Loki is the wily Norse God of Mischief and brother to Thor. The son of a frost giant raised in Asgard by Odin, Loki is a main antagonist in both the comic books and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Though he is the same character in both, his characterization is very different in each respective rendition.
Comic book versions of Loki are often much more sinister than now fan-favorite Loki portrayed by Tom Hiddleston in the MCU. With the new Disney+ show titled Loki premiering on June 9, 2021, comic book fans and MCU fans alike are ready to see more Loki and understand him better.
10 Birth Story
Unlike in the movies, Loki in the comics knows he is Jotun and not a true Asgardian. MCU fans first find out about Loki’s heritage right along with him in the first Thor movie. In the film, it’s discovered that Odin knew, but never told Loki who his true parentage.
On the other hand, all of Asgard and Loki himself know his origins in the comic books. It makes for an interesting read if fans want to know what Loki would be like if he knew his heritage all along.
9 Origin Story
Interestingly, the comic book versions of Thor and Loki hated each other for a lot longer than they have in the movies. It can even be argued that the film versions of Loki and Thor don’t even really hate each other. In the comics though, Odin made it clear that he favored the God of Thunder.
Readers can see the build-up of Loki turning evil over the course of his life. Unlike the movies, where Frigga and Odin try to keep them on equal ground and attempt to raise them the same ways, the comics book versions do not.
8 His Blue Skin
Originally, the frost giants from whom Loki is descended didn't have blue skin. This detail was later written in and changed, and eventually, fans saw them blue in the MCU films. However, in the comics, Loki has a blue Jotun form up until Odin finds, which fans never see in the MCU.
It would make sense that Loki would be blue or at least have a blue form, but it’s understandable why the MCU cut that part out by making Odin wave his hand over him and disguise his blue skin. Additionally, since MCU Loki doesn’t know his origins, disguising him helped Odin keep this secret from everyone.
7 More Evil
The comic version of Loki is more evil than the MCU version. In the comics, Loki grew up his whole life knowing he was different and being treated as such. He didn’t have a good relationship with Odin or the Asgardians, which resulted in him turning evil.
In the MCU, he has a pretty good relationship with his family. Instead, the catalyst for his turning is the discovery that his life is a lie. He essentially goes on a tantrum, whereas comic book Loki did not come to play around.
6 More Powerful
Fans were shocked when Loki truly died in the beginning of Infinity War, after Thanos choked him to death. Though Thanos is extremely powerful, comic book Loki would not have died so easily. In the comics, Loki definitely had more powers and strength.
The God of Mischief was definitely more of a threat in the comics, wielding his magic more and using it against others. He is the sorcerer supreme, the most powerful sorcerer in the universe. In the MCU, Loki is more docile and doesn't utilize his powers much. He can shape-shift and use illusions, but fans haven’t truly seen his untapped potential. Eventually, that should come to light, with new shows like Loki coming out on Disney+.
5 His Likability In The Movies
The MCU version of Loki is way more likable than the comic book version, who is purely evil and antagonistic. Onscreen, Loki often falls into the grey area between antagonist and antihero. In one movie he is the big bad villain; in movies like Thor: The Dark World, he helps Thor out. (Yes, that is Loki’s version of “helping”.) He even works together with him in Ragnarok.
Original comic book Loki also looked more evil and intimidating than his movie counterpart. With the introduction of Tom Hiddleston as Loki, the comic book look has changed. MCU Loki is charming and has captured the heart of many. He is more sympathetic, and audiences empathize with him more.
4 Female Loki
In the comics, Loki has been reborn quite a few times, but recently, he was reborn as a woman. In 2008, Lady Loki was introduced to comic book fans. She looks exactly like Loki, donning his iconic black and green outfit and horns.
This wasn’t a big stretch, considering that Marvel comics have always followed Norse mythology when it comes to Thor comics. In Norse mythology, Loki was always shifting forms, including different genders. The MCU has not seen this form of Loki yet, but with his proven ability to shape-shift, it’s possible that he could shift forms more in the future.
3 Kid Loki
Another reborn form of Loki, Kid Loki is a version fans only see in the comics. Kid Loki was created when Loki escaped from the chains of destiny and got his name erased from the book of Hel.
Thor found little Kid Loki working the streets as a thief, and helped him remember who he was. He eventually recalled everything about his past life, and actively worked against his destiny of becoming the evil Loki that comic fans know.
2 Thor And Loki's Relationship
In the comics, Loki is destined to lose to Thor no matter what. The 2005 comic series Loki reveals that no matter what universe, timeline, or lifetime he is in, his brother will win every time.
In the MCU, on the other hand, Loki and Thor aren't in conflict half as much as they are in the comics. In fact, it can even be said they are friends. This is in stark contrast to their comic counterparts, who constantly at odds — in fact, Loki truly hates Thor.
1 Loki's Children
In the comics, Hela is Loki’s daughter, unlike in the MCU, where she is Odin’s daughter. Loki also has two other children, Fenrir and the Midgard Serpent. This is because the comics follow the Norse mythology origins of Loki more closely than the MCU ever has.
Audiences have yet to see any of these characters represented as his children in the movies, and it’s doubtful it will ever happen. That’s not to say eventually a child of Loki’s won’t ever be created, but it isn’t likely.