For a god known for lying and deceit, Loki, the step-brother of Thor, has shown a surprising level of empathy for others over the years. Tom Hiddleston’s performance is partly responsible for this, as his increasingly sympathetic portrayals of Loki in the MCU films have led to the character becoming something of an anti-hero (and later a total hero) in the Marvel Universe of the comics.
Part of what shows Loki’s empathy is his ability to shapeshift into different forms. While the trickster can use this power to manipulate others, at certain times, he genuinely seems to use it to relate better to those around him and see things from other people's point of view. Let’s take a look at some of Loki’s transformations and see how they made him more popular with a diverse audience.
At one point, Loki seemed to change in appearance and personality so often that he gave Doctor Who a run for his money in the number of regenerations he went through (as well as how quickly he seemed to change). Following the Siege of Asgard, Loki was reincarnated as a child (aka “Kid Loki”) in Thor #617 and ended up becoming an ally to Thor and a member of the Young Avengers. He was later replaced by a teenage/young adult Loki who became an “Agent of Asgard” and formed some genuine friendships with mortals including Verity Willis, a woman who can see through all lies. Loki changed again into the hairy-chested “God of Stories” before his story arc was completed, showing his identity was perpetually mercurial.
Loki has often shapeshifted into female forms on many occasions, once masquerading as the Scarlet Witch to help reassemble a new team of Avengers. While in his “God of Stories” form, he once decided to run for president in the Marvel Comics miniseries Vote Loki (assuring the public he had an American birth certificate). While campaigning, Loki shifted between male and female forms as he debated on which one would prove more popular with the American public. His demeanor also seemed to shift in each shape, hinting that it wasn't just a surface-level change.
Loki doesn’t limit himself to human (or Asgardian) forms either! A fan of animal shapeshifting, Loki has been known to transform himself into birds, wolves, and other beasts. Whether this makes him more or less popular with the animal kingdom is debatable, but considering how much people love animals, one can only suspect this makes Loki even more popular with the mortals.
Hilariously, in the eighth issue of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Loki offered to transform himself into any shape for Squirrel Girl’s friend. The girl immediately asked Loki to become her personal fan fiction character, “Cat Thor.” Loki gleefully shapeshifted into a humanoid white cat dressed like Thor (with an oversized head), well aware that he was driving Thor crazy with his impersonation.
Regardless, Loki’s ability and willingness to shapeshift into different forms show that he may well be one of the most adaptable of all the gods (Asgardian or otherwise), allowing him to connect with virtually any society or group. And while most MCU fans would probably prefer Loki in his Tom Hiddleston appearance, others are probably thrilled that the trickster is basically an omnipotent cosplayer. Especially those who like Cat Thor.