With the character's popularity on the rise thanks to Marvel Studios, Marvel Comics made some big changes to Loki in the mid-2010s. In the pages of Loki: Agent of Asgard, the anti-hero stopped being the God of Mischief and God of Evil and instead became the God of Stories.
By this point in the comic books, Loki has already proven himself more hero than villain and gained the ability to perceive, manipulate, and even rewrite narratives and stories. This meant he could influence the world around him, shaping his and every other story being told.
He became so powerful that even stopping Ragnarok was possible. and as well as rewriting his own future, he even bent the omnipotent beings who created Asgard's Gods to his will.
So, why are we telling you all this? Well, we're guessing you watched last night's episode of Loki, "Science/Fiction," and know it ended with the title character gaining control over his new time-slipping abilities. It also wrapped up with him vowing to "rewrite the story," our biggest hint yet at what's to come.
We believe that in next week's Loki season 2 finale, the God of Mischief will become the God of Stories and take He Who Remains' place at the Citadel at the End of Time. This is backed up by recently leaked promo art showcasing a new-look Loki in the Citadel, seemingly controlling the Multiverse around him.
Some will argue this is leading to Loki once again breaking bad and taking Kang the Conqueror's place as the Multiverse Saga's main antagonist. We don't think so. In fact, it's the opposite. By taking over from He Who Remains, Loki can allow the Multiverse to flourish and be free, ruling not a Sacred Timeline, but watching over all of them.
This does raise some questions (for starters, what happens to the TVA?) and there's nothing to say all of those will be answered in next Thursday's finale.
If Loki can write Kang out of existence, it gives Marvel Studios an easy out with Jonathan Majors' amid his recent legal issues. If he's unable or unwilling to interfere to that extent, then it likely still sets the stage for the God of Stories to be a key player later in the Multiverse Saga, especially if he's unable to control the incursions being caused by forces beyond his control. Either way, this might be what He Who Remains wanted from the start.
How do you feel about the way things are shaping up for Loki in the MCU?