Warning: This article contains full spoilers for Loki Season 2 Episode 3, which is now streaming on Disney+.
The third episode of Loki Season 2 included a reference to a major Thor comics character, one who has been notably absent from the MCU despite nearly making it into various movies in the past.
Episode 3 followed Loki and Mobius to the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, where they stumble upon wooden statues of Odin, Thor, and Balder the Brave. "Why did they include Balder? Nobody's even heard of him," Loki scoffs, and he's not entirely wrong, as this is the first time the MCU has made reference to the character.
Watch the clip in the video below:
However, Balder is a significant figure in the pages of Marvel Comics. Fans instantly recognized the name and renewed calls for the character to debut in the MCU, with many fan-casting Daniel Craig in the role after previous reports indicated he almost appeared as Balder in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.
Thor, Balder the Brave, and Odin statues featured in episode 3 of #Loki Season 2! pic.twitter.com/dMu5XIh7Cd
— Thor Updates (@ThorUpdate) October 19, 2023
Loki: Why’d they include Balder? No one’s even heard of him.
— Thor Updates (@ThorUpdate) October 19, 2023
Mobius: Sure they have! Balder the Brave.
The first mention of Balder in the MCU from #Loki S2 EP3 pic.twitter.com/C2ZnseJk7K
Best line of the episode. ?#Balder#BalderTheBrave#Loki #LokiS2#LokiSeason2 pic.twitter.com/VB4eL5ZCQu
— Max?Marvel (@MaximilanMarvel) October 20, 2023
I RENEW MY CALLS FOR JUSTICE FOR MARVEL BALDER pic.twitter.com/gGdQb3SsTl
— Legendary Lass (LL) (@LegendaryLass) October 20, 2023
#loki spoilers
— faz (@buckyssteven) October 20, 2023
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THOR ? ODIN ? BALDER THE BRAVE ? I SCREAMED ‼️ pic.twitter.com/YuVnagEbJN
No way the MCU just casually made Balder canon like that. Like finally they actually mentioned another Norse God #Loki
— Connor⚡➡️ MCM Birmingham (@flashpointsaber) October 20, 2023
‘Balder the brave’ reference in 3rd episode of #LokiSeason2 , first he was suppose to be appear in ‘multiverse of madness’ played by daniel craig. All these references indicates he'll might show up in mcu' future project maybe in Thor 5. pic.twitter.com/9Q7oq9G0Hm
— Satyam (@ssatyam_) October 20, 2023
BALDER REFERENCE it's nice to finally know he does exist in the MCU, I hope they can get Daniel Craig to play him one day like they originally wanted for MoM #Loki pic.twitter.com/VCEOhRaB66
— Jack (-_•) (@captaincupkicks) October 20, 2023
Daniel Craig as Balder Odinson. Balder was rumored to have been in Doctor Strange Multiverse of Madness as a member of The Illuminati. Mentioned for the first time in the MCU in #LokiSeason2 pic.twitter.com/WOtQR4sdTd
— Jimmy Goodson (@JG41187) October 20, 2023
Who is Balder The Brave?
Marvel Comics introduced Balder the Brave in 1962's Journey into Mystery #85, a story written and illustrated by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as part of The Mighty Thor feature, inspired by the mythological Norse thunder god, which makes sense as Balder is the Asgardian half-brother of Thor, being another son of Odin.
Balder is one of the fastest and most agile Asgardian warriors, with several superpowers under his belt, including superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and durability. His body also rapidly regenerates damaged bodily tissue, meaning injuries can heal within hours, putting him back into action much quicker than most.
His superhuman abilities make him a particularly fierce warrior in battle and a crucial character to the Thor mythos. As such, Balder has prominently featured throughout Thor storylines and even had his own four-issue mini-series in the 1980s, featuring stories written by Walter Simonson and illustrated by Sal Buscema.
The Balder name-drop in Loki Episode 3 is not the only Marvel Comics Easter egg in Season 2. Fans noticed a nod to the Thor comics in the premiere's post-credits scene and even more references in the second Zaniac-centric episode - one involving an Eternals character and the other a more obscure Marvel hero.
We're sure there will be many more yet, so you'll need to watch closely through to the season finale on November 9. You can read IGN's review of Episodes 1-4 here, which comes with a small warning to viewers: "Those expecting a new multiversally manic season of Loki should temper their expectations."
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X @AdeleAnkers.
