Editing Beta Ray Bill (section)

==Fictional character biography==

===1980s===
Spy organization [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] detected an [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]] fleet passing through Earth's galaxy, with Director [[Nick Fury]] asking Thor to investigate. Thor encounters the advance ship, ''Skuttlebutt'', which perceives him to be a threat.  Unable to stop Thor, the sentient ship revives Beta Ray Bill, who is in [[suspended animation]]. Bill battles Thor to a standstill, until the ship reaches the [[Solar System]], where one of the mystical enchantments of Thor's hammer [[Mjolnir (comics)|Mjolnir]] comes into effect, which means that Thor will revert to his mortal persona of Donald Blake if separated from the hammer for more than 60 seconds; the hammer converts to a cane. Thor and Mjolnir become separated, causing the transformation. Blake is knocked unconscious by Bill, who examines Blake's cane and, upon striking it, transforms it to Mjolnir. Bill receives Thor's power and a variant of his costume.

Once ''Skuttlebutt'' arrives on Earth, Bill easily defeats an approaching S.H.I.E.L.D. team and is then transported to Asgard by the King of the Norse gods, [[Odin (comics)|Odin]], who mistakes Bill for Thor. After some initial confusion, Odin returns Thor to Asgard, and Bill's origin is revealed. Bill's race, the Korbinites, were almost rendered [[extinct]] when their galaxy exploded. The remnants of the Korbinite race fled in a fleet of warships, guarded by a [[Sentience|sentient]] ship called ''Skuttlebutt'' and a dedicated champion, Beta Ray Bill. Via Korbinite science, Bill was physically augmented and given the attributes of an [[indigenous (ecology)|indigenous]] wild beast (a process that killed all of Bill's predecessors). ''Skuttlebutt'' attacked Thor because the ship recognized the [[Asgard (comics)|Asgardian]] magic as similar to that of the previous global threat, and assumed the Korbinites were being threatened once again.

On discovering that Bill was worthy enough to lift Mjolnir, Odin proposes a battle to the death in the fiery Asgardian realm of Skartheim to decide who will wield the hammer. Bill and Thor render each other [[unconsciousness|unconscious]]. Bill's resistance to heat allows him to recover first, however, and he is deemed the winner—but he also saves Thor from falling into lava, believing he is too worthy an opponent to die, but he feels he needs the hammer to protect his people. After Bill reconsiders his claim to the hammer, Odin orders the making of a new hammer for Bill: Stormbreaker, equal in power to Mjolnir and created from the same metal and by the same dwarfs led by [[Eitri (comics)|Eitri]]. Odin also transfers an enchantment from Mjolnir to Stormbreaker, so that Bill can return to his original Korbinite form by striking Stormbreaker upon the ground—and Thor can no longer become Donald Blake. After learning that the mishap that killed most of Bill's people was caused by the fire demon [[Surtur (Marvel Comics)|Surtur]], one of Asgard's most powerful enemies, Bill agrees to join the Asgardians in a war to stop Surtur and his armies.<ref name="Thor337">''Thor'' #337–340 (November 1983 – February 1984)</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Cronin |url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/07/21/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-202/ |title=A Year of Cool Comics – Day 202 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] CSBG Archive |date=July 21, 2010 |access-date=September 28, 2010 |archive-date=September 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910235720/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/07/21/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-202/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Bill leads many of Earth's heroes against Surtur's forces on Earth while Thor, Odin, and Thor's adopted brother [[Loki (Marvel Comics)|Loki]] confront Surtur in Asgard. Surtur is eventually defeated, but apparently kills Odin when they both fall through a mystic portal.<ref>''Thor'' #341-353 (December 1983 – December 1984)</ref> Bill remains on Earth, aiding the [[Spaceknights|spaceknight]] [[Rom (comics)|Rom]] against the threat of the alien [[Dire Wraith]]s <ref>''Rom'' #65 (April 1985)</ref> and foes such as [[Iron Man]] opponent [[Titanium Man]].<ref>''Thor'' #354 (April 1985); #357–358 (July – August 1985)</ref>

Forming an attachment with the Asgardian goddess [[Sif (comics)|Sif]],<ref>''Thor'' #359 (Sep. 1985)</ref> Bill aids Thor against the Dark Elf [[Kurse]] in a two-part storyline<ref>''Thor'' #363 (Jan. 1986);''[[Power Pack]]'' #19 (Feb. 1986)</ref> before returning to his people.

