There are ten distinct realms of existence according to the Asgardians in Marvel Comics. The Ten Realms, and the various factions who inhabit them, are the cause of much conflict in the Thor comics, due to their frequent wars and infighting.

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Over the years, the Ten Realms have seen their fair share of different leaders. These rulers range from benevolent and well-meaning to cruel tyrants and warmongers, and the realms they control either thrive or suffer accordingly. This leaves leaders with a pretty strong impression of which realms they'd enjoy living in and which ones they would rather steer clear of.

10 Malekith Frequently Rules Svartalheim With Fear

Malekith the Accursed on his throne from Marvel Comics

It's a bad sign when the ruler of a realm is known as "Accursed," and things only get worse when examining Malekith's methods. The dark elf has united Svartalheim's tribes beneath him using the only tool that the realm's residents respect: fear.

Even when Malekith the Accursed isn't in charge of Svartalheim, residents of the realm can be sure whoever's in charge will be the most terrifying person among them. While this quality often hints that their leaders are dangerous, being frightening isn't the best indication of good leadership.

9 Muspelheim's Surtur Craves The End Of The World

Surtur in Muspelheim from Marvel Comics

Surtur, also known as The Father of All Cataclysms, lords over the fiery realm of Musphelheim. While it doesn't seem like he's the worst ruler to his subjects, he's too single-minded to be a truly effective leader. Whether it's just Asgard, or all of the realms, Surtur primarily focuses on destruction.

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This particular focus makes Surtur a great comic book antagonist, but also a poor excuse for the leader of a realm. Living in the burning hellscape of Muspelheim is likely already an unpleasant experience, but knowing the ruler of the realm won't do anything to improve it only makes things worse.

8 The Queen Of Angels' Greed Led Heven To Destruction

The realm of Heven under attack in Marvel Comics

The angels of the realm Heven were originally paid by Odin to prevent Asgardians from causing too much trouble on Earth. Their ruler, the unnamed Queen of the Angels, made it clear her loyalty was only to material goods when she accepted payment to betray Odin. She offered to double-cross her new allies if Odin would pay more than them.

The Queen of Angels' greed and continued conflict with the Asgardian gods eventually led to Heven's involvement in the War of the Realms. During the war, Angela summoned a horde of undead gods who wreaked havoc on Heven. The Queen's poor leadership ultimately lead to the destruction of her home realm and her own death.

7 Niffleheim's Hela And Karnilla Are A Tumultuous Pair Of Rulers

Hela and Karnilla from Marvel Comics

Thor's sister Hela has proven time and again that she can't be trusted. Not only is she a duplicitous ruler of Niffleheim, but she also devises ways to torture the residents of the realm's region called Hel. Were she ruling alone, Niffleheim would likely be one of the worst realms, but her wife, Karnilla, helps make things a little better.

Karnilla reluctantly married Hela to spare Balder from having to do so. Although Karnilla tortured some souls sent to her realm, particularly that of Malekith, she was a moderately more trustworthy god than Hela. Still, Karnilla's occasional outings as a hero weren't enough to make Niffleheim one of the more desirable places to live.

6 Loki Is A Wildcard Leader Of Jotunheim

Loki with Mjolnir on the Brooklyn Bridge in Marvel Comics

Loki is chaotic and unreliable; it's kind of his whole shtick. When he assumed the throne of Jotunheim following the War of the Realms, Loki almost immediately abandoned his responsibilities to go off and do what he pleased.

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An absentee ruler is bad enough, but given Loki's track record, things probably wouldn't have been better even if he'd stuck around. Loki's shifting morals and motivations make him an unpredictable god and leader, and living under his rule would likely cause a lot of emotional whiplash.

5 Eitri Creates Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Eitri the Dwarf King forges a weapon in Marvel Comics

Before his recent death in Thor (Vol. 6) #19 by Donny Cates, Nic Klein, Matt Wilson, and Joe Sabino, Eitri was the king of the dwarves on Nidavellir. He wasn't a bad leader, and given his competition across the realms, the people of Nidavellir could have done much worse.

However, Eitri's habit of creating powerful weapons raised some red flags. Although the dwarves seemed to enjoy their craft, stockpiling dangerous weapons was also an invitation for trouble to pay them a visit. This was made clear when Eitri was killed by Mjolnir, a weapon he'd helped to create.

4 Thor Is Too Busy To Rule Asgard

Thor swings his hammer in Marvel Comics.

Odin appointed Thor the All-Father of Asgard after Thor defeated Malekith in the War of the Realms. Thor has proven himself as a warrior time and again, and he often has good intentions. However, Thor's activities as a superhero may be precisely why he isn't the best choice to rule.

Thor is often traveling around the Ten Realms battling enemies and assisting his allies on Earth. With so much on his plate, it's hard to imagine Thor has enough time to attend to his responsibilities on Asgard.

3 Queen Aelsa Of Alfheim Is Reasonable (When Not Setting People On Fire)

Aelsa Featherwine from Marvel Comics

The light elves of Alfheim are lucky to have a ruler as diplomatic as Queen Aelsa Featherwine. Even when Alfheim was invaded by Malekith, Aelsa tried to negotiate with the dark elf leader to find a peaceful way to settle matters. Aelsa has also proven herself willing to fight to defend her people when negotiations don't go her way.

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The only downside to Queen Aelsa as a ruler is that she's occasionally demonstrated she has a literal fiery temper. Thor once attempted to steal a lock of her hair, and when Aelsa caught him, she lit him on fire. Although she's mostly a great ruler, her short temper likely causes some anxiety among her people.

2 Freyja Is A Strong And Kind Representative For Vanaheim

Freyja from the Thor comics attacks an unsuspecting enemy with her spear.

During Thor's last visit to Vanaheim in Thor #17 by Donny Cates, Michele Bandini, Joe Sabino, Olivier Coipel, and Matthew Wilson, it was unclear who was in charge of the Vanir. However, in the past, the realm had been represented at the Congress of Worlds by Freyja, Thor's mother.

Freyja has proven herself to be a kind and caring god, raising both Thor and Loki as though they were her own children. When she stepped in to rule for Odin as the All-Mother of Asgard, she even sacrificed herself to protect her people. If she brings the same strength of character as a representative for Vanaheim, the realm is lucky to have her.

1 Nobody Rules All Of Midgard AKA Earth

Earth seen from space in Marvel Comics Avengers vs. X-Men

There is no one definitive ruler of Midgard, and that is likely for the best. Even though Earth is home to some pretty dangerous rulers like Victor Von Doom, the realm is able to keep itself in check without allowing any of them to have full authority over everyone else.

Thanks to not being governed by a monarchy, Midgard doesn't have to worry about a Malekith or Surtur type ruler. Even the other realms have learned the benefits of shared power, leading them to form the Congress of Worlds to help keep one another in check.

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