Norns (comics)

The Norns are fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They usually appear as supporting characters in books featuring the Norse thunder god Thor. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby based on the Norns of Norse mythology, they first appeared in Journey into Mystery #102 (March 1964).
Publication history
The Norns first appeared in Journey into Mystery #102 (March 1964) and were adapted from mythology by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
The characters subsequently appear in Thor #197 (March 1972), #200-201 (June-July 1972), Defenders #66 (December 1978), Bizarre Adventures #32 (August 1982), Thor Annual #11 (1983), Thor #346-348 (August-October 1984), Marvel Graphic Novel: The Raven Banner (1985), New Mutants Special Edition #1 (1985), Thor #374 (December 1986), Ultimate Silver Surfer (November 1995), Cable #79 (May 2000), #81 (July 2000), #83 (September 2000), Thor #85 (December 2004), and Thor: Son of Asgard #10 (November 10, 2004). Their most recent appearance was in Dark Wolverines "Godlike" storyline in issues #82-#84 (April - June 2010).
Fictional group history
The three Norns (Urd, Skuld, and Verandi) oversee the destinies of the Asgardians. Balder, Thor, Valkyrie and others have consulted the Norns' wisdom. Thor once consulted them to learn how he could wield Mjolnir. He learns he would first have to face 'Death'. It is revealed this meant the Death-goddess Hela. When Thor offers himself to her in place of Sif, she is so taken by his nobility she cannot bear to kill him and lets both go.
The Norns may be the same three beings as the Fates of the Olympian Gods. The Fates first appeared in Tales to Astonish #33 (July 1962). Thor actually calls them the Fates once.

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