Korg | |
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![]() Korg. Art by Jim Cheung. | |
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Journey into Mystery #83 (1962) as Korg, The Incredible Hulk (2000) #93 (May 2006) |
Created by | Greg Pak Carlo Pagulayan |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Korg |
Species | Kronan |
Team affiliations | Warbound |
Abilities | Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability |
Korg is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Greg Pak and artist Carlo Pagulayan, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk (2000) #93 (cover date May 2006) during the "Planet Hulk" storyline. [1]
Taika Waititi portrays Korg, through the use of motion capture, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), and the short film Deadpool and Korg React (2021). Waititi also voices alternate-timeline versions of the character in the Disney+ animated series What If...? (2021).
Created by Greg Pak and Carlo Pagulayan, Korg was inspired by Thor's origin story [2] and was later retconned in The Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #94 into one of the stone creatures that fought Thor in Journey into Mystery #83 released in 1962.
Korg is part of the Kronan race seen in Journey into Mystery #83. After his defeat at the hands of Thor when the Stone Men tried to invade Earth, Korg was imprisoned by the Red King on the alien planet of Sakaar. He was forced into slavery by an obedience disk and made to fight for his life in the gladiatorial arenas. Korg was made to kill his brother Margus against his will, a fact that continues to haunt Korg.[ volume & issue needed ]
When the Hulk was exiled to the Red King's planet, Korg became the Hulk's ally after he and five others were victorious during one of the gladiator games that rule on the planet as a form of entertainment. Korg was the first to let the group talk to each other, and after more victories in the game, Korg became a gladiator. Still fighting alongside the Hulk, Korg was part of the group that rebelled against the Red King after the Silver Surfer destroyed the disks that controlled the slaves. The Surfer had also been made a slave by such a disk, but the Hulk destroyed it during their battle.[ volume & issue needed ]
After the detonation of Sakaar, Korg convinces Hiroim (who has lost hope and wanted to stay and die) to come with him on the space ship. Korg was with the Hulk and the others and managed to knock out Wonder Man. After the discovery that Miek had triggered the destruction of Sakaar, Korg and the other surviving Warbound surrender to S.H.I.E.L.D. custody, only to escape when the Hulk begins to destroy Manhattan. Working with Hiroim and the Thing, Korg heals the damage caused to Manhattan.[ volume & issue needed ]
After World War Hulk , Korg becomes a supporting character and ally to various heroes, including the Hulk, Weapon H, and Man-Thing. [3] [4] [5]
Like all Kronans, Korg possesses a body made of a durable, silicon-based substance that grants him protection against nearly all forms of physical harm and gives him a rock-like appearance. In oxygen-rich atmospheres, Korg also possesses immense strength comparable to the Thing. His mineral body also grants him a prolonged lifespan.
When fighting as a gladiator, he mostly relied on his strength rather than actual fighting skills. He is, however, an experienced military strategist and consummate pragmatist, constantly assessing his environment so he can tell what actions are necessary for his continued survival. [6]
An alternate universe variant of Korg makes a minor appearance in Marvel Zombies Return , where he is killed by Giant-Man and the Immortals. [7]
Korg appears in Planet Hulk , voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson. [9] [8]
Korg appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), voiced and motion captured by Taika Waititi. Waititi based Korg's voice and mannerisms on Polynesian/Maori New Zealanders, who are usually soft-spoken and known for using humor. [10] [11] [8]