Malekith was a Dark Elf of Svartalfheim. He was born the thirteenth son to a thirteenth son and to Lady Mazerot of the Black Bile Clan, which were known as the lords of the Wild Hunt for their use of war dogs. Eventually, his father, brothers and uncles all died in the many wars the Dark Elves fought, led by Kraw the Uncontrollable. His mother assured him he won't have to die a soldier.[3]

However, during the Forty-Third Troll War, his mother sold him to the undertaker Elves of the Southern Swamps for food for the war dogs. As he was taken away, his mother told him she couldn't lose another son without gaining nothing and that at least he wouldn't have to be a soldier. He was forced to work as a corpse burner in the war, burning the corpses of 3,000 fallen Dark Elves, some still alive, after each battle while leaving the enemy corpses rot.[3]

One day, while burning corpses, he was captured by the Trolls and kept with other prisoners. An elder prisoner asked him to find some meaty millipedes and cook them for him, so he could have the strength required to perform a magic trick. As Malekith obeyed, the elder revealed himself as a Dark Elf wizard, decimating the Trolls with the trick and allowing them both to escape.[3]

In the following years (marked by wars against the Light Elves, then the Dwarves, then terrorism against the Gods),[3] possibly centuries,[4]↑ Malekith became the wizard's apprentice, being the most natural spell caster the wizard had ever seen, and eventually surpassing him as a wizard,[3] and even the better magician of his kind.[4] Eventually, the wizard told him his training had been completed, and that Malekith had to teach him his true purpose. He asked for his help to end the war, which shocked Malekith. The wizard felt that their people had suffered because of one senseless war after another, and that together, they could reason with the King, unite their clan and bring peace. He was convinced that since Malekith was forged in the tragedies of war, he would understand his reasoning. Malekith instead stabbed him, stating that he had been made by war and claiming that war forged the Elves' souls and that as long that he lived there would always be war. Stabbed multiple times, the wizard cast a spell at Malekith, making half of his face black, marking him so that everyone knew what he was, before dying.[3]

Malekith travelled to his former home. As he revealed herself, Mazerot tried to excuse herself for her wrongdoing but he had his mother fed to her dogs, taking the mantle of Lord of the Wild Hunt.[3]

Casket of Ancient Winters
Malekith struck an alliance with Loki on behalf of the fire demon Surtur.[5] He took control of a number of Earth humans using special food of the faerie provided by Hela. Malekith then killed Eric Willis, guardian of the Casket of Ancient Winters, after learning its location.[6] As Master of the Hounds, Malekith hunted down Roger Willis, Eric's son and new guardian of the Casket. Malekith battled Thor and kidnapped Lorelei.[7] Using Lorelei as bait, Malekith forced Thor to battle Algrim the Strong, one of his Dark Elf followers, then attempted to destroy both combatants by plunging them into a pool of magma.[8] He then captured the Casket of Ancient Winters from Roger Willis.[9] Malekith was ultimately defeated by Thor, but not before he destroyed the Casket of Ancient Winters, releasing magical frigid force all over the Earth.[10] Many villains such as Graviton took advantage of the chaos,[11] as well as Surtur who fought the Avengers.[12] Malekith was then brought as a captive by Thor to Asgard.