7 Best Gods In Marvel (Who Aren’t Asgardians)

by

Like all superhero stories, Marvel Comics is deeply rooted in ancient myths and legends of heroes and gods. Marvel frequently finds inspiration in Norse mythology, particularly the stories of the gods who live in Asgard. The character of Thor, the Asgardian God of Thunder, is a prime example of this influence. Beyond Thor, characters like Loki, Odin, and Valkyrie also come from Asgardian lore. However, the Marvel Universe isn’t limited to just Norse gods; it features a wide variety of deities from different mythologies, as well as gods created specifically for Marvel stories.

This list explores fascinating and well-known gods and goddesses from mythologies around the world, including those from Greece, Egypt, Japan, and the traditions of Abrahamic religions.

7) Amatsu-Mikaboshi

In Japanese mythology, Amatsu-Mikaboshi, also known as the Chaos King, is the original God of Evil and Chaos. He once ruled the emptiness before the world was created, but was exiled to the underworld, Yomi, by the goddess Gaea and the other early gods. After a long imprisonment, he escaped and began a devastating war, killing the Olympians and building an army of enslaved gods. Amatsu-Mikaboshi aimed to obliterate everything, conquering Hell and even frightening Death himself. He defeated incredibly powerful beings like the Impossible Man, Nightmare, and Satan. Ultimately, only Hercules was able to contain him by trapping him in a separate universe, saving the Multiverse from destruction.

6) Bast

Bast, the ancient goddess of panthers worshipped in both Ancient Egypt and Wakanda, is the spiritual guide of the Black Panthers. Long ago, before Wakanda was a unified nation, a vibranium meteorite fell to earth there. When a local tribe investigated, the meteorite’s energy mutated them into dangerous beings. To save his people, the tribe’s leader, Olumo Bashenga, prayed to Bast. She answered by transforming him into the first Black Panther, granting him incredible strength, speed, agility, and senses. Olumo used these powers to defeat the mutants and begin the rise of Wakanda. Since then, Bast has continued to bless Wakanda’s leaders with the power of the Black Panther, with T’Challa being the most recent recipient.

5) Gaea

Gaea is an ancient and powerful goddess, essentially the living spirit of Earth, created by a being called the Demiurge. Unlike many of her fellow Elder Gods, she’s kind and deeply values all life. Her firstborn son, Atum, helped defeat her malevolent siblings. Gaea is the only Elder God permitted to remain on Earth, and she poured her life force into every plant and animal. Over time, she gave birth to all the different groups of gods found in cultures around the world – from the Greeks and Japanese to the Native Americans and Mesopotamians, among countless others. Perhaps her most famous child is Thor, the Norse God of Thunder. Gaea is truly Mother Nature brought to life.

4) One-Above-All

The One-Above-All is the most powerful being in the Marvel Universe, similar to the concept of God in many religions. He created everything and rules over all of existence, spreading life and love throughout the Multiverse. His opposite is the One-Below-All, a force of destruction and hatred. Because he wants people to make their own choices and control their own fates, the One-Above-All rarely appears directly in comics. Interestingly, when he does appear, he sometimes takes the form of Jack Kirby, a famous comic book writer and artist, as a kind of homage.

3) Khonshu

Khonshu is the ancient Egyptian god of the moon and the one who empowers Marc Spector, also known as Moon Knight. Throughout history, many people have served as Khonshu’s chosen champion, acting as his “Fists” and carrying out his will. Khonshu gives these champions increased strength. While he sees himself as a protector of nighttime travelers, Khonshu is often self-centered and doesn’t care about the cost to those who serve him, even battling heroes like the Avengers when he believes it’s necessary. The relationship between Marc and Khonshu is complicated, swinging between cooperation and conflict.

2) Ares

Ares, the Greek God of War, thrives on conflict and has a complicated history with the Avengers, sometimes fighting alongside them and other times against them. He originally tried to take over Olympus and clashed with Hercules and the Avengers several times. Surprisingly, Ares eventually chose to retire and live peacefully after having a son named Phobos. However, he was later tricked by Iron Man and Norman Osborn into working as a government-approved hero. Though incredibly strong and skilled with weapons, Ares has died in battle on multiple occasions, but he always manages to return. This constant shift between good and evil makes Ares a fascinating and powerful anti-hero.

1) Hercules

Besides Thor and the characters from Asgard, Hercules is the most well-known god-like superhero in Marvel Comics. Born as the son of Zeus and a human woman, Hercules gained eternal life by completing twelve incredibly difficult tasks. He’s a powerful and confident warrior, considered one of Marvel’s strongest heroes – capable of lifting cities and even the universe! Having been a member of teams like the Avengers and Defenders for a long time, Hercules has built strong friendships with many modern-day heroes. They’ve shown him that real heroism means protecting people, not just fighting in grand battles. Like Thor, Hercules’ journey is about learning to be humble and realizing that violence isn’t always the answer.

What do you think? Leave a Comment below and join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/7-superheroes-based-on-actual-ancient-mythologies-from-around-the-world/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-15 20:12