Universe
Marvel Universe

Real Name
Heimdall

Aliases
Donald Velez

Identity
The general populace of Earth is unaware of Heimdall's existence, except as a mythological character

Citizenship
Realm of Asgard

Place of Birth
Asgard

First Appearance
Journey Into Mystery #85 (1962)

Origin
Unrevealed

Heimdall was the brother of the warrior Sif. For ages, he stood as the guardian of Asgard's Rainbow Bridge, defending the city's gates from any intruders, and was one of the most trusted servants of Odin. When Asgard was invaded by the fire demon Surtur, Heimdall attempted to defend the gates, but was overcome, and the Rainbow Bridge was destroyed. No longer needing to be stationary, Heimdall spent more time in Asgard, and became close to Amora the Enchantress, who was soon infatuated with him. When Odin returned to Asgard after Surtur's defeat, he gave a portion of his power to Heimdall to rebuild the Rainbow Bridge, and Heimdall resumed his duties.

Shortly afterwards, when Odin was about to enter his Odinsleep, he passed the Odinpower on to Heimdall to rule Asgard until he awoke. Heimdall had to deal with a major crisis in the life of Thor, as Thor had been banished into the subconsciousness of the mortal Eric Masterson, who had assumed Thor's responsibilities. Sif was determined to find the real Thor, and her determination drove a wedge between her and Heimdall. When Karnilla conspired with Loki to rule Asgard by having Odin awaken with Loki's soul possessing him, Heimdall was branded a traitor and banished to the Dream Dimension, where he was saved from the demon Nightmare by Amora. Eric Masterson helped restore Odin and later Thor as well, but Heimdall and Amora drifted apart when Amora realized that his duty to Asgard was greater than his love for her.

When Odin cast the Asgardians into the guises of mortals to protect them from a false Ragnarok, Heimdall became Donald Velez, and joined the other "Lost Gods" in attempting to rediscover who they were and battling the Egyptian death-god Seth. Heimdall and the others regained their true forms and defeated Seth just as Asgard was attacked by the Dark Gods, and they were all taken prisoner. They were finally rescued by Thor.

Then Asgard was struck by with the real Ragnarok, one from which there was no seeming reversal. Heimdall perished in battle defending his people, but in reality his soul was placed inside a mortal man like all the other Asgardians. He was the first that was found after Thor recreated Asgard in Oklahoma and started to search the other gods. Now he watches over the new Asgard and helps Thor to locate all the rest of the gods with his powers.