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Quote1 What was that? The Spider-Bride. There you are. The spinner at the center of the web. It's time. The Great Hunt begins. From this moment on, let all Hell break loose! Quote2
Morlun[src]

Quick Answers

What are the powers of Morlun in the Marvel universe? toggle section
Morlun, a formidable character in the Marvel universe, possesses a variety of superhuman attributes. His primary power is the ability to absorb the life force energy of other living creatures, which grants him superhuman physical abilities. This energy absorption is not limited to any being, but he must occasionally renew himself by feeding upon pure forms of animal-related superbeings. Morlun also has superhuman strength, capable of lifting an estimated 20 tons, and superhuman speed, allowing him to move at speeds beyond the physical limits of the finest human athlete. He can also fly and has proven himself to be a formidable hand-to-hand combatant. However, his powers come with weaknesses. He must regularly feed on the life forces of other living beings to stay alive and is highly vulnerable to exposure to high levels of radiation. When he is feeding, his guard is down, making him as vulnerable as any regular human.
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Who was the Spider-Totem named Ezekiel Sims that Morlun hunted? toggle section
Ezekiel Sims was a Spider-Totem who had a significant history with Morlun, a character from the Marvel universe known for hunting Spider-Totems across dimensions. Ezekiel managed to evade Morlun's hunt and took it upon himself to protect future generations of Spider-Totems, such as Cindy Moon and Peter Parker. He compiled research on Morlun, explained the totemic side of their powers to them, warned them about Morlun, and even attempted to take them into protective custody. Ezekiel also played a crucial role in constructing bunkers that would shield those with ties to the totem-order and founded WebCorps to serve as a front. His actions were instrumental in the ongoing battle against Morlun and his family, the Inheritors.
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How does Morlun's ability to travel between dimensions impact his interactions with Spider-Man? toggle section
Morlun's ability to travel between dimensions significantly impacts his interactions with Spider-Man. This power allows him to hunt all Spider-Totemic avatars, including Spider-Man, across various dimensions. Morlun's dimensional travel ability has led him to Earth-616, where he hunted a Spider-Totem named Ezekiel Sims and later Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man. This power also enables Morlun to stalk Spider-Man from the shadows, wreaking havoc with his spider-sense. Furthermore, Morlun's interdimensional travel ability has allowed him to continue his hunt in other universes, even after developing a fear of Earth-616. This has led to encounters with various incarnations of Spider-Man across different dimensions, making Morlun a persistent and formidable adversary for Spider-Man.
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What measures did Ezekiel take to protect future generations of Spider-Totems from Morlun? toggle section
Ezekiel took several measures to protect future generations of Spider-Totems from Morlun. He gathered all the information he could on Morlun and paid for the construction of special bunkers that would block out anyone who could find those with ties to the totem-order. He also became a member of the Spider Society and helped found WebCorps to serve as a front. When Peter Parker and Cindy Moon were bitten by a spider and gained superpowers, Ezekiel trained them in the use of their powers. He also took steps to protect them from Morlun, including locking Cindy away in a special room at the bottom of his tower and monitoring Peter's progress as Spider-Man. When it became apparent that Morlun would target Peter, Ezekiel confronted him and tried to convince him to hide in the specially constructed room.
Provided by: Fandom
How did Morlun and his family capture the Master Weaver? toggle section
Morlun and his family, known as the Inheritors, engaged in a fierce battle against the Master Weaver, a powerful entity with control over the Web of Life and Destiny. They managed to subjugate the Master Weaver and used chains designed by Jennix, one of Morlun's siblings, to control its power. This allowed them to travel between dimensions and hunt all Spider-Totemic avatars across the Multiverse. They transformed Earth-001 into the Loomworld, which served as their base for their interdimensional hunts.
Provided by: Fandom

History

Origin[]

In the distant past, Morlun and his family took part in a battle against the Master Weaver and succeeded in capturing it and using its power to travel between dimensions and hunt all Spider-Totemic avatars.[12]

At some point in the past, Morlun travelled to Earth-616 and hunted a Spider-Totem named Ezekiel Sims, who managed to elude him. Ezekiel would go on to compile research on Morlun and take measures to protect future generations of Spider-Totems, such as Cindy Moon and Peter Parker, explaining the totemic side of their powers, warning them about Morlun, and attempting to take them into protective custody.[5]

