Marvel Explained: The Mythic Origins of Thor’s Screaming Goats
Thor’s screaming goats are one of the highlights of Thor: Love and Thunder. They’re not just comic relief, their origins go back to Norse mythology.
Our editor asked that I write about Thor’s screaming goats, so I’m writing about Thor’s screaming goats. They have names – Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder – and they weren’t created for the movie. That’s right, Thor’s goats have comic book and mythological origins. Here’s the story behind these wonderful, enchanted members of the Bovidae family that helped save several Marvel gods.
Thor’s Screaming Goats in Comics
First Appearance: Thor Annual #5 (August 1976)
Who Did It: Steve Englehart, John Buscema
The pair first show up in a king-sized annual issue that goes back in time to an epic battle of the Norse and Greek gods. They appear again in multiple issues over the decades – including Thor #360 (1986) where they pull Thor around mysterious tunnels below New York City. They were modes of transport, not characters until much later.
Thor #360 (1986) via Marvel
Screaming Goats Comic Origins
They don’t get a real origin story until 2011 in Journey Into Mystery #623. As children, Loki decided to play a trick on his brother (as he does constantly) to make him look like a fool. This time he convinced Thor that in order to impress everyone in the Nine Realms he should have unique steeds. Loki introduced him to the magical Lords of the Goats – Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder.
Their biggest magical power? Being stubborn. So stubborn their will could be broken by no man, elf, or God. Thor took the challenge and reigned in the pair using a magical bridle made by a dwarf. He was able to harness their ability to travel across the universe at super fast speed and their ability to shoot energy bolts out of their hooves. None of this awesomeness convinced the folks of Asgard that Thor’s new steeds were cool. They laughed at him for not using horses.
Journey Into Mystery (2011) #623 via Marvel
That didn’t affect Thor, though. Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder became loyal companions to the God of Thunder, and they went on many adventures with him. Along with the adventures mentioned above, the trio was able to break the barrier and enter Hevan. They rescued the people of Asgard from Hela after she stole their souls. During Jane Foster‘s time as the Mighty Thor Toothgrinder drove Loki to the land of the dead in a monster truck.
Toothgnasher was eventually killed by Mangog. Feeling celebratory after the brothers’ victory in War of the Realms, Loki brought Nasher back using the Norse Stones. After his resurrection, he teamed up with The Punisher, Juggernaut, Black Knight, and Foggy Nelson in Midgard. His new mission: help kill the bad guys that make kids orphans. He pulled a battle van with the teleportation power of the Black Bifrost for this adventure.
Punisher Kill Krew #1 (2019) via Marvel
In Norse Mythology
In mythology, the immortal goats’ names are Tanngrisnir (teeth barer or snarler) and Tanngnjóstr (tooth grinder). They pulled Thor’s war chariot and served as one of the god’s food sources. Yep, you read that right. He could kill, cook, and eat them and he could resurrect them the next day using Mjölnir. Thor could do this as many times as he needed. In several poems, Thor is referred to as “the lord of goats.”
In legend, he shared these meals with mortals, which led to a mistake that led one of the goats to be lame. A child sucked the marrow from one of the bones and when it came back it was unable to walk.
Illustration by Lorenz Frølich (1895)
In the MCU – Spoilers for Thor: Love and Thunder
Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder make their debut in Thor: Love and Thunder. They’re “gifts” from the high priest of a blue alien race after Thor defeats a bunch of Mad Max style chicken creatures, which also destroyed the blue aliens’ holy temple. I’m pretty sure the blue aliens just wanted to get rid of the goats. They’re a backhanded reward, but Thor loves them immediately. They are loud, scared of being food, and can use the Bifrost to travel the universe. Their ability to travel proves them invaluable in the fight against Gorr.
I’m sure they’ll be popping up in other places now that they’re movie stars.
via Marvel
