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Heimdall (character)

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This article is about the comic book character. For other uses, see Heimdall (disambiguation).
Heimdall
Heimdall.
Art by Olivier Coipel.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceJourney into Mystery #85 (Oct 1962)
Created byStan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby
In-story information
Full nameHeimdall
SpeciesAsgardian
Place of originAsgard
Team affiliationsAsgard
Notable aliasesDonald Velez, Ezra
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength, stamina and durability
Superhuman hearing and vision
Skilled hand-to-hand and armed combatant
Extended life-span

Heimdall is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, based loosely on the god Heimdall of Norse myth. He first appeared in a comic in Journey Into Mystery vol. 1 #85.

Fictional character biography

Heimdall is the brother of the warrior Sif.[1] He is the all-seeing and all-hearing guardian sentry of Asgard, he stands on the rainbow bridge, Bifrost and stands watch for any attacks to Asgard. He partly won the role through using his eyesight to see an army of giants several days' march from Asgard, allowing them to be defeated before they reached Asgard, and making their king a prisoner.[volume & issue needed] For ages, he stood as the guardian of Asgard, defending the city's gates from any intruders, and was one of the most trusted servants of Odin.

In his first appearance, Heimdall accidentally releases Loki when he causes Heimdall to shed a tear using a leaf. Later Hemidall warned Odin of a Vanna's reconnaissance of Asgard.[2] When next seen, he battled Thor to prevent him from entering Asgard;[3] He then battled Thor to prevent him from leaving Asgard.[4] Heimdall was then immobilized by Seidring in a cube of ethereal force when Seldring stole the Odinforce.[5] Some time later, he encountered the Recorder.[6]

Later still, Heimdall battled Thor at Loki's command.[7] In the prophesy of Ragnarok, he severed the Rainbow Bridge, and sounded Gjallarhorn.[8] He traveled to Earth with Kamorr the dwarf to search for human candidates for godhood.[9] He gathered three such human beings, and arranged for them to be exposed to Ego-Prime's energies and become the first three Young Gods.[10] Heimdall then accompanied the Asgardians into the Dark Nebula.[11]

Heimdall later became afflicted by lethargy in one of Odin's absences from Asgard.[12] He then blew Gjallarhorn to summon Odin's elite guard.[13] Some time later, he summoned Asgardian troops to restrain Thor.[14] Later, he battled Thor again to prevent him from bringing mortals into Asgard.[15]

When Asgard was invaded by the fire demon Surtur, Heimdall attempted to defend the gates, but was overcome, and the Rainbow Bridge was shattered.[16] No longer needing to be stationary, Heimdall spent more time in Asgard. Heimdall is given the Great Scepter of Odin to guard by Loki.[17] Heimdall discovered Malekith's escape.[18] He fetched Amora the Enchantress to help free Thor from ensorcelment.[19] Heimdall later learned of Loki's possession of Surtur's sword.[20]

Heimdall became close to Amora, who was soon infatuated with him. He comforted Amora about the Executioner's death.[21] Heimdall rescued Balder from Seth's assassins.[22] Heimdall was gravely injured during the war with Seth, the Egyptian god of death, when he was struck down in battle with the legions of Seth.[23] Heimdall later battled Sif. Leir, and Caber.[24] Heimdall confronted Surtur disguised as Odin about the imprisoned Grand Vizier.[25] Heimdall led the legions of Asgard into battle against Ymir.[26]

When Odin returned to Asgard after Surtur's defeat, he gave a portion of his power to Heimdall to restore the Rainbow Bridge, and Heimdall resumed his duties.[27]

Seemingly betrayed

Shortly afterwards, when Odin was about to enter his Odinsleep, he passed the Odinpower on to Heimdall to rule Asgard until he awoke. Heimdall had to deal with a major crisis in the life of Thor, as Thor had been banished into the subconscious of the mortal Eric Masterson, who had assumed Thor's responsibilities. Sif was determined to find the real Thor, and her determination drove a wedge between her and Heimdall. When Karnilla conspired with Loki to rule Asgard by having Odin awaken with Loki's soul possessing him, Heimdall was branded a traitor and banished to the Dream Dimension, ruled by the demon Nightmare. During this incident, his mind had been altered, leaving him little more than being able to follow directions. The Enchantress battles Nightmare in order to save him, ultimately rescuing them both. Eric Masterson helped restore Odin and later Thor as well.[volume & issue needed]

Loss and death

Heimdall and Amora drifted apart when Amora realized that his duty to Asgard was greater than his love for her. When Odin cast the Asgardians into the guises of mortals to protect them from a false Ragnarok, Heimdall became Donald Velez, and joined the other "Lost Gods" in attempting to rediscover who they were and battling the Egyptian death-god Seth. Heimdall and the others regained their true forms and defeated Seth just as Asgard was attacked by the Dark Gods, and they were all taken prisoner. They were finally rescued by Thor.