After Peter's meeting with Ezekiel, Morlun and his hapless minion Dex subtly began tormenting Peter from the shadows, stalking him and wreaking havoc with his spider-sense. Morlun finally revealed himself when Spider-Man was investigating a fire at the wharf, punching him with what Spider-Man claimed was the hardest punch he had ever felt.[13] Morlun then told Spider-Man that he would eventually kill him, and now that they had made physical contact, he could find Spider-Man wherever he went. Though Spider-Man fought back, Morlun continually regained the upper hand. Peter tried to flee, but Morlun was able to find him easily and resume the fight. Spider-Man finally got away after Morlun burned down the building they were fighting in, but Ezekiel told him it was no use. Morlun would find him once again, and kill him.[6]

Morlun continually attacked Spider-Man over the next few days, endangering the lives of innocent citizens if Peter tried to flee. With Ezekiel's help, Peter managed to briefly escape with a sample of Morlun's blood, which he discovered contained the DNA of every genus in the animal kingdom. Realizing that Morlun's DNA was pure, Peter found a weakness he could exploit.[14] Luring Morlun to a nuclear power plant, Spider-Man injected himself with a dose of radiation that would kill a normal human being, but was only enough to weaken him due to the radiation already in his blood. When Morlun arrived, he prepared to feed, only to be burned instead by the radiation in Peter's blood. Peter explained that he wasn't a pure spider totem as Morlun had guessed due to the spider that bit him having been previously subjected to a dose of radiation, and that while Morlun could feed on the spider, he couldn't digest the radiation.[15]

Absorbing the radiation rather than his spider-powers with every punch Peter threw at him, Morlun began to disintegrate, and he pleaded for Spider-Man to spare his life, saying he was merely doing what was necessary for his survival and that it was nothing personal. While Peter debated on whether or not to let a monster like Morlun go, Dex suddenly appeared and shot Morlun, causing him to crumble to dust.[7]

Mysterious Return[]

Morlun reappeared months later and plagued Spider-Man with sudden and mysterious appearances, warning him that he was coming to finish him. Spider-Man, for a reason not explainable by science, was dying, and Morlun hung back to watch the causes and effects of his ailment.[8] Finally, Morlun struck, and in a climactic battle, brutally beat Spider-Man. Morlun left when the police arrived, opting for a more appropriate time to absorb Spider-Man's life force, leaving the web-slinger one-eyed and near-death.[16][17][18][19][20]

Returning soon thereafter, Morlun entered Spider-Man's room in the Emergency Ward and prepared to feast, apparently unconcerned about the presence of the Avengers (of the New Avengers line-up) in the hospital to check up on their teammate - Captain America, Iron Man, and Luke Cage had come in the front door while Mary Jane and an uncostumed Jessica Drew snuck in around the back.[21] Mary Jane, who arrived at Peter's room just as Morlun was about to feed, tried to stop him, but he casually broke her forearm and threw her off to one side. As it appeared he would kill her, Spider-Man suddenly sprung to life in a ferocious display of mysterious new powers, including stingers sprouting from his arms that he used to pin Morlun down, and fangs that he used to rip Morlun's throat out. Morlun died once again, crumbling to dust, weakly saying that it wasn't supposed to be this way.[22][23][24]

Against the Panther[]

Morlun (Earth-001) from Black Panther Vol 5 5 002

Sometime later, the Crocodile Cult resurrected Morlun so that he could devour the Black Panther totem and in turn weaken the nation of Wakanda.[25] As a start, Morlun fed on the long-term Panther adversary Man-Ape. He was defeated by the new Black Panther, Shuri, who, with the help of a witch-doctor, sent Morlun into limbo,[3] where he was forced to battle the endless hordes of Death.[26][27]

Great Hunt[]

At some point Morlun escaped Limbo and continued with the hunt. However, his deaths made him develop a fear of Earth-616, so he continued on to other universes. He traveled to Earth-311 and killed and drained the life essence of that universe's Spider-Man, Peter Parquagh.[28] With the release of the Spider-Bride Morlun began the Great Hunt. [29] Morlun also attacked and killed a monstrous Spider-Man who had only been a totem for three days.[30] He later arrived at another Earth, where he slaughtered the Iceman and the Firestar of that world before killing the Spider-Man of that world, leaving a helpless Ms. Lion to whimper by herself, though this was watched by a rookie Captain Britain.[31] Morlun hunted down several incarnations of Miguel O'Hara, killing the Miguel from Earth-6375 as he entered Earth-616. Rather than kill the shocked Miguel from Earth-928, however, Morlun expressed fear at the prospect of returning to a universe where he was killed three times and instead retreated. [32] He later went to Earth-13, with his father and brother Jennix and captured the Scion, who was revealed to be Benjy Parker.[33]

