Kurse

Superherobox|

caption="Kurse" (holding Thor) on the cover of "Thor" #363 (vol. 1, Jan. 1986). Art by Walter Simonson.
comic_color=background:#ff8180
character_name=Kurse
real_name=Algrim
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Thor" #347 (Sep. 1984)
creators=Walter Simonson
alliance_color=background:#cccccc
status=Deceased
alliances=Thor, Dark elves of Svartalfheim
previous_alliances=Malekith the Accursed
aliases=Algrim the Strong, Valgoth
relatives=
powers=Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and durability
Ability to mystically track and locate enemies over large distances|

Kurse (Algrim) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears as the Dark Elf "Algrim the Strong" in "Thor" #347 (Sep. 1984), is transformed into Kurse in "Secret Wars " #4 (vol. 2, Oct. 1985) and was created by Walter Simonson.

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 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. ["Thor" #347 - 348 (vol. 1, Sep. - Oct. 1984)]

Algrim is completely amnesiac, 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. ["Secret Wars" (vol. 2, Oct. 1985)] ["Secret Wars" #6 (vol. 2, Dec. 1985)] Kurse then battles the juvenile superhero team, Power Pack. ["Power Pack" #18 (May. 1985)] Thor then confronts Kurse, having donned his magical belt of strength to double his own strength. The Beyonder, however, doubles Kurse's strength yet again to counter this. Despite overpowering Thor, Kurse is made to realize that Malekith, not Thor, is to blame for his suffering. The Beyonder then transports Kurse back to Asgard. ["Thor" #363 (vol. 1, Jan. 1986)] Kurse later kills Malekith, who had been masquerading as Balder the Brave, and after repenting is granted citizenship among the Asgardians by their ruler, Odin. ["Thor" #367 - 368 (vol. 1, May - Jun. 1986)] Designated as the guardian of the children of Asgard, he loyally serves Asgard until the time of Ragnarok, when all Asgardians with the exception of Thor apparently perish. ["Thor" #85 (vol. 2, Dec. 2004)]

Powers and abilities

Kurse possesses a number of superhuman attributes as a result of his natural dark elf physiology and mystical augmentation. Kurse's main advantage against foes is his strength - while initially a close match for Thor, his strength was doubled and then quadrupled by the Beyonder to surpass Thor. Courtesy of enchanted armor that was fused to his skin by the Beyonder, Kurse is now almost totally invulnerable but like all Dark Elves is vulnerable to the element iron. Kurse also has the ability to sense and track his opponents over distances as great as continents and can see through illusions and disguises.

In other media

Video games

* Kurse appears as a villain in the video game, "" voiced by Tom Kane.

References

External links

*http://marvel.com/universe/Kurse