Kurse

Kurse is a fictional character appearing in American 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 II #4 (Oct. 1985) and was created by Walter Simonson. Algrim appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor: The Dark World, portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.

Publication history

The Dark Elf Algrim the Strong was created by Walter Simonson and first appeared in Thor #347 (Sep. 1984). The character was transformed into Kurse in Secret Wars II #4 (Oct. 1985).

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 ruler 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.^[1]

Algrim is completely amnesic, 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.^[2][3] Kurse then battles the juvenile superhero team, Power Pack.^[4] Thor dons his magical belt of strength to double his strength and confronts Kurse, however the Beyonder doubles Kurse's strength as well.

Despite overpowering Thor, Kurse is made to realize that it was Malekith, not Thor, who is to blame for his suffering. The Beyonder then transports Kurse to Hel at Thor's suggestion, to frustrate Hela, the Goddess of Death.^[5] Kurse confronts and severely beats Loki, who had been disguised as Malekith. Drawing off, he leaves Loki injured and finds what he thinks is Balder the Brave, surrounded by legions of Asgardians. He barrels through them and slays his target, who turns out to be the true Malekith. After repenting, he is granted citizenship among the Asgardians.^[6]

He is designated as the guardian of the children of Asgard after he helped protect Volstagg's daughter and adopted sons during a plague,^[7] and loyally serves Asgard until the time of Ragnarok. At the time of Ragnarok, all the Asgardians apparently perish, with the exception of Thor.^[8]

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 first increased to twice,^[9] and then four times, that of Thor.^[10] 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. His armor is a living, sentient, and enchanted armor that allows Kurse to see everything around him.

In other media

Film

Kurse as he appears in Thor: The Dark World.

• Algrim appears in the animated direct-to-video film Thor: Tales of Asgard, voiced by Ron Halder. His race was killed by Frost Giants after they were forced to ally with Surtur because Odin would not help them. He later steals Surtur's sword and is killed by Loki.
• Algrim appears in Thor: The Dark World, portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.^[11] He appears as a subordinate of Malekith the Accursed, being killed by Loki in Svartálfaheimr. He is later turned into the last of the Dark Elves' monstrous Kursed soldiers, augmenting his strength significantly while bonding the armor he wore at the time to his body. He is much stronger than Thor and has little difficulty in overpowering him.

Video games

• Kurse appears as a boss in the video game, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Tom Kane.
• Kurse appears as a group boss in Marvel: Avengers Alliance. He is featured in the 14th Spec-Ops.
• Kurse appears in Marvel Heroes.
• Kurse appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by Andrew Kishino.

References

External links

• Kurse at Marvel.com