Firelord (character)

Firelord
Firelord as depicted in Avengers #258 (August 1985). Art by John Buscema.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThor #225 (July 1974)
Created byGerry Conway (writer)
John Buscema (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoPyreus Kril
SpeciesXandarian
Team affiliationsHeralds of Galactus
Nova Corps
United Front
Notable aliasesNova Centurion
AbilitiesUse of Power Cosmic
Superhuman strength, reflexes and durability
Flight
Mastery of the electromagnetic spectrum
Total immunity to the rigors of space
Capable of travelling faster than the speed of light
Wields a flaming staff
Energy projection via his eyes and staff

Firelord (Pyreus Kril) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

Firelord first appears in Thor #225 (July 1974) and was created by writer Gerry Conway and penciler John Buscema.

Fictional character biography

Pyreus Kril is a Xandarian who was born on the planet Xandar, in the Andromeda Galaxy. He is a graduate of the Nova Corps Academy, the military and exploratory force of the planet Xandar. During his commission, he served aboard a Xandarian ship under the command of Gabriel Lan. Gabriel and Pyreus became friends, until Gabriel was abducted by the cosmic entity Galactus and transformed into his herald, the Air-Walker. Pyreus assumes command as captain and begins an obsessive search for Gabriel. Pyreus eventually locates Galactus' vessel and confronts the entity, only to discover that Gabriel was killed in combat. Galactus tells this to Pyreus only after he agrees to serve him as his latest herald.[1]

Pyreus is then transformed into Firelord, and after a period of servitude asked for his freedom. Galactus agrees on the condition that Firelord first find a replacement. Firelord travels to Earth and after an encounter with the Thunder God Thor and Hercules is freed when Thor presents Galactus with the armor of the Asgardian Destroyer to animate and use as a herald.[2] After aiding Thor on several occasions,[3] Firelord returns to deep space. He returns months later with the Shi'ar agent Erik the Red, who tricks Firelord into battling the X-Men.[4]

Several years later Firelord discovers that Thor has battled a robot replica of the Air-Walker,[5] and after revealing the origin of the two heralds to Thor returns to space with the remains of the android.[6] Firelord later encounters Spider-Man in a fight - albeit one provoked by humans who drove Firelord into a temper because they believed that he was a mutant - but he was defeated by the wall-crawler due to Spider-Man's hit-and-run approach serving as an effective counter to Firelord's brute raw power.[7][8] Firelord also meets the superhero team the Avengers, and assists them against the space-pirate Nebula.[9] Firelord has since aided his fellow herald Silver Surfer on a number of occasions,[10] particularly against the threat of Morg, Galactus' most brutal herald.[11] Firelord assisted Thor in his battle against Thanos and his thrall Mangog.[12] Firelord and Air-Walker also helped Nova and the New Warriors fight the Xandarian villain Supernova.[13]

Annihilation

Firelord battles the Annihilation Wave alongside his fellow heralds, including Red Shift and Stardust. Although wounded at one point, Firelord recovers and now seeks vengeance against the remnants of the forces of Annihilus as they destroyed his home-world of Xandar.[14]

Powers and abilities

Pyreus Kril was a normal Xandarian man until transformed by Galactus. Given mastery over the cosmic flame, Firelord wields a flaming staff and is capable of energy projection via his eyes and staff. Like all heralds, the Power Cosmic provides Firelord with superhuman strength, reflexes and durability, flight, mastery of the electromagnetic spectrum and total immunity to the rigors of space. Firelord is also capable of travelling faster than the speed of light.

Pyreus Kril graduated from the Xandarian Nova Corps Academy, and in addition to a thorough knowledge of combat has knowledge of advanced alien technology and space navigation.

Other versions

Guardians of the Galaxy

In the 31st century of Earth-691, Firelord is an ally of the Guardians of the Galaxy. He is known as "Protector of the Universe", but does not wear the Quantum Bands traditionally assigned to the holder of the role.[15] He soon joins the sub-group, the Galactic Guardians.[16]

Heroes Reborn

Firelord serves Galactus alongside his fellow heralds, with the entire group being worshipped by the Inhumans.[17]

Marvel Zombies 2

A zombified alternate universe variant of Firelord from Earth-2149 appears in Marvel Zombies 2.[18]

In other media

Television

Video games

References

  1. ^ Seen in flashback in Thor #306 (April 1981)
  2. ^ Thor #225-226 (July-Aug. 1974)
  3. ^ Thor #227-228 (Sept.-Oct. 1974); #232 (Feb. 1975); #246-247 (April–May 1976)
  4. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #105-106 (June-Aug. 1977)
  5. ^ Thor #305 (March 1981)
  6. ^ Thor #306 (Apr. 1981)
  7. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #269-270 (Oct.-Nov. 1985)
  8. ^ War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda in Comics and Film, p.283
  9. ^ The Avengers #258 + 260-261 (Aug.+Oct.-Nov. 1985)
  10. ^ Silver Surfer vol. 3 #19 (Jan. 1989)
  11. ^ Silver Surfer vol. 3 #74-75 (Nov.-Dec. 1992)
  12. ^ Thor vol. 2, #20-25 (Feb.-July 2000)
  13. ^ The New Warriors #40-42
  14. ^ Annihilation #1-6 (2006) and Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1-4 (2006)
  15. ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #4 (Sept. 1990)
  16. ^ Galactic Guardians #1-4
  17. ^ Fantastic Four vol. 2 #9 (July 1997)
  18. ^ Marvel Zombies #1-5 (2007-2008)
  19. ^ a b c "Firelord Voices (Marvel Universe)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 22, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  20. ^ (November 12, 2012), "Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes S02E26 Review, Red Headed Mule (accessed August 22, 2024)