Marvel Database
Marvel Database

Karkas[1], the Kind, is a genetically unstable Deviant Mutate, shunned for his grotesque appearance yet gifted with intellect, resilience, and emotional depth.[2] Raised in the brutal Breeding Pits of Lemuria, he was forced into gladiatorial combat, gaining notoriety as a "Killing Machine." Despite his fearsome role, Karkas secretly yearned for peace and knowledge.[3] After losing to Ransak the Reject, he sought asylum from Thena of the Eternals, who brought him to Olympia and offered sanctuary.[4][5]

Among the Eternals, Karkas embraced philosophy and literature, often serving Thena as an intellectual companion. He aided in missions against Deviant threats like Zakka, Tutinax, and Ghaur,[6][7] and formed a close friendship with Ransak. During major conflicts, including the Uni-Mind and Celestial judgments, he remained a loyal ally to the Eternals.[8] Karkas later joined Delta Force during Kro's resistance[9], thwarted Ghaur's schemes, and survived brainwashing that pitted him against the Heroes for Hire.[10] After Ghaur's fall, he stayed in Lemuria to aid Deviant stability.[11] When Apocalypse attacked, Karkas was mutated into a monstrous form and launched to Earth in a bio-obelisk, before being stopped and restored by the Eternals.[12] He later helped defend Lemuria from Thanos[13], and used Eternal illusion tech to pass as human during Kro's attack on Olympia.[14]

Seeking peace, Karkas retired to a distant farm to write, tend livestock, and live quietly until a beacon led him to the Negative Zone to rescue Ransak from Blastaar.[15] After Thanos devastated Lemuria[16] and war broke out between Eternals and mutants, Karkas allied with the X-Men.[17] Tiring once again of Eternal society, he and Ransak moved to New York City, settling into quiet lives.[18]

History

Early Life[]

Karkas' mother a Deviant, desperate to stabilise her genes in the face of Deviants' wildly differing genetic codes, underwent experimental procedures in the Breeding Pits of the "City of Toads" on Lemuria The procedure failed, and Karkas was born more grotesquely mutated than the average Deviant. He was labeled a "mutate". The Deviant priesthood publicly marks for execution all Deviants whom it considers to have varied too greatly in their genetic codes from the rest of their race. Some of these extreme cases, however, are raised to fight as gladiators in the arena before they are sent to their final fate. Karkas quickly developed such size and strength that he was selected to become a gladiator. Although his heavily-hided body could resist extremes of punishment, Karkas never had any special inclination to become a fighter. Therefore, he did the minimum required of him as a gladiator to permit his continued existence. In fact, Karkas had a great natural sensitivity emotionally, and was a born philosopher, despite the role of a savage monster that he was forced to play.[3]

Battling the Hulk[]

The Leader abducted Karkas and Hercules as part of a scheme to manipulate them into fighting the Hulk. He later captured Wolverine with the same intention. However, Wolverine managed to escape captivity and freed the other prisoners. During the ensuing battle, Karkas helped combat the Leader's Humanoid constructs, and the villain’s plan was ultimately thwarted.[19]

Joining the Eternals[]

Known as the Killing Machine, Karkas was frequently deployed in Lemuria's gladiatorial contests for the entertainment of Brother Tode. He developed a reputation for his savage and destructive fighting style.[20] Karkas was unleashed in the arena to battle Ransak the Reject, a human-looking Deviant warrior. Charging in a fury, Karkas noticed Brother Tode, Kro, and Thenaobserving from the royal stands.[4] During the battle, the Reject blasted Karkas, who cried out in pain and confusion. Ransak continued the attack, beating Karkas with a power-rod before turning his rage on the guards.[20] Though gravely wounded, Karkas survived. He begged Thena and Kro for sanctuary, seeking peace away from bloodshed. Thena offered both Karkas and Ransak a home in Olympia and teleported them there.[5] Upon arriving in Olympia, Karkas collapsed. Thena healed him, and though he sensed the Eternals found him monstrous, he appreciated Thena's compassion. Tasked with watching over Karkas, the Reject accepted, and Karkas expressed interest in exploring philosophy.[21] Thena introduced Karkas and Ransak to Zuras, who insulted them as monsters but still asked their help in locating Zakka the Tool-Master. Thena disguised Karkas with an illusion, and the group checked into a hotel. After Ransak threatened a bellboy, Karkas intervened. When time-travelling warriors of Attila the Hun attacked, Karkas protected a young boy named Georgie and his babysitter, revealing his true form and frightening civilians. Zakka appeared and shot Karkas repeatedly with an energy weapon before fleeing. Thena healed Karkas and restored his disguise. Later, Zakka summoned Tutinax, who fought Ransak, Thena, and Karkas. A gladiatorial match was arranged, but Tutinax vanished before the result was decided.[6]

