Commander Kraken

Last updated

Commander Kraken
Cm.Kraken.jpg
Commander Kraken makes his first appearance battling Prince Namor, from Sub-Mariner #27
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Sub-Mariner #27 (July 1970)
Created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema
In-story information
Team affiliations HYDRA

Commander Kraken is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Contents

Publication history

Commander Kraken first appeared in Sub-Mariner #27 (July 1970), and was created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema. The character was later killed by the Scourge of the Underworld in Captain America #319 (July 1986).

Fictional character biography

Commander Kraken was a self-styled modern-day pirate who fought Namor the Sub-Mariner. Namor used the Kraken, a gigantic octopus, to defeat his foe. [1] After a run-in with The Cat, [2] he later reappears with a heavily modified look, undergoing plastic surgery and acquiring a rocket-powered peg leg and an electrified sword. [3]

In issue #121 of Daredevil (which takes place after the character's appearance in The Cat and before his revamped look and appearance in Iron Man), it is revealed that Commander Kraken is the head of HYDRA's naval division. [4] But this is the only time the character is ever mentioned as being associated with that terrorist group. In 2009, Marvel would create a new character simply called Kraken [5] that would be an integral part of Hydra's operations.

Later, Commander Kraken was invited to a meeting organized by Gary Gilbert, who wanted to discuss counter-measures against the threat by the Scourge of the Underworld at the "Bar With No Name". Kraken attended and was shot dead along with all the other criminals present by the Scourge himself, who had infiltrated the meeting as the bartender. [6]

Commander Kraken is among the dead characters seen in Erebus when Hercules travels to the Underworld. Here, he had reverted to his original look from his first appearance. He was later seen as a member of Pluto's jury (alongside Abomination, Armless Tiger Man, Artume, Baron Heinrich Zemo, Iron Monger, Jack O'Lantern, Kyknos, Nessus, Orka, Scourge of the Underworld, and Veranke) at Zeus' trial. [7]

Powers and abilities

The revamped Commander Kraken battles Iron Man. From issue #93 of The Invincible Iron Man. Commkraken.jpg
The revamped Commander Kraken battles Iron Man. From issue #93 of The Invincible Iron Man.

Commander Kraken had a hook on his left hand that was capable of emitting an electrical shock, this was later replaced with a functional bionic hand. His left leg was also bionic, and allowed him to fly. His electro-sword was capable of firing electricity and could reflect force and energy attacks.

Commander Kraken originally used huge squid-shaped submarines he called "Squid Ships" for his piratical conquests. When he revamped his look in 1976, his vehicle of choice was a Brigantine called "The Albatross". This old style pirate ship could transform into a sleek golden high powered submarine.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Namor</span> Fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics

Namor McKenzie, also known as Namor the Sub-Mariner, or simply Namor, is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-artist Bill Everett for comic book packager Funnies Inc., the character first appeared in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 (uncirculated). Namor first appeared publicly in Marvel Comics #1. It was the first comic book from Timely Comics, the 1930s–1940s predecessor of Marvel Comics. During that period, known to historians and fans as the Golden Age of Comic Books, the Sub-Mariner was one of Timely's top three characters, along with Captain America and the original Human Torch. Moreover, Namor has also been described as the first comic book antihero.

The Scourge of the Underworld is the name of a series of fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

The Fixer is the name of two characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics: Roscoe Sweeney and Paul Norbert Ebersol.

The Cobra is the name of a number of different fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrecking Crew (comics)</span> Fictional comic book supervillains

The Wrecking Crew is a team of four supervillains—the Wrecker, Bulldozer, Piledriver and Thunderball—appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. While not featured on the cover, the Wrecking Crew's first appearance is in The Defenders #17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel (Thomas Halloway)</span> Comics character

The Angel is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist Paul Gustavson and an unconfirmed writer during the Golden Age of Comic Books, the Angel first appeared in Marvel Comics #1, the first publication of Marvel Comics' predecessor, Timely Comics.

The Kraken is a legendary sea creature of gargantuan size, said to have been seen off the coasts of Norway and Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viper (Madame Hydra)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Ophelia Sarkissian is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jim Steranko, the character first appeared in Captain America #110. Ophelia Sarkissian is a foe of the X-Men and the Avengers. She has also been known as Viper and Madame Hydra at various point in her history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Man-Bull</span> Fictional character

The Man-Bull is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kraken in popular culture</span>

References to the fictional kraken are found in film, literature, television, and other popular culture forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orka (character)</span> Fictional comic book character

Orka is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Roy Thomas and Marie Severin, and has a killer whale theme. Orka primarily appears as a villain fighting the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, She-Hulk, and the Defenders, and also appears as a member of Heroes for Hire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hercules (Marvel Comics)</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Hercules is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character is based on Heracles of Greek mythology. Since his first appearance, he has been a perennial member of the superhero team the Avengers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misty Knight</span> Marvel comics character

Mercedes "Misty" Knight is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Tony Isabella and Arvell Jones, the character was first mentioned in Marvel Premiere #20 and first appeared in Marvel Premiere #21.

The Eel is an alias used by two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first character to take up the identity was Leopold Stryke who first appeared in Strange Tales #112 created by Stan Lee and Dick Ayers, while his successor, Edward Lavell, first appeared in Power Man and Iron Fist #92. Both Eels were at one point members of the Serpent Squad even though the character they portray was not actually based on a snake, but on a fish that resembled a snake. Neither Eel has ever been featured as a regular character in any of Marvel's ongoing or limited series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Machinesmith</span> Marvel Comics fictional character

Machinesmith is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most notably as a regular enemy of Captain America. He specializes in robotics, and is able to make convincing robotic doubles of other superhumans. His own mind was ultimately transferred to a robotic body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ani-Men</span> Marvel comic books

The Ani-Men is the name of several fictional teams appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Four of them are villain groups, while one of them was introduced as a team of agents serving the High Evolutionary.

Crusher is the name of three supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

References

  1. Sub-Mariner #27 (July 1970)
  2. The Cat #3 (April, 1973)
  3. Iron Man #93-94 (Dec. 1976-Jan. 1977)
  4. "GCD :: Issue :: Daredevil #121 [Regular Edition]".
  5. "GCD :: Issue :: Secret Warriors #2".
  6. Mark Gruenwald  ( w ), Paul Neary  ( p ), Dennis Janke  ( i )."Overkill" Captain America ,no. 319(July 1986).Marvel Comics.
  7. The Incredible Hercules #129