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| Mongul | |
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 Mongul as depicted inDC Comics Presents #28 (December 1980). Art byJim Starlin (pencils), Romeo Tanghal (inks), and Jerry Serpre (colors). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | DC Comics Presents #27 (November 1980) |
| Created by | Len Wein (writer) Jim Starlin (writer/artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Unknown |
| Place of origin | Warworld |
| Team affiliations | (Mongul) Injustice League Superman Revenge Squad Suicide Squad (Mongul II) Sinestro Corps |
| Partnerships | Hank Henshaw |
| Abilities |
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Mongul (/ˈmɒŋɡəl/) is asupervillain appearing incomic books published byDC Comics. WriterLen Wein and artistJim Starlin created the first version of the character, who debuted inDC Comics Presents #27 (November 1980).[1]Jerry Ordway created the second version, who first appeared inThe Adventures of Superman #454 as the lord of Warworld. He was later embellished byPeter Tomasi andScot Eaton inShowcase '95, #8. He is based on theMongol Empire's founderGenghis Khan and his successors, hence his name. The character was given an origin story in Green Lantern #23.2 by his co-creatorJim Starlin and artistHoward Porter as homage to the writers who participated in developing the character. He has become one ofSuperman's most enduring enemies belonging to the collective of adversaries that make up hisrogues gallery.
Debuting in theBronze Age of Comic Books, Mongul has been featured in other DC Comics-endorsed products such asanimated series,video games, adirect-to-DVD film, and merchandise such asaction figures andtrading cards.
Mongul debuted in the titleDC Comics Presents and was created by writerLen Wein and artistJim Starlin.[2] Starlin often receives credit as creator of the character, but Wein in an interview stated: "Well, [Mongul] had Starlin visuals, but he was my creation". Wein said he conceived Mongul specifically as a villain to physically challengeSuperman.[3] Starlin commented on the character as well stating, "When I went over to DC... I went over and created Mongul and he was definitely supposed to beThanos in the DC universe"[4]
Mongul was the ruler of his species until a revolution occurred by his people and a holy man named the Ancient Arkymandryte. Mongul was forced to flee the throne to save his life.[5] In his first appearance, Mongul kidnapsSuperman's friends (Lois Lane,Jimmy Olsen andSteve Lombard), threatening to kill them unless the hero brings him the key from a dead Warzoon race called Largas, that can activate the artificial planet Warworld. After Superman retrieves the key, and is forced to fightMartian Manhunter who is protecting it, Mongul activates Warworld.[6] Psychically linked with its controls, Mongul tries to destroy Superman andSupergirl. Mongul is ultimately rendered unconscious by a massive mental strain caused from using its controls, but manages to escape before the heroes destroy Warworld.[5]
Mongul then tries to conquer Throneworld, the home planet ofPrince Gavyn, one of the heroes who have used the nameStarman. Mongul murders Gavyn's sister and forces Gavyn's lover into marrying him to usurp the throne of the empire for himself. He uses Throneworld's planet-destroying weapon to blackmail other planets into obedience. Superman arrives and battles Mongul, while Starman disables the weapon. Mongul retreats as soon as the weapon is disabled, planning to make his next move.[7] Now wanting revenge on Superman, Mongul kills aController and steals aSun-Eater to devour the Earth's Sun. While theJustice League of America andLegion of Super-Heroes battle Mongul, Superman finally defeats him as the Legion destroys the Sun-Eater.[8]Mongul attacks Superman on his birthday and ensnares him withBlack Mercy, an alien plant that feeds off a victim's "bio-aura" and subdues them with visions of their ideal world. Meanwhile, Mongul nearly killsWonder Woman while mocking her views that women are equal. In the end, thanks toBatman,Robin, and Wonder Woman, Mongul falls victim to the plant, receiving visions of being ruler of the universe.[9]
Following thelimited seriesCrisis on Infinite Earths, which rebooted DC's continuity, Mongul is reintroduced as the ruler of Warworld, a space empire where he entertains the citizens with gladiatorial games.[10] Mongul's ship captures a dying Superman, who was floating adrift in outer space after he exiled himself from Earth, and Mongul decides to use him in the games, but Superman joins forces with the alien warrior and Mongul's championDraaga and makes Mongul flee. Mongul is then persuaded via torture to serve theCyborg Superman to gain vengeance on Superman and to try to turn the Earth into another Warworld. In the process, Green LanternHal Jordan's home,Coast City, is destroyed, which leads to him joining Superman and his allies to defeat Mongul. After his defeat, Mongul is imprisoned in a prison for intergalactic criminals, only to break out during a riot.
During theUnderworld Unleashed crossover event, the demonNeron offers various supervillains enhanced power in exchange for their souls. Mongul's pride causes him to decline the offer and threaten Neron. In response, Neron beats Mongul to death for his defiance, taking his soul in the process.[11]
Mongul the Elder had twin children who survived: a boy and a girl.[12] Both shared a strong sibling rivalry. The first, Mongal, was known for her physical strength, while the second, Mongul, was more rational than his sister. Mongul's son, also named Mongul, watched digital renderings of his father's battles with Superman and the destruction of Coast City. He copies his father's actions when he encounters a group of aliens whose spaceship crashes on Arkymandryte, turning them into his slaves. Mongul's father returns, and discovering his son's slaves, he kills the aliens and tells him only one being on the planet is worthy of adoration.[13]
Mongul's son appears to assist and train Superman in preparation for the arrival ofImperiex.[14] He is apparently killed during theOur Worlds at War event, but returns duringInfinite Crisis.[15] He seeks his older twin sister,Mongal, to settle family squabbles. Stating family to be a weakness, Mongul kills Mongal with a single blow to her head.[16]
Mongul receives a YellowPower Ring after breaking a dyingSinestro Corps member's neck and takes over the Sinestro Corps.[17][18][19] Following an unsuccessful attempt to invadeDaxam, Mongul takes the Sinestro Corps to Korugar, Sinestro's homeworld.[20] Soon after,Sinestro is brought to Korugar and confronts Mongul, imprisoning him in the Sinestro Corps' Central Power Battery and reclaiming control of the Corps.[21]
InThe New 52, a 2011 reboot of the DC Comics universe, the original Mongul is reintroduced. In his introduction, he is laying waste to a planet he is poised to conquer as he brought a resisting general aboard his vessel to show him the devastation of his homeworld just before killing him and adding his remains to a trophy room on Warworld.[22] After being deposed by Sinestro, Mongul allies with the Pale Vicors, a group who loot planets and nullify their inhabitants' emotions.[23]
In theSuperman: Villains one-shot (May 2020), Mongul is killed and succeeded by his son, Mongul MDCCXCII.[24]
Mongul possesses immense superhuman physical abilities comparable to Superman.[7] Furthermore, he can teleport, generate energy blasts, possesses limited telepathy and telekinesis, and wields a chest-mounted cannon.[6][7][8] For a time, he was also part of the Sinestro Corps and possessed the ability to create energy constructs and empower himself via fear.[23] As a Pale Vicor, Mongul can negate the powers of the emotional spectrum and generate a protective aura.[25]
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In 2009, Mongul was ranked asIGN's 41st Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.[28]
Artist Jim Starlin displayed his penchant for portraying powerful cosmic villains with the debut of Mongul, a new threat to plague Superman's life, in a story written by Len Wein.
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