AUDUMBLA

Real Name: Audumbla

Identity/Class: Extradimensional (Asgard) entity associated with Asgardian deities and giants; suspected to be an aspect or a guise of Gaea

Occupation: Caretaker

Group Membership: Associated with Asgardian deities and giants

Affiliations: Buri, Karnilla, Loki Laufeyson, More (Managarmr), Ymir, Giants of Asgard;
    unidentified triplet "young gods"

Enemies: Fafnir of Nastrond;

Known Relatives: Suspected to be an aspect or possible a relation of Gaea

Aliases: Various alternate spellings in mythology, such as Audumla;
    in Mighty Valkyries#1, it looked to be spelled "Auoumbla"

Base of Operations: The Cradle of Life, Hel, Asgard dimension;
    formerly an icy realm (sometimes referred to as within Niffleheim and other times on a frozen landmass b/t Niffleheim and Muspelheim)

First Appearance: Prose Edda (1220);
    (Marvel appearance) Journey into Mystery#97 (October, 1963);
    (identified in Marvel) Mighty Thor Annual#5 (1976)

Powers/Abilities: Audumbla's abilities are not clearly defined, but she is virtually immortal, and she can survive for extended periods on ice alone.

    She can generate sufficient milk to sustain an indeterminate number of giants, even adult ones such as Ymir.

    Her milk, at least when given as their first meal, can grant mortal infants at least godlike abilties.

    She is larger and presumably stronger and more durable than a terrestrial cow.

    She is likely resistant to aging and conventional disease.

Height: Unrevealed (she was described as giant in at least one reference...perhaps 8' at the shoulder based on the partially emerged Buri figure, with Buri being 15')
Weight: Unrevealed (assuming 8' tall, she would be about 7450 lbs. at terrestrial cow density...perhaps bump her up to 11,000 lbs. due to her origins)
Eyes: Unrevealed (terrestrial cows generally have brown eyes)
Hair: Brown

History:
(Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica: Asgardians: Bor entry / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14) - Audumbla may have been the Elder Goddess / Earth Mother Gaea in one of her many guises.

(Journey into Mystery#97/2 / Mighty Thor Annual#5 / Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme#35 / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14 / Avengers Assemble: Ymir entry) - According to Norse legend, before the world existed, there was a massive void, the Ginnungagap, with a land of fire, Muspelheim, to the south, which teemed with rivers filled with strange poison which burned all it touched and glowed cherry red in the infinite dark; and a land of intense cold, Niffleheim, to the north, in whose center surged the primordial Well of Life, Hyergelmir, from which flowed twelve rivers of ice. Each land's rivers ran towards the other's, till they met halfway between in the cataclysmic grandeur, whereupon the northern ice covered and solidified the southern streams, so that their combined mass partially filled the abyss...for a time.

(Journey into Mystery#97/2 / Mighty Thor Annual#5 / Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme#35 / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14 / Avengers Assemble: Ymir entry) - The warm air blowing in from Muspelheim began to melt the all conquering ice of Niffleheim above the Well of Life, and from the half-frozen mixture which resulted stepped the first form of life, the great frost giant Ymir.

(Mighty Thor Annual#5) - When Ymir chanced to sleep, the warm winds melted him somewhat, and from his form was born the first of his many children (the giants (Etins)). See comments

(Journey into Mystery#97/2 / Mighty Thor Annual#5 / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14 / Avengers Assemble: Ymir entry) - Seconds later, as the slumbering Ymir continued to melt slightly, the giant, enchanted, primeval cow Audumbla rose from the ice. Ymir subsisted on Audumbla’s milk, while she gained nourishment from the endless ice. For ages, Ymir and Audumbla roamed the frozen wastes alone. Audumbla served as the giants' wet-nurse. From that day forward, all giants quenched their thirst on the four streams of milk that they sucked from her udders, while Audumbla herself was content to find sustenance in licking the endless ice.

(Journey into Mystery#97/2 / Mighty Thor Annual#5 / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14 / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Update#2: Tiwaz entry / Avengers Assemble: Ymir entry) - Over time, Audumbla wore down the salty ice in Niffleheim to find a male figure within it.  She licked at the ice block to free him. On the first day, her licking uncovered the figure’s hair, on the second day his head and on the third day Buri, first of the gods, was freed from the ice.

