| Korath the Pursuer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Quasar #32 (March 1992) |
| Created by | Mark Gruenwald Greg Capullo |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Korath-Thak |
| Species | Kree |
| Team affiliations | Starforce |
| Abilities | Cyber-genetic engineering Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability Psionic tracking |
Korath the Pursuer (/ˈkɔːræθ/) (Korath-Thak) is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Korath was a geneticist, who founded and led the Pursuer Project. He also was a member of theStarforce.
Djimon Hounsou portrays Korath in theMarvel Cinematic Universe filmsGuardians of the Galaxy (2014),Captain Marvel (2019), and theDisney+ seriesWhat If...? (2021).
Korath first appeared inQuasar #32 (March 1992), and was created byMark Gruenwald andGreg Capullo. It was revealed that Korath-Thak was the lead designer of the project that created thePursuer, a cockroach from Earth modified byKree geneticists. The Pursuer first appeared inTheInhumans #11 (June 1977), fifteen years before Korath himself made his first appearance.[1][2]
He was a member of theStarforce team during theOperation Galactic Storm storyline. He turned the experiments on himself and it gave him superpowers, including the ability to follow the brainwaves of his targets. He later reunited with his old team mateRonan the Accuser, as part of theAnnihilation event.[1][3]
Korath-Thak is an agent of theKree Empire. He was a cyber-geneticist, and the founder and head of the Pursuer Project to develop cybernetic warriors for the Kree militia.[4] He has also been a munitions manufacturing plant foreman, and a special operative of theSupreme Intelligence.
Korath used cyber-genetic technology of his own design to gain superhuman powers during theKree/Shi'ar War.[5] He then metShatterax,Ultimus, andSupremor. At the behest of Supremor, he attacked theAvengers force on Hala, and battledCaptain America.[6] Alongside the KreeStarforce, he again battled the Avengers on Hala. He witnessed the assassination of Ael-Dan andDar-Benn byDeathbird and the return to power of the Supreme Intelligence.[7] Alongside the Kree Starforce, he was held captive in aShi'ar stasis ray. He witnessed a battle between an Avengers force, and was defeated by theScarlet Witch andAstra.[8] Alongside the Kree Starforce, he arrived in the Shi'ar Empire to assassinateLilandra. He battled another contingent of Avengers and the Shi'arImperial Guard.[9] He returned to Hala alongside Lilandra, Starforce, and the Imperial Guard after the detonation of the nega-bomb to help the Kree rebuild under Shi'ar rule.[10] Alongside the Shi'ar Starforce and Deathbird, Korath attackedQuasar,Her, andMakkari on Hala for violating Shi'ar airspace.[11]
Admiral Galen-Kor and his criminal forces battled Deathbird and Starforce.[12] Korath and Starforce alongside the Underground Legion battled Lord Tantalus.[13] Korath wound up settling on the planet of Godthab Omega. Korath was reunited withRonan when he came to the planet in search ofTana Nile.[14] Korath was apparently assimilated into thePhalanx and became one of their Select. He fought Quasar,Moondragon, andAdam Warlock and was killed byUltron when he failed to capture Warlock.[15] Tanalth became the new leader of the Pursuer Corps.[16]
Korath is a member of the alien Kree race, who was augmented by an unknown experimental cyber-genetic engineering process. He has superhuman physical abilities and can psionically track others by tracing their brain patterns. Like other Kree, Korath cannot breathe in Earth's atmosphere without a special apparatus or breathing serum.
Korath is an expert in cyber-genetic engineering. He is trained in the martial skills of the ancient Kree, and is a competent armed and unarmed combatant.
Korath wears an armored battle-suit and helmet composed of unknown alien materials. He wields two beta-batons which generate electrical force capable of stunning opponents into unconsciousness on contact or disrupting electrical devices. By adjusting the batons, Korath can stun beings as powerful asEternals or even intangible beings. He is capable of flight via electrically powered turbines in his boots.
Djimon Hounsou portraysKorath in media set in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Korath, based on the MCU incarnation, appears inGuardians of the Galaxy (2015), voiced byDave Fennoy.[21] This version is a henchman and adopted son ofThanos who was raised alongsideGamora andNebula.
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