Thor[]

Karkas began studying the works of Thoreau. Thena began to recognise Karkas had a poet's heart. Thena brought Karkas and Ransak aboard her airship along with other warriors. They picked up Ikaris and Margo Damian, informing them of new intelligence on Deviant civilisation. Thena disguised Karkas and Reject with civilian appearances, and they all took the subway. After slipping away into the tunnels, the group found the Deviants. During the confrontation, Kro attached a bomb to Margo, leading the group to surrender. Karkas escaped by smashing through a wall, reasoning that at least one of them should remain free. He disguised himself as a human and went to Sersi's apartment for aid, finding it ransacked. In his human guise, Karkas encountered Dr. Donald Blake, whom he perceived as a threat. He reverted to his monstrous form and attacked, but relented upon realising Blake was Thor. Karkas used Sersi's magical mirror to recount their recent exploits. Sersi then revealed herself, having been disguised in the room, and transformed two captured Deviants back from ornamental cats. Upon hearing the police approach, Karkas, Sersi, and Thor departed, bringing one of the Deviants, who disclosed the location of the Deviant hideout.[22] Karkas accompanied Thor and Sersi into the Deviant tunnels, where they were attacked and Karkas was struck by an energy blast. When Kro threatened to kill Karkas unless the others surrendered, they complied. All were bound in the Belts of Bemusement and reunited with Thena, Ikaris, Margo, and Ransak before being taken to Brother Tode. Sersi created an illusion to make it seem Thor was free. After a brief skirmish with the mutate Metabo, who was sent by Kro, Thor defeated him and the group escaped the collapsing Deviant city with Thor's help.[23]

After returning Margo to Earth, Thor joined the Eternals in Olympia. Karkas and Ransak bickered as they approached, only for their craft to be struck by a discus thrown during the Eternals' Olympic games, causing a crash. They observed Gilgamesh attacking the city to warn against interference in the Celestial judgment.[24] Karkas and Ransak watched as Zuras, Domo, and Makkari led the Eternals in preparing to form the Uni-Mind to oppose the Celestials.[25] Karkas and Ransak witnessed the return of Gilgamesh alongside Thor. They were amused by the bickering between Gilgamesh and other Eternals about strategy.[26] Karkas and Reject were among the Eternals and Thor manipulated into a staged conflict with the Olympians and Asgardians by the One Above All. Karkas and the Reject engaged Yellow-Crested Titans in the fray.[27] Karkas and Ransak observed the end of the battle and the departure of the gods.[28]

Contest of Champions[]

Karkas was among the individuals selected for the Grandmaster's Contest of Champions but was held in stasis and did not participate in the matches.[29]

Life with the Eternals[]

Karkas began learning the complicated history of the Eternals.[30] After Zuras' death, Thena took rulership of Olympia and called a meeting of Eternals and Karkas. Karkas witnessed Thena's ritual ascension to leadership and noted her disappointment when she realised only he and Makkari had attended in person.[31] As Makkari paced nervously, Karkas played chess with Thena and grew concerned when she threw the match. Ikaris and Margo Damian arrived to warn Thena of a Deviant threat.[32] Karkas was with Thena in Olympia when they received news of a Deviant fleet above Earth, led by Kro. Thena angrily ordered Karkas to activate the Alpha Craft and threatened him if he did not comply. They launched the Alpha Craft, but the weapon failed, allowing the Deviants to escape.[33] Ikaris accused Thena of treason for deploying the Alpha Craft, prompting a formal trial. The Eternals assembled for Thena's trial. Ikaris demanded Karkas testify, but Karkas refused, recognising that his Deviant status rendered his testimony invalid. Thena lashed out but later agreed to a proper trial.[30] Karkas stood guard over Olympia. During his watch, only Thena and Kro entered. Ikaris and Ransak arrived in Olympia and met with Makkari, Karkas, Kingo, Argos, and Cybele to discuss Thena's betrayal. The Forgotten One revealed Ghaur's Celestial plans. After Karkas questioned his reliability, Reject struck him. Ikaris defended Karkas as honourable. The group restrained Thena and Karkas held Kro, then entered the Great Machine. A recording of Zuras instructed Thena and Ikaris to fight for the Prime Eternal role. Ikaris won. Thena and Kro teleported away, leaving Karkas feeling conflicted.[7]

