MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Loki Season 2 will be out in early October. In the 13 years since Loki’s cinematic debut, he’s evolved from a charismatic villain to a roguish anti-hero. The character has gone through a similar evolution in the comics which has resulted in various iterations as well:
Classic villain
For 40 years, this was the Loki that most fans were familiar with – the God of Evil, this scowling middle-aged schemer determined to destroy Thor and rule Asgard. While his skills in magic were formidable, he preferred to work behind the scenes, endowing others with powers to serve as Thor’s opponents or casting spells that would trip Thor up.
Femme fatale
After the fall of Asgard destroyed the gods, Thor returned and revived everyone. Unexpectedly, Loki returned as a beautiful and seductive woman! Granted amnesty and a clean slate, Loki secretly stayed true to her villainous nature, manipulating Thor and everyone else. She would whisper to them half-truths to undermine them or get them to do her bidding.
The kid
Loki eventually reverted to his malicious male form. After dying because of yet another foiled plot, Loki is reborn as a young boy with barely any memories of his evil self. Inspired by Thor’s faith in his potential for good and determined to redeem himself for his past crimes, Kid Loki becomes quite heroic, even when his intentions cause chaos. Sadly, Kid Loki nobly sacrificed himself to bring a dead Thor back to life (death is a revolving door in mainstream comics).
Agent of Asgard
Though Kid Loki dies, his body gets possessed by his evil adult self. This Loki is magically aged to a young man and undergoes a gradual change of heart as he’s stricken with guilt for his part in Kid Loki’s death and an encounter with a frightening future version of himself. He becomes a dashing and suave spy for Asgard to avert this fate.
Androgynous
After much conflict and struggle, this version of Loki earns enough of Thor’s trust to be someone that he can seek counsel with. Loki now seems less burdened and more liberated, and it is reflected in their appearance which is more fluid sexually. But to keep them in check, Thor makes Loki the ruler of Jotunheim, hoping that sovereign duties will keep them under control.
