Volstagg is old, even by Asgardian standards. In his prime he was a fierce and highly respected warrior of Asgard. While at his present girth, most assume the title 'The Lion of Asgard' to be self-imposed, it should be noted this moniker was handed to him by peers in his early years. Centuries of feasting and drinking, begun in his prime, has lead to his current predicament in size.
He is member of the Warriors Three, fighting companions and close friends of Thor. The story of their formation is questionable but each story involves them battling or searching after Fenris. Its believed in some aspect, an aging Volstagg and a younger, brash Fandral entered a bet to be the first to 'pet' the head of Fenris. A quieter Hogun served as the judge. This competition forged their friendship and bonds.
It is rumored that during a drunken stupor, Volstagg had revealed the secrets of Frost Giants to a young Thor that incurred him the wrath of Odin and this may have affected his psyche enough that he let his physical form fall to the way of his appetite.
While he presently seems most gentle and amiable to peaceful solutions, or more than likely accidently stumbles upon solutions to current problems, leaving the grunt work to Fandral and Hogun, it cannot be overlooked that he still displays acts of bravery in dire times. He has stood off against the Hulk (unsuccessful, but took up the challenge), charged to battle with the demon Mangog (only to be trapped in a tunnel thanks to his girth), and personally challenged Mephisto to battle over Thor's soul (knowing already that Thor had challenged Mephisto already).
Despite this seeming cowardice or alternative solutions theory, in one such moment of cowardice in battle against Ego-Prime, witnessing monstrosities attempting to devour a young child, he would rush forth in near Berserker rage, striking the creatures down with his bare hands.
Following this display, he became more regularly accustomed to combat, including defeating the likes of the Executioner and the Enchantress.
His growing association with Earth leaves Earth as a soft spot, one of his indulgences. After taking Baldur under his wing for a time and then returning to earth, it takes Hogun to tranquilize the giant of a man to bring him back to Asgard, but his love is so found of earth he takes two humans into his house - left parentless, indirectly, by Thor.
Still the reluctant hero, at one time Volstagg is the last warrior left to defend the ramparts against invading Frost Giants and realizing they are more stupid and perhaps more cowardly than even he, he fulfills the role. In his humility, accepting the praise and gratitude for saving the day, he muses on how poets will remember him for time immortal for his battle against the Frost Giants.
During recent visits by the New Mutants to Asgard, Volstagg befriends the younger Roberto DeCosta.
Boastful
His humility is only kept in check by his appetite. If anyone is like to forget he was once called the Lion of Asgard, Volstagg is quick to remind the forgetful. Should any of his former exploits be forgotten, he is certainly glad to share the stories. If ever there was a time when he's bested his younger companions, including Fandral, Hogun, or Thor himself, he's certainly quick to put this into humorous context.
Jovial
A smile is worth a thousand words, a thousand words can be used to make someone smile. He is so good natured he honestly prefers to share the wealth of happiness. Not in his prime as a warrior, this is a good way to share his wealth. While others may often be the butte of his jokes, he is certainly not above taking the fall all in the measure of good humor.
Family Man
e is a family man and as such, he sees children as important and vital. This extends to others around him, including fellow Asgardians and even Humans, that he holds a special place for being rather found of Earth.
Loyal Friend
Despite what may be questioned about Volstagg (his youth, his age, his weight, his bravery), he is always a loyal friend. Even in moments of cowardice, this doesn't mean he will leave his friends sides. In fact, when his personal friends are involved, he's likely to push as much as his psyche will let him beyond his own cowardice to do what he can for his closest companions. This, most likely despite his growing problems as mentioned (youth, age, weight, bravery), is perhaps the reason that he retains some of his closest friends, Fandral, Hogan, and, indeed, Thor.
