While heroes like Captain America and Spider-Man are larger than life, they aren't the most powerful Marvel beings. The Marvel universe has its own gods that either had a hand in creating the universe or continue to dictate the rules of its reality.

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Marvel Comics has contributed to the large tapestry of mythology while combining myths from around the world into its lore. Gods like Thor and Loki come from Norse mythology but have become their own entities under the Marvel brand. Every Marvel god has their own powers and mythos, and while they are all very powerful, some are much stronger than others.

Updated on November 7, 2022 by Scoot Allan: This list has been enhanced and updated with relevant information and additional details regarding the comic source material.

25 Loki

Asgardian God of Mischief, Evil, and Lies

Loki tosses Mjolnir on the Brooklyn Bridge in Marvel Comics

Loki's role as the Trickster God in the Marvel Universe has seen him thwart some of the most powerful beings in the universe. He first appeared in Journey into Mystery #85, by writers Stan Lee & Larry Lieber, penciler Jack Kirby, inker Dick Ayers, and colorist Stan Goldberg. Loki uses his cunning rather than the usual one-two punch fans might expect out of a hero or villain.

Loki's powers aren't only limited to creating illusions, though. As an Asgardian and Frost Giant, Loki has utilized his magic to overcome some extreme situations. He's turned himself into a giant and brought down a building with the swipe of his fist. He's also been killed a number of times only to return in a sometimes more dangerous form.

24 Hela

Asgardian Goddess of Death

Hela and the armies of Hel

Hela is the goddess and ruler over the spirits of the dead. A prophecy revealed she would bring danger and destruction to Asgardians like Thor and Odin. She's ruled over the armies of Hel since her first appearance in Journey into Mystery #102, by writer Stan Lee, penciler Jack Kirby, inker Paul Reinman, and letterer Artie Simek.

While there are some characters Hela has never beaten, her dark magic has proven to test Thor and Odin time and time again. As the Asgardian Goddess of Death, she holds power over the lives and deaths of the gods of Asgard. During the moment of an Asgardian God's death, Hela is the one who must separate the spirit from the body to bring them to the afterlife.

23 Bast

Panther God of Wakanda

Wakandan Panther God Bast from Marvel Comics

The Panther Goddess wasn't always a Wakandan deity. Bast is a child of Ra and the eldest of the Ennead, extra-dimensional beings worshipped by the Egyptians. She made her first appearance as a totem in Black Panther's debut issue, Fantastic Four #52, by writer Stan Lee, writer/penciler Jack Kirby, inker Joe Sinnott, colorist Stan Goldberg, and letterer Sam Rosen.

Bast bestowed Bashenga with the title of Black Panther when the vibranium that crashed on Earth began to change men from neighboring tribes into Demon Spirits. He united the tribes to form the nation of Wakanda after defeating the spirits. Bast has been able to overpower dark cosmic beings like Mephisto, and she continues to share her power with whoever earns the title of Black Panther.

22 Chthon

Elder God of Earth

The Elder God Chthon standing in front of an erupting volcano.

Chthon was one of the first Elder Gods to become a demonic being. He first appeared in Avengers #186, by writers David Michelinie, Mark Gruenwald & Steven Grant, penciler John Byrne, inker Dan Green, colorist Roger Slifer, and letterer Jim Novak. Chthon created a mystical tome known as the Darkhold that tethered him to Earth and allowed him to manipulate others.

Chthon also created a demonic race known as the N'Garai who have continued to threaten the Marvel universe over the years. He developed a possessive connection to Scarlet Witch that allowed him to take control of one of Marvel's most powerful magic users. She reversed that connection to absorb Chthon and his dark energy to become a powerful cosmic force herself.

21 Oshtur & The Vishanti

Elder God of Earth

Oshtur and the Vishanti from Marvel Comics

Oshtur is an Elder God who escaped the fate of her other demonic siblings. She first appeared in Marvel Premiere #5, by writer Gardner Fox, penciler Irv Wesley, inker Don Perlin, and letterer Sam Rosen. Oshtur is responsible for the mystical aspects of the Earth. Her son is the Sorcerer Supreme Agamotto, and together with her companion Hoggoth they make up the mystical Vishanti.

