Kurse

Kurse
Kurse (with Thor and Beta Ray Bill) on the cover of Thor #363 (vol. 1, Jan. 1986). Art by Walter Simonson.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance As Algrim
Thor #347 (Sep. 1984)
As Kurse
Cameo:
Secret Wars II #4 (Oct. 1985)
Full appearance
Power Pack #18 (Jan. 1986)
Created by Walter Simonson
In-story information
Alter ego Algrim
Species Dark Elf
Partnerships Thor
Malekith the Accursed
Notable aliases Algrim the Strong, Valgoth
Abilities Superhuman strength, speed, stamina and durability
Ability to mystically track and locate enemies over large distances and see through illusions and disguises
Enchanted armor grants:
Near invulnerability
Ability to see everything around him

Kurse is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer/artist Walter Simonson, the character first appears as the Dark Elf Algrim the Strong in Thor #347 (Sep. 1984). He is later transformed into Kurse in Secret Wars II #4 (Oct. 1985).

Algrim is portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje in the 2013 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor: The Dark World.

Publication history

The Dark Elf Algrim the Strong was created by Walter Simonson and first appeared in Thor #347 (Sep. 1984). The character was transformed into Kurse in Secret Wars II #4 (Oct. 1985).

Fictional character biography

Kurse was originally the most powerful of a race of Dark Elves and was known as Algrim the Strong. He is coerced by the Dark Elf ruler Malekith the Accursed to fight the Asgardian God of Thunder and superhero, Thor. Malekith, however, betrays Algrim while he is fighting Thor, and in a bid to destroy the Thunder God orders that a pitfall beneath the two be opened. Thor saves himself courtesy of his mystical hammer Mjolnir, while Algrim falls into lava. Algrim's enchanted armor saves his life, but he is still critically injured and develops amnesia from the shock.[1]

Algrim is completely amnesic, except for his obsessive desire to gain revenge upon Thor. Algrim is later healed by the cosmic entity the Beyonder, who transforms him into the much more powerful being called Kurse, who is apparently twice as strong as Thor. The Beyonder transports Kurse to Earth to battle Thor, however Kurse mistakes Thor's ally Beta Ray Bill for Thor and battles him.[2][3] Kurse then battles the juvenile superhero team, Power Pack.[4] Thor dons his magical belt of strength to double his strength and confronts Kurse, however the Beyonder doubles Kurse's strength as well.

Despite overpowering Thor, Kurse is made to realize that it was Malekith, not Thor, who is to blame for his suffering. The Beyonder then transports Kurse to Hel at Thor's suggestion, to frustrate Hela, the Goddess of Death.[5] Kurse confronts and severely beats Loki, who had been disguised as Malekith. Drawing off, he leaves Loki injured and finds what he thinks is Balder the Brave, surrounded by legions of Asgardians. He barrels through them and slays his target, who turns out to be the true Malekith. After repenting, he is granted citizenship among the Asgardians.[6]

He is designated as the guardian of the children of Asgard after he helped protect Volstagg's daughter and adopted sons during a plague,[7] and loyally serves Asgard until the time of Ragnarok. At the time of Ragnarok, all the Asgardians apparently perish, with the exception of Thor.[8]

Kurse is later captured by Malekith, who strips him of the armor. Algrim is sent to Nastrond Prison, where he is forced to serve out the rest of the sentence of Wazaria, a former member of the League of Realms. Malekith forces Wazaria to don the armor, transforming her into the new Kurse. Before he is imprisoned, Algrim encourages his successor to kill herself the first chance she gets.[9]

Powers and abilities

Kurse possesses a number of superhuman attributes because he is a dark elf and has been mystically augmented. Kurse's main advantage is his strength - which originally was a close match to Thor's, but since then his strength was quadrupled in comparison to Thor's.[10] He also has enchanted armor that has been fused to his skin by the Beyonder. Kurse is now almost totally invulnerable, except to iron, like all dark elves. Kurse can also track his opponents over thousands of miles and can see past illusions and disguises. His enchanted armor is living and sentient and allows Kurse to see everything around him.

In other media

Film

Kurse is portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje in the 2013 film Thor: The Dark World.
  • Algrim appears in the animated direct-to-video film Thor: Tales of Asgard, voiced by Ron Halder. His race was killed by Frost Giants after they were forced to ally with Surtur because Odin would not help them. He later steals Surtur's sword and is killed by Loki.
  • Algrim appears in Thor: The Dark World, portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.[11] He appears as a close subordinate of Malekith the Accursed, later being turned into the last of the Dark Elves' monstrous Kursed soldiers, augmenting his strength significantly while bonding the armor he wore at the time to his body. He is much stronger than Thor and has little difficulty in overpowering him in Svartálfaheimr, before being killed by Loki with the help of a Dark Elf grenade.

Video games

References

  1. ↑ Thor #347 - 348 (vol. 1, Sep. - Oct. 1984)
  2. ↑ Secret Wars (vol. 2, Oct. 1985)
  3. ↑ Secret Wars #6 (vol. 2, Dec. 1985)
  4. ↑ Power Pack #18 (May. 1985)
  5. ↑ Thor #363 (vol. 1, Jan. 1986)
  6. ↑ Thor #367 - 368 (vol. 1, May - Jun. 1986)
  7. ↑ Thor #382
  8. ↑ Thor #85 (vol. 2, Dec. 2004)
  9. ↑ The Mighty Thor (vol. 2) #14
  10. ↑ The Mighty Thor #363
  11. ↑ McNary, Dave (2012-08-22). "Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje joins 'Thor: Dark World'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
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