Stealing scenes left and right on the Disney+ series Loki is Sylvie, an alternate timeline variant of the mischievous prince of Asgard. Sophia Di Martino deliciously plays the character deliciously in season one of Loki, and soon, in season two. But who is Loki‘s Sylvie in the comics? Is she the same person as Lady Loki? Turns out, not so much. In Marvel Comics, Sylvie is a totally different character from Loki Laufeydotter. Unlike in Loki, Sylvie is related to the adopted Asgardian Frost Giant, but not exactly another version of her. Marvel Comics’ Sylvie is also a relatively recent creation, debuting in 2009’s Dark Reign: Young Avengers mini-series. Here’s the rundown.
Marvel Comics’ Sylvie Becomes a New Enchantress
Marvel Comics
Originally hailing from Boxton, Oklahoma, Sylvie Lushton believed she was just an ordinary American girl. Until one day, the Asgardians who perished during Ragnarok reappeared in the skies over her small town, reborn. Shortly after the resurrected Asgardians arrive, Marvel Comics’ Sylvie discovered she suddenly had magical abilities, like teleportation. She could also cast many spells, including transmutation. Sylvie also had the standard flight, mental manipulation, and telekinesis powers. And she was proficient at creating forcefields and detecting others’ spells.
These powers were themselves all products of Loki’s magic. In fact, Loki would later suggest that Sylvie didn’t even exist at all until the moment she awoke with powers, and the God of Mischief totally fabricated her memories of an ordinary life. Loki was amusing herself by creating a mortal being that only suspects she’s an Asgardian. The Loki of this Marvel Comics era presented as a woman, which ties the concept of Lady Loki together with the creation of Sylvie. Sylvie also took on the name and general appearance of Amora, the Enchantress, a longtime Thor foe from Asgard. One who has yet to appear in the MCU.
Sylvie’s Short-Lived Avengers Career
Marvel Comics
Although the original Enchantress was a villain, Marvel Comics’ Sylvie became a hero. Well, she tried to. She went to New York and joined a team called the Young Masters. This was during the period in the Marvel Universe called “the Dark Reign.” During this time, Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, positioned himself and other villains as Earth’s great heroes. The Young Masters became Osborn’s counterparts to the Young Avengers. Despite being on a Marvel team already, Sylvie tried out for the Young Avengers and got in. But then, the truth came out. Sylvie was a creation of Loki’s sent to dismantle the Young Avengers’ magical defense systems from within, as a sort of trap. Soon after this revelation, the group kicked her out.
After the events of the Dark Reign, and her disastrous brief tenure with the Young Avengers, Sylvie wandered around the Marvel Comics’ universe looking for a purpose. Ultimately, Sylvie embraced her role as a bad guy. She joined the Hood’s version of the villainous Illuminati and also joined the Doom Maidens. She even joined up with a new version of the Masters of Evil. All of her adventures on different Marvel Comics villain teams ended when the real Enchantress, Amora, returned. Not too keen on someone infringing on her trademark, the real Enchantress subsequently banished Sylvie to one of the Ten Realms. And she remains lost there to this day.
Marvel Comics
The MCU’s Sylvie Appears on the Disney+ Series Loki
Sylvie Laufeydottir, born as Loki Laufeydottir, was a Princess of Asgard who caused a Nexus event as a child and escaped the wrath of the Time Variance Authority. On the Loki series, Sylvie spent the following years seeking revenge against the TVA, and their mysterious masters, Time-Keepers. However, the Loki we all know and love interrupted Sylvie’s big plan. Having been convinced of the TVA’s lies and manipulations, Sylvie and Loki teamed up together to fight them on the MCU Disney+ series. This is where we learned the Time-Keepers were phonies.
At the end of Loki season one, despite warnings from Loki, Sylvie goes on a rampage, killing He Who Remains, the true “man behind the curtain” of the TVA. Ultimately, Sylvie’s decision causes the Marvel Multiverse to explode in many comics and movies.
So, is the Sylvie from Loki tied into the Sylvie from Marvel’s comics? Right now, the name might just be an Easter egg for Marvel Comics fans. And the character from the series might just be a creation of the true Lady Loki, who remains offscreen. Only time will tell. No pun intended, of course.
Originally published on June 28, 2021.
Featured Image: Marvel Comics