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The Vishanti are three supernatural beings who help Doctor Strange as the Sorcerer Supreme to protect the universe from any mystical threat. Oshtur has so much mystical power that she can lend it out to beings on Earth, which sorcerers have used to enhance spells that involve protection, paralysis, and levitation, to name a few.

20 Hercules

Olympian God of Raw Strength

Hercules from Marvel Comics preparing for battle in a destroyed city

The Asgardians aren't the only gods in the Marvel universe who inspired legends on Earth. The powerful Olympians and their actions on Earth led to tales about Grecian heroes like Hercules. The Lion of Olympus first appeared in Journey into Mystery Annual #1, by writer Stan Lee, penciler Jack Kirby, inker Vince Colletta, colorist Stan Goldberg, and letterer Sam Rosen.

Hercules has faced off with other powerful gods like Thor and even stepped in as the God of Thunder himself for a time. He has easily earned his place as one of Marvel's strongest demigods. Hercules increased his power to nearly infinite levels and has taken on much more powerful cosmic gods. He's even held up the whole universe by himself, which is one of the greatest feats exhibited by any Marvel god.

19 Thor

Asgardian God of Thunder and Strength

Thor with the Odinforce

Thor has been Asgard's greatest warrior since his debut in Journey into Mystery #83, by writers Stan Lee & Larry Lieber, penciler Jack Kirby, inker Joe Sinnott, colorist Stan Goldberg, and letterer Artie Simek. His power is immense, especially when coupled with his legendary hammer Mjolnir. He always overcomes even the deadliest enemies because of his immense power and sense of relentless devotion.

As the Asgardian God of Thunder, Thor has the ability to use different aspects of storms such as lightning, rain, and even wind as weapons. In his "Warrior Madness" state, Thor's strength and stamina can increase exponentially, but it also takes possession of him in a way. It's a blind fury that will cause him to attack everyone around him, including his closest friends and allies.

18 Surtur

Demon God of Fire and Flame

Surtur sitting on his throne in the realm of Muspelheim with the Twilight Sword

Surtur is a Fire Giant and demon king who rules in the realm of Muspelheim. He is destined to bring about the apocalyptic Asgardian Ragnorok. Surtur first appeared in Journey into Mystery #97, by writer Stan Lee, penciler Jack Kirby, inker Don Heck, and letterer Artie Simek.

Surtur has showcased his power by nearly destroying Asgard and Midgard countless times. He also nearly burned everything in the Nine Realms by using his city of Muspelheim along with the energies of the Manchester Gods. Surtur will do anything to raise an apocalyptic hellfire, and it usually takes multiple gods and heroes working together to stop the Fire Giant.

17 Gaea

Elder God of Earth

Gaea appearing to Thor as Mother Nature

Gaea was an Elder God of Earth who fled to the stars along with her sister Oshtur to avoid the degeneration that plagued the other Elder Gods. She helped save the planet by creating Atum, who destroyed and devoured the other Elder Gods. During the Chaos War, Gaea also revealed to Hercules that she was the true font of creation.

Gaea is the power source from which all the Earth gods gathered their power, and she can manifest into different beings depending on her objective. She once entered into a relationship with Odin as a woman named Jord. Gaea was originally believed to be Thor's real mother, though the Phoenix Force claimed the same in a recent revelation.

16 Odin

Asgardian All-Father of the Gods

Odin in his black armor

Odin is a god of extreme importance to the realm of Midgard, as well as to Asgard. His power increased tenfold after he took the strength of his brothers (who fell in battle with Surtur) for his own. Odin first appeared in Journey into Mystery #84, by writers Stan Lee & Larry Lieber, penciler Jack Kirby, inker Dick Ayers, and colorist Stan Goldberg

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Odin's strength, speed, agility, and other physical attributes are far beyond other gods because of the Odinforce. With the Odinforce, he can use incredible amounts of magic energy to perform some unbelievable feats. He once transported humanity to another dimension with a simple gesture to protect them. The Odinforce passed to Thor when the God of Thunder became Asgard's king.

