nearly any barrier to reach him should he so desire. Using this command over its Crusher’s flight path, he is able to use the hammer to fly, achieving escape velocities. The hammer can also transform Red into his civilian guises. It is unknown whether Red does transform and if so, whether his hammer becomes a cane as well.

By spinning the hammer in a circle, Red can open portals to other dimensions. It is unknown if it also allowed him to travel in time, like the original Mjolnir could. Enchantments surrounding this copy Mjolnir prevent it from being wielded by anyone save those who have been found worthy. It is unknown if the same people are worthy to lift this hammer as the original Thor's, but it can be safe to assume they can.