Hela
She’s the first leading female villain to be included in a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, and this alone warrants her recognition as one of the best comic book movie characters of 2017. While supporting villainous roles have occasionally been filled by women, a real, honest-to-goodness evil female monster has been long overdue. Hela appears in Thor: Ragnarok – directed by Taika Waititi, written by Christopher Yost, Craig Kyle, and Eric Pearson, and played by Cate Blanchett – and she’s an absolute triumph.
She appears to Thor and Loki immediately after the death of their father Odin. In his last moments, he informs the brothers that they have a sister, and that she’s been locked away. The only thing keeping her incarcerated has been Odin’s life, and the brothers must prepare for her return when he passes. It turns out that their sister is the Goddess Of Death, and goodness – what a Goddess she is.
She speaks in quiet, measured tones – as if she’s savouring every last, delicious word. She thrives on absolute power, and expects nothing but complete submission from those around her. She’s of superior intelligence, and is responsible for Thor’s detour to Sakaar – after she pushes him out of the rainbow bridge and into the vastness of space on her way to seizing the throne of Asgard. Most importantly, she’s the holder of the biggest Asgardian secret of all.
When she strolls through the Asgardian palaces, she reminisces to her newly acquired minion, Skurge, about all the years she spent fighting alongside her father, Odin – leading his army in his invasion and defeat of the Nine Realms. She’s enraged to see that they frescoes adorning the palace ceilings are false – depicting peace, tranquillity and riches under a benevolent monarch. She tears them down to reveal the true images that lie just beneath the surface – of Hela and Odin rampaging through the galaxy waging bloody war in search of power and wealth.
Finding that she’s been erased – that her contributions to the comfort and security Asgardians now enjoy have been wiped from history in favour of manufactured stories about men – only increases her determination to claim her birthright. Odin made her what she is, and then banished her for it. Now that Hela is back, she intends to put things right – whatever the consequences.