15 Dormammu

Faltine God of the Dark Dimension

Dormammu attacking Earth from the Dark Dimension

Dormammu is from one of Marvel's terrifying dimensions is one of the few beings that Odin considers to be his equal. He's stronger than other dark cosmic beings and has been known to corrupt Odin's spells. Dormammu is the Vishanti's greatest threat and he debuted in Strange Tales #126, by writer Stan Lee, penciler Dick Ayers, inker Paul Reinman, and letterer Sam Rosen.

Dormammu has even used his power to challenge cosmic beings like Eternity. His sorcery over the Flames of Faltine also demonstrates his raw power, which he once used to burn the Celestials. His power is also strengthened and replenished by beings worshipping him throughout various dimensions. He is a constant threat to the Vishanti and the Marvel universe as a whole.

14 Atum

God of the Sun

Atum in his Demogorge form and as the Sun God Ra split image

Atum is a primordial Marvel god created by the Demiurge, the life force of Earth's biosphere, and Gaea/Mother Earth to stop the other Elder Gods from destroying Earth. Atum earned the title of the God Eater in his first appearance as Ammon-Ra in Thor #300, by writers Mark Gruenwald & Ralph Macchio, penciler Keith Pollard, inker Gene Day, colorist Carl Gafford, and letterer Joe Rosen.

Atum protected humanity along with Gaea, and he led the Egyptian gods as Ra until he returned back to his God-Eater form. He was a member of the Council of Godheads which convened to deal with universe-ending threats. As Ra, he has chosen a few avatars known as the Sun King over the years. This act is similar to the Moon God Khonshu's use of his own avatar, Moon Knight.

13 Phoenix Force

Universal Force of Life and Destruction

Phoenix Force grasping a planet in its claws

The Phoenix Force is a sentient being that is Marvel's manifestation of the universal force for life, destruction, and recreation. It first appeared in X-Men #101, by writer Chris Claremont, penciler Dave Cockrum, inker Frank Chiaramonte, colorist Bonnie Wilford, and letterer John Costanza.

The Phoenix Force has the power to defeat Celestials, cosmic beings that played a hand in humanity's key evolutionary events. The Phoenix's connection to raw psionic energy has made powerful omega-level mutants like Jean Grey perfect hosts for the cosmic entity. Its power is so great that it can devour entire star systems and take on other cosmic beings like Galactus.

12 Galactus

Devourer of Worlds

Galactus from Marvel Comics

Galactus is the only survivor of the sixth incarnation of the Multiverse. The Sentience of the Universe merged with the explorer Galan to become Galactus. He became a universal constant, forced to continually replenish his life by consuming living planets. Galactus debuted in Fantastic Four #48, by writer Stan Lee, penciler Jack Kirby, inker Joe Sinnott, and letterer Artie Simek

Galactus is also the bearer of the Power Cosmic, a limitless god-like source of cosmic energy. When he is hungry and determined enough, Galactus can even devour cosmic entities like the Celestials. The World Devourer only fears one incredibly powerful Marvel weapon, the universe-destroying Ultimate Nullifier. There aren't many Marvel gods more powerful than Galactus.

11 Amatsu-Mikaboshi

God of Evil, Chaos, and the Stars

Amatsu-Mikaboshi and his army of enslaved deities

Amatsu-Mikaboshi was the dark counterpart of Eternity who lost his power as the Chaos King and lived in a netherworld called Yomi for ages. Mikaboshi has battled against powerful gods like Thor and Hercules. He first appeared in Ares #2, by writer Mike Oeming, penciler Travel Foreman, inker Derek Fridolfs, colorist Len O'Grady, and letterers Joe Caramagna & Virtual Calligraphy.

