====== Earth ======
===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary =====
  *   **Core Identity: In the vast Marvel Multiverse, Earth is the improbable, fiercely protected nexus of all realities, serving as the cradle of cosmic evolution, the battlefield for gods, and the home of the universe's most determined and powerful heroes.**
  *   **Key Takeaways:**
  *  **Cosmic Linchpin:** Far from being an ordinary planet, Earth is a focal point for cosmic events, often referred to as the "center of the universe" not due to geography, but due to its pivotal role in major conflicts and its incredible density of super-powered individuals. It is the home of [[celestials]]' grand experiments and a crucial battleground in the eternal war between cosmic abstracts.
  *  **Crucible of Power:** Earth is the birthplace of an astonishing number of "mutants," the subject of genetic manipulation by multiple alien races like the [[kree]] and [[skrulls]], and the origin point for unique super-materials like [[vibranium]] and [[adamantium]] (in its processed form). This makes it a target of unparalleled strategic value.
  *  **Dual Histories (616 vs. MCU):** The history and significance of Earth differ dramatically between the core comic universe ([[earth-616]]) and the [[marvel_cinematic_universe]]. The comics present a millennia-spanning saga involving Elder Gods, Deviants, and Eternals, while the MCU streamlines this into a narrative centered on Celestial seeding, the Infinity Stones, and more recent alien interventions.
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
Earth, as a setting, first appeared alongside its heroes in **''Marvel Comics #1''** (October 1939) from Timely Comics, the predecessor to Marvel. Initially, it was simply our own world, a familiar backdrop for the extraordinary adventures of characters like the original [[human_torch_jim_hammond|Human Torch]] and [[namor_the_sub-mariner|Namor the Sub-Mariner]]. Creators like [[stan_lee]], [[jack_kirby]], and [[steve_ditko]] revolutionized this concept in the 1960s. Their "world outside your window" philosophy placed heroes not in fictional cities like Metropolis or Gotham, but in a vibrant, living, and breathing **New York City**.
This decision grounded the fantastical in reality, making the Marvel Universe feel relatable and immediate. Readers could imagine [[spider-man]] swinging past the Empire State Building or the [[fantastic_four]]'s Baxter Building residing in Midtown Manhattan. Over time, this "real" world was layered with fictional nations like [[wakanda]] and [[latveria]], ancient hidden realms like the [[savage_land]], and a deep, complex history that diverged from our own millions of years in the past, transforming Earth from a simple setting into a character in its own right.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
The history of Earth in the Prime Marvel Universe is a sprawling epic of cosmic intervention and primordial conflict, dating back billions of years. Its significance was preordained long before the first human walked its surface.
  *   **The Progenitor and the First Firmament:** Billions of years ago, the first iteration of all that is, the **First Firmament**, was lonely. It created life, the Aspirants and the Celestials. The Celestials desired evolution and change, leading to a cosmic civil war that shattered the First Firmament and birthed the **Second Cosmos** and the first [[multiverse]]. A fragment of the First Firmament, seeking revenge, found a primitive, lifeless Earth. It infected the planet's core, intending to turn it into a cosmic weapon of immense destructive power. However, a diseased Celestial, known as **The Progenitor**, arrived and succumbed to its infection, its godlike blood and flesh mingling with the planet's primordial soup. This act is the fundamental secret of Earth-616: its very essence is imbued with the potential for superpowers, making it a unique cosmic incubator.
  *   **The Elder Gods and the Demogorge:** Life eventually emerged, and with it, the **Elder Gods**, mystical beings of immense power born from the planet's nascent consciousness, Gaea. Key figures included [[chthon]] (Lord of Chaos Magic), [[set]] (the Serpent God), and Gaea herself (the spirit of Earth). Their conflicts threatened to destroy the planet. In response, Gaea birthed **Atum**, who became the **Demogorge**, a being who consumed the corrupt Elder Gods, absorbing their energy. Chthon and Set managed to escape to other dimensions, but their influence would forever taint the Earth, with Chthon's dark magic being recorded on the indestructible pages of the [[darkhold]].
