Svartálfheim is one of the Nine Realms and is home to the Dark Elves. The Asgardians and other inhabitants of the Nine Realms refer to it as the Dark World, while the Dark Elves themselves call it Harudheen.[1] Located in a star system that is almost completely corroded with dark matter, both Svartálfheim and the Dark Elves inhabiting it have developed under a more diverse table of elements. The only source of visible light for the world is a black hole.[2]
"I'll take Jane to the Dark World and draw the enemy away from Asgard. When Malekith pulls the Aether from Jane, it will be exposed, vulnerable, and I will destroy it and him."
In 2988 B.C., Svartálfheim was the location of a destructive battle waged between an Asgardian army led by Bor against the genocidal Dark Elf forces under the command of Malekith. The battle ended in the Asgardians' favor, and the Dark Elves were driven nearly extinct with the exception of Malekith, his lieutenant Algrim, and several dozen warriors, who entered a 5,000-year-long hibernation, biding their time before their next attempt at total conquest. In the intervening time, Svartálfheim became a desolate wasteland, the landscape dotted with wreckage from the Dark Elf air fleet Malekith had dropped onto both armies ahead of his escape.
In 2013, Malekith and his soldiers reawakened when Jane Foster discovered the Aether, and the realm became a battleground again when Malekith fought with Thor and Loki over the Aether's possession. The battle ended with Malekith leaving the planet and Loki faking his death in a battle with Algrim.
During the Battle of Greenwich, Thor and Malekith fought on Svartálfheim briefly after being transported there via Convergence. Malekith was later teleported there by Erik Selvig using a transportation device, followed shortly by Malekith's spaceship, which crushed him to death.[3]
Years later, Thor and Deadpool found themselves on Svartálfheim. From unknown circumstances, Deadpool became severely injured, prompting Thor to cry over him in a similar fashion to how he once did for Loki.[4]