Ikaris prepared for battle against the Deviants by disguising the Eternals as Deviants. Cybele and Karkas stayed behind. Ghaur contacted Olympia and revealed Margo was his hostage. Karkas posed as Ikaris via hologram to deceive Ghaur, then warned the others. He also refused to tell Dave Chatterton and Samuel Holden where Sersi was.[34] Karkas and Cybele welcomed Dave to Olympia, explained recent events, and monitored Sersi's location. Learning Ghaur was controlling Sersi, Thena, and Kro and planning to access Celestial weapons, Cybele sent Dave to Lemuria to warn Ikaris.[35] Karkas saw the Eternals return from battle against Ghaur, now wielding Celestial power. A giant-sized Ghaur led Deviant forces against Olympia, but was defeated. Karkas later stood by Margo Damian's grave with Ikaris.[36] Karkas stood with the Eternals as the High Evolutionary arrived in Olympia, requesting their help mapping the Silver Surfer's DNA. Karkas found him arrogant. The Eternals intervened in a battle between Silver Surfer and Super-Skrull in space and brought both to Olympia. After a short conflict, the Surfer and Skrull escaped.[37] Karkas and the Eternals (including Phastos and Sprite) rescued Blastaar, who attacked and seemingly killed them.The Eternals and Karkas reconstituted their atoms and interacted with the Avengers.[38]

Herod Factor[]

Karkas and Ransak listened as Phastos identified human-Deviant offspring, the "Ordained Ones," as responsible for twin murders. Thena brought her children, Donald and Deborah Ritter, to Olympia. Karkas and Ransak agreed to watch over them. A mutate Ajak in disguise, attacked, knocked out Karkas and Ransak, and kidnapped the children. Karkas and Reject explained events to the Eternals. Thena then invited them on a mission to the Polar Eternal base, where they found an aged Kro in the Pyramid of the Winds. Kro restored his appearance and joined Thena, Karkas, and Ransak in a mission to Lemuria, where Brother Visara held the twins and other Eternals captive. Thena disguised herself and Ransak as the twins to infiltrate the area. Kro rallied the Deviants against Brother Visara. As the Deviants fled, the heroes returned to Daniel Damian and uncovered him as the mastermind behind the attacks and kidnappings. The mutate attacked again, holding off the Eternals.[39]

Back in Olympia[]

In Olympia, Karkas and Ransak engaged in a sparring match with Kingo Sunen, overseen by the Eternals. Meanwhile, the Avengers had been captured by Deviants under the leadership of Ghaur. In response, Sersi allied with Kro to form a rescue team dubbed Delta Force, which included Karkas, Ransak, Enigmo, Toro Rojo, Tzabaoth, and Dragona. Kro dispatched Karkas, Ransak, Enigmo, and Toro Rojo to the Lemurian arena, where two mind-controlled Avengers were being held. [40] Inside the arena, Karkas and Ransak were forced to battle Black Knight and Hank Pym, both controlled by Karygmax's brain-mines. As the tide turned against them, Enigmo and Toro Rojo intervened, turning the battle in Delta Force’s favour. Once freed from their mind control, the Avengers followed Karkas and Ransak through Lemurian tunnels to confront Ghaur. After the conflict ended, Delta Force left Ghaur in power, though Kro warned they would one day return to depose him.[9]

