King Kull (DC Comics)
King Kull | |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Fawcett Comics (1951–1953) DC Comics (1976–present) |
First appearance | Captain Marvel Adventures #125 (October 1951) |
Created by | Otto Binder C. C. Beck |
In-story information | |
Full name | Kull |
Species | Subman |
Team affiliations | Monster Society of Evil |
Notable aliases | The Beastman The Beast Man |
Abilities |
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King Kull (also known as the Beastman or the Beast Man) is a fictional character appearing in
Publication history
Created by writer
Fictional character biography
In prehistoric times (according to one account around 28,000 BC), King Kull is ruler of the Submen (also called Beast-Men), a brutish but technologically advanced race that ruled humanity until they were overthrown in a revolt thousands of years ago, as the humans vastly outnumbered them and killed all the other Beast-Men. Kull fakes his death with a bomb and survives until the 20th century in suspended animation in a cavern, then awakens due to an earthquake and repeatedly threatens the human-dominated modern world with his immense strength, durability, and bizarre technology. However, other versions claim he emerged throughout human history and attempted to stop the spread of democracy, and is apparently the basis for the Bogeyman and other mythical monsters.[4]
He is usually thwarted by Captain Marvel or the Marvel Family.[5] On one occasion, he collaborated with Doctor Sivana.[6] On another occasion, he released the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man and used Sin bombs to try destroying the world.[7] King Kull once tried to turn Billy to stone.[4]
One particularly well-planned escapade requires the efforts of the
King Kull has occasionally appeared as a member of the final
King Kull made his first appearance in over 20 years in the fifth issue of the limited series
In "DC Rebirth", King Kull came from the Earthlands and is a member of the Monster Society of Evil. He was among its members imprisoned in the Dungeon of Eternity within the Monsterlands until Mister Mind instructed Doctor Sivana on how to free them.[12] As Shazam fights the Mister Mind-controlled C.C. Batson, King Kull states to the rest of the Monster Society of Evil to leave the women to him while Mister Merry-Go-Round states that he "gets the youngest to play with" which is what they agreed on. While mentioning that his kind used to rule the Earthlands, Mary tricks King Kull into attacking the three-headed Crocodile-Man. He manages to pin Mary down as Mister Mind provokes Shazam into reading a spell from the Book of Champions that unites the Seven Magiclands.[13] King Kull continues his fight with Mary until magical energy emitted from Shazam defeating Mister Mind knocked him and the Monster Society of Evil out. The Monster Society of Evil was mentioned to have been remanded to Rock Falls Penitentiary where the Shazam Family built a special section to contain magical threats.[14]
Powers and abilities
King Kull has enhanced strength, stamina, and durability. He possesses superhuman intelligence and is an expert at unarmed combat. He additionally has access to an advanced airship.[15]
Related characters
Prior to King Kull, there have been some characters that had his traits:
A race of prehistoric men who have been frozen for thousands of years at the North Pole. They are apparently strong enough to survive a bazooka shell, super-intelligent, and explorer Rodney Stark has devised a method of bringing them back to life, planning to use them to build an air force, using copies of stolen U.S. planes, allowing him to take over the world. They are all destroyed in an explosion along with Stark when Captain Marvel makes their planes crash.[16]
A similar-looking villain called the Beast-Ruler. He was created by the mad scientist Sivana with a humanoid body and animal qualities like a gorilla's strength, a serpent's speed, a tiger's fighting skills, a fox's cunning, a lion's bravery, and an elephant's memory after imbuing it with the lifeforce that was drawn from 1,000 animals. He turns against Sivana and tries to attack humanity with an animal army, hating man despite his similar appearance and planning to make animals rule. Captain Marvel leads an army of animals against his. He is finally thrown over a waterfall in a fight with Captain Marvel.[17]
Kull, the God of Crime, also fought Captain Marvel. He resided in the Underworld and planned crimes against mankind. Apart from the name he had little in common.[18]
Other versions
King Kull appears in Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #6.
In other media
A character partially inspired by King Kull named Kru'll the Eternal appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold,[citation needed] voiced by Michael Dorn. Following his introduction in the episode "Menace of the Conqueror Caveman!", he joins the Monster Society of Evil in the episode "The Malicious Mr. Mind!".
References
- ISBN 0-8160-1899-5.
- ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
- ISBN 9781893905054.
- ^ a b Captain Marvel Adventures #149. Fawcett Comics.
- ^ Captain Marvel Adventures #125. Fawcett Comics.
- ^ Captain Marvel Adventures #130. Fawcett Comics.
- ^ Captain Marvel Adventures #137. DC Comics.
- ^ Justice League of America #135 (October 1976). DC Comics.
- ^ Justice League of America #136 (November 1976). DC Comics.
- ^ Justice League of America #137 (December 1976). DC Comics.
- ^ Justice League: Cry for Justice #5. DC Comics.
- ^ Shazam! (vol. 3) #11. DC Comics.
- ^ Shazam! (vol. 3) #13. DC Comics.
- ^ Shazam! (vol. 3) #14. DC Comics.
- ^ Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe Vol 1 #15 (May 1986)
- ^ Whiz Comics #7. Fawcett Comics.
- ^ Captain Marvel Adventures #3. Fawcett Comics.
- ^ Captain Marvel Adventures #94. Fawcett Comics.