Heimdall (Marvel Comics)
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Heimdall is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, based loosely on the god Heimdall of Norse myth. He first appeared in a comic in Journey Into Mystery vol. 1 #85.
[edit] Fictional character history
He is the all-seeing and all-hearing guardian of Asgard, he stands on the rainbow bridge, Bifrost and stands watch for any attacks to Asgard. After an age-long of unchanging duty, he was relieved from guarding Bifrost when it was destroyed by Surtur during the war with the sons of Muspell. He had a brief relationship with Amora the Enchantress. Heimdall was gravely injured during the war with Seth, the Egyptian god of death, but he was healed by Odin. When Odin needed his Odin-sleep to replenish his powers, Heimdall was entrusted with the sovereignty of Asgard. Loki, in the guise of Odin banished him to the realm of dreams but he was rescued by Amora.
Heimdall was the brother of the warrior Sif. For ages, he stood as the guardian of Asgard's rainbow bridge, defending the city's gates from any intruders, and was one of the most trusted servants of Odin. When Asgard was invaded by the fire demon Surtur, Heimdall attempted to defend the gates, but was overcome, and the rainbow bridge was destroyed. No longer needing to be stationary, Heimdall spent more time in Asgard, and became close to Amora the Enchantress, who was soon infatuated with him. When Odin returned to Asgard after Surtur's defeat, he gave a portion of his power to Heimdall to rebuild the rainbow bridge, and Heimdall resumed his duties. Shortly afterwards, when Odin was about to enter his Odinsleep, he passed the Odinpower on to Heimdall to rule Asgard until he awoke. Heimdall had to deal with a major crisis in the life of Thor, as Thor had been banished into the subconsciousness of the mortal Eric Masterson, who had assumed Thor's responsibilities. Sif was determined to find the real Thor, and her determination drove a wedge between her and Heimdall. When Karnilla conspired with Loki to rule Asgard by having Odin awaken with Loki's soul possessing him, Heimdall was branded a traitor and banished to the Dream Dimension, where he was saved from the demon Nightmare by Amora. Eric Masterson helped restore Odin and later Thor as well, but Heimdall and Amora drifted apart when Amora realized that his duty to Asgard was greater than his love for her. When Odin cast the Asgardians into the guises of mortals to protect them from a false Ragnarok, Heimdall became Donald Velez, and joined the other "Lost Gods" in attempting to rediscover who they were and battling the Egyptian death-god Seth. Heimdall and the others regained their true forms and defeated Seth just as Asgard was attacked by the Dark Gods, and they were all taken prisoner. They were finally rescued by Thor. Recently, Asgard was struck by another Ragnarok, one from which there was no seeming reversal. Heimdall perished in battle defending his people.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Heimdall has the typical powers of an Asgardian god, including superhuman strength, stamina, and durability. He also possesses superhuman senses, most notably his vision and hearing. His senses are said to be so acute that he could hear sap running through trees and see events occurring miles away. Heimdall also briefly possesses the Odinpower, which granted him the power to channel cosmic energies.
Heimdall is an experienced warrior, and a fierce hand-to-hand combatant. Heimdall wields a variety of swords, shields, and spears, and wore a suit of armor. Heimdall bore the Gjallerhorn, which he would sound to alert all of Asgard to dangers threatening the city's gates. While in the mortal form of Donald Velez, he wore enchanted glasses which granted him superhuman vision.
[edit] In other media
Heimdall appears in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.
