Exploring the Marvel Comics Origins of Ravonna Renslayer, the Villain in Loki
Ravonna Renslayer, Loki's villainous ally, may seem connected to Kang the Conqueror However, in the Marvel comics, Ravonna's history is far more intricate Kang fights the Avengers to wed Ravonna, saving her life and uncovering other versions of himself As the two Ravonnas lead contrasting lives, their tales culminate in tragic outcomes
Ravonna Renslayer continues to be a significant enigma within the MCU. However, her character in the original comics possesses an intricately elaborate background.
In the second season of Loki, Ravonna Renslayer has emerged as a prominent figure in the MCU, garnering heightened attention. Following the revelation of her betrayal of the TVA and Mobius, fans received official verification in the Season 2 premiere that she was collaborating with Kang the Conqueror.
While Ravonna's past remains largely undisclosed in the Loki series, her history in the comics is extensive and convoluted. Marvel has depicted multiple versions of Ravonna, each following a distinct trajectory.
Having had a princess upbringing, Ravonna's future diverges into either royalty or becoming a killer, making her one of Marvel's most intricate characters. For those interested in the potential developments of Ravonna in the MCU, here is a concise overview of her Marvel Comics background.
Kang fights the Avengers for the right to marry Ravonna Renslayer
The Avengers find themselves ensnared by Kang in The Avengers #23 from 1965. The group is trapped within the splendid royal empire of Carelius on Earth-6311, a futuristic alternate reality that serves as Kang's home. This is where Kang devises a plan to conquer the Avengers, seeking to secure the affections of Princess Ravonna, the daughter of Carelius' ruler.
Marvel ComicsInitially, despite Kang's pursuit, Ravonna Renslayer rebuffs his advances. However, when Kang emerges victorious in his battle against The Avengers and asserts his desire to marry Ravonna, he is confronted with an unexpected decree from his commanders: he must execute Ravonna, as it is their tradition to eliminate the reigning ruler upon conquering a new realm.
Kang saves Ravonna and discovers the existence of Kang variants
Kang declines the offer, temporarily joining forces with The Avengers. However, their alliance proves futile when one of Kang's commanders betrays him, shooting Ravonna in the back. As she tragically passes away, she confesses her love for the Conqueror, validating his feelings at last.
Kang, mourning Ravonna for half a century, would regularly visit her tomb in between his conquests. However, a clash with Thor led to the fragmentation of Kang's timeline, resulting in the emergence of two distinct personalities. One of the Kangs found himself in Limbo, where he discovered the demise of its ruler and his future self, Immortus.
Marvel ComicsKang, in an effort to save Ravonna, devised a plan to bring her over from an alternate Earth.
Without Immortus reign over Limbo, Kang is now able to harness its technology to explore the various realms. He believes he has found his Ravonna, but his attempt to save her inadvertently results in the demise of another version of himself. This revelation leads Kang to understand that his time-traveling exploits have created multiple divergent versions of his own existence.
With Ravonna by his side, Kang utilizes the resources of Limbo to exterminate these alternate Kangs. However, he soon discovers that Immortus is still alive, having deceived Kang by using the allure of Ravonna and power to manipulate him into destroying his counterparts. As a consequence, Kang is banished from Limbo, while Ravonna chooses to remain with Immortus, perceiving him as the embodiment of the last remnants of goodness within Kang.
The two Ravonnas have different lives that end in tragedy
The initial Ravonna was preserved in stasis just moments before her impending death. Ultimately, the Grandmaster revives her and manipulates her allegiance to Kang. As a result, she assumes the persona of Terminatrix, emerging as a formidable adversary on par with the Avengers, persistently antagonizing them across various eras.
In Marvel Comics, Kang mentions that Ravonna passed away during Immortus' attack on Chronopolis but suggests the possibility of her reappearing in the future timeline. The alternate version of Ravonna, however, enjoys a more peaceful destiny. She remains by Immortus' side and eventually becomes his spouse. Despite not having biological children, they do adopt Marcus Immortus, a variant of Immortus from another timeline.
The two Ravonnas would eventually meet during The Terminatrix Objective event, resulting in the older Ravonna's death and concluding her storyline. Terminatrix, although believed to have died years later in Avengers Forever, could potentially return due to her status as a time traveler. Stream Loki Season 2 Episodes 1-4 on Disney Plus, available for sign-up here. For more related content, explore our other coverage below.
Loki Season 2: Cast members and their characters | The reason Loki Season 2 remained unaffected despite Jonathan Majors' arrest | Loki's mortality: A comprehensive exploration of his deaths and resurrections in Marvel Comics | Decoding the significance behind Loki's horned headpiece: The Loki Crown/Helmet | Understanding Loki's abilities and vulnerabilities: A detailed analysis of his strength and weaknesses.
