King Kull (DC Comics)

This article is about the Fawcett Comics and DC Comics character. For the Robert E. Howard and Marvel Comics character, see Kull of Atlantis.

King Kull
King Kull battling the Justice League, the Justice Society, and Shazam's Squadron of Justice on the cover of Justice League of America #135; art by Ernie Chan.
Publication information
Publisher	Fawcett Comics (1951–1953) DC Comics (1976–present)
First appearance	Captain Marvel Adventures #125 (October 1951)
Created by	Otto Binder C. C. Beck
In-story information
Full name	Kull
Species	Subman
Team affiliations	Monster Society of Evil
Notable aliases	The Beastman The Beast Man
Abilities	Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability Genius-level intellect Basic combat skills

King Kull (also known as the Beastman or the Beast Man) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published originally by Fawcett Comics and currently by DC Comics. Created by Otto Binder and C. C. Beck, he originally first appeared in Fawcett Comics’ Captain Marvel Adventures in October 1951, and appeared from then until 1953 when the company ceased publishing its superhero titles. DC later acquired Fawcett's properties, and revived the character in the 1970s.

Publication history

Created by writer Otto Binder and artist C. C. Beck, King Kull's first appearance was in Captain Marvel Adventures #125 (cover-dated October 1951). King Kull appeared in adventures of Captain Marvel during the 1950s and the period in which DC Comics revived the hero during the 1970s.

Fictional character biography

King Kull is the ruler of the Submen (also called Beast-Men), a brutish but technologically advanced race who ruled humanity until being overthrown in a revolt. Afterward, Kull fakes his death and survives until the 20th century in suspended animation. Other versions claim that he emerged throughout human history, becoming the basis for the Bogeyman and other mythical monsters.

He is usually thwarted by Captain Marvel or the Marvel Family. On one occasion, he collaborated with Doctor Sivana. On another occasion, he released the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man and used Sin bombs in an attempt to destroy the world. King Kull once tried to turn Billy to stone.

Kull later drains the powers of the wizard Shazam and the deities who empower him. Mercury escapes and informs Captain Marvel, who defeats Kull with help from heroes across the multiverse.

Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity reboot, Kull does not appear for many years. He returns in Justice League: Cry for Justice and DC Rebirth, with the latter depicting him as originating from the Magiclands.

Powers and abilities

King Kull has enhanced strength, stamina, and durability. He possesses superhuman intelligence and is an expert at unarmed combat. He additionally has access to an advanced airship.

Related characters

Prior to King Kull, there have been some characters that had his traits:

• A race of prehistoric men who were frozen for millennia at the North Pole before being resurrected by explorer Rodney Stark.
• The Beast-Ruler is a villain created by Sivana who possesses the abilities of various animals.
• Kull, the God of Crime, also fought Captain Marvel. He resided in the Underworld and planned crimes against mankind. Apart from the name he had little in common.

Other versions

King Kull appears in Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #6.

In other media

A character partially inspired by King Kull named Kru'll the Eternal appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Michael Dorn. Following his introduction in the episode "Menace of the Conqueror Caveman!", he joins the Monster Society of Evil in the episode "The Malicious Mr. Mind!".