====== The Nine Realms ======
===== Part 1: The Dossier: An At-a-Glance Summary =====
  *   **Core Identity:** **The Nine Realms are the fundamental basis of Asgardian cosmology, a collection of distinct worlds or dimensions linked by the cosmic World Tree, Yggdrasil, that form the primary setting for the adventures of [[thor|Thor]] and the [[asgardians|Asgardians]].**
  *   **Key Takeaways:**
  * **Role in the Universe:** The Nine Realms constitute a unique "galaxy" of interconnected worlds, each with its own inhabitants, physical laws, and culture. They are a nexus of powerful magic, ancient conflicts, and cosmic beings, separate from the broader galactic empires like the [[kree|Kree]] or [[skrull|Skrulls]].
  * **Primary Impact:** The constant tension and warfare between the realms—such as the ancient conflict between [[asgard|Asgard]] and [[jotunheim|Jotunheim]]—serve as a primary driver for Marvel's mythological storylines. Events within one realm, particularly the prophecies of [[ragnarok|Ragnarok]], can threaten the existence of all others.
  * **Key Incarnations:** The most critical difference lies in their physical nature. In the [[earth-616|Earth-616 comics]], the realms are distinct dimensions layered upon one another. In the [[marvel_cinematic_universe|Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)]], they are depicted as physical planets located within the same region of space, connected by cosmic pathways.
===== Part 2: Origin and Evolution =====
==== Publication History and Creation ====
The concept of the Nine Realms was introduced alongside Thor himself in Marvel Comics, first appearing in //Journey into Mystery #83// in August 1962. Created by writer-editor [[stan_lee|Stan Lee]], scripter [[larry_lieber|Larry Lieber]], and penciller-plotter [[jack_kirby|Jack Kirby]], the realms were a direct adaptation of the nine worlds of Norse mythology. This mythological foundation provided a rich, pre-packaged universe for Kirby's cosmic imagination and Lee's dramatic storytelling.
Kirby's art defined the initial visual language of the realms, particularly Asgard, with its gleaming spires and the iconic [[bifrost_bridge|Bifrost Bridge]]. The other realms were fleshed out over decades, with creators like Walt Simonson, during his legendary run on //The Mighty Thor// in the 1980s, providing definitive depictions of realms like [[muspelheim|Muspelheim]] and its ruler, [[surtur|Surtur]]. This ongoing world-building transformed the Nine Realms from a simple fantasy backdrop into a complex and integral part of the Marvel Universe's cosmic tapestry.
==== In-Universe Origin Story ====
The in-universe history of the Nine Realms is a saga of creation, conflict, and cosmic cycles, with significant differences between the comic and cinematic universes.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
In the prime comic continuity, the Nine Realms are not planets in the conventional sense but are separate dimensions, each a distinct universe with its own physical laws, often appearing as flat, planetoid-like bodies floating in their own dimensional space. They are all connected and held in cosmological balance by the mystical energy of the World Tree, **Yggdrasil**.
The origins of this structure are tied to the primordial entity known as the **First Cosmos** and the subsequent cycles of universal death and rebirth. The current iteration of the realms was shaped by the actions of [[odin|Odin]] and his brothers, Vili and Ve. At the dawn of time, they battled the fire demon Surtur, who sought to burn the branches of Yggdrasil and bring an end to all things. After imprisoning Surtur in Muspelheim, Odin established Asgard as the nexus and guardian of the Nine Realms, forging a tenuous peace through conquest and diplomacy.
A critical aspect of the comic universe's Nine Realms is the concept of **Ragnarok**. This is not a single event but a recurring cycle of death and rebirth that the Asgardians are fated to endure. Odin has spent millennia attempting to break this cycle, which has seen Asgard and its inhabitants destroyed and reborn countless times, often with slight variations. This cyclical nature is a fundamental truth of their existence, a stark contrast to the more linear timeline of the MCU.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
The MCU presents a more scientifically grounded, though still fantastical, version of the Nine Realms. As explained by Thor to [[jane_foster|Jane Foster]] in //Thor// (2011), the realms are nine distinct worlds located in a relatively close, gravitationally-linked cluster in space. They are not dimensions but actual planets. Yggdrasil is not a literal tree but a cosmic constellation or a map of the wormhole-like pathways that connect these worlds.
