Valkyrie

• Core Identity: Valkyrie is the title held by the leader of the Valkyrior, Asgard's elite cadre of female warriors tasked with guiding the souls of worthy slain heroes to Valhalla, a role most famously embodied by Brunnhilde in the comics and a traumatized survivor turned king in the MCU.
• Key Takeaways:
• A Legacy Title: While Brunnhilde is the original and most famous Valkyrie, the mantle is a sacred duty that can be passed on. In modern comics, this role has been notably taken up by jane_foster after Brunnhilde's death, creating a complex legacy.
• A Tale of Two Origins: The comic book history of Valkyrie is a long and convoluted saga of mystical imprisonment, soul-swapping, and split personalities, primarily orchestrated by the villainous Amora the Enchantress. In stark contrast, the MCU version presents a streamlined but emotionally powerful backstory of a warrior broken by a catastrophic battle against hela, who must rediscover her heroic spirit.
• Keystone Defender: Across continuities, Valkyrie is a cornerstone of defense. In the comics, she was a founding and long-standing member of the legendary non-team, the_defenders. In the MCU, she becomes a crucial ally to thor, a general in the war against thanos, and ultimately the King of New Asgard, responsible for its people's safety and future.

Valkyrie's introduction to the Marvel Universe is one of the more complex publication histories of the Silver and Bronze Ages, marked by multiple proto-versions before the definitive character emerged. The first appearance of a character named “Valkyrie” was a disguise used by Amora the Enchantress in The Avengers #83 (December 1970), created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema. This version was a tool of manipulation, a false hero meant to sow discord among the Avengers. The true character of Brunnhilde, though not yet fully free, made her debut through a mortal host, Barbara Norris, in The Incredible Hulk #142 (August 1971), crafted by Roy Thomas and artist Herb Trimpe. However, the definitive origin story and the full establishment of Brunnhilde as a separate, heroic entity trapped by circumstance wouldn't be fully explored until Steve Englehart's tenure on The Defenders. Englehart, along with artist Sal Buscema, delved deep into the mystical predicament of Valkyrie, separating the consciousness of Brunnhilde from her mortal hosts and establishing her as a pillar of the team. This gradual and often confusing rollout, with different women bearing the Valkyrie persona, is a hallmark of her early comic history, reflecting the narrative complexity of the era.

The divergence between Valkyrie's comic book origin and her cinematic counterpart is one of the most significant adaptations in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reflecting different storytelling priorities. One is a sprawling mystical epic of identity and imprisonment, while the other is a focused, tragic backstory of loss and redemption.

The origin of Brunnhilde, the prime Valkyrie of Earth-616, is a saga of honor, betrayal, and centuries of spiritual imprisonment. Millennia ago, odin, the All-Father of Asgard, selected Brunnhilde from a host of Asgard's finest female warriors to lead the Valkyrior. Their sacred charge was to ride across the battlefields of mortals and gods alike, observe combatants, and choose the souls of the worthiest slain warriors—the Einherjar—to escort them to the halls of Valhalla, where they would feast and prepare for Ragnarok. Brunnhilde served this duty with unparalleled ferocity and honor for centuries. Her life took a tragic turn when she defied Odin's orders in a matter involving the mortal hero Siegmund. As punishment, Odin stripped her of her powers and immortality, casting her into a mystical slumber. She was eventually awakened by Siegfried (a mortal incarnation of Thor with amnesia) and they fell in love. Tragically, Siegfried was manipulated and murdered, and a grief-stricken Brunnhilde, still mortal, took her own life to join him on his funeral pyre. Odin, moved by their love and sacrifice, restored them both to life in Asgard, erasing their painful memories but preserving their warrior spirits. However, Brunnhilde's ordeal was far from over. She became a pawn in the schemes of Amora the Enchantress. During one of Amora's attacks on Asgard, Brunnhilde intervened. The Enchantress defeated her and trapped her soul within a mystical crystal, the Soul Crystal. For centuries, Amora would periodically grant the power and a semblance of the personality of Valkyrie to her own chosen pawns, most notably Samantha Parrington, who fought the Hulk. The most significant chapter of her imprisonment began when the Enchantress transferred Brunnhilde's spirit and powers into the body of a mortal woman, Barbara Norris, who had been driven mad by mystical forces. This “Valkyrie” joined the newly formed Defenders, fighting alongside doctor_strange, the hulk, and the Namor. For a long time, the heroes believed Barbara was Valkyrie. However, Brunnhilde's consciousness was a passenger, slowly gaining more control and struggling against both the Enchantress's influence and the fractured psyche of her host. This internal conflict defined her early tenure with the team. After a long and arduous journey involving battles against cosmic threats and demons, Doctor Strange finally performed a ritual that separated Brunnhilde from Barbara's body and restored her to her own true Asgardian form. Finally free, with her memories and identity intact, Brunnhilde chose to remain on Earth with her friends in the Defenders, a team she considered her family, and became one of its most dedicated and powerful members.