Around this time, Jason, a powerful member of the earth-based team the Pantheon, claims to have eluded Heimdall's senses during a trip through Asgard and over the Rainbow Bridge. Not many people trust Jason.

An alternate reality version of Asgard featured the realm itself floating over the East Coast of America. This raises worship of Thor, who was the ruler and he utilities Heimdall's senses to hear the prayers directed to him.

Asgard is struck by another Ragnarok, caused by Loki making weapons like Mjolnir for his army and enlisting the aid of Surtur, one from which there was no seeming reversal. Heimdall perishes in battle defending his people.[volume & issue needed] Many Asgardians, Heimdall included, reform as Earthly beings.

Rebirth

It has been revealed that Thor has broken the cycle of Ragnarok, the end of all things that has seemingly come to Asgard many times. Heimdall, along with the others of Asgard, have been reborn on Earth yet again. A new version of the city has been established in Oklahoma.

Thor traveled to New Orleans to start his journey of finding the missing gods. After a confrontation with Iron Man in which it is agreed the Asgardians will have diplomatic immunity, he encounters a man named Ezra, keeping vigil over a bridge. Realizing who he really is, Thor releases Heimdall from within the mortal. Heimdall was drawn to Ezra due to them both feeling angry and helpless because neither of them could stop the destruction of their cities, New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and Asgard during Ragnarok. Heimdall has now joined Thor in the new Asgard as guardian of the bridge, aiding with his near-omniscience, which he retains even on Midgard, to peer through the Nine Worlds to seek the scattered souls of the other Asgardians. However, Heimdall is unable to locate his sister Sif, due to Loki's own spirit secretly utilizing spells to shield Sif from both his and Thor's detection.[28]

Heimdall (after Thor's banishment for killing a revived Bor and his accepting Balder as the rightful new Lord of Asgard) agrees to go with the majority of the Asgardians to Latveria, still wishing to fulfill his duties as Guardian of their pantheon, with Balder expressing his gratitude and relief that Heimdall at least was there with him, later telling Balder that he sees "death" coming their way after Bill's death at Loki's hands. Heimdall faithfully battles alongside Balder and the other Asgardian warriors against their own fallen kin, mutilated and implanted with mechanical parts, and uses his powers of sight to find Kelda's heart for Thor to claim.[29] Heimdall later returns to Broxton with the other Asgardians after Thor bests Doom and Balder and Loki are able to restore Kelda back to life.[30] Through Ares's War Plan, Heimdall is taken out as one of the first targets in the Siege of Asgard led by Norman Osborn and his forces, with the God of War well-aware that Heimdall could not be allowed to forewarn his fellow gods of their approach. Loki also aids in this by obscuring his sight and sealing Heimdall's chamber beneath Asgard magically to prevent him from initially aiding his people, but Heimdall eventually joins the battle to inform Ares that he had been deceived by Osborn, and that all he was doing was harm to his fellow gods, later attempting (and failing) to aid Balder in finding Loki and witnessing Thor and the Sentry's brutal battle.[31] Heimdall then accompanies Balder into looking for Loki. Though they haven't found him yet, Heimdall then notices Thor fighting Sentry. Heimdall reminds Balder that since Thor is exiled, he must be executed for returning....if they survive this war. Balder remarks that the law would not stop Thor from doing what is right and wishes that all of Odin's sons were like him.[32]