===1990s===
Bill remains a staunch ally of Thor and Asgard<ref>''Thor'' Annual #16 (January 1991); ''Thor'' #439 (November 1991); #442 (January 1992); #454 (November 1992); ''Thor'' Annual #18 (January 1983)</ref> before featuring in a storyline involving a creation of Galactus, [[Tyrant (Marvel Comics)|Tyrant]].<ref>''Silver Surfer'' vol. 3, #79 (April 1993); #81–82 (June–July 1993)</ref> Bill also features in the storyline "Blood and Thunder", attempting, alongside [[Adam Warlock]], [[Thanos]] and others, to deal with the "warrior madness" of Thor through which he is trying to destroy the universe, although at one point he is struck with enough force to destroy a planet.<ref>''Silver Surfer'' vol. 3, #86–87 (November – December 1993); ''Warlock Chronicles'' #7-8 (Jan.-Feb. 1994); ''Warlock and the Infinity Watch #25 (Feb. 1994); ''Thor'' #461 (April 1993); #468 (November 1983); #470–471 (January – February 1994)</ref> Together with Thor, Bill joins with other versions of the Thunder God in the ''Thor Corps'' against the entity Demonstaff.<ref>''Thor Corps'' #1–4 (September – December 1993)</ref> and has several cosmic adventures.<ref>''Cosmic Powers Unlimited'' #1–5 (May 1995 – May 1996); ''Star Masters'' #1–3 (December 1995 – February 1996); ''Thor'' #492–493 (November – December 1995); ''Silver Surfer'' vol. 3, #111 (December 1995); #122 (November 1996)</ref>

===2000s===
Bill also participates in a battle between the heroes of Earth and several alien races such as the [[Kree]], [[Shi'ar]], and [[List of Marvel Comics alien races#Z|Z'Nox]].<ref>''Maximum Security'' #1–2 (December 2000); #3 (January 2001)</ref> and after several adventures with Thor <ref>''Thor'' #30–33 (December 2000 – March 2001); #39–41 (September – November 2001)</ref> guest starring in the final storyline, when Thor—determined to end the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth the Asgardians are trapped in—brings about [[Ragnarök]] (in [[Norse mythology]] this event means the end of Asgard and its gods, as they die in battle against the armies of evil). Although Bill attempts to aid the Asgardians, Thor [[Teleportation|teleport]]s Bill away as it is not his destiny to die in Ragnarök.<ref>''Thor'' vol. 2, #83 - 85 (Oct. - Dec. 2004)</ref>

Bill visits his people's new homeworld, where he is attacked by his insane predecessor, ''Alpha Ray'', defeating him just as the [[cosmic entities (Marvel Comics)|cosmic entity]] [[Galactus]] and his herald [[Stardust (Marvel Comics)|Stardust]] arrive. Despite Bill's efforts, Galactus consumes the world and almost kills him, with Bill drifting in space until recovered by ''Skuttlebutt''. After finding an orb containing the [[Soul (spirit)|soul]]s of many of the Korbinites, Bill revisits a desolate Asgard, and joins forces with Stardust to battle a new demonic menace named ''Asteroth''.

Although victorious, Bill is mortally wounded, and while near death is healed by an unknown entity that also claims the remaining souls in the orb. Placed in the recently deceased body of a [[war veteran]] named ''Simon Walters'' (a reference to his creator, Walt Simonson) on Earth, Bill has a brief encounter with the villain ''Boar'' and the hero [[Spider-Man]].<ref>Daniel Berman (w), [[Michael Oeming]] (w), [[Andrea Di Vito]] (p), ''Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill'' #1-6 (March-Aug. 2005)</ref> Bill eventually finds and joins [[Canadians|Canadian]] superhero team ''[[Omega Flight]]'' against the supervillain team the [[Wrecking Crew (comics)|Wrecking Crew]], who release the [[supernatural]] [[Great Beasts]]. The battle ends with Bill and the Beasts trapped in an alternate dimension.<ref>''Omega Flight'' #1-5 (April-Aug. 2007)</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Brian |last=Cronin |url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/07/29/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-210/ |title=A Year of Cool Comics – Day 210 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] CSBG Archive |date=July 29, 2010 |access-date=September 28, 2010 |archive-date=October 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005064136/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/07/29/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-210/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During the ''[[Secret Invasion]]'' storyline,<ref>''Secret Invasion'' #1-8 (June 2008 - Jan. 2009)</ref> Bill is wounded and captured by the alien [[Skrull]]s, who bestow his hammer Stormbreaker on a warrior [[Super-Skrull]] called the ''Godkiller''. Thor rescues Bill, although Loki starts a rumor that Bill may be a Skrull, causing some Asgardians to go against him despite Balder telling them to stop. Thor throws Mjolnir at Bill, who catches it, proving he really is Bill. After being nursed back to health, the character retrieves his hammer. Although the Godkiller defeats him, with Thor's help, he tricks the Godkiller, causing Asgard to fall onto it, killing the Skrull. Thor and Bill then raise the city again.<ref>''Secret Invasion: Thor'' #1–3 (October – December 2008)</ref>