Later, when Ikaris convened a secret meeting of the Eternals in Olympia, Ransak and Karkas were ordered to remain outside. During this time, they were approached by three supposed members of the Fantastic Four the Human Torch, Invisible Woman, and Thing who soon revealed themselves to be disguised enemies: Helio, Phobius, and Gronk. The trio subdued Karkas and Ransak and teleported away with them before the Eternals could respond. Held in captivity, Karkas and Ransak were placed in an energy-extraction device that painfully drained their kinetic force. They also witnessed the capture of Yrdisis by the Weird Sisters Beauty, Charm, and Truth. Under the influence of truth serum, Karkas and Ransak revealed the existence of the Ritter twins to their captors, who intended to use the twins' energy to restore their master, Maelstrom. As Maelstrom began to drain the life energy of Karkas, Ransak, Yrdisis, and the Ritter twins—visibly aging them—he was shocked to discover that Ransak was, in fact, his own son. This revelation disrupted the energy flow and caused the captives' life forces to be returned to them.[41]

Battling Ghaur[]

Some time later, Ghaur captured Sersi, Thena, and the Ritter twins in Lemuria, using a device to siphon their energy. In response, Kro organised a team called Kro's Kommandos, including Karkas and Ransak, to mount a rescue operation. During their assault, Karkas managed to free Sersi, but the rest of the team was captured.Sersi returned to Lemuria with the Heroes for Hire, only to find Karkas and Ransak mind-controlled and turned against them [42] During the battle, Karkas was forced to fight Luke Cage and, though apologetic, struck him while under compulsion. Later, Karkas stood guard over the imprisoned Cage and White Tiger, until Ant-Man destroyed the control device enslaving Karkas. Freed, he joined Iron Fist in battling Ghaur, holding off Ransak long enough for the tide to turn.[10] Ghaur was ultimately defeated, and Karkas chose to remain in Lemuria to help stabilise Deviant society.[11]

Apocalypse Now[]

Later, Karkas and Ransak established a Deviant rebel base in Lemuria, opposing Ghaur's rule. When Ghaur declared war on the surface world, Karkas and Ransak opposed him once more. However, Lemuria was soon targeted with nuclear weapons by Apocalypse. Karkas was mutated into a towering, grotesque giant and taken prisoner, alongside other altered Deviants, to serve Apocalypse's schemes. Apocalypse launched Karkas to Earth inside a massive obelisk, which cracked open upon arrival and released the now-enraged Deviant. Rampaging at giant-size, Karkas was confronted by a team of Eternals Sersi, Thena, Ikaris, Aurelle, Tomorrow Hawk, Chi Demon, Psykos as well as Reject. In the ensuing battle, Karkas was brought down when his own power lance was driven into his mutated spine, incapacitating the monster and ending his rampage.[12]

Black Panther[]

When a Deviant child sought asylum on Earth, tensions escalated between Black Panther and the Deviants. As Black Panther arrived in Lemuria with Wakandan warships, Kro confronted him directly, flanked by Karkas and Ransak. In an attempt to assert Deviant sovereignty, Kro struck Black Panther during their standoff, while Karkas and Ransak held their ground and refrained from joining the physical confrontation.[43] Karkas was later seen in Greenwich Village, New York, asking for directions inside the Rascal Tavern. At that moment, the Daughters of the Dragon Colleen Wing and Misty Knight entered to investigate leads on 8-Ball and Freezer Burn. A fight broke out between the Daughters and several villains present in the bar. Amid the chaos, Karkas was knocked through a window and thrown into the street outside.[44]

Deviant Saga[]

