Loki Episode 4 Post-Credits Scene: 4 New Variants Explained

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for Loki episode 4.

After recovering from his latest death fake-out at the end of Loki Variant L1130 finds himself face-to-face with four new Loki variants - one of whom is a alligator. While two of these new variants are lifted from the pages of Marvel Comics, the other two appear to have been created for the Disney+ show.

"The Nexus Event" saw some major developments, including poor Agent Mobius getting "pruned," the all-powerful Time-Keepers being revealed as nothing more than automatons, and Loki himself apparently being killed by Ravonna Renslayer, only to wake up in a post-apocalyptic New York City. So, who are the new Loki variants that greet him there, and what might they know about the real origins of the Time Variance Authority?

On the far right is Old Loki, played by Richard E. Grant, who is wearing a version of Loki's classic costume from his very first appearance in the 1962 comic Journey Into Mystery #85. In the middle is Kid Loki, played by Jack Veal, who is taken from a more recent comic arc in which Loki died and was reborn as a child (beginning in Thor #617). On the left is a Loki wielding a hammer, played by DeObia Oparei, who in the German voice cast credits is listed as "Prahlerischer Loki" - Boastful Loki. Finally there's the alligator being held by Kid Loki, whose horned helmet identifies them as another Loki variant. Here's a closer look at these four new Lokis.

Old Loki

Loki appears on the cover of Journey Into Mystery #85.

classic comic book costumes, and now Loki is doing the same with the introduction of Richard E. Grant as Old Loki. While this costume might look a little goofy next to the more sleek outfits that Loki has worn throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's iconic and memorable, and the combination of green and gold is still a signature part of Loki's look, as is his horned helmet.

In Journey Into Mystery #85, Loki is trapped inside a tree, where he has been imprisoned for many years by the gods. He can only be freed if someone sheds a tear over his plight, but since people don't tend to feel sorry for Loki very often, he decides to cheat his way to freedom by causing a leaf to fall from the tree and hit Heimdall in the eye. The tear-shedding criteria is fulfilled on a technicality, and the newly-freed Loki sets out to take revenge on the god who captured him: Thor. With Loki exploring the many possible versions of its titular character, the series wouldn't feel complete without seeing this classic Loki, and Grant is sure to be a fun casting choice.

Kid Loki

The MCU isn't the only place where Loki has a tendency to keep dying and coming back to life. In the pages of Marvel Comics this cycle of death and rebirth is a core part of his identity, and on one such occasion Loki was reborn on Midgard with no memories of his past life. Missing his brother and wanting to bring him back to Asgard, Thor found Loki in his new form as a French street kid called Serrure ("Lock"), who was making a living by tricking and stealing from people. Thor was able to restore Kid Loki's memories of his true identity, and this young version of the God of Mischief tried to resist the pull to villainy and fight alongside Thor as a hero. The Kid Loki that appears in episode 4's post-credits scene will likely draw from elements of this storyline, while leaving out Kid Loki's more complex backstory.

Hammer Loki

Loki Episode 4 Boastful Loki holding his hammer and Kid Loki

Since Old Loki is the only Loki who speaks in the post-credits scene, it remains to be seen whether "Boastful Loki" will live up to his name. However, if the hammer in his hand is a version of Mjolnir, then this Loki could be a variant who ended up on the throne of Asgard instead of Thor. Given how many times Loki has tried to kill his brother, it can be assumed that the other Loki variants have also tried to kill their respective Thors. Perhaps this one was successful, or perhaps his Thor died by other means and Hammer Loki felt compelled to live up to his brother's legacy.

Alligator Loki

Loki has used his shapeshifting powers on various occasions in the MCU. He posed as Odin for some time before getting caught by Thor at the start of Thor: Ragnarok, and in Thor: The Dark World he briefly took on the appearance of Captain America while trying out different magical disguises. However, Loki's powers aren't limited to impersonating other humanoids. In Ragnarok, Thor told a story about Loki turning into a snake in order to trick him when they were children, so Alligator Loki could be the result of Loki accidentally getting stuck in an animal shapeshift. At least he still has his helmet.

Waking up after being pruned by Ravonna, Loki wonders aloud if he is in Hel, the realm where Asgardians go when they die. Old Loki replies, "Not yet. But you will be unless you come with us." The Loki variants are standing in the ruins of New York City, with the crumbling Stark/Avengers Tower visible behind them. It appears that these variants have been hiding out in an apocalyptic event, like Sylvie was, but in this case are hiding out after the apocalypse has taken place. It's unclear whether this is the future in the sacred timeline, or whether it's an alternate timeline. Of course, given that so much else about the TVA has turned out to be a lie, there may not be any such thing as a "sacred timeline" after all.

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