...stop being a coward?
If you look at when the character was initially introduced, while he was a character of great mirth, humor and buffoonery, there was also absolutely no question that he would do pretty much anything to avoid a battle that he didn't think he could win easily. In his early Tales of Asgard appearances, he did save the day, but it was pretty much an accident and he only went looking for a fight when he was armed to win one and backed up by Asgard's finest. From what I recall reading the comics, this continued for quite some time.
However, at some point, he was no longer a coward. A buffoon, most assuredly, but also a character that didn't try to hide when a fight broke out. I recall several times in the Bronze Age seeing him wade--well, waddle really--into battle and do a fair amount of damage.
So I guess what I'm asking is at what point did the powers that be at Marvel decide that maybe it wasn't such a good idea for one of the Warriors Three to look for a hiding place when the swords started swinging? Was there any sort of famous or infamous editorial decision or was it something that just happened?
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My recollection is there's a bit in #262, from the Len Wein OdinQuest storyline, where Volstagg charges into battle to the surprise of Fandral and Hogun, and jokingly suggests he's found the front while seeking the rear. Either the dialogue or a footnote relates his new attitude to an adventure he had in a previous issue. I'll dig out the issue if no-one has easy access to it in the recent Thor: The Quest for Odin collection. I think in #263 he's portrayed as still a bit timorous when confronted by the Odin Force, but since it's defeated the others and is about to kill him he might be excused that. I really can't remember how he was portrayed subsequently up to the Walt Simonson solo era. Simonson made Volstagg someone who had a bit of depth to him, so e.g. when Agnar wanted to fight Balder Volstagg casually disarmed him and sat on him until he'd talked him out of it.