(The Mighty Valkyries#2 (fb) - BTS) - At some point, Audumbla came to dwell in the long barren region of the Asgardian realm of Hel known as the Cradle of Life, in which the dual wolf god Managarmr was bound (as he was prophesied to devour the sun and moon).

(The Mighty Valkyries#2 (fb) - BTS) - Seeking to create life in Hel while Hela was away, Karnilla bargained with Managarmr for their release of the Waters of Urdarbrunnr. Managarmr presumably insisted on their freedom in exchange, and Karnilla departed to consider the matter.

(The Mighty Valkyries#3 (fb) - BTS) - Karnilla made a deal with Loki, she would provide gleipnir and the Waters of Fate in exchange for Valkyrie hair (presumably specifically the Valkyrie Jane Foster's hair).

(The Mighty Valkyries#2 (fb)) <A few weeks before the main story> - Audumbla lied in the cave near Managarmr when Karnilla returned and agreed to Managarmr's terms. At Managarmr's insistence, Karnilla first used her key to undo the lock around their neck, after which Managarmr apparently hacked up some sort of spike they had previously swallowed, which Managarmr then drove into the walls of the cave, causing the Waters of Urdarbrunnr to pour out.

    The sacred water revived the ground, and Audumbla mooed as water swiftly filled the cave and poured out into the surrounding land; light shone intro the region and grass and flowers began to grow. Karnilla kneeled down and stroked Audumbla above the nose.

(Mighty Valkyries#1 (fb) - BTS) <Two weeks before the main story> - Karnilla pulled a set of female triplets from her mother's womb and transported them to the Asgardian realm of Hel, in a hidden Oasis called the Cradle of Life. Their first hunger was sated by the great cow Audumbla.

    The Milk granted the triplets strength and power, making them at least god-like.

(Mighty Valkyries#1) - Audumbla apparently grazed as Karnilla, having learned that Hela had returned to Hel and was searching for her, cared for one of the triplets, calling her "little god."

(Mighty Valkyries#3) - Audumbla lied in the Cradle of Life by Karnilla and the triplets (referred to in the narrative as "the little gods" and who had swiftly aged to appear to be perhaps 2-3 years old) as Loki arrived there. Loki questioned whether they were hers, and Karnilla told them that they would be gods for men and so they are the children of men. As they discussed their bargain, Audumbla gave Loki a sloppy lick across his face, causing the children, who were floating in air, to laugh at him. Loki surmised that Karnilla was creating a pantheon, but Karnilla turned the discussion back to their bargain, and he delivered the hair of Jane Foster. When Loki queried whether Karnilla felt that Hela would not approve of her new family, Karnilla admitted to uncertainty but replied that they would need protection in any case.

    Karnilla wove Jane's hair into the Norn's thread for the triplets, binding their fates: Their lives would find their way into hers, and Jane would be bound to protect them.

(Mighty Valkyries#4 - BTS) - Audumbla was likely nearby as Karnilla sang to the sleeping triplets and later when Hela arrived in the Cradle of Life and discovered the triplets, who instinctively blasted Hela when she yelled at Karnilla.

    The realm suddenly tore up and the immense skeleton of the dragon Fafnir of Nastrond -- who had been awakened by the Waters of Urdarbrunnr that had flowed uncontrolled into Nastrond -- tore through the ground, with Karnilla being impaled upon a spike that rose from the ground at the same time.

(Mighty Valkyries#5) - Audumbla mooed as she stood with the triplets around the spike-impaled Karnilla as skeletons emerged from a chasm in the ground, chanting "blod!" (they wished to sacrifice the young gods presumably to cement Fafnir's rule of Hel).

    The triplets unleashed energy blasts against the approaching skeletons. Drawing her own blood, Jane Foster drew the skeletons from them while Runa the Valkyrie put the triplets atop her steed, Mr. Horse, who flew them to safety.

    Ultimately, Managarmr grew to immense size, devouring Nastrond and Fafnir. Audumbla was present as Managarmr subsequently disgorged Hela, Karnilla and Loki.

(Mighty Valkyries#5 - BTS) - Mr. Horse returned the triplets to their true mother in New York.

Comments: Believed to be part of Norse mythology, first recorded in written history by Snorri Sturluson;
    adapted by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and George Roussos.