The primary means of travel between them is the Bifrost Bridge, an advanced piece of Asgardian technology that generates a powerful Einstein-Rosen bridge. Another natural phenomenon, the **Convergence**, occurs every 5,000 years when the nine worlds move into perfect alignment, causing the fabric of reality to weaken and creating temporary, unstable portals between them. This event was the central plot point of //Thor: The Dark World// (2013).
Odin's history in the MCU is presented not as a shaper of dimensions but as a conqueror who brought an end to an age of chaos. He and his firstborn, [[hela|Hela]], waged a bloody war across the realms to establish Asgardian dominance. After Hela's ambition grew too dark, Odin banished her and rewrote history, casting himself as a benevolent protector. His unification of the Nine Realms was an act of galactic empire-building, designed to enforce peace, a peace that began to crumble upon his death. Unlike the comics, the MCU's Ragnarok was presented as a singular, prophesied event that resulted in the complete destruction of the planet Asgard, not a recurring cycle.
===== Part 3: The Realms Themselves: A Detailed Atlas =====
The Nine Realms are the heart of the Asgardian world. While the list of nine has been generally consistent, the addition of a tenth realm in the comics has expanded the cosmology.
==== 1. Asgard ====
The pinnacle of the Nine Realms, home to the [[asgardians|Asgardians]] (the Aesir). It is the realm of gods, honor, and eternal battle.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Asgard is a flat, asteroid-like landmass floating in its own dimension. It is not a sphere and does not rotate; a day-night cycle is mystically maintained. It is divided into several cantons, including the main continent where the city of Asgard—with its golden halls like Valhalla and Odin's throne room—resides. It is connected to Midgard by the rainbow-colored Bifrost Bridge. After being destroyed during Ragnarok, it was resurrected by Thor and floated for a time over Broxton, Oklahoma, before being destroyed again during the //Siege// event. The Asgardians now reside in **Asgardia**, a new city built from the remnants.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
In the MCU, Asgard was a large, habitable world, visually similar to the comics' floating landmass but treated as a planetoid. It was the center of a vast and technologically advanced civilization that presented its science as magic to less developed worlds like Earth. Key locations included Odin's Throne Room, the Vault containing powerful artifacts like the Casket of Ancient Winters and the Tesseract (in the past), and Heimdall's Observatory, which housed the Bifrost. The planet itself was completely destroyed by Surtur at the climax of //Thor: Ragnarok// (2017) to defeat Hela. The surviving Asgardians relocated to Earth, establishing **New Asgard** in Tønsberg, Norway.
==== 2. Midgard ====
Our world. The human realm.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Midgard is Earth, specifically designated **Earth-616**. It is considered one of the most important and fiercely protected realms by Asgard due to Odin's ancient love for its fledgling human race and Thor's deep affection for its people. Asgardian influence is woven throughout its history, with many ancient myths being direct, if distorted, accounts of Asgardian activities.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
Similarly, Midgard is Earth, designated **Earth-199999**. It holds a place of special importance to the Asgardians. The Battle of New York in //The Avengers// (2012), orchestrated by [[loki|Loki]] with the Chitauri, was a direct assault on Midgard that solidified its importance in cosmic affairs. Following the destruction of Asgard, Earth became the official new home for the Asgardian people, further cementing the bond between the two realms.
==== 3. Jotunheim ====
The desolate, frozen world of the Frost Giants.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Jotunheim is a land of eternal ice and snow, characterized by jagged mountains and frozen plains. It is a harsh, brutal environment that has shaped its inhabitants, the Frost Giants, into a warlike and resilient race. Their king, [[laufey|Laufey]], was a perennial foe of Odin. The realm is a place of immense elemental power, and the source of the Casket of Ancient Winters.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
Depicted in //Thor// (2011), Jotunheim is a dying, ice-covered planet in a state of perpetual twilight. Its civilization is in ruins following a devastating war with Asgard a millennium ago, which ended with Odin seizing the Casket of Ancient Winters, the Frost Giants' primary power source. It is the birthplace of Loki, who was abandoned by his father, King Laufey, and adopted by Odin.