The MCU's Valkyrie (whose name is revealed to be Brunnhilde in promotional material but is rarely used on-screen) has a vastly different and more streamlined origin, rooted in a single, cataclysmic event. She was a member of the legendary Valkyrie, an elite force of Asgardian female warriors sworn to protect the throne. As shown in a flashback in Thor: Ragnarok, their greatest test came when Odin's firstborn, Hela, the Goddess of Death, turned against him and sought to seize power. Odin dispatched the entire legion of Valkyrie to confront Hela and force her back to her prison in Hel. The battle was a massacre. The Valkyries, despite their incredible skill and winged steeds, were no match for Hela's raw power and her ability to manifest necro-blades from thin air. Hela slaughtered them all in a brutal aerial assault. Brunnhilde only survived because another warrior sacrificed herself to save her. Haunted by the memory of her fallen sisters and utterly disillusioned with the Asgardian throne and its conflicts, she abandoned her post and her identity. She fled Asgard and established a new life as a bounty hunter, or “scrapper,” on the chaotic, trash-filled planet of Sakaar, operating under the designation “Scrapper 142.” To cope with her immense trauma and guilt, she turned to alcoholism, adopting a cynical, self-serving persona to mask her deep-seated pain. It was in this state that she captured a recently arrived Thor and sold him to the Grandmaster. Her journey of redemption began when Thor confronted her with her past and the impending threat of Hela, who had escaped her prison and conquered Asgard. Initially reluctant, the memories of her duty and the sight of Hela's tyranny reawakened her heroic spirit. She forsook her exile, reclaimed her title, and joined Thor and Bruce Banner in escaping Sakaar. She fought valiantly in the final battle on the Rainbow Bridge, helping to evacuate the Asgardian people. Following the destruction of Asgard and the subsequent journey to Earth, she stood with the survivors, ultimately becoming the appointed King of New Asgard by Thor, leading her people into a new era of peace and prosperity on Earth.

While both the comic and cinematic versions of Valkyrie are elite Asgardian warriors, their specific powers, tools, and characterizations differ significantly.

• Abilities:
• Asgardian Physiology: As an Asgardian, Brunnhilde possesses superhuman strength (capable of lifting approximately 45 tons), speed, stamina, and durability far exceeding that of a human. Her body is several times denser, making her highly resistant to physical injury.
• Immortality/Longevity: Like all Asgardians, she is not truly immortal but ages at an extremely slow rate and is immune to all terrestrial diseases.
• The Death-Glow: Her most unique and defining mystical ability is the power to perceive a “death-glow” surrounding a person who is in mortal danger. This allows her to foresee their imminent demise, though she cannot always discern the exact cause or time. This ability is central to her role in choosing the Einherjar.
• Soul Transport: As the leader of the Valkyrior, she can transport herself and a dying or dead soul from one plane of existence to another, typically from the mortal realm to Valhalla.
• Master Combatant: Brunnhilde is arguably one of the finest sword-wielders in all of Asgard, second perhaps only to Sif. Her combat prowess extends to hand-to-hand combat and the use of various other Asgardian weapons. Her centuries of experience make her a masterful tactician.
• Equipment:
• Dragonfang: Her primary weapon is the enchanted sword, Dragonfang. Carved from the tusk of a mythical dragon, this virtually indestructible blade was once owned by Doctor Strange's ancient mentor, the Ancient One, who later gifted it to his lover, Clea. Doctor Strange eventually bestowed the blade upon Valkyrie, and it has been her signature weapon ever since.
• Unnamed Enchanted Spear: She also frequently wields a powerful enchanted iron spear.
• Aragorn: Valkyrie's loyal steed is a mystical winged horse named Aragorn. Originally belonging to the Dane Whitman version of the Black Knight, the horse was gifted to Valkyrie. Aragorn is incredibly strong, durable, and capable of flight through both Earth's atmosphere and the vacuum of space.
• Personality:
• Brunnhilde is the archetypal Asgardian shield-maiden: noble, proud, and fiercely loyal. She is defined by a powerful sense of honor and duty, often to a fault. Her long imprisonment by the Enchantress has left her with deep psychological scars, making her initially wary and sometimes cold, but her core heroism and compassion always shine through. She is a steadfast friend and an utterly relentless foe.

