Asgard is a fictional realm and its capital city appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, the realm first appeared in Journey into Mystery #85 (October 1962). Based on the realm of the same name from Germanic mythology (particularly Norse), Asgard is home to the Asgardians and other beings adapted from Norse mythology. It features prominently in stories that follow the Marvel Comics superhero Thor.
Asgard has appeared in comics and various media adaptations, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Thor (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and the Disney+ series Loki (2021). Eventually, Asgard was relocated to Earth in Norway and appeared in Avengers: Endgame and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).
Contents
Fictional history
Asgard consists of nine primary realms. The first two, Niflheim and Muspelheim, formed on their own some time after the universe was created. The deity Odin and his brothers, Vili and Ve, killed Ymir and used his bones to create the realm of Midgard between Niflheim and Muspelheim. The siblings went to create mountains and trees using Ymir's bones and hair respectively, then raised his skull upon four pillars to create the heavens. Sparks from Muspelheim were used to create the Sun, Moon, and stars. When Midgard was complete, Odin and his brothers created a home for themselves above it called Asgard. Between the two worlds, they formed a rainbow bridge called the Bifröst.
Once a year Odin must undertake the Odinsleep to regain his strength. During this time Asgard is vulnerable to attack from enemies.
It is prophesied that Loki would lead Asgard's enemies in a final conflict known as Ragnarök, which will lead to Asgard's destruction. This comes to pass when Loki obtains the forge that created Mjolnir and creates new uru hammers for his army. Asgard and its inhabitants are destroyed in the resulting battle. After Ragnarök, Thor returns to Earth and rebuilds Asgard outside of Broxton, Oklahoma. He then gathers the Asgardians, who had been reborn as mortals.
Asgard is destroyed yet again after Norman Osborn seizes control of S.H.I.E.L.D. following the Secret Invasion as he seeks to expel the Asgardians. Osborn's forces are defeated with help from the reunited Avengers, although Asgard is toppled by Sentry. Immediately following the Siege, Thor erects Heimdall's observatory atop Stark Tower as sign of solidarity with Midgard and appreciation for the Avengers' aid.
During the "Original Sin" storyline, it is revealed that there is a tenth realm in Asgard called Heven that is inhabited by angels. It was cut off from the rest of the realms following the Angels' attack on Asgard, which led to the apparent death of Odin's daughter Aldrif.
Regions
The Asgard dimension contains several distinct regions.
The six races
The six races of intelligent humanoid beings known to reside within the Asgard dimension.
Racial attributes
Although they look human, all Asgardians possess certain superhuman physical attributes. They are extremely long-lived (though not immortal like their Olympian counterparts), aging at an extremely slow rate upon reaching adulthood (through the periodic consumption of the golden apples of Idunn). Asgardians possess superhuman strength, stamina, and durability, which leaves them immune to terrestrial disease.
Flora and fauna
Flora
Yggdrasil, the world tree, is an immense ash tree that is central to the Asgardian dimension. The tree is supported by three roots that extend far into the other worlds; one to the spring of Hvergelmir in Niflheim, one to the well of Mimir in Jotunheim, and another to the well of Wyrd. Though Midgard is not physically connected to Yggdrasil, it is said that the Earth's axis is in alignment with the tree.
Fauna
Dragons are ancient creatures that are stated to live in Nastrond. These include Fafnir, Hakurel; a dragon Thor slew during one of his earliest adventures, and Nidhogg; who feeds on the roots of Yggdrasil.
Eagles are giant sapient versions of their Earthly counterparts. These include Gnori; king of snow eagles whom a young Thor, Sif and Balder sought for one of his feathers as part of a quest, and Lerad; an eagle that guards the magic apples of Yggdrasil.
Fenris Wolf: A giant wolf that is said to be the offspring of Loki and the giantess Angrboða.
Geri and Freki: Odin's pet wolves. Freki stopped an assassination attempt on Thor's life during a time known as the Reigning, when Thor assumed the throne of Asgard and ruled both Asgard and Midgard with an iron fist.
Huginn and Muninn: Odin's pet ravens.
Midgard Serpent: An immense serpent who lives in the Sea of Space circling Midgard.
Ratatosk: A squirrel who lives on Yggdrasil and carries messages between Lerad and Nidhogg.
Sleipnir: Odin's eight-legged horse steed.
Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder: A pair of mystical goats who pull Thor's chariot.
Reception
Accolades
In 2019, CBR.com ranked Asgard 6th in their "10 Most Iconic Superhero Hideouts In Marvel Comics" list.
In other media
Television
Asgard appears in the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends episode "The Vengeance of Loki".
Asgard appears in The Super Hero Squad Show.
Asgard appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
Asgard appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "Field Trip".
Asgard appears in Avengers Assemble.
Asgard appears in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.
Asgard appears in the Guardians of the Galaxy episode "We are the World Tree".
Asgard appears in the M.O.D.O.K. episode "Tales from the Great Bar-Mitzvah War!".
Asgard appears in a flashback sequence in the Loki episode "The Nexus Event".
Film
Asgard appears in Hulk vs. Thor.
Asgard appears in Thor: Tales of Asgard.
Asgard and Jotunheim appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe live-action film Thor (2011), directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Asgard, Svartalfheim, Vanaheim, and Jotunheim appear in Thor: The Dark World (2013). Muspelheim is also seen briefly through a dimensional rift.
Asgard and Muspelheim appear in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), where Asgard is devastated by Surtur. Following Asgard's destruction, Thor and the surviving Asgardians leave Asgard to find a new home.
Nidavellir appears in the live-action film Avengers: Infinity War (2018). This version is a neutron star surrounded by a forge which the dwarves used to craft weapons.
An alternate version of Asgard appears in Avengers: Endgame (2019). Thor and Rocket travel to an alternate 2013 timeline and visit Asgard to retrieve the Reality Stone.
Video games
Asgard appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.
Asgard appears in Marvel Super Hero Squad.
Asgard appears in Thor: God of Thunder.
Asgard appears as a stage in Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds and its remake Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
Asgard appears in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online.
Asgard appears in Marvel Heroes.
Asgard appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, Lego Marvel's Avengers and Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.
Asgard appears as a stage in Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, merged with Abel City from the Mega Man X series to become Xgard.
Asgard appears in Marvel Snap.
Theme parks
Asgard appears in the Disneyland attraction "Treasures of Asgard".