Asgard (Marvel Comics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- 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 |
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Publication information | |
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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
- Amora (the Enchantress)
- Balder
- Frigga
- Frey
- Heimdall
- Hela
- Hermod
- Hoder
- Idunn
- Karnilla
- Loki
- Lorelei
- Odin
- Skurge (the Executioner)
- Sigyn
- Sif
- Thor
- Tyr
- Valkyrie
- Vidar
- Volla
- Warriors Three
[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
- Journey into Mystery #85 (Marvel Comics, October 1962)
- Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Deluxe Edition (Marvel Comics)
- #1: Abomination to Batroc's Brigade (August 1985): Asgard
[edit] External links
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