==== 4. Svartalfheim ====
The Realm of the Dark Elves.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Svartalfheim is a gloomy, subterranean world of sprawling caverns, forests of giant fungi, and forges lit by strange energies. It is the home of the Dark Elves, masters of stealth, sorcery, and shapeshifting. Their leader is **Malekith the Accursed**, one of Thor's most persistent and cruel adversaries. The Dwarves of [[nidavellir|Nidavellir]] originally shared this dimension before it was split.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
As seen in //Thor: The Dark World//, Svartalfheim is a desolate, dark wasteland of jagged black rock and dust. It was ravaged in a war with Asgard thousands of years ago when the Dark Elves, led by Malekith, attempted to use the Aether (the Reality Stone) to unmake the universe. The Asgardian victory left the realm a ruin and the Dark Elves a nearly extinct race, forced into suspended animation for millennia.
==== 5. Nidavellir ====
The Realm of the Dwarves, master craftsmen of the cosmos.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Nidavellir is a distinct realm, a world of deep mines and incredible forges, where the Dwarves craft legendary weapons and artifacts. They are renowned throughout the cosmos for their skill, having forged Odin's spear [[gugnir|Gungnir]] and, most famously, Thor's hammer [[mjolnir|Mjolnir]] from the mystical metal **Uru**. Their king is Eitri.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
In the MCU, Nidavellir is not a planet but a neutron star, harnessed and encircled by a massive, forge-like Dyson sphere structure. This incredible stellar forge is where the Dwarves, led by Eitri, created Mjolnir. As revealed in //Avengers: Infinity War// (2018), [[thanos|Thanos]] forced the Dwarves to forge the Infinity Gauntlet and then slaughtered all but Eitri, destroying the forge mechanism and encasing the Dwarf's hands in metal. Thor, Rocket, and Groot later traveled there to relight the dying star and forge Thor's new weapon, **Stormbreaker**.
==== 6. Alfheim ====
The Realm of the Light Elves.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Alfheim is a dimension of breathtaking, pristine beauty, filled with lush forests, shimmering rivers, and perpetual sunlight. It is the home of the Light Elves, a noble, beautiful, and magically-gifted race who are typically allies of the Asgardians. While generally peaceful, they are formidable warriors when roused to battle.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
Alfheim is mentioned by Thor and seen briefly during the Convergence in //Thor: The Dark World//, appearing as a vibrant, bright world. Light Elves are seen fighting alongside the Asgardians during the prologue of the same film. Beyond these brief glimpses, it remains largely unexplored in the MCU.
==== 7. Vanaheim ====
The Realm of the Vanir, sister gods to the Asgardians.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Vanaheim is the home of the Vanir, a sister race of deities to the Aesir of Asgard. In ancient times, the Aesir and Vanir were at war, a conflict that ended with a truce and an exchange of hostages, which led to figures like Freyja and Freyr joining the Asgardians. Vanaheim is a verdant, wild world, and its people are considered masters of a different, more naturalistic form of magic than that of the Asir.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
Vanaheim is depicted in //Thor: The Dark World// as a forested world with medieval-style settlements. It was the site of a major battle where Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three helped quell an invasion by marauders, one of the final conflicts in the campaign to restore peace to the Nine Realms after the Bifrost's destruction. Hogun the Grim of the Warriors Three was a native of Vanaheim.
==== 8. Muspelheim ====
The Realm of Fire, home to the Fire Demons.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
Muspelheim is a fiery, volcanic hellscape, a dimension of eternal flame, rivers of lava, and soot-blackened skies. It is populated by Fire Demons and ruled by the colossal, apocalyptically powerful being known as Surtur. Surtur's destiny is to forge the **Twilight Sword** and bring about Ragnarok by burning all of existence, beginning with Asgard. The "Surtur Saga" from Walt Simonson's run is a defining storyline for this realm.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
Introduced in //Thor: Ragnarok//, Muspelheim is a volcanic realm filled with fire demons and dragons. Surtur rules from a throne in a vast cavern. The prophecy of Ragnarok in the MCU stated that Surtur could only destroy Asgard if his crown was reunited with the Eternal Flame in Odin's Vault. Thor initially defeats Surtur, but later deliberately resurrects him to fulfill the prophecy as the only way to defeat Hela.
