JOLENA

Real Name: Jolena

Identity/Class: Extradimensional/Asgardian goddess

Occupation: Queen of Skarnheim

Group Membership: Asgardian Gods, people of Skarnheim

Affiliations: Menagerie of Rimthursar, Odin, Thor, Uthar

Enemies:  Loki, Wolflings;
    formerly Uthar and his armies

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Skarnheim, Asgard

First Appearance: Thor I#320 (June, 1982)

Powers/Abilities: Jolena is a standard Asgardian goddess, possessing superhuman strength (Class 25?), durability, and other physical abilities. She is resistant to aging and conventional disease, and she is also an experienced warrior.

History:
(Thor I#320 (fb) - BTS) - At some point in the past, presumably before his relationship with Frigga and the birth of Thor (son of Gaea and Odin), Odin had a passionate relationship with Jolena. Odin later recalled it as a love that was far too short when it might well have been forever.

(Thor I#322 (fb)) - A group of conspirators infiltrated the armies of Jolena and Uthar, the king of the realm across a river from Jolena's realm. The conspirators on each side convinced the leader of that realm that the other group wished to cross the river and claim their land, when in truth both sides were content with their domains. The conspirators instigated this conflict because they knew that Odin would be drawn to the battle. They knew of Odin's past love affair with Jolena, and if he intervened on her behalf, he would disgrace both himself and Frigga, Odin's current wife and the woman who had raised Thor. At the same time, if he were unable to involve himself in the conflict, he would demonstrate his impotence as a leader.

(Thor I#320) - Jolena's forces warred against Uthar's, with the conspirators, the Wolflings, perpetuating the struggle and presumably blocking communication between the sides. Odin learned of the battle and Jolena's involvement. Odin's heart stirred to look upon her fair form once more.

(Thor I#321) - Jolena continued to lead her forces against Uthar's with Odin watching from above the battlefield. Odin began to see the truth behind the situation.

(Thor I#322) - Having learned the situation from Odin, Thor and Rimthursar's Menagerie sneaked into the battlefield, where they overhead the Wolflings on one side planning a meeting with the others. Slithgarn brought Uthar to the river, and Kyrie brought Uthar there. The two leaders then overheard the Wolflings conspiring to perpetuate the struggle, and--infuriated by the manipulation--Jolena and Uthar joined Thor and the Menagerie in subduing the Wolflings. The defeated Wolflings were dragged to the battlefield, where Jolena and Uthar commanded the fighting to stop, and they revealed the Wolflings' actions. Odin then arrived on the battlefield, where he embraced Jolena. Odin announced that his love was vast, like his power, and that, like any god, he may love more than one woman. However, he made it clear that the fact that he showed a trace of his former love for Jolena in no way made him unfaithful to Frigga. It merely made him fallible, just as all men and and gods were.

(Thor I#324/2) - Odin visited Jolena again, and the two professed their love for each other, but acknowledged that they must overcome their feelings. Unknown to them both, Loki was spying upon them, and he quickly spread the news throughout Asgard that Odin was an unfaithful husband. Loki and Tyr began to amass an army to overthrow Odin.

(Thor I#325/2) - As Loki and Tyr's army marched towards Odin's palace, Loki was surprised to find that Jolena was outside of the city. When he asked her why, she replied that she and Odin were no longers lovers, and that he had come to break off their affair that time Loki saw them. When Loki realized that he was wrong about Odin, he began to question the continued resistance against his father.

Comments: Created by Doug Moench, Keith Pollard, and Stone & Tartag.