Disney+'s Loki draws on the rich lore and history of Marvel Comics like every other series or movie in the MCU, but the Loki series perhaps leans heavier on comic book storylines than other recent MCU properties, even as the show mixes and matches inspirations to create something new and unique.
A broad variety of comic book storylines factor into the Loki series, and not all of them have to do with the God of Mischief himself. The foundations for the streaming series have been laid in many different Marvel Comics, including Thor and the Fantastic Four, going back to the late Silver Age.
"Special Delivery"
One of the key inspirations for the series is "Special Delivery," from Thor #5 in 2008. This comic first introduces Lady Loki. Loki had died in the Ragnarok event previously in Thor and then is reincarnated in the body of Lady Sif, where he will remain for the next few years.
The MCU has gone a different direction with Lady Loki, adapting her into more of an amalgamation with the Enchantress, but this comic book is where it all began for the female Loki variant, who plays such a vital role in the series.
"Rites Of Passage"
Comics fans know that Marvel's Time Keepers made their debut in Thor #282 in 1979. This storyline provides the backstory for the mysterious cosmic beings, much of which has been discarded by the MCU—at least so far. Nevertheless, the fundamentals of the story remain vital to understanding their role in the MCU.
Thor discovers the Time Keepers and their creator, He Who Remains, who has been the custodian of the Time Variance Authority of a previous universe. The Time Keepers are locked in a bitter war against their counterparts, the Time Twisters, with the villains destroying time and the Time Keepers restoring it.
"Without Justice, There Is No Peace!"
The Time Variance Authority plays a major role in Loki, and their first appearance came in Thor #371 and 372 in 1986. The early Time Variance Authority of the comic books are essentially time cops, though they don't adhere to any sort of Sacred Timeline.
This is also the first appearance of Justice Peace, who is so far absent from the MCU. In live-action, the Justices are all depicted as agents like C-20. Though Thor plays a key role in some of the major time travel elements that have been depicted in the Loki series, Loki himself does not.
"So Little Time, So Much To Do"
Another major Time Variance Authority comic book storyline that has a big influence on the Loki series is "So Little Time, So Much To Do" from Fantastic Four #352-354. Written by Walt Simonson, as was their debut in Thor, this storyline provides many of the bureaucratic details of the organization.
The Fantastic Four have been trapped in the Null Zone after seeking out a mysterious Time Bubble in the future and are captured by the Time Variance Authority. There they meet Mobius M. Mobius and the strange faceless workers of the TVA, all of whom work at desks in an infinite office.
Loki: Agent Of Asgard
Loki being an agent of the Time Variance Authority, even if against his will, has some of its roots in the Loki: Agent of Asgard comic book series. This series basically transforms into a secret agent in service of the All-Mother, leading him adventures through time and space.
Along the way, he meets other versions of himself, including the original comic book Lady Loki. The two characters function somewhat like the Lokis in the MCU, with Loki forced to confront his past against the divergent path another version of them took in life.
Dark Reign
Dark Reign is a key comic book inspiration for the Loki series as it's the introduction of Sylvie Lushton, the second Enchantress. Comic book fans know The Enchantress was originally Amora, an Asgardian sorceress.
Sylvie is a younger version granted powers by Loki in this storyline, which leads to her eventually becoming a member of the Young Avengers for a brief time. Sylvie Lushton is a major influence on Sylvie in the MCU, though the screen version is a clear fusion of her and Loki.
Double Trouble
Thor & Loki: Double Trouble provides a new take on Lady Loki for younger readers, and it also shares some DNA with the Loki series. In the comic, Thor and his brother Loki explore a new timeline where Jane Foster is now Thor. The time-hopping element plays a role in the MCU, though Loki is flying solo for the most part.
The Lady Loki in this comic is a different version from the multiverse than the one first introduced in Thor #5, which suggests there could be more female variants out there in the MCU.
The Terminatrix Objective
Ravonna Renslayer is a major player in the Loki series, and, while she remains a mystery, one comic book storyline likely to be informing her MCU portrayal is "The Terminatrix Objective." In this 1993 storyline, Ravonna, in her guise as Termantrix, infiltrates the temporal city of Chronopolis to get revenge on Kang The Conqueror.
Comic book fans know that Ravonna Renslayer is the lover of Kang in the comics, and, with the true big bad of the Loki series an open question, it seems as though Kang, Ravonna, and potentially even Chronopolis are about to come into play in the MCU. In fact, Chronopolis may have already been introduced.
Young Avengers
Kid Loki was introduced in the MCU at the very end of episode four of Loki. A comic book likely informing his portrayal on screen is Young Avengers.
After dying in the Siege storyline in 2010, Loki is reincarnated as a child. He joins the new teenage Avengers squad, assembled by a young variant of Kang The Conqueror who becomes Iron Lad. Kid Loki is another piece of the Young Avengers puzzle the MCU s putting together, with numerous other members of the team in the MCU already like Billy and Tommy Maximoff and Eli Bradley, the Patriot.
Avengers Forever
Avengers Forever is a 1998 storyline depicting the massive temporal battle between Kang The Conqueror and his eventual future self, Immortus. This storyline is likely an inspiration for the Loki series, given where the show seems to be headed.
The Avengers fight Immortus across time in several different timelines, which ultimately leads them to the Time Keepers. This storyline reveals the Time Keepers vested interest in 'pruning' timelines, taken to the extreme in the MCU. Kang kills the Time Keepers, possibly foreshadowing his MCU involvement.