==== 9. Niflheim & Hel ====
The Realms of the Dead.
=== Earth-616 (Prime Comic Universe) ===
In the comics, these are often distinct but related realms. **Niflheim** is a primordial realm of mist, cold, and darkness, the land of the dishonorable dead. Within Niflheim lies the sub-realm of **Hel**, ruled by [[hela|Hela]], the goddess of death (and in this continuity, Loki's daughter). Hel is specifically the destination for the souls of Asgardians who do not die gloriously in battle. Those who do are taken by the Valkyries to **Valhalla**, a separate paradisiacal region within the dimension of Asgard itself.
=== Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ===
The MCU largely conflates these concepts. **Hel** is mentioned as a realm Hela was banished to, but its nature is unclear. After her escape, the realm itself is not shown. Hela is established as Odin's firstborn daughter, not Loki's. **Valhalla** is confirmed to exist as an afterlife for worthy Asgardian warriors, as Jane Foster is shown arriving there in the post-credits scene of //Thor: Love and Thunder// (2022). Niflheim is not explicitly named or depicted.
===== Part 4: Key Concepts & Connections =====
==== Yggdrasil: The World Tree ====
Yggdrasil is the lynchpin of the entire cosmology, but its nature varies greatly.
  *   **Earth-616:** Yggdrasil is a literal, impossibly vast ash tree whose branches and roots connect the separate dimensions of the Nine Realms. It is a mystical axis mundi, a source of cosmic energy that nourishes and sustains the realms. Its health is directly tied to the health of the cosmos.
  *   **MCU:** Yggdrasil is a cosmic nebula or a map of interconnected wormhole routes that link the nine planetary bodies. It is a visual representation of the pathways the Bifrost can access, not a physical or metaphysical entity in itself.
==== The Bifrost Bridge ====
The primary method of travel between worlds.
  *   **Earth-616:** The Bifrost is a bridge made of pure, rainbow-colored light and energy. It is a permanent structure connecting the city of Asgard directly to a specific point on Midgard. Its guardian, [[heimdall|Heimdall]], can see and hear all that transpires in the Nine Realms and controls access to the bridge.
  *   **MCU:** The Bifrost is a powerful directed-energy weapon/teleportation device housed in Heimdall's Observatory. It generates a wormhole that can transport individuals or armies to any of the other eight realms almost instantaneously. It requires immense energy to operate and was shattered at the end of //Thor//, then later repaired using the power of the Tesseract.
==== Ragnarok: The Cycle of Destruction ====
The prophesied end of Asgard.
  *   **Earth-616:** Ragnarok is an inescapable, endlessly repeating loop of destruction and rebirth. "Those Who Sit Above in Shadow," celestial beings, feed off the energy of this cycle. Thor eventually breaks the cycle by allowing it to run its full course without interference, seemingly ending it for good and severing the power of the shadow gods.
  *   **MCU:** Ragnarok is a one-time prophecy foretelling the destruction of the place, Asgard, at the hands of Surtur. The prophecy is fulfilled, but it is reframed by Thor as a necessary step to save his people, stating "Asgard is not a place, it's a people." This interpretation allows for the survival of the Asgardian race beyond the destruction of their world.
===== Part 5: Iconic Events & Storylines =====
==== The Surtur Saga (The Mighty Thor #337-353) ====
Considered by many to be the greatest Thor story ever told, Walt Simonson's epic saw Malekith steal the Casket of Ancient Winters, unleashing chaos. The main threat, however, was Surtur, who forged the giant Twilight Sword and led the armies of Muspelheim in a direct assault on all Nine Realms, with the final battle taking place on Earth. The saga culminated in a titanic struggle where Odin, Thor, and Loki fought side-by-side to defeat Surtur, with Odin seemingly sacrificing himself to imprison the demon.
