The essentials in 30 seconds: Valkyrie, portrayed by Tessa Thompson, is the last survivor of the Valkyrior, the order of Asgardian warriors decimated by Hela. Introduced in Thor: Ragnarok, she officially becomes queen of Asgard at the end of Thor: Love and Thunder, after Thor’s departure. Between Norse mythology, Marvel Comics, and the MCU adaptation, discover her complete journey and our selection of Avengers articles inspired by Asgard.
Who Is Valkyrie? From Mythological Origins to Marvel Comics
Before becoming a superheroine in the MCU, Valkyrie draws her roots from Norse mythology. In Scandinavian legends, the Valkyries are psychopomp figures in Odin’s service: on battlefields, they choose the bravest warriors destined to join Valhalla. Marvel Comics appropriated this figure as early as 1970 to create Brunnhilde, also known as Valkyrie, an Asgardian warrior gifted with superhuman strength, immense combat mastery, and a legendary sword, Dragonfang.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tessa Thompson has portrayed the character since 2017. The film Thor: Ragnarok presents her as a fallen bounty hunter, exiled to the junk planet Sakaar, consumed by alcohol and haunted by a dark secret: she is the last surviving member of the Valkyrior. This storytelling choice transforms a secondary comics figure into one of the most memorable characters of MCU Phase 3, at the crossroads of the realm of Asgard and the mythology that inspired it.
The character also draws on a long literary tradition: the Valkyries appear in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, two foundational texts of Norse mythology compiled during the Icelandic Middle Ages. Marvel Comics had already paid tribute to this figure in the 1970s with the introduction of the character Barbara Norriss, before Brunnhilde became the canonical name associated with Valkyrie in modern continuity. This dual lineage, between ancient legend and superhero comics, explains the character’s symbolic richness as portrayed on screen by Tessa Thompson.
The Valkyrior: Odin’s warrior order
In the MCU, the Valkyrior form an entirely female elite guard, created by Odin himself to preserve peace between Asgard and the Nine Realms. Their story takes a tragic turn when Hela, the goddess of death and Odin's eldest daughter, turns against her own order during a battle on Hel: all the Valkyrior perish there, except Brunnhilde, who manages to escape to Sakaar. This trauma largely explains the character's voluntary exile and downward spiral before her redemption.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Founders | Created by Odin as Asgard's personal guard and elite force |
| Key event | Massacre by Hela on the battlefield of Hel |
| Sole survivor | Brunnhilde, the future Valkyrie, exiled on Sakaar |
| Iconic weapon | The Dragonfang sword, capable of severing the thread of destiny |
| Mount | Asgardian winged horse, used during major battles |
This tragic past permeates the character's entire psychological development. Unlike other Asgardian warriors who proudly display their exploits, Valkyrie bears the weight of survivor's guilt: she watched her fellow warriors fall one by one without being able to save them. This trauma, combined with her voluntary exile on Sakaar, shapes a complex character far removed from the archetype of the invincible warrior, and gives full meaning to the redemption arc she undergoes throughout Thor: Ragnarok.
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View productValkyrie's Role in Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
It is in Thor: Ragnarok that Valkyrie makes her first major appearance. Forced to join Thor on Sakaar, she initially refuses to help him, preferring to drown her memories in alcohol rather than face Hela. Her narrative arc is one of redemption: she ultimately accepts her past, takes up her armor and sword again, and fights alongside Thor, Hulk, and Loki to save Asgard from destruction. The film immediately establishes her as a pillar of the team, capable of holding her own against the best warriors in the ranking of the most powerful Avengers.
Her mastery of aerial combat, her ability to pilot her winged horse through the heart of battles, and her final duel against Hela's Berserkers make it one of the most frequently cited action scenes of Phase 3. At the end of the film, she boards the Statesman with the survivors of Asgard, ready to write a new chapter in her people's history.
A notable flashback in the film also reveals the fate of Sif, another iconic Asgardian warrior, whose absence is indirectly explained by Hela’s fury upon her return to Asgard. This scene reinforces the tragic dimension of the Valkyrior order and highlights just how much Brunnhilde is, literally, the last line of defense for an almost-extinct warrior tradition. Her acceptance of the title Valkyrie, abandoned for centuries, symbolically marks the rebirth of this legacy.
Thor: Love and Thunder and the Coronation of Asgard’s New Queen
Between the two films, Valkyrie officially takes the reins of New Asgard, the community reestablished on Earth after the events of Avengers: Endgame. In Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), she is presented as King of Asgard—a title she deliberately chooses to retain rather than Queen, as a nod to her independence and individuality. There, she handles diplomatic affairs, trains young warriors, and takes part in the battle against Gorr the God Butcher alongside Thor, Jane Foster as Mighty Thor, and Korg.
