Marvel’s original Valkyrie, Brunnhilde, returns this January in a stunning variant cover from Artgerm. She has been absent from the Marvel Universe for a few years but will return to do battle with the symbiote god Knull in King in Black: Return of the Valkyries. The four-issue miniseries is written by Jason Aaron (Avengers) and Torunn Gronbekk (Ageless), with art by Nina Vakueva (Heavy Vinyl) and will be in stores January 1, 2021. Phil Noto will provide the cover.
The original Valkyrie has a long history at Marvel Comics, dating back to The Avengers #83 in 1970. Brunnhilde was selected by Odin to be the leader of the Valkyrior. After a battle with the Enchantress that saw her soul imprisoned for centuries, Valkyrie was freed and bonded to the soul of Barbara Norris. She would go on to fight alongside both the Avengers and the Defenders, as well as have a romantic relationship with Thor. In recent years, she was a member of the Secret Avengers as well as the Asgardians of the Galaxy; unfortunately, she met her end at the hands of Malekith the Dark Elf in War of the Realms. But now she returns in early 2021, just in time for Marvel’s King in Black mega event, which sees the heroes of the Marvel Universe unite against Knull, the symbiote god. The event spins out of the pages of Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman’s recent Venom run.
In this variant cover by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, the original Valkyrie strikes a fierce pose, with her sword unsheathed and ready to slaughter some symbiotes. The solicitation for the book makes it clear that Brunnhilde will not be the only Valkyrie in this book—Jane Foster, a former Thor and a current Valkyrie will be present, as will Hildegarde and Dani Moonstar, a mutant and former Valkyrie herself; they must band together to fight Knull and his legion of evil symbiotes.
- KING IN BLACK: RETURN OF THE VALKYRIES #1 (OF 4)
- Written by JASON AARON & TORUNN GRØNBEKK
- Art by NINA VAKUEVA
- Variant Cover by Artgerm (NOV200477)
- Virgin Variant Cover by Artgerm (NOV200478)
- Cover by PHIL NOTO
- JANE FOSTER RETURNS!
- Once there was an entire army of Valkyries, but now Jane Foster is the only one. When the King in Black comes to Midgard, Jane must rebuild the Valkyries to help stop him -- starting with Hildegarde, a warrior from Asgard’s own hallowed halls, and X-Man Dani Moonstar, a former Valkyrie herself. But what Jane doesn’t know…is that she never was the only Valkyrie after all. Who is the fourth warrior? Jason Aaron and Torunn Grønbekk team up with artist Nina Vakueva for a story that will rock the foundations of the Marvel Universe!
While the return of Brunnhilde is welcome news on its own, seeing her team up with other Valkyries - past and present - to slaughter symbiote dragons will no doubt be a treat for fans as well. Plus, Donny Cates, the architect of King in Black, also writes Thor; a character that Valkyrie has history with—how will that history impact King in Black?
Marvel’s original Valkyrie has been a part of the Marvel Universe for fifty years, and thanks to Tessa Thompson’s MCU version, is now in the public’s eyes as well. But will Brunnhilde stick around after King in Black? Will she survive the hordes of Knull? These questions and more will be answered in King in Black: Return of the Valkyries.