Bill decides to hunt the cosmic entity [[Galactus]], to avenge the destruction of the Korbinites' second homeworld, and the seeming eradication of his species. After a brief confrontation with the herald, Stardust, Bill is intercepted by the [[Silver Surfer]], who is puzzled by the Korbinite's apparently futile quest to destroy Galactus. During a brief battle, Bill explains that while he understands he cannot hope to destroy Galactus with his power alone, he intends to destroy Galactus by annihilating any and all worlds Galactus seeks to feed from, thus starving him to death. The character's obsession with stopping Galactus eventually results in him being unable to lift his own enchanted weapon, an object that can only be wielded by the worthy. Equipped with alien weapons, Bill finds Galactus  but discovers the entity already under attack by another race. In a moment of conscience, Bill saves Galactus. The grateful entity rewards Bill by creating a Korbinite mate for him, with Bill also regaining the ability to wield Stormbreaker.<ref>''Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter'' #1–3 (August – October 2009)</ref>

===2010s===
When the universe is invaded during ''[[The Thanos Imperative]]'' storyline, Beta Ray Bill joins Cosmo's select group to travel across the Fault and into the Cancerverse.<ref>''The Thanos Imperative'' #3</ref> Bill is recruited by [[Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)|Cosmo]] to join the [[Annihilators (Marvel Comics)|Annihilators]], a new super-group intended to replace the fallen [[Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)|Guardians of the Galaxy]].<ref>''The Thanos Imperative: Devastation'' #1, March 2011</ref> The Annihilators defend [[Spaceknights|Galador]] from the [[Dire Wraith]]s, resulting in a peace between the two groups who have been at war for generations. Later, when trying to end a conflict between warring factions of the [[Universal Church of Truth]], the Annihilators are transported to a Church base on Earth and come into conflict with the Avengers.<ref>''Annihilators: Earthfall'' #1 (September 2011)</ref>

During the "[[Death of the Inhumans]]" miniseries, Medusa and the surviving Inhuman Royal Family members ask for Beta Ray Bill to help to confront the Kree and their Super-Inhuman Vox as well as rescuing Black Bolt from them.<ref>''Death of the Inhumans'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> Beta Ray Bill agreed to help them. When they reach the location where Black Bolt is being attacked by Vox, Beta Ray Bill helps Black Bolt, and takes down Vox, who is revealed to be a brainwashed Maximus. He and the Inhuman Royal Family witness something on the Vox costume teleport Crystal away while also killing Maximus.<ref>''Death of the Inhumans'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

When Thor became unworthy of Mjolnir after Nick Fury whispered a secret to him, Thor spent months drinking and fighting to avoid thinking about his loss. Bill eventually came to visit Thor- now calling himself 'Odinson'- and offered his old friend Stormbreaker instead, only for Odinson and Bill to be captured by the Collector as they examined the remains of Asgard where the hammer of an alternate version of Thor had recently crashed. Although the Collector tried to force Odinson to help him find some means of bypassing the worthiness enchantment so that he could lift the hammer himself, Odinson eventually escaped and used the hammer's power to return Asgard to its original place. Once free, Odinson told Bill that the secret Fury had shared with him was "Gorr was right", a reference to Thor's old foe [[Gorr the God Butcher]] who believed that all gods brought nothing but pain and suffering to the universe. However, Bill assured Odinson that, regardless of his ability to wield Mjolnir, even if the gods were not worthy, Odinson proved himself to be a hero as he continued to fight for humanity even when officially unworthy.<ref>''The Unworthy Thor'' #1-#5</ref>

===2020s===
Due to a misunderstanding, a battle between Bill and a [[Galactus#Heralds|cosmically powered]] All-Father Thor results in Stormbreaker being destroyed.  To compensate for the loss of Stormbreaker, Thor appoints Bill as an advisor and allows him unrestricted access to Asgard's armory.<ref>''Thor'' vol. 2, #3-4</ref>  

Bill falls into depression as Stormbreaker's destruction prevents him from transforming back into his unaltered Korbinite form. After suffering numerous defeats without its powers, Bill departs Asgard on Skuttlebutt to search for a replacement.  Accompanied by [[Executioner (character)|Skurge]] and [[Pip the Troll]], Bill encounters Odin who is unable to provide Bill with a weapon that can fix his transformation but cautiously suggests Surtur's resurfaced Twilight Sword as a suitable replacement.  Bill and his allies venture into the deepest level of [[Muspelheim]], where Bill claims Twilight and uses it to slay Surtur and revert to his unaltered form.<ref>''Beta Ray Bill'' #1-#5</ref>