Hela: Who is the Goddess of Death?

To Hela with Asgard!

You jerk awake, breathing heavily. The last thing you remember, you’d been crossing the street and heard a horn. Now it’s dark and the air is cold. The sky is pale green and what buildings you can see resemble medieval towns.

You walk for hours, trying to find help. The first person you see is skeletal and dressed in armor. The next dozen are the same. You are wearing that same armor. You make your way to a palace in the distance.

Several halls lead to a large room. You see a woman on a throne, wearing emerald armor and a cape. Dozens of skeletal soldiers surround her. You feel her power and it is death. You kneel before Hela.

Hela is one of Thor’s greatest foes. Even a prince of Asgard struggles to oppose the goddess of death. So who is she? How did she become Queen of the Dead? What is her connection to Loki? Let’s find out.

Hel Hath no Fury…: Hela’s Backstory

Hela debuted in Journey into Mystery #102 in 1964. She was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. They based her on the Norse goddess Hel, but removed her “half-rotted” appearance and familial ties to Loki.

Hela was raised as the daughter of Odin and an unnamed goddess. Three goddesses of fate called The Norns warned him that Hela would endanger the universe. As soon as Hela could fend for herself, Odin anointed her the goddess of death and banished her to Helheim, where she would rule over souls unworthy of Valhalla. She never forgave him.

Thor met his sister years later. Giants kidnapped his lover, Sif, and gave her to Hela in hopes of becoming immortal. Thor offered his own life for Sif’s freedom, moving Hela to free both of them. That confrontation and willing sacrifice made Thor worthy of wielding Mjolnir.

Hela encountered Thor many more times, the thunder god always staying just out of her grasp and protecting others from her. She began scheming to conquer the nine realms, working through agents and champions because her powers were bound to Helheim. Hela occasionally worked with Loki, assigning her handmaiden Leah to keep an eye on the trickster.

Infinite Lies: Hela’s History

Hela discovered that Odin had lied about her origins. He was not her father, despite having raised her. There were several hints and retcons about where she came from, often going back to the idea that Hela was Loki’s daughter. 

While acting as a hero, Loki magically cloned the long-dead Leah of Hel. She was his ally, but later betrayed him for recreating her stagnant. Loki gave Leah the ability to grow and change, freeing her to find her own way. Hela heavily implied that she was Leah, born from Loki’s memories. She had created the original handmaiden to retroactively inspire Loki, ensuring her creation and closing a time paradox.

Hela may also have originated from Odin’s father, Bor. He wanted control over death and forged a black Infinity Stone. Thanos traveled back in time to claim its power. Hela was born from the battle when the Stone transformed into a young girl. Thor and Doctor Doom protected Hela while her aunt Laussa brought the newborn goddess of death to Loki and his wife, who adopted her. Fearful of a living Infinity Stone, Odin banished her.

March of the Black Queen: Hela’s Powers and Personality

Hela is nearly invincible in her kingdom. She is immortal, super strong, and can summon hordes of undead warriors. A single touch of her hand can kill an Asgardian, and she has no qualms about casting spells against anyone. Hela is also an expert swordfighter who channels magic through her Nightsword.

Helheim and Niflheim are both part of Hela’s domain. They shift at her command to create trials for the dead. Helheim’s challenges sort the dead into those who are useful and those who do grunt work. Niflheim’s tortures punish evildoers and those who have incurred Hela’s wrath.

Hela is cold, vain, and vengeful. She holds grudges and often seeks to expand her kingdom by killing mortals, even if that means starting Ragnarok. Hela is surprisingly kind to the dead, ruling over them justly. She respects acts of love and valor, occasionally allowing souls to be freed if they move her.

The Actors Who Play Her

Nika Futterman – Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
Vanessa Marshall – Avengers Assemble
Kari Whalgren – Guardians of the Galaxy
Janyse Jaud – Hulk Vs.
Cate Blanchett – Thor Ragnarok, What If?
Liv Zamora – What If?

Didya Get All That?

A living contradiction ruling over the dead.

Jared Bounacos

Jared Bounacos has written for Movie Rewind since 2016.