Later, Karkas returned to Olympia alongside Ransak. The two, feeling like outcasts among the Eternals, amused themselves by standing guard over a city they considered alien to their nature. When Thor arrived in search of the Eternals, he found only Virako and Phastos present. At that moment, Kro launched an assault on Olympia with a group of Deviants, including the monstrous Tutinax, aiming to steal the broken Resurrection Machine. As Thor battled Tutinax, Karkas was accidentally caught in a projection beam from an Eternal device that disguised his monstrous form, allowing him to see himself as human. He was briefly moved by the vision of his own perceived beauty. The Deviants successfully escaped, having gravely injured Virako and taken both Phastos and the Resurrection Machine.[14] Karkas and Ransak then guided Thor to Lemuria in pursuit of the stolen machine. However, their ship was shot down, and both were captured by Ghaur. Recognising Ransak’s mental resilience, Ghaur instead turned his powers on Karkas, mentally enslaving him and forcing him to fight Ransak against his will. Meanwhile, Thor and Phastos continued their mission to restore the damaged device. [45] Still under Ghaur's control, Karkas continued battling Ransak, unable to resist the commands imposed upon him.[46] Eventually, Thor and Phastos launched a renewed assault, disrupting Ghaur's control and freeing Karkas. Reunited, Karkas and Ransak helped defeat the Deviant tyrants threatening Lemuria, including Ghaur, Ereshkigal, and Tutinax. In the aftermath, Kro reclaimed leadership over Lemuria and announced that most Deviant males had become sterile due to genetic deterioration. With Ransak revealed as one of the few remaining fertile Deviants, Kro commanded him to remain in Lemuria and father a new generation an order that horrified both Ransak and Karkas. Thor offered to defend Ransak's autonomy in battle, but Phastos instead proposed to stay in Lemuria and help the Deviants find a scientific solution to their reproductive crisis. Back in Olympia, Karkas and Ransak were present to witness the return of the Uni-Mind, which brought the rest of the Eternals back to Earth.[47]

Spider-Man & Deadpool[]

Seeking peace and solitude, Karkas established a quiet life for himself on a remote farm located on the edge of the universe. There, he cultivated crops, cared for livestock, cooked his own meals, and raised a green, horned dog. He also began composing his autobiography, embracing a life of isolation and reflection.[15] During this time, Karkas adopted a gluten-free lifestyle.[48] Karkas' solitude was interrupted when a hidden beacon activated in his drawer, signalling that Ransak was in danger. Donning a formal suit, Karkas followed the signal to the Negative Zone, where he found Ransak under the mental control of Blastaar and being forced to battle Spider-Man, Deadpool, and Negative Zone natives Jannor and Koly. Karkas intervened, knocking Blastaar aside and helping restrain Ransak long enough for Spider-Man to web him to a wall. Using calm reasoning, Karkas reached through to Ransak, restoring his free will. Ransak then expressed his fear that rage defined his very identity. As Karkas offered reassurance, Blastaar reasserted mental control this time over Deadpool, Koly, and Ransak forcing them to attack again[15] Ransak, under mind control, was forced to fight Karkas. Eventually, Blastaar also seized control of Karkas and the others. Once freed from his influence and with Blastaar arrested, Karkas and Ransak celebrated their reunion. The two agreed to join Jannor and Koly as members of the Negative Force.[48]

Return of Thanos[]

Later, while speaking with Gilgamesh about his poetic nature, Karkas watched Ransak spar with Thena before the city was attacked by Deviants. The attack was quickly repelled.[49] To support themselves, Karkas and Ransak began hosting public sparring matches in Lemuria, allowing Deviants to pay admission to watch them fight.[16] While in the middle of one such match, the two were approached by Ikaris, who asked for guidance on how to fight like a mortal. Their conversation was interrupted when Thanos attacked.[16] Karkas and Ransak witnessed Thanos massacre thousands of Deviants in Lemuria before departing. The Eternals evacuated the city shortly thereafter. [13]

A.X.E.: Death to the Mutant[]

When the Eternals declared war on the Mutants, Karkas and Ransak joined Kro and other Deviants in travelling through the Krakoan Gateways to meet with Cyclops and form an alliance with the mutants against the Eternals. [17] Karkas and Ransak remained among the Deviants who stayed on Krakoa to assist the mutant population during the conflict.[50]

She-Hulk[]

Tired of their unchanging lives among the Eternals, Karkas and Ransak relocated to New York City and moved into an apartment together. While Ransak spent his time lounging and drinking coffee, refusing to find employment, Karkas secured a remote data entry job. However, complaints from several neighbours soon led to the threat of eviction.[51] The duo sought legal assistance from She-Hulk, meeting with her colleagues Mallory Book and Awesome Andy at her firm.[51] She-Hulk officially represented Karkas and Ransak in their initial court hearing.[52] Despite She-Hulk's efforts, Karkas and Ransak were eventually evicted from their apartment.[53] In response, She-Hulk offered them the use of her own apartment while she vacationed with her boyfriend, Jack of Hearts.[53]

