LOKI READING ORDER: THE TRICKSTER - Tales of Asgard

The war between the Asgardians and the Frost Giants resulted in the death of King Laufey at the hands of Odin. Laufey's orphaned son, Loki, was taken back to Asgard to be raised by Odin as a surrogate son. But Loki grew up alongside Odin's firstborn Thor and his resentment towards the boy he knew would inherit Odin's throne. 

Here are the stories that follow Loki's life before Thor's arrival in the 'modern age' that would see them both become part of a wider universe of superhumans and Loki's actions would result in the formation of the Avengers.

There's some debate as to whether the AGES OF THUNDER and 'Trial of Thor' stories take place first, representing the earliest incarnation of the Asgardians before what may have been their first Raganork. Plus some of the later stories centered around Loki's origins play out very differently from the Jack Kirby and Stan Lee 'Tales of Asgard' stories. You choose what you want to treat as these characters' histories. That's the beauty of a fictional universe with such a vast history, you can pick and choose what works for you.

MCG Notes:

• Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read Loki stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
• Issue listings in grey: Part of Loki's chronology, cameo appearances or stories of note that are non-essential or no longer considered 'required reading'.
• Chronology: Every appearance of Loki from this period is included in chronological order, mapping out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
• Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!

Thor #12 (2009)

Young Loki is visited by his future self, helping set in motion the events that will lead to the death of his father King Laufey and his adoption by Odin.

Journey Into Mystery #112[2/2]-113[1/2] (1965)

After killing the Frost Giants' ruler Laufey, Odin adopts Loki and proclaims him as his own son; Loki becomes jealous of Thor and decides to do everything in his power to claim the throne of Asgard himself.

Thor #402[2/2]-403[2/2] (1989)

The jealous and mischievous Loki cuts off the goddess Glimda's hair; Thor finds a way for Loki to avoid Odin's wrath which only makes Loki hate him more; Loki tricks Thor into facing the Wolves of Ravenswood, which instead leads to thing first meeting and rescuing Sif and being proclaimed a hero.

Thor: Son of Asgard #1-9 (2004-2005)

Thor works to become worthy enough to lift Mjolnir with help from his brother Balder and best friend Sif; Odin sends the three young heroes on a mission to locate three elements that will allow Odin to forge a new sword; Loki plots against the trio throughout their mission.

Journey Into Mystery #100[3/3]-101[3/3] (1964)

First appearance of Agnar, Geirrodur, Hati, the Norn Hag, the Rime Giants, Skol and Ulfrin the Dragon; Thor and Loki interrupt the Storm Giants' efforts to steal Idunn's apples; Loki tricks Thor into confronting a band of Rock Trolls, Ice Giants and Rime Giants alone, which only ends up bringing Thor a step further towards being worthy of lifting Mjolnir.

Thor #50[3/3] (2002)

Loki cameo; young Thor tries to use Mjolnir to help the humanity, but it backfires.

Thor: Ages of Thunder #1 (2008)

Loki manipulates Odin into inciting war with the Frost Giants until his ruse is uncovered and he earns exile from Asgard; seeking revenge, Loki arranged for a Frost Giant to kidnap Idunn (aka the Enchantress), almost costing the Asgardians their immortality during AGES OF THUNDER.

The Trial of Thor #1 (2009)

Loki appears at Thor's trial when the God of Thunder is wrongly accused of murdering fellow Asgardians.

The Rage of Thor #1 (2010)

Loki cameo; an angry Thor takes his leave of Asgard and goes to live among the humans on Midgard.

Thor: Reign of Blood #1 (2008)

Loki cameo; despite having returned to Odin's side, Loki continues to test Odin's patience during AGES OF THUNDER.

Marvel Fanfare #34-35, 36[1/2]-37[1/2] (1987-1988)

Loki transforms Mord into a goat to prevent his marriage to Una a bring a curse down upon Asgard; the Warriors Three go on a quest to restore Mord and save Asgard; Thor and the Warriors Three battle Loki in dragon form.

Journey Into Mystery Annual #1[1/5] (1965)

Loki cameo; first modern appearance of Hercules; Thor and Loki search for adventure, only for Thor to stumble through a portal to Olympus during WHOM THE GODS WOULD DESTROY.

Journey Into Mystery #107[2/2] (1964)

First appearance of Haag (unnamed) and Karnilla; Loki focuses his jealousy on Balder and learns mistletoe is his weakness; Karnilla saves Balder from Loki's attempt on his life.

Domination Factor: Avengers #2.4, 3.6 (1999-2000)

Loki's cousin, Arkin the Weak, carries out a failed attempt to lure Thor into a trap set by Knorda's army; Arkin is unaware that Thor currently shares a body with the consciousness of his future self who's in search of a missing piece of a mystical Golden Apple; Loki takes another opportunity to try and kill Thor himself during DOMINATION FACTOR.

Journey Into Mystery #111[2/2], 115[2/2]-116[2/2] (1965)

Loki tricks Thor and Balder into following him into a trap in which they fight the super-strong Sigurd; Thor and Loki are attacked by the Storm Giant Ghan, though Loki tries to aid Ghan in the hope that he'll kill Thor; Loki manipulates Hymir into helping him with his feud with Thor, only to end up the subject of his wrath.

