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Mongul

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Mongul (disambiguation).
Mongul
Mongul as depicted in DC Comics Presents #28 (December 1980). Art by Jim Starlin (pencils), Romeo Tanghal (inks), and Jerry Serpre (colors).
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceDC Comics Presents #27 (November 1980)
Created byLen Wein (writer)
Jim Starlin (writer/artist)
In-story information
SpeciesUnknown
Place of originWarworld
Team affiliations(Mongul)
Injustice League
Superman Revenge Squad
Suicide Squad
(Mongul II)
Sinestro Corps
PartnershipsHank Henshaw
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, and durability
  • Near-invulnerability
  • Teleportation
  • Energy projection
  • Heat vision
  • Anatomical liberation
  • Skilled hand-to-hand combatant
  • Genius-level intellect
  • Access to Warworld

Mongul (/ˈmɒŋɡəl/) is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Writer Len Wein and artist Jim Starlin created the first version of the character, who debuted in DC Comics Presents #27 (November 1980).[1] Jerry Ordway created the second version, who first appeared in The Adventures of Superman #454 as the lord of Warworld. He was later embellished by Peter Tomasi and Scot Eaton in Showcase '95, #8. He is based on the Mongol Empire's founder Genghis Khan and his successors, hence his name. The character was given an origin story in Green Lantern #23.2 by his co-creator Jim Starlin and artist Howard Porter as homage to the writers who participated in developing the character. He has become one of Superman's most enduring enemies belonging to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery.

Debuting in the Bronze Age of Comic Books, Mongul has been featured in other DC Comics-endorsed products such as animated series, video games, a direct-to-DVD film, and merchandise such as action figures and trading cards.

Publication history

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Mongul debuted in the title DC Comics Presents and was created by writer Len Wein and artist Jim Starlin.[2] Starlin often receives credit as creator of the character, but Wein in an interview stated: "Well, [Mongul] had Starlin visuals, but he was my creation". Wein said he conceived Mongul specifically as a villain to physically challenge Superman.[3] Starlin commented on the character as well stating, "When I went over to DC... I went over and created Mongul and he was definitely supposed to be Thanos in the DC universe"[4]

Fictional character biography

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Mongul is the ruler of his species until he is overthrown and forced to flee his planet.[5] He is the leader of Warworld, a mobile weaponized satellite, and has battled Superman on numerous occasions.[6][7][8][9]

Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity reboot, Mongul is reintroduced as the ruler of the Warworld empire.[10] In Underworld Unleashed, Neron kills Mongul after he refuses his offer of power.[11] Following Mongul's death, his son Mongul II succeeds him as ruler of Warworld, and later obtains a Sinestro Corps ring.[12][13]

Sinestro regains his Corps in Green Lantern (vol. 4) #46, art by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy.
Mongul II as depicted in Green Lantern Secret Files and Origins 2005, art by Dave Gibbons and Peter Steigerwald.

The New 52

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In The New 52 continuity reboot, Mongul I is resurrected and attacks the Sinestro Corps.[14][15][16][17] After being deposed by Sinestro, Mongul allies with the Pale Vicors, a group who loot planets and nullify their inhabitants' emotions.[18]

In the Superman: Villains one-shot (May 2020), Mongul is killed and succeeded by his son, Mongul MDCCXCII.[19]

Powers and abilities

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Mongul possesses immense superhuman physical abilities comparable to Superman. Furthermore, he can teleport, generate energy blasts, possesses limited telepathy and telekinesis, and wields a chest-mounted cannon.[6][7][8][16][17][20][21][22] For a time, he was also part of the Sinestro Corps and possessed the ability to create energy constructs and empower himself via fear.[17][18][23] As a Pale Vicor, Mongul can negate the powers of the emotional spectrum and generate a protective aura.[24]

In other media

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Television

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Mongul as depicted in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Film

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Video games

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Reception

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In 2009, Mongul was ranked as IGN's 41st Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.[27]

References

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  1. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains. New York: Facts on File. p. 232. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  2. ^ Manning, Matthew K. (2010). "1980s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.). DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. Artist Jim Starlin displayed his penchant for portraying powerful cosmic villains with the debut of Mongul, a new threat to plague Superman's life, in a story written by Len Wein.
  3. ^ Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 138. ISBN 9781893905610.
  4. ^ "Jim Starlin Biographical Interview 2024 part 1 by Alex Grand". YouTube. 8 November 2024.
  5. ^ DC Comics Presents #28 (December 1980)
  6. ^ a b DC Comics Presents #27 (November 1980)
  7. ^ a b DC Comics Presents #36 (August 1981)
  8. ^ a b DC Comics Presents #43 (March 1982)
  9. ^ Superman Annual #11: "For the Man Who Has Everything" (September 1985)
  10. ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 265–267. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
  11. ^ Underworld Unleashed #1 (November 1995)
  12. ^ Showcase '95 #8 (September 1995)
  13. ^ Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #19-20 (February - March 2008)
  14. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 5) #23.3 (November 2013)
  15. ^ Action Comics (vol. 2) #34 (August 2014)
  16. ^ a b Sinestro #9 (March 2015)
  17. ^ a b c Sinestro #10 (April 2015)
  18. ^ a b Sinestro #18 (February 2016)
  19. ^ Matadeen, Renaldo (March 5, 2020). "A Major Superman Villain Just Died... and He's a Bigger Threat Than Ever?!". CBR. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  20. ^ Sinestro #21 (May 2016)
  21. ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #8 (March 2006)
  22. ^ Batman/Superman #7 (March 2014)
  23. ^ Sinestro #1 (June 2014)
  24. ^ Sinestro #20 (April 2016)
  25. ^ a b c d e f g "Mongul Voices (DC Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 6, 2019. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  26. ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  27. ^ "Mongul is number 41 - IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
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