During their stay, Hellcat visited and invited the pair out for cake.[54] Karkas maintained a professional setup in the apartment for Zoom calls and took messages for She-Hulk from Mallory and Captain Marvel. Meanwhile, Ransak remained idle, leaving the apartment in a state of disarray.[55] Upon returning from their vacation, She-Hulk and Jack of Hearts found the apartment messy and demanded Karkas and Ransak clean it.[55] The two gradually won over the building's residents by mediating disputes and helping maintain peace in the complex. Preparing speeches for a co-op board meeting, Karkas and Ransak were ultimately approved unanimously and secured a new apartment.[18]

Attributes

Powers

  • Superhuman Strength: Karkas is superhumanly strong and can lift 25 tons but since he is not yet an adult his strength may still grow.[2]
  • Superhuman Durability: His thick hide can withstand concussive forces up to those of a small anti-tank missile before sustaining serious injury.[2]
  • Accelerated Healing Factor:His recuperative powers are about twice that of human beings.[2]
  • Telepathy: After Thena used her powers of illusions to cloak Karkas in a human-seeming form for a few years, Karkas somehow developed the minor telepathic ability to do so on his own.[22]

Abilities

  • Gifted Intellect:[56] Karkas has great learning abilities and total recall. His particular intellectual interest is philosophy.[2]
  • Master Combatant: Highly skilled combatant with extensive training as a gladiator.[56]

Weaknesses

  • Handicap: Karkas is slow and ponderous, and his lack of an opposable thumb prevents him from utilizing many ordinary tools.[2]
  • Limited Speed: His speed and reflexes, however, are only about 75 percent of the average human male.[2]

See Also

Links and References

References

  1. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #6
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (Vol. 2) #6
  3. 3.0 3.1 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Deluxe Edition Omnibus #1
  4. 4.0 4.1 Eternals #8
  5. 5.0 5.1 Eternals #10
  6. 6.0 6.1 Eternals Annual #1
  7. 7.0 7.1 Eternals (Vol. 2) #9
  8. Thor #291292
  9. 9.0 9.1 Avengers #371
  10. 10.0 10.1 Heroes for Hire #6
  11. 11.0 11.1 Heroes for Hire #7
  12. 12.0 12.1 New Eternals: Apocalypse Now #1
  13. 13.0 13.1 Eternals (Vol. 5) #9
  14. 14.0 14.1 Thor: The Deviants Saga #2
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Spider-Man/Deadpool #44
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Eternals (Vol. 5) #8
  17. 17.0 17.1 A.X.E.: Judgment Day #3
  18. 18.0 18.1 Sensational She-Hulk (Vol. 2) #10
  19. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #144
  20. 20.0 20.1 Eternals #9
  21. Eternals #12
  22. 22.0 22.1 Thor #285
  23. Thor #286
  24. Thor #287
  25. Thor #288
  26. Thor #289
  27. Thor #291
  28. Thor #292
  29. Contest of Champions #1
  30. 30.0 30.1 Eternals (Vol. 2) #5
  31. Eternals (Vol. 2) #1
  32. Eternals (Vol. 2) #2
  33. Eternals (Vol. 2) #4
  34. Eternals (Vol. 2) #10
  35. Eternals (Vol. 2) #11
  36. Eternals (Vol. 2) #12
  37. Silver Surfer Annual #1
  38. Avengers #310
  39. Eternals: The Herod Factor #1
  40. Avengers #370
  41. Fantastic Four Unlimited #10
  42. Heroes for Hire #5
  43. Black Panther (Vol. 3) #27
  44. Daughters of the Dragon #3
  45. Thor: The Deviants Saga #3
  46. Thor: The Deviants Saga #4
  47. Thor: The Deviants Saga #5
  48. 48.0 48.1 Spider-Man/Deadpool #45
  49. Eternals Forever #1
  50. A.X.E.: Judgment Day #2
  51. 51.0 51.1 Sensational She-Hulk (Vol. 2) #1
  52. Sensational She-Hulk (Vol. 2) #4
  53. 53.0 53.1 Sensational She-Hulk (Vol. 2) #6
  54. Sensational She-Hulk (Vol. 2) #8
  55. 55.0 55.1 Sensational She-Hulk (Vol. 2) #9
  56. 56.0 56.1 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #21