Thor: Ragnarok introduced many people to Marvel’s Valkyrie character. Or a version of Valkyrie. Tessa Thompson (Passing, Westworld) swaggered into the MCU and store the show as a no-nonsense warrior of Asgard. However, she had left her home many years before, after Hela destroyed the rest of the Valkyrie. Suffering from deep emotional trauma, she turned to alcohol and scrapping on Sakar to fill her days. Encountering Thor brought her out of her rut and gave her a new reason to fight.
In the movies, “Valkyrie” serves as both the title and name of the character. As of now, Tessa Thompson’s version has no other name that we are aware of. However, the Valkyrie (both in the comics and in Norse mythology) was more than one person. It’s more like a job title rather than a name. Now that Valkyrie is coming back in Thor: Love and Thunder, let’s explore the character’s comic book connections and the variations on the warrior character over the years.
Brunnhilde, is that you?
The first named incarnation of the character Valkyrie in Marvel Comics was Brunnhilde. An Asgardian warrior, Odin picked her to lead the Valkyrior (the team of female warriors) in battle and escort the fallen to the afterlife. When Brunnhilde became more of a superhero, like Thor, she used the Valkyrie name as her hero title.
Many sources online say that the MCU Valkyrie is Brunnhilde, yet no official sources have appeared to confirm this. Also, through Brunnhilde’s many adventures, none of them remotely match up with the Valkyrie storyline in the films.
To All the Valkyries I’ve Loved Before
Many female Marvel characters have been called Valkryie. Other Valkyries include Hildegarde, Freya, Rūna, and Danielle Moonstar. The current Valkryie is none other than Jane Foster (who will soon make her debut as Mighty Thor in the MCU). Jane received the title when all the other Valkyries gave up the job or died during the War of the Realms comic event.
In King in Black: Return of the Valkyries, all the living Valkyries worked together as the Valkyrior once again. Even Brunnhilde gave advice from Valhalla. They may have all been Valkyries, but their personalities and skills are very different. I loved the series and hope that they do more with these awesome ladies in the future.
Tessa Thompson: Muse
Since Tessa Thompson’s character is so amazing, comic book writers couldn’t help but bring her version to the comics. In 2018 a movie-inspired Valkyrie (also without any other name) joined the Exiles series. Characters from different timelines and versions of Earth make up the Exile team, making it easy for her character to join with no continuity errors.
During the 2021 King in Black Marvel crossover event, another Valkyrie looking like Thompson appeared. This Valkyrie has a backstory similar to the MCU version. Being one of the original nine Valkyrior picked to protect the realm, she served Asgard until the loss of her fellow Valkyrie (and confirmed girlfriend) died in battle. Since then she became trapped in a celestial being, drinking and reliving her worst memories over and over. Until Jane Foster rescued her, causing her to remember her real name, Rūna, and her purpose. During the filming of Thor: Love and Thunder, a tweet showed a leaked photo of Tessa Thompson wearing armor inspired by Rūna’s and looking absolutely amazing.
Wheater she is called King, Rūna, Brunnhilde, or Valkyrie, doesn’t really matter to me. All I know is that I love her and can’t wait to see more of her in Thor: Love and Thunder.
(feature image: Marvel)