• Abilities:
• Asgardian Physiology: Her physical abilities are on par with her comic counterpart, showcasing immense strength (easily overpowering Loki), durability (surviving large falls and intense battles), and longevity (being ancient but appearing youthful).
• Elite Combat Prowess: The MCU heavily emphasizes her raw fighting skill. She is shown as a supreme combatant, able to take on multiple opponents, including Hela's undead warriors and the Outriders of Thanos's army. Her fighting style is pragmatic and brutal, incorporating knives, swords, and advanced alien weaponry.
• Expert Pilot: Her time on Sakaar made her an expert pilot, capable of masterfully flying Sakaaran spacecraft like the Warsong.
• Equipment:
• Valkyrie Armor: She wears the traditional silver and blue armor of the Asgardian Valkyries, which provides significant protection in battle.
• Dragonfang: She wields a sword that she refers to as Dragonfang. While sharing the name, this MCU version appears to be her standard-issue Valkyrie blade rather than the specific mystical artifact from the comics. It is incredibly durable and sharp.
• Varkyrian Gauntlets: Her gauntlets contain retractable daggers, which she uses effectively in close-quarters combat.
• Winged Steed: She is eventually reunited with a winged steed, an Aragorn, which she rides into the final battle in Avengers: Endgame.
• Zeus's Thunderbolt: In Thor: Love and Thunder, she temporarily wields zeus's master weapon, the Thunderbolt, demonstrating her worthiness to handle a weapon of immense power.
• Personality:
• The MCU's Valkyrie begins as a deeply broken and cynical individual. She uses alcohol and a detached, sarcastic attitude to bury the profound trauma and survivor's guilt from Hela's massacre. Her character arc is one of healing and rediscovery. Through her alliance with Thor, she slowly sheds her self-imposed exile and rediscovers the noble warrior within. As King of New Asgard, she becomes a responsible, capable, and slightly world-weary leader, but with her fire and wit fully intact. She is more pragmatic and less formal than her comic counterpart, but possesses the same unshakeable courage when it matters most.

• Thor Odinson: In Earth-616, Thor and Valkyrie are peers and long-time comrades-in-arms. Their relationship is one of deep mutual respect, forged in countless battles for Asgard. There have been hints of romantic tension, particularly during her time in mortal hosts, but they are primarily steadfast allies. In the MCU, their relationship is the core of her character development. They meet as adversaries, but quickly bond over their shared Asgardian heritage and loss. They develop a powerful friendship built on trust, witty banter, and unwavering support, culminating in Thor entrusting her with the kingship of his entire people.
• The Defenders (Earth-616): Valkyrie is not just a member of the Defenders; she is, in many ways, its heart. As one of the earliest and longest-serving members, she provided a grounding, warrior's perspective to a team of cosmic-powered outcasts. Her friendships with Doctor Strange, Nighthawk, Hellcat, and even the often-unpredictable Hulk, were foundational to the team's dynamic. They were the family who helped her reclaim her identity, and she was their unwavering shield.
• Jane Foster: The connection between Brunnhilde and Jane Foster is a recent but profoundly important development in the comics. After Brunnhilde was killed in the War of the Realms crossover, the broken pieces of Mjolnir from an alternate reality bonded with Jane, transforming her into the new Valkyrie. Jane now wields the shapeshifting weapon Undrjarn and is guided by the spirit of Brunnhilde and the other fallen Valkyries. In the MCU, their interaction is brief but significant in Thor: Love and Thunder, where they bond as fellow warriors facing a god-killing threat.

• Amora the Enchantress (Earth-616): The Enchantress is, without question, Valkyrie's arch-nemesis. It was Amora's jealousy and cruelty that led to Brunnhilde's centuries-long spiritual imprisonment. Amora not only stole Brunnhilde's freedom but also her identity, warping her persona for selfish ends and trapping her in the bodies of mortals. Every moment of Valkyrie's confusion and suffering in her early appearances can be traced back to the Enchantress, making their conflict deeply personal and bitter.
• Hela (MCU): While Hela is primarily Thor's antagonist in Ragnarok, she is the source of all of Valkyrie's trauma and the defining villain of her past. Hela is the reason Valkyrie lost her sisters, her purpose, and her faith in Asgard. The final confrontation on the Rainbow Bridge is not just a battle for Asgard; for Valkyrie, it is a personal exorcism of her demons and a reclamation of her identity as a protector.

• The Valkyrior: By definition, this is her primary group. As their leader in the comics, she is the embodiment of their sacred duty. In the MCU, she is their last survivor, carrying their legacy and honor on her shoulders alone.
• The Defenders: A founding member of the classic “non-team” in the comics, her tenure with the Defenders is one of her most defining eras, establishing her as a hero of Midgard as much as Asgard.
• The Secret Avengers: For a time, Brunnhilde served on Steve Rogers' black-ops Avengers team, lending her Asgardian power and combat expertise to their covert missions.
• Asgard: Whether it is the mythical realm, a floating city over Oklahoma, or a small fishing village in Norway, Valkyrie's ultimate loyalty is to the Asgardian people, whom she is sworn to protect in any and all of their forms.

