Ch'od

Ch'od
Ch'od. Art by Billy Tan.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	X-Men #104 (Apr 1977)
Created by	Chris Claremont Dave Cockrum
In-story information
Alter ego	Ch'od
Species	Saurid
Team affiliations	Starjammers
Abilities	superhuman strength, endurance, superb marksman, swordsman, and hand-to-hand combatant

Ch'od is a fictional character in Marvel Comics' shared universe, the Marvel Universe, usually seen in the X-Men series and various spin-offs. He first appeared in X-Men #104 (April 1977).

Fictional character biography

Ch’od is one of the founding members of the Starjammers. Though he can be a fierce combatant, he is usually genial and friendly in social interactions (though his sheer size and lizard-like appearance can be intimidating to those unfamiliar with him or his species). Ch’od is accompanied by his small, furry intelligent alien pet Cr’reee, from the planet Lupus.

Ch'od was born in the planet Timor (Varanus IV), in the Shi'ar Empire. Ch'od was once a slave on the planet Alsibar, where he met the other original three beings who would become Starjammers, until Corsair leads a rebellion.^[1] The group ends up operating out a powerful starship, and gain the membership of Sikorsky, a powerful, insectoid doctor.

Ch'od has been with the Starjammers through all their adventures, such as combating the alien Brood,^{[volume & issue needed]} helping Professor X gain an entirely new body,^{[volume & issue needed]} and being on the run from the Shi'ar Empire, when they harbored its longtime ruler, Lilandra. The Starjammers not only have the trust of the X-Men, but the Earth's other major super-team, the Avengers.

Ch'od first met the X-Men when the Starjammers came to aid them against D'Ken's Imperial Guard.^[2] He helped save Colossus's life in outer space, and engaged in mock combat with Carol Danvers.^[3] With the Starjammers, he aided the New Mutants against the Magus.^[4]

Ch'od and Hepzibah sought the "map-rod" holding information on the location of the "Phalkon" power source, which was actually the Phoenix. Deathbird's Shi'ar starships attacked the Starhammers. The Starjammers went to Earth and met Excalibur, and aided a rebellion against Deathbird on a Shi'ar border world.^[5]

For a time he and his fellow Starjammers were imprisoned and replaced by the Warskrulls, who were attempting to conquer the Shi'ar Empire. The Warskrulls impersonated the Starjammers and key members of the Imperial Guard, until the X-Men helped rescue them.^[6]

Ch'od battled Wonder Man and the Vision while escorting the Shi'ar nega-bomb.^[7] Later, Ch'od and the Starjammers assist when the Hulk needs help infiltrating the Troyjan Empire. Its leader, a warlord, is threatening the lives of the Hulk's friends.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Ch'od has suffered the death of his loyal friend Corsair.^[8] He also endured Hepzibah's stranding on Earth, although several X-Men have remained with the Starjammers.^[9]

Ch'od experienced the loss of his right hand after trying to prevent the abduction of Lilandra by the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. He blames himself for failing to prevent the abduction.^[10] During the mission to rescue their empress, Ch'od and the Starjammers end up rescuing a team from the Guardians of the Galaxy led by Rocket Raccoon, who turns out to be an old friend of Ch'od and Corsair. This act however leads to their cover being blown forcing the Starjammers to flee.^[11][12]

Powers and abilities

As a member of the Saurid race, Ch'od possesses superhuman strength, durability, and endurance, and possesses both lungs and gills.

He is also a superb marksman (with various forms of Shi'ar weaponry), swordsman, and hand-to-hand combatant, having been trained in various forms of combat known in the Shi'ar Galaxy. He is a highly skilled starship pilot. He has carried Shi'ar-manufactured swords, battleaxes, and energy guns as weapons.

In other media

Television

• Ch'od appears in the 5-Part Phoenix Saga of X-Men. He appears as a member of the Starjammers.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ Classic X-Men #15
2. ^ X-Men Vol. 1 #107
3. ^ Uncanny X-Men #157-158
4. ^ New Mutants #50
5. ^ X-Men Spotlight on: Starjammers #1-2
6. ^ Uncanny X-Men #275-277
7. ^ Wonder Man #8
8. ^ Uncanny X-Men #486, July 2007
9. ^ Uncanny X-Men #487, July 2007
10. ^ War of Kings #1
11. ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #13
12. ^ ALL THE KINGS' MEN: White Pawns by Dave Richards, Staff Writer. Comic Book Resources.com

External links

• Ch'od at Marvel Wiki