==== Siege (2010) ====
After the last Ragnarok cycle, Thor re-established Asgard in the skies above Broxton, Oklahoma. This made the realm a target for the then-director of H.A.M.M.E.R., [[norman_osborn|Norman Osborn]]. Osborn, using manipulated intelligence from Loki, launched a full-scale military invasion of Asgard, laying siege to the city with his Dark Avengers and H.A.M.M.E.R. forces. The event brought Earth's heroes, including [[captain_america|Captain America]] and [[iron_man|Iron Man]], to defend Asgard, and resulted in the city's complete destruction and the dissolution of Osborn's regime.
==== The Convergence (Thor: The Dark World) ====
This MCU-specific event is a cosmic alignment of the Nine Realms that happens every five thousand years. During the Convergence, the boundaries between the worlds weaken, creating random, temporary portals linking them. Jane Foster stumbled into one such portal, leading her to the hiding place of the Aether. Malekith sought to use the energy of the Convergence to amplify the Aether's power, allowing him to plunge all Nine Realms into eternal darkness from a nexus point in Greenwich, England.
===== Part 6: Variants and Alternative Versions =====
==== Heven: The Tenth Realm (Earth-616) ====
During the 2014 storyline //Original Sin//, a major retcon revealed the existence of a secret tenth realm: **Heven**, populated by a race of winged warriors known as Angels. It was revealed that during a war in the distant past, Odin and the Angels' queen had a daughter, **Aldrif**. When the queen was seemingly killed, Odin, in his grief, used his power to tear Heven from Yggdrasil and seal it away, erasing all memory of it from existence. Aldrif was thought lost but was secretly raised by the Angels as **Angela**, a fearsome warrior who would eventually learn her true Asgardian heritage.
==== Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610) ====
In the Ultimate Marvel Universe, the Asgardians were presented in a much more ambiguous light. For much of the continuity, it was unclear whether they were true gods or simply super-soldiers created by the European Defence Initiative using advanced technology and genetic engineering. Loki, in this universe, was Thor's evil half-brother who could warp reality. The "gods" were nearly all wiped out during the //Ultimatum// event when Loki led an army that destroyed Asgard, killing most of its inhabitants, including Thor.
==== The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes ====
This critically acclaimed animated series offered a faithful adaptation of the comic book Nine Realms. It featured a multi-episode arc where each of the Avengers was separated and transported to a different realm, forcing them to survive in hostile environments like Jotunheim and Svartalfheim while fighting to reunite. The series prominently featured classic concepts like the war with Surtur, Malekith's treachery, and the political tensions between Asgard and the other worlds.
===== See Also =====
  * [[thor]]
  * [[odin]]
  * [[loki]]
  * [[asgard]]
  * [[yggdrasil]]
  * [[ragnarok]]
  * [[heimdall]]
  * [[surtur]]
===== Notes and Trivia =====
((The Nine Realms are a direct adaptation of the nine worlds from Norse Mythology: Ásgarðr, Miðgarðr, Jötunheimr, Vanaheimr, Álfheimr, Svartálfaheimr, Niflheimr, Múspellsheimr, and Niðavellir.))
((Walt Simonson's run on //The Mighty Thor//, starting with issue #337, is widely considered the definitive source material for many of the realms, especially Muspelheim and Svartalfheim.))
((In the MCU, the realms are visualized in a celestial map within the //Yggdrasil// constellation. This map appears in Thor's journal in //Thor// and is shown in the Hall of Science on Asgard.))
((The concept of Nidavellir being a forge built around a neutron star in the MCU was a creative choice to explain the immense power needed to forge weapons like Mjolnir and Stormbreaker, blending science fiction with fantasy.))
((The reveal of Heven as a Tenth Realm in //Original Sin// (2014) was part of a larger corporate synergy event. The character of Angela was originally from Todd McFarlane's //Spawn// comics at Image Comics. After a legal battle, co-creator Neil Gaiman won the rights to the character and sold them to Marvel Comics, who then integrated her into the Marvel Universe as Thor's long-lost sister.))
((The MCU establishes that the Asgardians live for about 5,000 years, a departure from the comics where they are effectively immortal until they are killed in battle or stop eating the Golden Apples of Idunn.))