WARNING: The following contains Thor: Love and Thunder 

Russell Crowe plays Zeus, Christian Bale, playing Gorr the God Butcher.

It was only a matter of time before the deities from Olympus were incorporated into the MCU. Zeus made his Marvel Comics debut in 1949, appearing in Venus #5. Also referred to as "Zeus Panhellenios," the character was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby to bring elements of Greek mythology into the comics. Zeus' Thor presence as a god from another dimension allowed the comics to dive deep into other deities while crossing over events featuring fellow otherworldly beings like Thor, Odin, and other characters inspired by Norse mythology. While the MCU has been presenting cosmic beings since Phase 1, the addition of Greek gods is a highlight for the newest slate of titles.

Related: Thor: Love & Thunder Easter Eggs & Marvel References

Despite Crowe's portrayal as Zeus in Love and Thunder, the announcement didn't initially indicate how prominent his character was in the plot. Nonetheless, Russell Crowe's Zeus was given his own mid-credits scene that sets up a future movie. The Zeus Thor appearance alone might seem like a surprise, but it demonstrates what the MCU is building towards beyond Phase 4. The franchise is always looking at the future, and the Olympians, including Zeus, are a significant piece of the puzzle. Here's everything to know about Zeus' origins and powers.

Who Is Zeus In Marvel Comics?

Zeus enraged in the comics.

Before the Zeus Thor appearance, he appeared in Marvel comics. Known as the God of the heavens, sky, and weather, Zeus was depicted as a humanoid being from the dimension of Olympus. The figure was the youngest son of Titans Cronus and Rhea. Cronus, the ruler of Olympus, worried about a prophecy that suggested one of his children would one day overthrow him. Cronus imprisoned his children within another dimension called Tartarus after they were born to prevent the prophecy from coming true. But Rhea prevented Zeus from meeting the same fate. He was then secretly cared for by his grandmother Gaea. As he grew older, Zeus vowed to get revenge on his father, so he freed his siblings – Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia – in addition to Cyclopes before enacting war on the Titans. Following a decade-long war, Zeus arose victorious before sending the surviving Titans, including Cronus, to Tartarus and taking over as the leader of the Olympians.

Though Zeus was married to the goddess named Hera, he had several affairs with other women, including fellow goddesses and mortals. Whereas some of his most notable children were figures like Ares, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, and Hermes, he was also the biological father of Helen of Troy and Hercules, the latter of whom became a crucial figure in Marvel Comics for his godlike strength. Notable figures directly inspired the of Zeus' family tree in Greek mythology. Like the ancient lore, the Olympian gods were worshipped as mystic beings. To gain this level of notoriety, Zeus made their presence known to Greek civilization.

Shortly after discovering a connection between Olympus and Mount Olympus in Greece, Zeus developed an alliance with the Eternals based on their proximity to the nexus. That alliance broke when humans began considering Eternals as gods, angering the true Olympian leaders. After a few skirmishes with Thor, Zeus met with Thor's father, Odin, to make a pact to work together to defeat the Celestials. In the Modern Era of Marvel Comics, Zeus remained an ally of Thor and the Asgardians. He also set up an organization known as the Olympia Corporation, allowing him to keep a presence on Earth while studying humanity.

Related: Thor: Love & Thunder Ending Explained (In Detail)

Zeus' Powers Explained

Thor 4 Russell Crowe as Zeus holds court and lifts his hand in Thor: Love and Thunder

As a Greek god, Zeus possesses cosmic powers similar to those of Odin and Galactus. Being the leader of the Olympians, the diety has abilities that are far greater than the rest of his race. His arsenal of powers includes superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes, and stamina. When Zeus taps into his cosmic awareness, the levels of those aforementioned powers can become even more powerful. Granted, many of the strengths are common among superhumans in the comics, making Zeus' other powers more noteworthy.

Like other gods, Zeus is immortal, meaning he cannot die due to ordinary means. His body has a regenerative healing, which allows him to repair a damaged organ or missing limb if necessary (as he does in Thor 4, surviving a lightning bolt through the heart. Zeus' invulnerability can also protect him from handling energy blasts, high-impact weapons, and extreme temperatures. In addition, the Olympian god is self-sustained, indicating that he doesn't need food, water, or oxygen to survive.

Like Greek mythology, the Marvel Comics' version of Zeus harnesses the power of electrokinesis, which is seen in the form of lightning with his signature weapon, the Thunderbolt. Cyclops was said to teach Zeus how to use the thunderbolts while also giving Poseidon his signature trident. The magic manipulation is complemented with the powers of spell-casting, shape-shifting, and skilled combat. If those powers aren't enough, Zeus was given the power to fly and was once said to have the ability to communicate in all languages, also referred to as "Allspeak."

The Zeus Thor appearance also shed light on what his powers will look like in the MCU. The lightning bolts he uses are his go-to, but they are extremely powerful. At least, they must be if the wielders of Mjolnir and Stormbreaker want to use them against the enemy. In addition, Zeus commands the entirety of Omnipotence City, so his otherworldly powers must be strong enough to warrant that the rest of the deities claim him as their leader and would likely him in battle if needs be.

Related: Thor 4: Every Character Confirmed For Love & Thunder

Zeus Has Set Up The Olympians' MCU Future – Including Hercules

The Zeus Thor 4 appearance did more than just advance the plot for the new movie, it also set up the future of the MCU — a future that includes Hercules. In Thor: Love & Thunder, Thor, Mighty Thor (Jane Foster), Korg, and Valkyrie head to Omnipotence City (a society filled with gods and deities, which is run by Zeus himself). They go first to warn the gods about Gorr the God Butcher's plans, and the second reason is to steal/borrow Zeus' Thunderbolt weapon to use against Gorr. Omnipotence City acts as somewhat of a safe house for the deities, as only the gods know of the location. When Thor appeals to the ruler, he and the rest of the gods refuse to help in their efforts, as they feel their safety lies in Omnipotence City. Zeus becomes suspicious of Thor and the gang, that they may tell Gorr where Omnipotence City is, so he doesn't let them leave.

A fight breaks out between Zeus and Thor's squad, which almost results in Korg's death. Luckily, Zeus gets the Thunderbolt straight to the chest, and the group is able to escape with their lives. Russell Crowe's Zeus shows up again in a Thor post-credits scene. He seemingly heals from his injuries, though it's obvious that he had a rough go of it. In the Thor post-credits scene, he tasks his son, Hercules (Brett Goldstein), with finding Thor and seeking vengeance. In this way, Thor: Love and Thunder directly sets up a future installment of the franchise, and people can expect that Hercules will be hot on the Norse god's tail.

Next: When Love & Thunder Is Set In The MCU Timeline & How Long After Endgame

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