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Mikaboshi has overpowered the Olympian and Skrull gods and attempted to extend his darkness by unmaking reality during the Chaos War. Amatsu-Mikaboshi has incredibly powerful supernatural and cosmic powers that allowed him to enslave other cosmic deities.

10 Nemesis

God of the Ultraverse

Nemesis with the Infinity Stones from the Ultraverse

Nemesis is a powerful god from the Ultraverse who created Marvel's Infinity Stones. A seventh stone in the Ultraverse brought about her return in Avengers/Ultraforce #1, by writer Glenn Herdling, pencilers Angel Medina & M.C. Wyman, Inkers Keith Aiken, Steve Alexandrov, Hector Collazo & Don Hudson, colorists Chris DeFelippo & Malibu Color, and letterer Janice Chiang.

Nemesis's power was unquantifiable and never really pushed to its limits. She had control over the Mind, Time, Space, Soul, Reality, and Power stones, which gave her the ability to alter the universe. She desired to wipe out reality and end her existence once again, but the combined powers of different versions of Marvel and Ultraforce's heroes from across the multiverse defeated her.

9 Oblivion

Abstract Entity of the Marvel Universe

Marvel's Oblivion sitting on a rocky throne

Oblivion is another abstract entity that came into existence when the Marvel universe was born. Oblivion's purpose is to stop any expansion of the universe as an aspect of non-existence. Oblivion surprisingly first appeared in Iceman #1, by writer J.M. DeMatteis, penciler Alan Kupperberg, inker Mike Gustovich, colorist Bob Sharen, and letterer Janice Chiang.

Oblivion chose Maelstrom, an Inhuman/Deviant hybrid, to serve as his avatar to destroy the universe. Infinity's avatar Quasar battled Maelstrom until Eternity, Infinity, Death, and Oblivion struck a pact that preserved the status quo of the universe. However, Oblivion continued to subtly break their deal to createentropy and destruction.

8 Eternity

Abstract Entity of the Marvel Universe

Eternity stands in Overspace from Marvel Comics

Eternity is a being of extreme power, encompassing the consciousness of all living beings within the universe. His children are other independent entities that represent concepts within their respective universes. They are Empathy, Entropy, Eulogy, Expediency, Epiphany, Enmity, and Eon (who was eventually killed and replaced with Epoch).

Eternity is the universe, but can also manifest as different life forces within that universe. Eternity exists alongside his sister Infinity, and together they are near the top of the Marvel god hierarchy. Eternity debuted in Strange Tales #138, by writer Stan Lee, writer/penciler Jack Kirby, penciler/inker John Severin, and colorist Stan Goldberg

7 Infinity

Abstract Entity of the Marvel Universe

Marvel's Infinity standing outside the universe

Infinity is Eternity's other half. Much like her brother, she must fight to protect the universe from destructive abstract entities like Death or Oblivion. Unlike Eternity, Infinity is less inclined to interfere with events in the universe. She first appeared in Quasar #24, by writer Mark Gruenwald, penciler Greg Capullo, inker Keith Williams, colorist Paul Becton, and letterer Janice Chiang.

Infinity's incredible powers allow her to alter reality, time, or space however she pleases. She is an entity that represents the concept of infinity which grants limitless abilities. She can exist all over the universe simultaneously, which grants a perspective not many beings can behold. Infinity is also the energy source of her avatar Quasar's powerful Quantum Bands.

6 Death

Abstract Entity of the Marvel Universe

Marvel's personification of Death saying "does this help?"

Death is a fundamental force of the universe. She lives to bring death and desolation to the universe and enjoys manipulating other beings like Thanos to do her dirty work. She can manifest a physical form of a hooded female skeleton. Death first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #10, by writer Beach Allen, penciler/inker Ed Robbins, and letterer Typeset.

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Death is another wielder of the Power Cosmic, which she can use to manipulate reality, time, space, and many other essential foundations of existence. Her power also comes from the ever-increasing souls that have died across time and space. She can bring life as well as death and has resurrected heroes like Deadpool and Scarlet Spider out of both love and curiosity, respectively.