  *   **The Celestial Hosts:** Approximately one million years ago, the [[celestials]] arrived on Earth for the first of four "Hosts." They discovered the nascent humanoids and, seeing the potential seeded by the Progenitor, began their great experiments.
  *  They created two offshoot races from humanity: the aesthetically perfect and cosmically-powered **[[eternals]]**, and the genetically unstable and physically monstrous **[[deviants]]**.
  *  They also subtly altered the genetic code of baseline humanity, implanting a latent "X-Gene" that, under specific stimuli, would activate and grant superhuman abilities, leading to the eventual emergence of **[[mutants]]**.
  *   **Age of Empires and Cataclysms:** The subsequent millennia saw the rise and fall of great civilizations. The Deviants built a vast, technologically advanced empire that dominated the planet. The advanced humans of **Atlantis** and the Deviant-worshipping humans of **Lemuria** waged war. This age ended 18,000 years ago when the Second Celestial Host arrived to judge their creations. The arrogant Deviants fired upon the Celestials, who retaliated by sinking the Deviant empire, Atlantis, and Lemuria in an event known as the **Great Cataclysm**, reshaping the face of the planet.
  *   **Modern Era:** From this point, the history of Earth-616 begins to more closely resemble our own, albeit populated by hidden societies ([[wakanda]], the Inhumans of Attilan), ancient evils (demons, vampires), and the slow re-emergence of super-powered beings, culminating in the "Age of Marvels" that began with the appearance of the [[fantastic_four]].
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
The MCU's (designated as **Earth-199999**) history is more streamlined, focusing on elements directly relevant to its overarching cinematic narrative. The core concept of Earth as a cosmic incubator, however, remains central.
  *   **The Celestials and the Emergence:** As revealed in //Eternals//, the history of the MCU Earth is also intrinsically linked to the [[celestials]]. The Celestial **Arishem the Judge** planted a Celestial seed, **Tiamut**, within the planet's core millions of years ago. Earth was chosen to serve as a cosmic incubator. The planet's energy, derived from its evolving sentient life, would nurture the seed until it had enough power to hatch in an event called the "Emergence," which would result in the planet's complete destruction.
  *   **Eternals and Deviants:** To protect the growing human population from the predatory [[deviants]] (who were an earlier, flawed creation of the Celestials designed to clear planets of apex predators), Arishem sent the [[eternals]] to Earth around 5,000 BC. The Eternals were synthetic beings with programmed memories, tasked with defending humanity to ensure its population could grow large enough to power Tiamut's birth. They were instructed not to interfere in human conflicts unless Deviants were involved. This explains their absence during major events like the Chitauri invasion or Thanos's attack.
  *   **Infinity Stone Legacy:** The [[infinity_stones]] played a crucial role in Earth's history long before humanity's rise.
  *  The **Space Stone** (Tesseract) was hidden on Earth in Tønsberg, Norway, and guarded by Asgardians before being found by [[hydra]]'s [[red_skull]].
  *  The **Time Stone** (Eye of Agamotto) was protected by the Masters of the Mystic Arts, led by the [[sorcerer_supreme]], for generations.
  *  The **Mind Stone** was housed within Loki's scepter and was instrumental in the creation of both [[ultron]] and the [[vision]].
  *  The **Reality Stone** (Aether) was temporarily brought to Earth during the Convergence in London.
  *  The presence of multiple Infinity Stones on a single, relatively primitive world made Earth a significant, if unwitting, player on the cosmic stage long before its heroes emerged.
