The Lich (character)

The Lich (formerly known as the Lich King) is a villain in Adventure Time. He made a brief appearance in season one in the episode "His Hero." Pen has stated that he will have a far more prominent role in season two, in "Mortal Folly" and "Mortal Recoil", a two-part episode. At the moment, little is known about him except that the legendary hero Billy once fought and defeated him.

Original pitch document
He was first alluded to in the early series pitch, and was the only other character described in those documents in addition to the main six (Finn, Jake, Princess Bubblegum, Lady Rainicorn, Ice King and Marceline). The pitch document also states he's been imprisoned within his castle. The Lich is supposed to be the most powerful character in Adventure Time; according to one of Pen Ward's blogs, he apparently will make Ice King and Marceline 'run for the hills'. According to the pitch document, he doesn't go straight into battle like the Ice King, but instead uses a legion of undead skeletal knights to fight his battles. In the trailer for the episode "Mortal Recoil" he is shown to completely melt Princess Bubblegum, putting her in critical condition.

Appearance
His first design had a more flattened, simplified look with larger eyes, downward-pointing horns a different crown and robe. The new design has a helm with curled horns, horrific lights in his eyes, and pale undead skin pulled tight against his noseless skull. His skin is frayed away from his lips revealing a wicked and perpetual grin. His arms are bare bones with dangling tendons attached to exposed and rotting muscle, and his hands burn with an eldritch light.

While the original version of The Lich's helm has two full horns as seen in Billy's flashback in His Hero, one of the horns has broken off by the time he appears in modern times.

Personality
Little is known about the Lich's personality as of yet, although in the animatic he wasn't the least bit stirred by Finn and Jake's attack, implying that he has a calm and calculating personality.

Episode appearances

 * "His Hero"
 * "Mortal Folly"
 * "Mortal Recoil"

Quotes
See The Lich/Quotes

Trivia

 * He is voiced by Ron Perlman, who is famous for his roles as monsters in various media, including as the Beast in the live action "Beauty and the Beast" television series and as Hellboy in the movie series based on the comic books. Perlman also provided the voice of the villain Slade in four seasons of Teen Titans, where Princess Bubblegum's VA Hynden Walch was the voice of heroine Starfire.