The MCU has done an admirable job of adapting the wide and dynamic world created in Marvel comics. Yet, it's not possible to include everything shown in the comics. And that sometimes means that changes have to be made along the way.
Sometimes these changes focus on characters or plots. Other times, these changes are about location. For example, Asgard itself faced several changes between the comics and the movies. And that ultimately means that some things got left out. We're here to fill you in on some of these facts, so don't you fear! Here are 10 of the biggest differences between the Asgard shown in the comics and the Asgard shown in the movies.
10 10. Magic Vs. Science
One of the biggest differences between the two versions of Asgard is the world. In the movies, Asgard is made to feel like a scientific world, albeit one that still dresses a bit more classically. Meanwhile, in the comics, there's no doubt that Asgard is a world of magic and lore.
The two aren't mutually exclusive, of course. It's more of a general feeling or vibe the two renditions of Asgard gives off. This change in feeling may alter the way fans perceive or feel about Asgard and it's lore or traditions.
9 9. Missing Details
Naturally, there were quite a few different details left out during the adaptation process. Some of these details were likely just hard to show on screen, as opposed to in a comic book, where they could easily tell the reader the required information.
For example, despite the fact that Asgard is flat, it certainly has some form of gravity. In fact, the gravity on Asgard is more intense than that of earth. Meaning that anything raised or built here is inherently heavier and stronger. This includes everything from the wood to the people.
8 8. Magical Creatures
In the MCU, there have been a couple of references to the creatures that reside on Asgard. Mainly the Bilgesnipe. But we haven't really seen any, now have we? This is surprising, given how many different (and powerful) critters thrive in the land of Asgard.
Asgard is full of creatures such as dragons, mighty steeds, a giant sea serpent, and many other creatures that humanity would be better off never crossing. These creatures are part of the lore to Asgard, and thus in many ways vital to the world.
7 7. The Vaults
Fans will likely recall the infamous vault of Odin, in which dozens of artifacts (both fake and real) were stored. But this vault didn't exactly exist within the comics. Sure, there's a vault in Asgard. There are dozens of them, actually, along with tombs and prisons. But none of them are named after Odin.
Additionally, it is exceedingly unlikely that Odin or any other Asgardian would have stored than any artifacts inside a single vault. That's simply asking for trouble, isn't it? As we already know that the Asgardians are aware of the need to separate certain items.
6 6. A Cycle of Destruction
Thor: Ragnarok gave us a plot that included the destruction of Asgard itself. Or more accurately, the city in which the people had originally resided in. Because Asgard is the people, not the place.
But did you know that Asgard has been destroyed more than once in the comics? The first time was thanks to Loki. He united forces with Sutur (as seen in the movie) in order to destroy the people and the realm itself. Naturally, this is an event that was later undone in the comics. The second time Asgard was destroyed happened at the hands of an earther. Namely. Norman Osborn. Or, more accurately, it was destroyed by Sentry on Norman Osborn's orders. But perhaps that bit is just semantics.
5 5. Asgardia
After Asgard was destroyed, the people had no choice but to flee. Like in the movies, they ended up on earth. Or, more accurately, they ended up near earth. Stark and his tech built a floating version of Asgardia, where it hovered over Broxton, Oklahoma.
This new Asgard had another unique feature about it. Freyja, Gaea, and Idunn took control of the populace, and thus named the new city Asgardia. As per usual, this was a temporary state. But it is a state we never got to see within the MCU.
4 4. A Tenth Realm
The MCU was quick to inform us that there are nine realms; Alfheim, Asgard, Vanaheim, Jotunhein, Midgard, Nidavellir, Svartalfheim, Niflheim, and Muspelheim.
But in the comics, there are actually ten realms. The tenth realm is known as Heaven, though the angels of this heaven are not what you might expect. They are a warrior race and one that incurred the wraith of Odin himself when they kidnapped his daughter (whom he believed they had murdered). He cut from off from the other nine, due to this.
3 3. The Congress of Worlds
Asgardia was home to the Congress of Worlds. This was a council meeting arranged to allow each of the realms to get a say, and to make peace (as much as possible) between the ten realms. Naturally, this was easier said than done... especially since Odin and his allies didn't always listen to what the Congress was saying.
The Congress of Worlds consisted of several named characters, including Jane Foster. The Congress was initiated by the All-Mothers (Freyja, Gaea, and Idunn), but maintained once Odin stepped back up to take control.
2 2. More Than Just A City
It's easy to forget this, but Asgard is just one city or region on a larger continent. Asgard is split into nine main regions; Nornheim, Gundersheim, Varinheim, Ringsfjord, Thryjeom, Hindi, Skornheim, Gymirsgard, and Nastrond. These regions don't get shown much in the comics, but they do, in fact, exist.
We've seen one of these other regions during the MCU, during the beginning of the second movie. But other than that, we haven't had much of a chance to explore outside of the main city. And now we'll never get that chance.
1 1. Yggdrasil
Perhaps the biggest thing the MCU left out about Asgard was Yggdrasil. It's mentioned, of course, but that's just about it. Yggdrasil is a giant ash tree in the center of Asgard. It is also what connects all of the realms to one another. Without it, each realm would be isolated. It is by cutting off a branch that Odin was able to cut off Heaven from the other realms.
It is also perhaps the most iconic feature in Asgard, so it is a shame that we didn't get a better look at this majestic tree.