When the Inheritors managed to gather the other two spider-totems needed to perform a ritual, The Other and The Bride, the Spider-Army formed to oppose the Inheritors travelled to their base, Loomworld, to stop them.[34]

In the end, the Spider-Army managed to overpower the Inheritors and stop the ritual which would've ended them all. The Inheritors were left in Earth-3145, a universe with a radioactive Earth, where they would die due to them being extremely vulnerable to radiation, and couldn't escape, because the Master Weaver they had enslaved and used to travel across the Multiverse had been killed. However, Spider-Man gave them the knowledge of a shelter in Sims Tower, where they could survive, but not pose a threat anymore.[35]

Spider-Geddon[]

The Inheritors eventually escaped their prison after Jennix managed to hack Otto Octavius's databases, using Otto's spare clone bodies as a means of transferring their souls into Earth-616. While his brothers and sisters engaged the rest of the Spider-Army, Morlun was focused on one goal: to eliminate Peter Parker once and for all.[36] Locating Peter quickly, Morlun proceeded to chase him throughout the city and gravely wound him, even breaking the latter's wrist and Dimensional Travel Watch. Morlun was prevented from making the kill by the arrival of Miles Morales and several other distractions thrown at him by the Spider-Men, frustrating him immensely.[37] Eventually, Morlun was trapped in a cage and rendered unconscious by multiple sedatives shot at him by both Peter and members of the NYPD.[38] After the defeat of his father, the Spider-Army managed to turn Morlun's siblings in to babies and remove their hunger for Totems. Peter asked Miles to call NYPD to bring Morlun so that he could be turned to a baby too.[39]

Last Remains[]

Morlun was however captured by an unknown group of scientists who imprisoned and experimented on him. Morlun managed to free himself, killing the scientists, and went to live in the sewers eating spiders. After Sin-Eater injected his followers with the Spider-Virus, Morlun sensed them and went after them.[9][40]

After feasting on the mutated man-spiders, Morlun was attacked by Sin-Eater. While Morlun firstly was easily defeating him and boasting how he would feast on Carter even if he was just a man, Carter managed to disorient Morlun with a grenade and shoot him with his shotgun,[10] allowing Carter to absorb Morlun's powers. After the Sin-Eater commited suicide,[41] Morlun regained his powers and was returned to normal.[42]

When the Sin-Eater's master, the demonic Kindred twins, enacted their final attack against Spider-Man, they used their powers to pull into their service an army of super villains, including Morlun, due to his involvement in the Sin-Eater's rampage. They participated in a battle royale for Spider-Man's head until Doctor Octopus freed himself and the other contestants from the Kindreds' control.[11]

End of the Spider-Verse[]

Eager to reunite with his family, who he believed had returned to Loomworld, Morlun ripped off Spider-Boy's arm and claimed his Dimensional Travel Watch in order to reach Earth-3123. Confronting Spider-Ma'am, who took care of the infant Inheritors, he was unaware she had eaten them after becoming a Spider-Wasp. Confronting the totemic wasp-goddess Shathra, who had been freed once more, Morlun was sent to Earth-616 Beta following the conflict. Wounded and beaten, he was joined with the remaining Spiders to the ensuing confrontation. Deciding to set his hatred for Earth-616's Spider-Man aside, he sought him out to warn him and propose an alliance. Having already been warned of another "Spider-Verse" threat, Spider-Man assumed Morlun was responsible given their past and attacked the Inheritor on-sight. However, Shathra's wasp-totems attacked and Morlun angrily elaborated the situation before he, Peter, Miles, and Cindy were confronted wasp infected former allies sent from the Great Nest.[43] Morlun and the others were saved by Araña and relocated to Earth-616 Beta. After they were appraised of their situation, Peter wanted to have more members to their ranks while Morlun had to clarify that all present were all that remained.[1]

Morlun decided to use the Totem Dagger on Shathra, hopeful it would disconnect her from the Web of Life. Morlun used his Dimensional Travel Watch to return to Earth-616 and retrieve it. Fighting the corrupted Spider-Wasps-- Noir, Punk, Mayday, and Ghost-Spider-- that he believed were in possession, he managed to defeat them with the help of Silk, Sun-Spider, Web-Weaver, and Spintress. However, Spinstress was turned into a Spider-Wasp and allowed the others to escape with the Dagger, which was used to disconnect Peter Parker-616. Returning to their base, Madame Web revealed who was most likely to defeat Shathra, Peter's prototype - Earth-616 Beta's Peter Palmer.[44]

