Volstagg is known for being the most cowardly member of the Warriors Three, but something makes him finally run into battle instead of away from it.
The Warriors Three are some of Thor’s most loyal Asgardian allies. Comprised of Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg, this group of warriors often accompanies Thor on quests, fighting by his side in battle. However, they aren’t all equally useful allies. Though Fandral and Hogun are brave, skilled warriors, the same cannot be said of Volstagg.
Volstagg constantly boasts about his courage and fighting prowess, but whenever the Warriors Three run into danger, he is quick to hide until the fighting is over. When he does find himself in a battle situation, he is an inept warrior, and often defeats his enemy only by accident. His fellow warriors often tease him for his cowardice and lack of skill. However, Volstagg finally proves his heroism in Thor #202 (by Gerry Conway, John Buscema, Vince Colleta and Artie Simek), when he rescues a little girl from danger.
In Thor #202, a part of Ego the Living Planet called Ego Prime has come to Earth and plans to conquer the planet. He transforms bystanders into demonic monsters, which attack Thor and the Warriors Three. During the fight, Volstagg flees and hides in an alley, seeking only to protect himself while the other Asgardians do battle with Ego Prime and the monsters he has created. However, while Volstagg is hiding, he witnesses a lone young girl being harassed by monsters.
Though Volstagg is terrified, he decides to save the girl. He knocks the monsters out of the way and picks her up, running away to safety with the girl in his arms. Volstagg promises to protect her and they hide in a basement together until the fighting is over. The little girl is revealed to be simply a trick of Mephisto used to lure Volstagg away and capture him. Despite this trickery, Volstagg’s choice to save the girl reveals his true courage and heroism.
Volstagg has always been portrayed as a hypocritical, bumbling coward for comic relief. He is mocked for the way he pretends to be brave but inevitably shows that he is terrified. However, Thor #202 reveals that there is more to Volstagg than what has been shown before. Although Volstagg’s first instinct is to run from a fight, when an innocent young girl’s life is in danger, he will come to her rescue no matter how terrified he is. He refuses to stand by and let the little girl die, even though that would be the safer choice for him. This shows that Volstagg truly does have a heroic side.
Volstagg is a very proud and boastful character, but when he rescues the little girl, he isn’t doing it to try to impress his comrades or prove his bravery. He rescues her simply because he recognizes that it is the right thing to do. Nobody else is around to see his heroic deed, but that doesn’t matter to him in this moment, because all he cares about is getting the little girl to safety. In this way, Volstagg demonstrates his selflessness and bravery.
Thor #202 reveals a heroic side of Volstagg that had previously never been seen. Volstagg pushing down his fears in order to save a little girl from monsters shows that he is a more complex character than he had initially been presented as. This comic adds depth to one of Thor’s most constant allies and makes him a more sympathetic character.
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