Powers and abilities

Heimdall possesses the powers of a typical Asgardian god, including superhuman strength, stamina, speed, agility and durability. However, he is generally stronger and more durable than all but a few Asgardians, such as Odin and Thor. Like all Asgardians his body is three times more dense and heavy then a human's, contributing partly to his superhuman strength and weight. He also possesses extraordinarily acute superhuman senses, most notably his vision and hearing, bordering on the extrasensory. His senses are said to be so acute that he could hear sap running through trees, and "the tiniest plant growing in the heart of the hidden hills",[33] and see and hear anything occurring in Asgard or on Earth. Heimdall can also "look across time, as well as space",[33] in one instance seeing the far-off approach of an invading party and correctly predicting that they were still a full two days away from Asgard; this ability to see what has yet to come is retained even after the establishment of the new Asgard on Earth.[volume & issue needed] Heimdall has been said to be capable of detecting the fluttering of a butterfly's wings "a thousand worlds away".[volume & issue needed] Heimdall is able to sense the life essences of Asgardian gods throughout the Nine Worlds of Asgard, and has the ability to focus on certain sensory information or block it out of his consciousness as he chooses, being so alert that he requires no sleep at all.[34] According to Ares in his War Plan for the Siege of Asgard, Heimdall can "see and hear as far as creation", even capable of seeing the Dark Avengers at Avengers Tower from Broxton.[35] Certain magical spells can block his sensory powers. Additionally, his powers of sight are limited if even one of his eyes cannot see; apparently his eyes are capable of sustaining physical injury and require a long time to naturally heal, if ever.[31]

Heimdall also briefly possessed the Odinpower which granted him the ability to channel vast magical energies, for various purposes, such as repairing the shattered dimension-linking Rainbow Bridge.

Heimdall is an experienced warrior and a fierce hand-to-hand combatant. He has proficiency and great experience with edged weapons and wields a variety of swords, shields and spears and, not surprisingly, he wears a suit of armor. Heimdall bore the Gjallerhorn ("Yelling Horn"), which he would sound to alert all of Asgard to dangers threatening the city's gates, functioning even on Midgard and capable of being heard by any and all Asgardians on the planet when sounded. While in the mortal form of Donald Velez he wore enchanted glasses which granted him super-enhanced vision. He possesses the golden-maned steed named Golltoppr ("Golden Top").

Heimdall is armed with an enchanted uru[4] sword that has, on at least one occasion, allowed him to mystically disguise himself as a normal human while on Earth.[36] It is said by Heimdall to contain "all the cosmic force of the universe"[37] has also been shown capable of projecting "the blue flame from countless cosmic suns",[38] used both times to battle Thor, and enabled Heimdall to directly best the Thunder God the first time when the latter's strength was halved.[37] Heimdall has also at least once wielded the powerful Sabre of Sorcery, which projected blasts of mystic energy and/or fire, against the Incredible Hulk when the latter was invading Asgard, but was unable to prevent him from entering the Realm Eternal.[39]

In other media

Television

Film

Video games

  • Heimdall appears in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. He is seen defeated and his frozen body is being guarded by Rhino and Shocker. After defeating them, the cages blocking the mirrors must be lifted to thaw him. After that happens, he will request to the heroes to find his horn.
  • Heimdall appears in the Marvel Super Hero Squad video game voiced by Steven Blum.

References

  1. ^ Thor: Son of Asgard #3
  2. ^ Journey into Mystery #105
  3. ^ Journey into Mystery #110
  4. ^ a b Journey into Mystery #125
  5. ^ Thor #127
  6. ^ Thor #156
  7. ^ Thor #193
  8. ^ Thor #200
  9. ^ Thor #201
  10. ^ Thor #203
  11. ^ Thor #214
  12. ^ Thor #240
  13. ^ Thor #248
  14. ^ Thor #289
  15. ^ Thor #322
  16. ^ Thor #351
  17. ^ Thor #357
  18. ^ Thor #358
  19. ^ Thor #359
  20. ^ Thor #364
  21. ^ Thor #376
  22. ^ Thor #387
  23. ^ Thor #398
  24. ^ Thor #418
  25. ^ Thor #420
  26. ^ Thor #423
  27. ^ Thor #426
  28. ^ "Thor" vol. 3 #3-6
  29. ^ Thor #602-604
  30. ^ Thor #606
  31. ^ a b Siege #2
  32. ^ Thor #608
  33. ^ a b Journey into Mystery #104
  34. ^ Thor and Hercules: Encyclopedia Mythologica #1
  35. ^ Siege #1
  36. ^ Thor vol. 1, #201
  37. ^ a b Journey into Mystery #101
  38. ^ Journey into Mystery#110
  39. ^ Tales to Astonish #101
  40. ^ Comics Continuum
  41. ^ "Idris Elba joins Marvel Studios' 'Thor'". The Hollywood Reporter. 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2009-11-20. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

Heimdall at the Marvel Universe wiki


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