As Shathra's plan came to fruition, the Spiders decided to bring the fight to her base, disguising as Spider-Wasps and bringing Peter Palmer there. However, he was easily subdued so Morlun grabbed the retrieved Totem Dagger and stabbed Shathra only for nothing to happen. Shathra revealed Morlun and the other Inheritors where the Totems of the leech and had no power to stop her. Humiliated and defeated, Morlun tried to absorb Silk's life-energy (who was revealed to be the real chosen one to defeat Shathra), only for her to stab him with the Dagger and starting repair the Web of Life and Destiny with the liberated energy, resulting in every Spider-Totem he had ever absorbed to be released, restoring the Web and allowing the Spiders to defeat Shathra, leaving him weakened in the suburbs of New York City once again,[45] though on Earth-31.

Stripped of his powers and sanity, Morlun was reduced to a shell of his former self, hiding in the subways and feeding on spiders until he encountered the Carnage of Earth-616. Informing Carnage that the power of the Inheritors, which had been passed to Kraven the Hunter-Spider after Morlun had been cut by the Totemic Dagger, could aid it in its quest to become the King in Black, Morlun used Carnage to weaken Kraven before intervening to reclaim his power -- and with it his mind. Disgusted by Morlun's addiction to totemic essence, Carnage parted ways with the Inheritor, who wished it luck on its quest before setting out to resume hunting Spider-Totems across the Multiverse.[46]

Attributes

Power Grid[54]
:Category:Power Grid/Fighting Skills/Experienced Fighter:Category:Power Grid/Energy Projection/None:Category:Power Grid/Durability/Enhanced:Category:Power Grid/Speed/Superhuman:Category:Power Grid/Strength/Superhuman (800 lbs-25 ton):Category:Power Grid/Intelligence/Learned

Powers

Morlun possesses a variety of superhuman attributes as a result of his unique physiology:

  • Life Force Energy Absorption: Morlun's primary power is the ability to absorb the life force energy of other living creatures, thereby granting himself superhuman physical abilities. Even though Morlun can absorb the energies of virtually any being, he must occasionally renew himself by feeding upon pure forms of animal-related superbeings from one of the four categories that make up his own, unusually pure, DNA; such as animal, insect, human, and bird. Once Morlun has touched a human, he is able to sense that person's life force across great distances. While the limit of this ability isn't known, it allowed him to easily follow and track Spider-Man across New York City.[14] Having absorbed so many Spider-Totems into his being, Morlun technically became a Totem himself, until he was killed, releasing all of the Totems he had absorbed.[47]
  • Superhuman Strength: Morlun possesses superhuman strength that varies according to how recently he has fed and on what kind of source, but he has demonstrated strength capable of lifting an estimated 20 tons. While fighting the Black Panther, he ripped apart an Adamantium net with his bare hands. Spider-Man states that Morlun's punches are the hardest he has ever felt, suggesting that the 20 ton capability is his baseline.[6]
  • Superhuman Speed: Morlun can run and move at speeds that are beyond the physical limits of the finest human athlete. Though the exact limit is unknown, he has been shown to climb several flights of stairs and cover several blocks in only slightly more time than it takes Spider-Man to reach the same destination by web-swinging.[14] However this is likely due to the experience and training that the mainstream Spider-Man has, as both Spider-Punk, and the Superior Spider-Man have stated that Morlun was too fast for their spider-sense. [33]
  • Superhuman Stamina: Morlun's musculature produces less fatigue toxins than the fatigue toxins of human beings. While his stamina depends upon he's fed, Morlun can physically exert himself at peak capacity for at least several hours before the build up of fatigue toxins in his blood begins to impair him.[citation needed]
  • Superhuman Durability: Morlun's body is tougher and more resistant to certain types of injury than the body of a human being. It is known that Morlun can withstand great impact forces, such as being physically struck by Spider-Man, that would severely injure or kill a human, most notably being hit by a vibranium-tipped nuclear missile.[citation needed] Morlun's resistant to penetration wounds from bullets and bladed weaponry is equally high, and was unfazed when Wolverine stabbed him.[32]
  • Superhuman Agility: Morlun's agility, balance, and bodily coordination are enhanced to levels that are beyond the natural physical limits of the finest human athlete.[citation needed]
  • Superhuman Reflexes: Morlun's reflexes are similarly enhanced and are superior to those of the finest human athlete.[14]
  • Immortality: Morlun is functionally immortal in the sense that he is immune to the effects of aging and all known diseases. However, he can be killed if wounded severely enough. However, he has been shown to survive at least two separate deaths, with one of his siblings stating that the only way to kill him permanently is to totally deplete his store of life force.[citation needed]
  • Flight: Morlun can fly.[48]

