The Fomor are fictional characters in the Marvel Universe

Marvel Universe

The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...

. They are loosely based on the Fomorians

Fomorians

In Irish mythology, the Fomoire are a semi-divine race said to have inhabited Ireland in ancient times. They may have once been believed to be the beings who preceded the gods, similar to the Greek Titans. It has been suggested that they represent the gods of chaos and wild nature, as opposed to...

 of Celtic mythology

Celtic mythology

Celtic mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, apparently the religion of the Iron Age Celts. Like other Iron Age Europeans, the early Celts maintained a polytheistic mythology and religious structure...

.

The Fomor are a race of extra-dimensional beings. They have the ability to tap into and manipulate mystical and elemental powers, and many have superhuman strength and endurance.

Publication history

The Fomor first appeared in Avengers

Avengers (comics)

The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...

#225-226 (November-December 1982), and were created by Steven Grant and Greg LaRocque

Greg LaRocque

Greg LaRocque is an American comic book illustrator.Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, LaRocque worked as an assistant teacher at the Professional Institute of Art while still a teenager. He started his art career in the advertising field...

.

The characters subsequently appear in Marvel Comics Presents #30 (October 1989), Black Knight #3-4 (August-September 1990), and Avengers vol. 3 #1 (February 1998).

Fictional race biography

In ancient times, the Fomor were cast into the Dark Realm, a dimension beyond Otherworld/Avalon

Otherworld (Marvel Comics)

Otherworld is a fictional dimension in the Marvel Comics Marvel Universe. It is more commonly known as, and based on, the mythical Avalon from Celtic and more specifically Welsh mythology....

. In the 12th century, the Fomor finally returned to Otherworld and laid siege to it. Hearing tales of the 20th century Avengers

Avengers (comics)

The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...

 from the time-travelling Black Knight

Black Knight (Dane Whitman)

Dane Whitman is a fictional comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, the company's third person to bear the name Black Knight. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema, he first appeared in The Avengers #47 Dane Whitman is a fictional comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics...

, the wizard Amergin brought them to Avalon to help defeat the Fomor.

The Fomor continued to trouble the people of Avalon in a number of subsequent plots in the 20th century. Members of the Fomor aided Mordred the Evil

Mordred (comics)

Mordred the Evil is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He is based loosely on the Mordred of Arthurian legend.-Fictional character biography:...

 and Morgan le Fay

Morgan le Fay (Marvel Comics)

Morgan le Fay is a fictional character in the , based loosely on the Morgan le Fay of Arthurian legend. In this version of the character, she is the half-faerie half-sister of the mythic Arthur. Her elven heritage granted her immortality, and she used this time to master the mystic arts. She...

 in a plot to take over and reshape Earth. The Fomor laid siege once more to Avalon, but were this time dispelled by Leir

Leir (Marvel Comics)

Leir is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He is one of the Celtic gods of Avalon, god of lightning and the spear. For ages, enmity existed between the gods of Avalon and the gods of Asgard.Leir is based on Lir in Celtic mythology....

 and Caber

Caber (comics)

Caber is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.Caber is one of the Celtic gods of Avalon, a warrior god. Caber is a good friend to Leir and usually accompanies him in battle.-Fictional character biography:...

. Morgan Le Fay again recruited the Fomor to delay the Avengers in her pursuit of the Twilight Sword.

Known Fomor include:

• Balor
  Balor (comics)
  Balor is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Balor is a giant red-skinned, yellow-horned, one-eyed member of the Fomor, extra-dimensional beings from the dimension of Avalon...
  
  
• Bres
  Bres (comics)
  Bres is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Bres first appeared in Avengers #225-226 , and was created by Steven Grant and Greg LaRocque....
  
  
• Cethlann (Balor's wife, who has superhuman strength)
• Dulb (the Fomor's weapons-maker)
• Elathan (leader of the Fomor, father of Bres, and capable of firing energy blasts and commanding tempests)
• Indech (a slime-like monster)
• Tethra (who has a tough, scaly hide)