When Thor definitively steps away from his role as Asgard’s protector to raise Love, Gorr’s adopted daughter, it is Valkyrie who assumes full responsibility for the throne. This shift is part of a broader renewal of the MCU’s figures of power, a theme also reflected in the Marvel multiverse and the temporal upheavals experienced by Loki during the same period.
Under Valkyrie’s rule, New Asgard gradually transforms into a genuine tourist and diplomatic destination where Asgardian refugees and human visitors live side by side. She establishes a more horizontal form of governance than that of her predecessors, seeking to reconcile her people’s warrior traditions with the realities of a peaceful life on Earth. This political transition, rarely explored in detail on screen, hints at significant narrative potential for future projects centered on Asgard.
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View productValkyrie Compared with the Other MCU Heroines
Valkyrie belongs to a generation of female characters that have profoundly transformed the face of the Avengers in recent years. Unlike Scarlet Witch, whose powers are based on chaos magic, Valkyrie relies above all on her martial skills and warrior’s discipline, following in the footsteps of Black Widow without the same origins as a spy. Her superhuman strength and Asgardian longevity, however, bring her closer to Captain Marvel, although their powers remain very different in nature.
What sets Valkyrie apart most is her political role: she is not just a fighter, but the leader of an entire kingdom—a responsibility that few MCU heroes take on directly onscreen. Tessa Thompson also confirmed the character’s bisexuality, the first explicitly acknowledged instance in a Marvel franchise, further highlighting Valkyrie’s cultural importance beyond her role as a warrior.
Aesthetically too, Valkyrie stands apart from her fellow heroes: her red-and-gold Asgardian armor, inherited from her Valkyrior past, contrasts with Black Widow’s tactical suit and Scarlet Witch’s more mystical outfits. This strong visual identity has greatly inspired the range of merchandise centered around Asgard’s warrior aesthetic, such as the Thor Sticker - Wall Decoration, available in the same distinctive gold and red tones of the realm of Asgard.
Why Valkyrie Inspires an Entire Collection of Merchandise
The success of Valkyrie and, more broadly, the Asgardian imagination has inspired a wide range of products at Boutique Avengers. Our Thor Figurines collection brings together numerous pieces connected to Asgard and its warriors, while the Avengers Posters collection offers XXL posters for recreating the atmosphere of Valhalla at home. Fans of textile décor will also find plenty to enjoy among the Avengers Tapestries and Avengers Cushion Covers, available in designs inspired by Thor and his world.
For an interior that pays tribute to Asgard without focusing on just one hero, the Avengers Lamps collection offers luminous pieces that recreate Mjolnir or other iconic symbols, while the complete selection of Avengers Figurines lets you create a collector's shelf worthy of a true fan of the Golden Realm. Younger fans will also enjoy the Avengers Thor Chibi Building Blocks, a playful way to discover the world of Asgard from an early age.
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View productFrequently asked questions
Is Valkyrie stronger than Thor?
No, Thor remains far more powerful thanks to his divine powers and mastery of lightning. Valkyrie, however, excels in close combat and military strategy, making her a formidable ally rather than a rival in terms of raw power.
Why does Valkyrie refuse the title of queen?
In Thor: Love and Thunder, she chooses the title of “king” rather than “queen” of Asgard, a personal choice that highlights her independence and rejection of the traditional conventions associated with the throne.
Will Valkyrie Appear in Future Avengers Films?
No official announcement confirms her presence in upcoming projects, but her status as ruler of Asgard and her popularity with fans make her a credible candidate for future appearances in the MCU.
What Is the Difference Between Valkyrie and the Valkyrior?
The Valkyrior refers to the entire order of warriors created by Odin. Valkyrie, or Brunnhilde, is the last survivor of this order after the massacre carried out by Hela.
Does Valkyrie Have Magical Powers?
Her abilities rely primarily on her superhuman strength, endurance, and combat skills rather than magic. She thus differs from figures such as Scarlet Witch and Loki, who are more focused on sorcery.
What Happens to Valkyrie After Thor: Love and Thunder?
At the end of the film, she consolidates her authority over New Asgard as king, while Thor leaves to raise Love. No solo project has been officially announced, but her status as a ruler makes her a central character in the future of Asgardian mythology within the MCU.
To Explore the Avengers Universe Further
- Thor: God of Thunder, Origins and Powers
- Asgard and the Nine Realms: Complete Guide
- Loki: God of Mischief, Fans' Favorite Antihero
- The Marvel Multiverse Explained Simply
- All Avengers Heroes: Complete Character Guide
Key Takeaways
Last of the Valkyrior, a redeemed warrior and later ruler of Asgard, Valkyrie embodies both the Norse mythological heritage and the renewal of powerful figures in the MCU. From Thor: Ragnarok to Thor: Love and Thunder, her journey illustrates a rare path to redemption in the Marvel universe. To extend the experience at home, explore our Thor Figures, Avengers Posters, and Avengers Tapestries collections to create an interior worthy of the Golden Realm.