  *   **Alien Intervention and the Heroic Age:** Unlike the comics' deep history of Kree experimentation, the MCU's primary Kree interaction with humanity comes much later, involving [[captain_marvel|Carol Danvers]] in the 1990s. The modern "Heroic Age" begins with Tony Stark's creation of the [[iron_man]] armor, followed swiftly by the emergence of [[hulk]], [[thor]]'s arrival, and [[captain_america]]'s discovery. The **Battle of New York** (2012) was Earth's explosive introduction to the wider galactic community, confirming its status as a planet worthy of both protection and conquest.
===== Part 3: Composition, Key Locations & Significance =====
The geography and geology of Marvel's Earth are fundamentally different from our own, infused with impossible energies, unique materials, and hidden realms that make it a scientific and strategic marvel.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
==== Unique Materials and Phenomena ====
  * **[[vibranium]]:** A rare meteoric ore with the ability to absorb all vibrations and kinetic energy. The largest deposit on Earth is found in the African nation of [[wakanda]], forming a massive mountain called the **Great Mound**. This has allowed Wakanda to become the most technologically advanced nation on the planet. A different, "anti-metal" variant found in the [[savage_land]] can liquefy other metals. **What is Captain America's shield made of?** In the comics, his iconic shield is a unique proto-adamantium/vibranium alloy, making it virtually indestructible and capable of absorbing immense impacts.
  * **[[adamantium]]:** A man-made, artificial alloy created by Dr. Myron MacLain in an attempt to replicate the unique alloy of Captain America's shield. Once molten Adamantium is cooled, its molecular structure is so stable that it is, for all intents and purposes, completely indestructible. The process of bonding it to [[wolverine]]'s skeleton is a prime example of its application.
  * **The Savage Land:** A prehistoric tropical preserve hidden in Antarctica, artificially maintained by alien technology. It is home to dinosaurs, primitive tribes, and unique flora and fauna. It exists as a pocket of the world untouched by time, a result of the alien Nuwali creating it for the Beyonders.
  * **The Earth's Magical Aura:** Earth possesses a powerful, ambient magical energy field, which is why it has produced so many powerful magic-users and is home to multiple nexuses of reality. The position of **[[sorcerer_supreme]]**, held for many years by [[doctor_strange]], is dedicated to protecting this specific dimension from mystical threats.
==== Key Geopolitical Locations ====
  * **New York City:** The undisputed global epicenter of superhuman activity. Home to the [[avengers]] Mansion/Tower, the [[fantastic_four]]'s Baxter Building, [[doctor_strange]]'s Sanctum Sanctorum, and the Daily Bugle. It has been the primary battleground for countless alien invasions, demonic incursions, and super-villain attacks.
  * **[[wakanda]]:** An isolationist and technologically superior African nation. Built upon the Great Mound of Vibranium, it has never been conquered. Ruled by its king, the [[black_panther]], Wakanda's technology far surpasses the rest of the world's, featuring advanced energy weapons, cloaking technology, and medical science.
  * **[[latveria]]:** A small Eastern European nation ruled with an iron fist by the brilliant and tyrannical **[[doctor_doom]]**. Despite its small size, Latveria is a world power due to Doom's genius in both science and sorcery. Its citizens enjoy a high standard of living without crime, but at the cost of all personal freedom.
  * **Atlantis:** An undersea kingdom populated by the amphibious //Homo mermanus//. Ruled by its volatile monarch, [[namor_the_sub-mariner|Namor]], Atlantis has a long and troubled history with the surface world, often vacillating between being a reluctant ally and a declared enemy.
  * **The Blue Area of the Moon:** An artificial, self-sustaining environment on Earth's Moon, created by the alien [[skrulls]] millions of years ago as a strategic outpost. It was later inhabited by [[the_watcher|Uatu the Watcher]] and served as the home for the [[inhumans]] and their city of Attilan for a significant period.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
==== Unique Materials and Phenomena ====
  * **Vibranium:** As in the comics, Vibranium is a meteoric element with immense energy-absorbing properties. All of the world's known Vibranium originated from a single massive meteor that crashed in Africa, creating [[wakanda]]. Its applications are extensive, used in everything from the Black Panther suit and [[captain_america]]'s shield to Wakandan city infrastructure and Ultron's final body.
