Hela Comic Book Inspirations
Though Hela is a part of Thor’s comic book universe, the version brilliantly played by Cate Blanchett in Ragnarok is a blend of various different characters.
First up, it’s revealed surprisingly early on in the movie that Hela is actually Thor and Loki’s sister and Odin’s first-born. This is a change from the comics (and Norse mythology), in which Hela is Loki’s daughter. Instead, Thor and Loki’s secret sister in the comics is Angela, a character originally created by Neil Gaiman for Image Comics’ Spawn universe before Gaiman sold her off to Marvel.
Hela also owes a lot to Cul, Odin’s brother from the comics. Like Cul, Hela was a warrior from Asgard’s ancient times who was imprisoned by Odin but later escapes in the modern day. On the page, Cul destroys Captain America’s shield, which is somewhat like how Hela atomizes Mjolnir in Ragnarok.
Speaking of weapons, Hela wields the All-Black Necrosword in Ragnarok. In the comic, this belonged to Gorr, the God Butcher. Hela also borrows his mocking line to Thor: “What are you the God of (again)?”
Last but not least, there’s a bit of Enchantress, a fellow Thor villainess, in Hela as well. In particular, her henchman in the movie usually stands at Enchantress’ side in the comics…