Valkyrie's longest and most defining arc occurred throughout the classic run of The Defenders in the 1970s and 80s. When she first joined the team, she was the spirit of Brunnhilde trapped in the body of Barbara Norris, and neither she nor her teammates were fully aware of the truth. The storyline was a slow-burn mystery, with Valkyrie struggling with fragmented memories, emotional outbursts tied to Barbara's past, and a deep sense of displacement. This culminated in a massive storyline where, with the help of Doctor Strange and Odin, her true Asgardian body was finally liberated from its suspension in a mystical dimension. The arc was a masterclass in long-form character development, transforming her from a mysterious and angry warrior into a fully realized, independent hero who had finally reclaimed her name and soul.

During the 2011 Fear Itself event, where Odin's long-lost brother, The Serpent, was unleashed on Earth, Valkyrie played a crucial role. While many of Asgard's heroes were recalled by a fearful Odin, Valkyrie defied the All-Father's command, choosing to stay and defend Midgard. She was tasked with a vital mission: to reclaim the enchanted hammers of The Worthy should they fall in battle. This put her in direct conflict with Sin (the Red Skull's daughter), who was empowered as Skadi. The event highlighted Valkyrie's unwavering dedication to protecting the innocent, even at the cost of defying her own king, solidifying her status as a true champion of all realms.

In the prelude to the War of the Realms, the villain Mangog slaughtered the entirety of the Valkyrior, with Brunnhilde being the sole survivor. During the war itself, Brunnhilde fought valiantly against Malekith's forces but was ultimately killed. Her death marked the end of an era. However, the role of Valkyrie could not remain vacant. Jane Foster, no longer Thor, was chosen by the combined spirits of the fallen shield-maidens to become the new Valkyrie. Her weapon is Undrjarn the All-Weapon, forged from the Mjolnir of the defunct Ultimate Universe. This storyline provided a heroic and meaningful end for Brunnhilde while elevating Jane Foster to a new, powerful role, ensuring the legacy of the Valkyrie would endure.

This film is Valkyrie's definitive story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It masterfully introduces her as a fallen hero, drowning her sorrows and trauma on a backwater planet. The film chronicles her entire redemption arc: her initial cynical refusal to help, the reawakening of her conscience by Thor's persistence and the threat of Hela, and her triumphant return as a hero during the evacuation of Asgard. It established her personality, backstory, and combat prowess, transforming her into an instant fan-favorite and a crucial new pillar of the Thor franchise.

While her screen time is limited, her role in Avengers: Endgame is pivotal. She returns with the “blipped” heroes, riding her winged steed and leading the Asgardian forces into the final battle against Thanos. Her presence signifies the full restoration of Asgard's fighting spirit. Her most significant moment comes at the film's conclusion when Thor, embarking on a journey of self-discovery with the Guardians of the Galaxy, abdicates the throne and names her King of New Asgard. This act is the ultimate validation of her journey from a self-hating exile to a beloved and respected leader, entrusted with the future of her entire race.

• Jane Foster (Valkyrie, Earth-616): The current and primary Valkyrie in the Marvel comics. After Brunnhilde's death, Jane Foster was chosen to carry the mantle. As Valkyrie, she can perceive the final moments of the dying and guides souls to their final rest. Her weapon, Undrjarn, can change its shape into any weapon she desires. She operates from a morgue, balancing her heroic duties with her mortal life as a doctor, offering a unique and compelling take on the role.
• Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610): In this alternate reality, Valkyrie is a dramatically different character. She is a 19-year-old girl named Barbara Norris who, lacking any powers, is a passionate superhero fangirl who wants to bring a more “classic” style of heroism back. She is manipulated by Loki, who grants her superhuman abilities and a winged steed to serve his own ends. This version is far more naive and tragic, a pawn in a game far beyond her understanding.
• Danielle Moonstar (Earth-616): The Cheyenne mutant and member of the New Mutants, Dani Moonstar, has a long and deep connection to Asgard. During an adventure in the realm, she rescued a winged horse, Brightwind, who chose her as its rider. This act designated her as a Valkyrie in the eyes of the Asgardians. For a time, she possessed many of the classic Valkyrie abilities, including the power to perceive death, and served as one of Hela's personal Valkyries before eventually returning to her life as a mutant on Earth.

• thor
• asgard
• the_defenders
• jane_foster
• enchantress
• hela
• marvel_cinematic_universe

^{1) 2) 3) 4) 5)}