  * **Pym Particles:** A rare group of subatomic particles discovered by Dr. [[hank_pym]] that can alter the size and mass of objects and living beings. The science behind them is a closely guarded secret and forms the basis for the [[ant-man]] and Wasp technologies.
  * **Extremis:** A nanotech-based super-soldier serum created by Maya Hansen and Aldrich Killian. It rewrites a subject's DNA, granting them a powerful healing factor, enhanced strength, and the ability to generate intense heat. However, it is highly unstable and can cause subjects to violently explode.
==== Key Geopolitical Locations ====
  * **New York City:** Like its comic counterpart, the MCU's NYC is a central hub for hero activity, home to the Avengers Tower and the Sanctum Sanctorum. It was the site of the devastating **Battle of New York**, a globally traumatic event that ushered in the modern age of heroes and villains.
  * **[[wakanda]]:** Initially presenting itself to the world as a poor, third-world nation, Wakanda was secretly the most advanced civilization on Earth, powered by Vibranium. Under King [[t'challa]], it opened its borders to the world, sharing its technology and becoming a major global player. It served as a key battlefield during the war against [[thanos]].
  * **Sokovia:** A fictional Eastern European country that was the site of significant events. It was the base of a [[hydra]] cell led by Baron von Strucker, the birthplace of Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, and the location of [[ultron]]'s final, devastating plan to create an extinction-level event by lifting its capital city into the atmosphere. The "Sokovia Accords," a UN framework for regulating superheroes, were named after this tragedy.
  * **Asgardian Settlements:** Following the destruction of Asgard during Ragnarok, the surviving Asgardians, led by [[thor]] and Valkyrie, established **New Asgard** in Tønsberg, Norway, turning a quiet fishing village into a thriving hub for both humans and the remnants of their cosmic civilization.
===== Part 4: Planetary Protectors & Cosmic Interactions =====
Earth's unique status as a cosmic crucible has necessitated the rise of powerful defenders and attracted the attention of the universe's most dangerous forces.
==== Core Protectors ====
  * **[[the_avengers|The Avengers]]:** Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Formed to face threats that no single hero could withstand, the Avengers are the planet's primary defense force against large-scale threats, from alien invasions to world-ending schemes by super-villains. Their roster is fluid but consistently includes some of Earth's most powerful and iconic heroes like [[captain_america]], [[iron_man]], and [[thor]].
  * **[[the_fantastic_four|The Fantastic Four]]:** More than a super-team, they are a family of adventurers and explorers. Led by the super-genius [[reed_richards|Reed Richards]], they are often Earth's first line of defense against cosmic and extra-dimensional threats. They deal with beings like [[galactus]] and threats from the Negative Zone, pushing the boundaries of science and discovery while protecting their home.
  * **[[the_x-men|The X-Men]]:** A team of [[mutants]] founded by [[professor_x|Professor Charles Xavier]]. While their primary mission is to fight for a world that fears and hates them and to protect mutantkind, they have saved the entire planet on countless occasions from both mutant and non-mutant threats, such as Apocalypse and the Brood.
  * **The Sorcerer Supreme:** A single individual, most famously [[doctor_strange]], charged with defending the Earthly dimension from all mystical threats. They wield the Eye of Agamotto and draw power from various mystical entities to combat demons, dark gods, and extra-dimensional invaders like [[dormammu]].
==== Major Threats ====
  * **[[galactus]]:** The Devourer of Worlds. A cosmic being of immense power who consumes the life energy of planets to survive. Earth is particularly attractive to him due to its rich energies. He has attempted to consume Earth on multiple occasions, only to be repelled by the combined efforts of the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and his own herald, the [[silver_surfer]], who turned against him to save humanity.