Abilities

Even though it isn't known exactly how much, if any, formal training he's had, Morlun has proven himself to be a formidable hand to hand combatant.

Weaknesses

Morlun must regularly feed on the life forces of other living beings to stay alive. However, in order to renew himself and to prolong his extremely long lifespan, he must feed on totemic (purer) sources occasionally. Morlun has also proven highly vulnerable to exposure to high levels of radiation. However, Morlun must always be concentrating on keeping himself invincible. He eventually lets his guard down when he is feeding. This weakness enabled Ezekiel to break his nose and the Other to kill him. When his guard is down, he is as vulnerable as any regular human.

Morlun's superhuman tracking ability appears to be limited to his prey being on the same planet as him, as he lost track of Spider-Man after Spider-Man briefly left the Earth to go on a space cruise with Mary Jane Watson.[19]

Notes

  • Morlun appeared to have a reptilian appearance after his first defeat by Spider-Man after being beaten bloody combined with a heavy dose of radiation[7]
  • After his repeated defeats in Earth-616 at the hand of Spider-Man, Morlun has developed a fear of Earth-616.[32]
  • It's stated in Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #9 that Morlun is Solus' heir.
  • Morlun appears to be the most loved of his family. He is his father's favorite,[49] Mortia, Malos, and Thanis attempted to avenge his death,[50] and Brix respects his wishes.[51]
  • While in Germany, he fed on a presumably badger-based totem named Patrick "Dachs" Kurz.[52]
  • After Morlun was pierced by the Totem Dagger, the life energy of every totem he ever consumed over his life was released back into the Great Web, meaning that any or all of Morlun's victims could have been restored to life.[53]

Trivia

  • In the video game Spider-Man Unlimited, Morlun is voiced by Travis Willingham.
  • Morlun remembers the time when Peter Parker was the receptacle of the Other.[34] However, Mephisto's meddling with the timestream ensured that Peter rejected the Other, causing it to seek out Kaine as a host instead.
    • Since Morlun isn't from Earth-616, he most likely was outside the 616 timeline when the reality warp happened, and not subjected to that reality being rewritten.

See Also

Links and References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #2
  2. 2.0 2.1 Spider-Man: Life Story #5
  3. 3.0 3.1 Black Panther (Vol. 5) #4
  4. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #6
  5. 5.0 5.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #30
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #32
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #35
  8. 8.0 8.1 Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1
  9. 9.0 9.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #51.LR
  10. 10.0 10.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #53.LR
  11. 11.0 11.1 Sinister War #3
  12. Superior Spider-Man #33
  13. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #31
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #33
  15. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #34
  16. Amazing Spider-Man #525
  17. Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #19
  18. Amazing Spider-Man #526
  19. 19.0 19.1 Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #20
  20. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #2
  21. Amazing Spider-Man #527
  22. Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #22
  23. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #3
  24. Amazing Spider-Man #528
  25. Black Panther (Vol. 5) #3
  26. Black Panther (Vol. 5) #5
  27. Black Panther (Vol. 5) #6
  28. Free Comic Book Day 2014 (Guardians of the Galaxy) #1
  29. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #4
  30. Edge of Spider-Verse #4
  31. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #7
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 Spider-Man 2099 (Vol. 2) #5
  33. 33.0 33.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #11
  34. 34.0 34.1 Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #13
  35. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #14
  36. Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #311
  37. Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #312
  38. Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #313
  39. Spider-Geddon #5
  40. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #52.LR
  41. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #54.LR
  42. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 5) #56
  43. Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #1
  44. Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #34
  45. Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #67
  46. Web of Carnage #1
  47. Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #16
  48. Spider-Man Unlimited
  49. Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 3) #9
  50. Spider-Man: The Darkest Hours
  51. Spider-Woman (Vol. 5) #2
  52. Marvel Atlas #1
  53. Going to leave this here so I can RT it w/o retyping it.
  54. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Spider-Man 2004 Vol 1 1
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