Asgard (Marvel Comics)

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This article is about a planetoid in a parallel dimension in the Marvel Comics' universe. For other uses, see Asgard (disambiguation).
Asgard

Cover of Tales of Asgard #1 (October 1968) showing Asgard and some of the inhabitants of the Asgardian dimension
Artist Jack Kirby
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
In story information
Type Dimension
Notable races Asgardians

Asgard is a planetoid existing in a alternate dimension within the mainstream Marvel Comics' universe, Earth-616. It is based on the Asgard of Norse mythology and is home to six different races. Asgard features prominently in tales of Thor.

Contents

[edit] History

In the comic books, Asgard is an asteroid-like world suspended in a "Sea of Space". Gravity radiates from somewhere underneath this asteroid. The top of this "asteroid" is flat like a table. If someone stepped off of this "table", they would fall off the "asteroid" and down through space until they reached the "gravity-generator". Asgard can only be reached from Earth by crossing Bifröst, the Rainbow Bridge.

[edit] Regions

The Asgardian dimension contains several distinct regions.

[edit] The Nine Worlds

[edit] Asgard

Asgard is the home of the Asgardians (Marvel Comics). Both the planetoid itself and the city of the Asgardians on the planetoid are named "Asgard".

[edit] Vanaheim

Main article: Vanaheim

Vanaheim is the home of the Vanir who is the sister race of the Asgardians. Vanaheim is a distinct region on the Asgard planetoid.

[edit] Alfheim

Main article: Alfheim

Alfheim is the home of the Light Elves. Alfheim is a distinct region on the Asgard planetoid.

[edit] Nidavellir

Main article: Nidavellir

Nidavellir is the home of the Dwarves. Nidavellir is a distinct region on the Asgard planetoid.


[edit] Midgard

Main article: Earth

Midgard is more commonly known as Earth and is the home of the Humans. Although technically not a part of the Asgardian dimension, it is considered one of the Nine Worlds by the Asgardians because of its significant connections to Asgard.

[edit] Jotunheim

Main article: Jotunheim

Jotunheim is the home of the Giants.

[edit] Svartalfheim

Main article: Svartalfheim

Svartalfheim is the home of the Dark Elves.

[edit] Hel

Main article: Hel

Hel is the realm of the dead who are neither honored nor dishonored. It is ruled by Hela.

[edit] Muspelheim

Main article: Muspelheim

Muspelheim is the home of the Demons. It was ruled by Surtur before he disappeared.

[edit] Other Regions

[edit] Valhalla

Valhalla is a realm of the honored dead and is a distinct region on the Asgard planetoid.

[edit] Niffleheim

Main article: Niffleheim

Niffleheim is the realm of the dishonored dead which is distinct but closely connectioned to Hel.

[edit] The Six Races

[edit] Asgardians

Main article: Asgardians

The Asgardians live in Asgard and are the most human-looking and powerful of the races but are not, unlike the other races, believed to be native to Asgard.

[edit] Known Asgardians

[edit] Giants

Main article: Giants

The Giants live in Jotunheim.

[edit] Known giants

[edit] Dwarves

Main article: Dwarves

The Dwarves live in Nidavellir.

[edit] Elves

Main article: Elves

The Light Elves live in Alfheim and the Dark Elves live in Svartalfheim.

[edit] Known Elves

[edit] Trolls

Main article: Trolls

The Trolls live in scattered settlements throughout Asgard, Vanaheim, Svartalfheim, and Jotunheim.

[edit] Known trolls

[edit] Demons

Main article: Demons

The Demons live in Muspelheim.

[edit] Known demons

[edit] Others

[edit] Racial Powers

All known Asgardian races have super-human strength and are extremely long lived, not truly immortal like The Olympians but long enough lived to seem ageless. Each group has especially dense body tissue rendering most of them bullet proof to at least small caliber weapons. Ulik resisted high powered, armor piercing rounds but it should be noted that he is the strongest of Rock Trolls and is probably more durable as well. The Asgardians have been shown to be bullet resistant but not completely unscathed from damage by them.

All Asgardian races have the natural ability to harness eldritch energy (magic) far more easily than humans. It has previously been stated by Dr. Strange that personal vitality is a key factor in ones ability to harness magic and since Asgardians are many times more durable than humans they can manipulate far greater magics than most human beings. Unlike human beings all Asgardians continued existences are tied into the continued health of the world tree Yggdrasil.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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