  * **[[thanos]]:** The Mad Titan. Obsessed with the abstract entity of Death, Thanos has sought to extinguish half of all life in the universe multiple times, viewing Earth's heroes as a primary obstacle. His quest for the [[infinity_gauntlet]] (comics) and Infinity Stones (MCU) has led to some of the most devastating conflicts the planet has ever faced.
  * **The [[skrulls]]:** A shapeshifting alien empire. Following the destruction of their throneworld by Galactus, a radical faction of Skrulls initiated a long-term, clandestine "Secret Invasion" of Earth, replacing key heroes, politicians, and officials with Skrull sleeper agents in an attempt to conquer the planet from within.
  * **[[doctor_doom]]:** While a terrestrial threat, Victor von Doom's ambition is limitless. He has frequently attempted to conquer the world, not out of simple greed, but from an arrogant conviction that only he is fit to rule humanity and guide it to its full potential. His mastery of both science and magic makes him one of the planet's most persistent and dangerous antagonists.
==== Cosmic Standing ====
Earth is viewed by the greater galactic community with a mixture of fear, awe, and contempt. To empires like the [[kree]] and the [[shi'ar]], Earth is a primitive, chaotic backwater ("C-53" in the MCU) that somehow produces beings of godlike power. This "Terran" potential makes Earth a wild card in cosmic politics. The planet has been placed under galactic quarantine, targeted for demolition (as in //The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy//, which is a Marvel comic!), and has served as a proxy battlefield for intergalactic wars. However, the repeated success of its heroes in repelling cosmic-level threats has also earned it a grudging respect, establishing a reputation as a planet that punches far above its weight class.
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
These are storylines where the fate of the entire planet hung in the balance, forever altering its status in the universe.
==== The Coming of Galactus (Fantastic Four #48-50) ====
This seminal Silver Age story by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby established Earth's place in the wider Marvel cosmos. The cosmic entity [[galactus]] arrives with the intent of consuming the planet, preceded by his herald, the [[silver_surfer]]. The [[fantastic_four]] are hopelessly outmatched. The conflict is resolved not through brute force, but through ingenuity and morality. [[the_watcher|Uatu]], sworn only to observe, is forced to intervene, and Johnny Storm is sent to retrieve the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon that can erase reality itself. The Silver Surfer, moved by the nobility of Alicia Masters, turns on his master, and Reed Richards uses the threat of the Nullifier to force Galactus to spare Earth, though he exiles the Surfer to the planet as punishment. This event announced that Earth was no longer a planetary concern, but a cosmic one.
==== Secret Invasion (2008) ====
This event was the culmination of years of paranoia and mistrust within the hero community. It was revealed that the shapeshifting [[skrulls]] had been systematically kidnapping and replacing key figures across Earth for years. Heroes, villains, and government agents were all revealed to be Skrull imposters. The invasion capitalized on the fractured state of the hero community following the [[civil_war_event|Civil War]]. The final battle in Central Park saw a massive united front of heroes and villains fighting to reclaim their planet. The event's aftermath was profound: Norman Osborn, by firing the killing shot on the Skrull Queen, was hailed as a global hero, leading to his takeover of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the beginning of the "Dark Reign." It proved that Earth's greatest vulnerability was not its technology or power, but its social cohesion.
==== Infinity Gauntlet (1991) ====
The quintessential cosmic Marvel event. [[thanos]] of Titan acquires all six Infinity Gems and assembles the [[infinity_gauntlet]], granting him absolute mastery over reality, time, space, mind, soul, and power. To court his love, Mistress Death, he performs a simple cosmic "snap," instantly erasing half of all living beings in the universe, including trillions on Earth. Earth's surviving heroes, led by [[adam_warlock]], mount a desperate, doomed assault on Thanos. The battle is a massacre, with heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor being effortlessly dispatched. Ultimately, Thanos is defeated not by power, but by his own hubris and subconscious desire to lose, allowing his granddaughter [[nebula]] to seize the Gauntlet from him. The event underscored Earth's role as the heart of the resistance against cosmic tyranny, even in the face of omnipotence.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
The Multiverse is filled with infinite variations of Earth, each exploring a different path for the planet and its heroes.