    The word Ginnungagap was first used in the Marvel Universe to define the Yawning Void in Dr. Strange: Sorcerer Supreme #35. The exact details on the location of the Well of Life, and of where Ymir and Audumbla vary a bit between sources. Here's what I compiled (see below; the Ymir entry in Avengers Assemble tried to combine the information into one coherent whole).
    Notably:

1. Sources seem to vary on whether the Well of Life was beneath both Niffleheim and Muspelheim or just beneath Niffleheim (or between the two realms)
2. It's hard to tell whether Ymir (and thus Audumbla) originated in Niffleheim or on the mass of ice that formed b/t Niffleheim and Muspelheim.
3. Some sources note Audumbla as appearing seconds after Ymir and the two wandering the wastes alone for a period of time, while Mighty Thor Annual#5, at least, made it clear Ymir's first children showed up before Audumbla. Perhaps seconds was a relative term, like the Earth being created in 6 days...
4. It also seems inconsistent whether Audumbla arose from Ymir's melted ice or whether she just showed up after he did.
5. Most unique is this reference: (Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme#35 (fb) - BTS) - From Ymir was born Buri.
   Whether this means that the ice she licked had come from Ymir, or what it is supposed to mean, I'm not sure.
   
   Additionally...whatever happened to Audumbla? Does she still live in Jotunheim or somewhere, nourishing the young giants? Or did someone devour her?

(Journey into Mystery#97/2) - Beneath the land of fire in the south and the land of mist in the north was the magical Well of Life, from which all rivers flowed -- rivers that were turned into huge blocks of ice by the cruel northern wind.
(Mighty Thor Annual#5) - Once there was nothing, only the endless abyss; but, in time, two worlds arose: To the North was Niffleheim, a world of clouds and shadows in whose center surged the fountain Hyergelmir, from which flowed twelve rivers of ice; on the other side of the gulf, to the South, lay the land of fire, Muspelheim, it, too, teemed with rivers, but these were filled with strange poison which burned all it touched and glowed cherry red in the infinite dark. Each land's rivers ran towards the other's, till they met halfway between in the cataclysmic grandeur, whereupon the northern ice covered and solidified the southern streams, so that their combined mass partially filled the abyss...for a time.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#15: Ymir entry) - It is said that millennia ago warm air from fiery realm Muspelheim crossed a dimensional barrier into the location of the magical Well of Life. Tons of ice from Niffleheim formed above the Well of Life.
(Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme#35) - Warm winds to north from <Muspelheim> did blow and mighty glaciers did enwrap, caused melted ice from <Niffleheim> to flow, and fill the yawning Ginnungagap (see comments).
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14 / Avengers Assemble: Ymir entry) - According to Norse legend, before the world existed, there was a massive void, the Ginnungagap, with a land of fire, Muspelheim, to the south and a land of intense cold, Niffleheim, to the north.
(Thor: Asgard's Avenger: Asgard entry) - In the distant past, two worlds came into being on opposite sides of the Sea of Space: Muspelheim, the land of fire, and Niffleheim, the land of ice, separated from each other by Ginnungagap, the Yawning Void.

(Journey into Mystery#97/2) - Finally, after countless centuries, the tons of ice forming above the Well of Life changed their shape, turning into Ymir, greatest of the Frost Giants.
(Mighty Thor Annual#5) - Before long, the warm air blowing in from the south began to melt the all conquering ice, and from the half-frozen mixture which resulted stepped the first form of life, the frost giant Ymir.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#15: Ymir entry) - In time, the warm air from Muspelheim caused the ice over the Well of Life to transform into the Frost Giant Ymir.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14) - Beneath the realms of Muspelheim and Niffleheim lay the magical Well of Life, Hyergelmir, from which flowed great rivers; when Muspelheim's heat met the ice of Niffleheim's frigid air above Hyergelmir, Ymir was born.
(Avengers Assemble: Ymir entry) - Ymir, first of the Frost Giants, was allegedly born when the heat of Muspelheim met the ice of Niffleheim above the primordial Well of Life, Hyergelmir.
(Thor: Asgard's Avenger: Asgard entry) - Eventually, the warm air from Muspelheim affected Niffleheim, generating Ymir the frost giant.

(Mighty Thor Annual#5) - When Ymir chanced to sleep, the warm winds melted him somewhat, and from his form was born the first of his many children (the giants (Etins).
(Thor: Asgard's Avenger: Asgard entry) - Ymir fathered the race of giants.

