Origin
Tyrion Lannister is the youngest son of Tywin and Joanna Lannister; and younger sibling to twins Cersei and Jaime Lannister. His mother, Joanna, died giving birth to him; a slight which Tywin and his older siblings never truly forgave him for. His “deformity”, the fact he was a dwarf, was regarded as a stain on the Lannister reputation. As such he was called “The Imp”, a derogatory term used with malice. He was regularly abused in his childhood by both Cersei and Jaime; his sister truly hated his imperfections in an otherwise perfect family.
At the age of thirteen, Tyrion and Jaime happened across a young common girl named Tysha who had just escaped from a group of bandits. Jaime, true to form, sought after the bandits whilst Tyrion looked after the girl. Later that night, Tyrion made loved to Tysha – astounded that he had found someone who could overlook his dwarfism. Eventually, Tyrion became so in love with Tysha that they married in secret, having bribed a Septon. Tyrion’s happiness was not to last. After a period of two weeks, Tyrion’s father Lord Tywin got news of the wedding. He commanded Jaime to tell Tyrion that Tysha was a prostitute, hired for his use. Tywin then ordered his entire guard to rape the young girl, (each ordered to pay her a silver coin) for her audacity in marrying a Lannister, even a Lannister such as Tyrion. Finally, Tywin ordered his son to go last, paying her a gold coin – after all, a Lannister was worth more. When Tyrion came of age, he was bestowed the “honor” of keeping charge of the drains and cisterns of Casterly Rock.
Creation
The comic book series is an adaption by Daniel Abraham of the popular series “A Song of Ice and Fire”; using the same color palettes and style of the HBO television series. Tyrion Lannister first appeared in Game of Thrones #2.
Current Events
Upon Jon Arryn’s death, Robert Baratheon, King of the Seven Kingdoms, went north to Winterfell to ask Eddard Stark to become the new Hand of the King. Tyrion, along with Cersei, Jaime and a large entourage, go with him. Tyrion confronts Joffrey Baratheon (his nephew) into offering his sympathies to the Starks after Bran Stark‘s fall from the tower; an incident which was caused by the young Stark witnessing Cersei and Jaime’s incestuous relationship. When the Baratheons and Lannisters leave Winterfell, along with many of the Stark family, Tyrion goes further north to see the Wall.
Other Media
Novels
Tyrion Lannister was created by George R.R. Martin to serve as a protagonist in his fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire”. He is a vital point of view (POV) character throughout, although he is merely mentioned in passing in “A Feast for Crows”.
Television
The character also appeared in the HBO television series entitled “Game of Thrones”. He is portrayed by Peter Dinklage.