Glutton
Two things he loves as much, if not more, than good friends and his family - food and drink. Any and all food, any and all drink. Drink tends towards alcoholic - mead, beer, wine not so much 'hard liquor' by earth standards. Copious amounts of either, or both. As a note, one of his first encounters on earth with the concept of All-You-Can-Eat was interpreted by Volstagg as a challenge by the establishment to any takers to see how much they could actually eat. Thankful for the owner, Heimdall sounded the Gjallarhorn and Volstagg was summoned away.
Gentle
Through it all, the boasting, the joking, it is all done out of love for his fellow Asgardian's and those he likes. He cares greatly for those around him and is more a hugger than anything else - perhaps a surprise to those that don't know him or are unsuspecting of this. It is advised to get used to it or learn how to avoid Volstagg.
ASGARDIAN: His physical abilities are superior to humans simply because he is Asgardian.
Strength: His strength remains superior to most Asgardian males and while at one time capable of easily lifting 50 tons, this has diminished because of his size and age to the range of 35 tons.
Endurance: Likewise because of his size and extra girth, his endurance has increased beyond normal Asgardian levels. He has been capable fo withstanding direct attack from the likes of the Hulk, but would not be able to keep this up indefinitely. His stamina remains in good condition, super-human by earth standards, able to exert himself for close to 24 hours before he begins to feel fatigue. His body is 3 times as dense as the standard Asgardian.
However, again because of his girth and age, his speed, agility, and reflexes are subpar for his race. He can run close to speeds of 7 mph, just above human average, on part with someone who is 'in-shape', but anyone who trains regularly would be capable of running faster than Volstagg. Likewise, his agility and reflexe are above human average, but he certainly isn't juggling any balls. The biggest disadvantage to his dexterity is his size. He can not even grasp his hands in front of his belly, though he could grasp them atop his belly. Thus, while not juggle worthy, he is still capable for as much fine motor skills as his extra size would allow - good hand-eye coordination from years of training, with limited mobility.
GIRTH: His size is such a boon that, not only is he capable of applying damage simply by sitting on his opponents, he is also far more damage resistant than most of his Asgardian counterparts. By sitting on an opponent, he is capable of delivering damage and he can sustain this damage as long as he continues to sit on them. Merely sitting on an healthy, untrained individual would nearly kill them, most animals are at lethal risk under his body size and those not endowed with invulnerability or damage resistance of their own would succumb to his wait after prolonged sitting. His own body gives phsyical resistance to damage - he can withstand normal bullet fire and even normal edged human weapons without true physical harm befalling him. While his girth is the source of his encreased durability and endurance, it, coupled with age, makes him slower than average. He can stand up to a few Hulk smashes most likely, even though the green behometh would certainly outmuscle him in the end.
WARRIORS THREE: Volstagg is a member of the Warriors Three. As such, as much as they can call on him in their time of need, he can call on his other two companions just the same. These are Fandral and Hogun.
THOR: As with everyone of the Warriors Three, they are personal companions of Thor.
ASGARDIANS: He is well known in Asgard and as such, if needed, any number would arise to help him if needed.
COWARD: While once heroic, his psyche presently tends towards the cowardly. This doesn't mean he is incapable of being heroic, but rather because he doesn't see himself as heroic or even knowing how heroic he was before, he would rather avoid combat in general least he embarrass himself or his companions.
DOUBT: After a falling out with Odin, possible because of him being drunk and telling Thor things he should not have told the younger, Volstagg is filled with self-doubt. This is made up for in his indulgences perhaps, but he doubts himself as being as capable as he actually is.
GLUTTON: Volstagg is a glutton, pure and simple. In fact, coupled with cowardice and self doubt, the kitchen has been known to be a good lure in dire circumstance and if one can't find Volstagg on the front lines of a battle, they usually only have to check the food stores.
GIRTH: This is as much a flaw as a boon, while he gains in endurance because of his size, he is also handicapped. His strength is diminished, replaced by fat, he is incapable of wielding normal sized weapons, walking through small corridors and tight spaces, riding normal horses and generally being a normal sized person.
AGE: He is old, even by Asgardian standards and this has contributed to diminishing of certain faculties in his mind that he is subpar compared to other Asgardians.