Marvel Preview #10[1/2] (1977)

Odin sends Loki and Thor to locate the powerful Crystal of Blood which has the power to generate non-existence; together they enter the Cavern of the Screaming Skull and battle the Titans and the serpentine Ultimate Guardian; of course Loki tries to use the power for himself but loses the Crystal of Blood in the process.

Journey Into Mystery #117[2/2]-118[2/2] (1965)

Journey Into Mystery #120[2/2]-122[2/2] (1965)

Journey Into Mystery #124[2/2]-125[2/2] (1966)

Thor #126[2/2]-129[2/2] (1966)

First appearance of the Flying Trolls of Thyrhem, the Grand Vizier, Harokin, Hildegund, Jormungand the Midgard Serpent, Kroda the Duelist, Magrat the Schemer, the Odinship, the Odinsword/Oversword, Queen Ula, Volla, the Warriors Three (Fandral the Dashing, Hogun the Grim & Volstagg the Voluminous/Enormous) and Muspelheim; an unknown force has caused the gigantic Odinsword to crack; fearing this could be a sign of Ragnarok, Odin orders Thor and Loki to put aside their differences and seek out the cause; Balder, the Warriors Three and others join Thor's crew; Thor rescues Loki when he's captured by Queen Ula; Volla reveals Loki will bring about Ragnarok; Odin throws Loki into the Well of Eternal Sleep during THE ODINSWORD QUEST.

Thor #400[4/4] (1989)

Loki escapes imprisonment and learns about the black arts from the dark wizard Eldred before killing him.

Thor Annual #14[4/5] (1989)

Having taken control of Eldred's castle, he becomes infatuated with the goddess Sigyn; Loki learns Sigyn is about to be married to Theoric; Loki has the Rock Trolls kill Theoric and tricks Sigyn into marrying him.

Thor #323 (1982)

Thor and Loki encounter the Dark Man and Desire; Loki escapes, leaving Thor to die; Thor returns to Odin in time to counter the news of his demise.

Thor #401 (1989)

Thor accepts a wager from Loki that could leave him trapped on Midgard; Thor succeeds, despite Loki's attempts to cheat, though loses his human friends along the way.

Thor Annual #5 (1976)

First appearance of Garm; Loki brings about war between the Asgardians and Olympians.

Thor Annual #8 (1979)

Thor and Loki rediscover the forgotten portal that transports them to Olympus; Loki and Thor become embroiled in the time of the Trojan War before returning to Asgard. 

Thor #370 (1986)

Thor travels to Midgard (now the year 1875), teaming up with the gunfighter Sundance to recover Idunn's stolen apples from Loki.

Black Panther #46-47 (2002)

Displaced in time, the Black Panther and his crew arrived in 1875 where they encounter Thor and Loki in the Old West; Thor, the Black Panther and a band of gunslinging heroes put a stop to Loki's plot to steal the Asgardian throne.

Marvel Super-Heroes Special #15[3/4] (1993)

Loki convinces Thor to dress up as Freya in order to reclaim Mjolnir when it's stolen by Frost Giants.

Journey Into Mystery #-1 (1997)

Odin disrupts Loki's plans to steal Golden Apples for the Frost Giants while Set's forces make their first attempt to destroy Yggdrasil during FLASHBACK / THE LOST GODS.

Venus #6[1/5] (1949)

First appearance of Loki; Loki is banished to Hades by Zeus and takes the throne from Pluto; Loki becomes obsessed with the Olympian goddess Aphrodite who has relocated to Earth under the name Venus; his attempt to claim her is almost successful, but he's returned to Hades by Zeus.

Venus #7[1/4], 9[1/8]-10[1/8], 12 (1949-1951)

Loki makes repeated attempts to claim Venus, plotting an invasion of Olympus and allying with the demon Zoroba; Loki adopts the identity Satan and uses his son (solely referred to as the Son of Satan) who Venus sends into an endless orbit around Earth.

Loki's story continues in these reading orders:

• 1962-1983: God of Mischief
• 2008-2010: Mistress of Mischief

Thor: Tales of Asgard

Collects the back-up stories from...
Journey Into Mystery #97-125

Thor #126-145

Thor: Son of Asgard

Thor Son of Asgard Digest vol.1-2

Thor: Son of Asgard #1-12

Thor: Ages of Thunder
Thor: Ages of Thunder #1

Thor God-Size Special #1

Thor: Man of War #1

Thor: Reign of Blood #1

Thor: The Warriors Three

Marvel Fanfare #13, 34-37

Marvel Spotlight #30

Thor: The Warriors Three - The Complete Collection

Incredible Hulk #102

Journey Into Mystery #-1

Marvel Comics Presents #66

Marvel Fanfare #13, 34-37

Marvel Spotlight #30

Marvel Super-Heroes Special #15

Thor #400, 410, 415-416

Thor Annual #2, 17

Warriors Three #1-4

Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor vol.17

Marvel Preview #10

Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor vol.18

Thor Annual #8

Black Panther by Christopher Priest: The Complete Collection vol.3

Black Panther #46-47

Thor #370

Marvel Masterworks - Atlas Era: Venus

Lana #4

Marvel Mystery Comics #91

Venus #1-9