(Journey into Mystery#97/2) - Seconds later, another form of life arose, a gigantic magic cow, whose milk provided nourishment for Ymir. For ages, Ymir and the cow roamed the frozen wastes.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14) - Second later, the enchanted cow Audumbla
(Mighty Thor Annual#5) - As the slumbering Ymir continued to melt slightly, a cow was conceived: This was Audumbla, who served as the giants' wet-nurse. From that day forward, all giants quenched their thirst on the four streams of milk that they sucked from her udders, while Audumbla herself was content to find sustenance in licking the endless ice.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition#15: Ymir entry) - Another being appeared from the ice, the enchanted cow "Audumla," who fed on the ice itself, and Ymir subsisted on the milk Audumbla produced.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14 / Avengers Assemble: Ymir entry) - Seconds later, the enchanted cow Audumbla (believed by some to be an incarnation of the Elder Goddess Gaea) rose from the ice. Ymir subsisted on Audumbla’s milk, while she gained nourishment from the endless ice. For ages, Ymir and Audumbla roamed the frozen wastes alone.

(Journey into Mystery#97/2) - the cow found something stirring in the ice, and gradually, Buri, first of the gods, emerged from the ice.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Vol. 14 / Avengers Assemble: Ymir entry) - Over time, Audumbla wore down the ice to reveal Buri, the first of the Asgardian gods.
(Mighty Thor Annual#5) - Over time, Audumbla wore down the ice, to reveal a new being called Buri, the first of the gods.
(Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme#35 (fb) - BTS) - From Ymir was born Buri.
(Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica: Asgardians: Bor entry) - Buri was created when the primeval cow Audumbla licked his form from a block of ice in the frozen realm Niffleheim.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Update#2: Tiwaz entry) - Buri magically appeared in ancient times in a salty ice block within the icy wastes of Niffleheim. The magic cow Audumbla (who may have been the Earth Mother Gaea in one of her many guises) licked at the ice block to free him. On the first day, her licking uncovered Buri’s hair, on the second day his head and on the third day Buri was freed from the ice.
(Thor: Asgard's Avenger: Asgard entry) - The cow Audumbla licked from the ice the first Asgardian, Buri.

    It's really unfortunate that the mother and the triplets were not given names during the story. Maybe Aaron or Gronbekk will follow up with them some day?

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
No KNOWN connections to:

• Other cows

images: (without ads)
Mighty Thor Annual#5, story page 2, panel 4
The Mighty Valkyries#2, pg. 3, panel 1 (in cave in Cradle of Life with More);
       pg. 4, panel 2 (full-ish, reacting as water poured around her);
        panel 4 (face in profile, pet by Karnilla);
    #3, pg. 2, panel 1 (face, frontal);
          panel 2 (licking Loki's face);
    #5, pg. 1, panel 3 (with triplets and impaled Karnilla)

Appearances:
Prose Edda (1220) - Snorri Sturluson
Journey into Mystery#97 (October, 1963) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (penciler), George Roussos (inker)
Mighty Thor Annual#5 (1976) - Steve Englehart (writer), John Buscema (penciler), Tony DeZuniga (inker), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#35 (November, 1991) - Roy & Dann Thomas (writers), Dan Lawlis (penciler), Sam de la Rosa & Donald Hudson (inkers), Barry Dutter (assistant editor), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Thor & Hercules: Encyclopaedia Mythologica (2009), Anthony Flamini (head writer, coordinator), Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, Paul Cornell (consulting writers), Ben Oliver (Aboriginal gods entry art), Jeff Youngquist (editor)

Thor: Asgard's Avenger (June, 2011) - Markus Raymond, & Mike Fichera (assistant coordinators), Michael Hoskin, Stuart Vandal, Sean McQuaid, Markus Raymond, Kevin Garcia, Ronald Byrd, Paul Fairchild, Rob London, Chris Biggs, Anthony Cotilletta & Gabriel Shechter (writers), James Emmett & Joe Hochstein (editorial assistants), Alex Starbuck & Nelson Ribeiro (assistant editors), Jennifer Grunwald & Mark D. Beazley (editors, special projects), Jeff Youngquist (editor)

The Mighty Valkyries#1-4 (June-September, 2021) - Jason Aaron & Torunn Gronbekk (writer), Matt De Iulis & Erica D'Urso (artist), Wil Moss & Sarah Brunstad (editors)
The Mighty Valkyries#5 (November, 2021) - Jason Aaron & Torunn Gronbekk (writer), Mattia De Iulis (artist), Wil Moss & Sarah Brunstad (editors)

First Posted 03/05/2012
Last updated: 01/12/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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