  * **Earth-1610 (The Ultimate Universe):** A modernized reimagining of the Marvel Universe launched in 2000. This Earth was younger, grittier, and more cynical. Its heroes were often less experienced and its public more distrustful. S.H.I.E.L.D., under Nick Fury, played a much larger and more manipulative role in the creation and management of superhumans. This Earth faced its own version of Galactus (Gah Lak Tus, a swarm of city-sized robots) and was ultimately destroyed during the 2015 //Secret Wars// event after a final, catastrophic incursion with Earth-616.
  * **Earth-295 (Age of Apocalypse):** A dark, twisted reality created when Professor X's son, Legion, traveled back in time and accidentally killed his father before he could form the X-Men. As a result, the ancient mutant [[apocalypse]] rose to power unopposed, conquering North America and instituting a brutal regime based on survival of the fittest. On this Earth, Magneto led the X-Men in a desperate resistance against a seemingly invincible foe. It is a world defined by perpetual war and oppression.
  * **Earth-928 (Marvel 2099):** A possible future timeline set in the year 2099. This Earth is a cyberpunk dystopia dominated by mega-corporations like Alchemax. Most of the original heroes are long-dead legends. New heroes, inspired by the originals, rise to fight the corporate oppression, including [[spider-man_2099]] (Miguel O'Hara), Ghost Rider 2099, and a new Punisher. This Earth explores themes of corporate greed, genetic engineering, and the enduring power of heroic legacies.
  * **Earth-838 (MCU's //Multiverse of Madness//):** A reality visited by Doctor Strange where the superhero community successfully defeated Thanos without suffering a "blip." This Earth is protected by **The Illuminati**, a council of powerful heroes including Captain Carter, Captain Marvel (Maria Rambeau), Black Bolt, Mister Fantastic, and Professor X. Their world is clean, futuristic, and seemingly utopian, but this order was achieved through ruthless decisions, such as executing their own Doctor Strange for endangering reality. This serves as a stark contrast to Earth-199999, highlighting the moral compromises that can come with absolute security.
===== See Also =====
  * [[earth-616]]
  * [[marvel_cinematic_universe]]
  * [[celestials]]
  * [[vibranium]]
  * [[the_avengers|The Avengers]]
  * [[the_fantastic_four|The Fantastic Four]]
  * [[wakanda]]
  * [[galactus]]
  * [[thanos]]
===== Notes and Trivia =====
((The designation "Earth-616" was first used in the UK-based ''Daredevils'' #7 (1983) by Alan Moore and Alan Davis. It was intended as a somewhat arbitrary and unremarkable number to push back against the "Earth-1" or "Earth-Prime" naming conventions of other publishers.))
((In the MCU, Earth is designated as "Earth-199999" in the official ''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z, vol. 5''. Within the films themselves, it is often referred to by other civilizations as "Terra" or simply by its catalog number, such as Midgard by the Asgardians or C-53 by the Kree.))
((The concept of the "Nexus of All Realities" is a specific location on Earth-616, located in the Florida Everglades and guarded by the [[man-thing]]. This dimensional gateway makes Earth a literal crossroads for the entire Multiverse.))
((While many fictional cities exist in the DC Universe, Marvel's conscious choice to set its primary stories in a real-world city like New York was a defining feature of the "Marvel Age of Comics" and is credited with creating a more grounded and relatable universe.))
((The Great Cataclysm, which sank Atlantis, was so severe that it is cited as the event that ended the Hyborian Age, the fictional prehistoric era of Conan the Barbarian. This subtly connects the Conan stories, which Marvel was publishing at the time, to the mainstream Marvel Universe history.))