At Death's Door: Is There An Afterlife in the MCU?

Every culture has its own view on death. Some are celebratory, others more somber, but all are ways for us to explain what happens after we leave this mode of earthly existence. In?Marvel’s?upcoming?Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we’ll no doubt get further insight into Wakandan views on death and how the Ancestral Plane can still empower new Panthers.

In the comics,?Scarlet Witch?has created a realm in which the souls of deceased mutants can wait to be resurrected on Krakoa. Similarly, other dimensions and universes are being shown on screen like the Djinn’s home in?Ms. Marvel?and America Chavez’s universe-hopping in?Multiverse of Madness.

Now that iconic Marvel super heroes are expanding their legacies and opening up to new eras, it’s time to look at a few of the places where their histories now reside. Prepare for a trip unlike any other into Marvel’s netherworlds.

Warning: Abandon All Hope of Spoiler-Free Content, Ye Who Enter Here.

Marvel's Astral Dimension

First things first, what’s the Astral Dimension? While there are different versions of the afterlife and various ways to access it (beyond death), the MCU has established that when a soul leaves its body it goes into the Astral Dimension, AKA the Astral Plane.

Beyond the physical realm (also known as the Material Plane), the Astral Plane hosts all manner of supernatural activity. This plane is where the Ancient One instructs?Stephen Strange?to control his power. Other heroes, like?Bruce Banner?and?Spider-Man, are pushed into this realm for an instant as a wake-up call. But there are many corners of the Astral Dimension specific to certain pantheons. Let us consult the ancient sands of time.

The Duat AKA the Egyptian Underworld

Welcome, gentle traveler(s), to the Duat. The Egyptian underworld molds itself into an appearance that’s easily recognizable to its visitors. For?Moon Knight, this is a psychiatric ward.

Taweret is a guide through this underworld, a deity of women and children who looks much like a talking hippo. In the Duat, the Scales of Justice measure a person’s heart. If worthy, they are allowed passage into A’aru, the Field of Reeds. This heavenly section of the Egyptian Underworld is peaceful but lonely, especially for Steven Grant. Heaven doesn’t always wait for those we love.

Other Afterlifes of the MCU

Of course, as Taweret points out, the Duat is?an?afterlife but not?the?afterlife: “You’d be surprised how many intersectional planes of untethered consciousness exist.”

Well, we do love an MCU surprise. Speaking of…

Valhalla in Asgard

As in Norse mythology, Valhalla is the final resting place of Asgardian heroes. Within these gilded mead halls, fallen heroes can finally savor the peace their dangerous lives might not have provided. It is a great honor to find rest in Valhalla.

Until?Thor: Love and Thunder, we had only heard brief mentions of Valhalla from?Thor. But the post-credits scene of?Love and Thunder?shows?Jane Foster?meeting up with Heimdall in Valhalla. Could this be setting up Jane’s future as a Valkyrie, now that she’s most likely given up the title of?Mighty Thor?

Honorable Mention: Niflheim

One of the Nine Realms, as defined by Asgardian belief, is Niflheim. This realm is a resting place for the deceased who are not heroic. It also contains Hel, the region where Hela was imprisoned by Odin.

Djalia, The Wakandan Ancestral Plane

Another otherworldly resting place for legendary heroes is Djalia, the Ancestral Plane of the?Black Panthers. Here, the spirits of all the former Black Panthers reside. They rest in glory and wait to be called upon when a protector of Wakanda needs guidance.

Djalia is also a manifestation of Wakanda’s collective memory. As a nation, Wakanda has seen much turmoil as well as prosperity. In the comics, Djalia is where Shuri is empowered by the Griot (an African oral historian spirit). On screen, we’ve seen?T’Challa?and even?Killmonger?seek advice from past Black Panthers by visiting Djalia.

Dark Dimension

While the Dark Dimension isn’t a haven for deceased spirits, it is a place beyond the regular physical realm. It corrupts any who access its powerful magic and only the?most capable Marvel magic users?can survive there. Otherwise known as the Hell Dimension, the Dark Dimension is Dormammu’s home. Only the trickery of?Doctor Strange?was able to defeat this all-powerful ruler.

In addition to Dormammu, the Dark Dimension is also where Clea resides. She is the niece of Dormammu and the Sorcerer Supreme of the Dark Dimension. Clea appears in a mid-credit scene of?Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, so her future in the MCU is still shrouded in darkness.

The Marvel Underworld

Thought you could escape Mephisto, now didn’t you? We couldn’t write about the Marvel afterlife without including the man in red himself.

Though he’s yet to appear on screen, we’ve gotten hints at his presence — or at least the existence of an infernal realm of fire. We know Marvel lore has its fair share of literal demons. Illyana Rasputina, AKA?Magik?of the?New Mutants, overcame the hellish abuse of Limbo to rule the demonic forces. Madelyne Pryor (a clone of?Jean Grey) has recently assumed Limbo’s throne and the upcoming comics crossover event?Dark Web?will detail her rise to power.

Totes a Diff Dimensh

Even Chthon, the originator of chaos magic, is mentioned by Wong when he and?Wanda?visit Mount Wundagore in?Multiverse of Madness. Behind the scenes, it seems that the MCU has a very sinister magical history. The Darkhold certainly wasn’t the only magical object that goes bump in the night.

Speaking of Wongerrrrrssss, let’s not forget Madisynn from?She-Hulk. Remember the portal that drops her into Wong’s room? Her dress is soaked in a lot more than six drops of blood. Plus, she mentions a talking goat who makes a deal with her and goblins from a diff dimensh. Not to mention the still-beating heart she’s holding. It could be the devil we know, or it could be “not who you thiiiink.”

Sorcery and telepathic battles have always held a prominent place in Marvel comics. With magic wielders such as?Scarlet Witch?and Agatha Harkness gaining power, plus the potential inclusion of mutant telepaths like?Professor X, who knows what form of the Astral Plane we’ll see next. However, for beloved heroes like T’Challa and Jane, there will always be a special place for them to live on.

Of all the different afterlifes shown in the MCU or on the pages of Marvel comics, which is your favorite? Tell us why and connect with other?Marvel?fans in our?Local Comics Society Facebook Group?— don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!