Khund
Encyclopedia
The Khunds are a fictional alien race
in the DC Universe
, notable for extreme violence. They first appeared in Adventure Comics #346 (July 1966), as enemies of the Legion of Super-Heroes
in the 30th century.
has fluctated between uneasy détente and open warfare. When the U.P. first discovered the Khundian civilization, the Khunds responded by attempting to conquer Earth. They nearly succeeded with the assistance of Nemesis Kid
, a saboteur whom they planted in the Legion of Super-Heroes
. However, Nemesis Kid was exposed and the invasion was repelled.
The Khunds opposed the U.P. and the Legion at numerous time in the future. Notably, the Khunds and the Dark Circle invaded Earth during the so-called "Earthwar
". It was soon revealed that the both groups were being manipulated by the sorcerer Mordru
, who almost conquered Earth before being defeated by the Legion.
Included in the force invading the planet Sklar are the corpses of the many deceased members of the Legion. Blood Claw is killed by Magnetic Kid
's body. Firefist attempts to murder Devlin O'Ryan
, but is seemingly killed himself when Devlin's reflective power repels the Khund's weapon blast back at him. The group manages to defeat Mordru, and the Khunds force Veilmist and Flederweb to resign from the Legion. Some time later, it is revealed that Firefist survived, and that the Khunds have initiated a plot to destroy Weber's World
. Veilmist offers to assist the Legion in foiling the plot, but is killed by Firefist. Flederweb is revealed to be not a Khund, but a mind-controlled member of an unspecified alien race. After he is freed from Khundian control and helps the Legion save Weber's World, Flederweb joins the Heroes of Lallor
.
The events of the "Five Years Later" era were erased from mainstream DC continuity following the Zero Hour limited series. Thus, the saga of the Khundian Legionnaires is currently viewed as non-canonical. However, Veilmist, Firefist, and a shot of Flederweb's arm appeared in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5, among dozens of Legionnaires pulled out of alternate realities.
s, but average larger and more muscular in build, with pale magenta
skin. Khunds have codified rules of combat. Khund bodies have much denser bone and muscle tissue than humans. The planet Khundia is a heavy gravity world.
The Khunds are part of the alien group that attacks Earth in the Invasion!
crossover.
In Wonder Woman (vol. 3) #19 it is revealed the Khund homeworld had been devastated by the attack of the aliens called 'Ichor'. With the assistance of Etta Candy
and Wonder Woman
, the Khund homeworld is saved and they gain their own Green Lantern
protector.
Extraterrestrial life in popular culture
In popular cultures, "extraterrestrials" are life forms — especially intelligent life forms— that are of extraterrestrial origin .-Historical ideas:-Pre-modern:...
in the DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
, notable for extreme violence. They first appeared in Adventure Comics #346 (July 1966), as enemies of the Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 30th and 31st centuries of the . The team first appears in Adventure Comics #247 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
in the 30th century.
Fictional history
The Khunds controlled a vast galactic empire. In the 30th and the 31st centuries, their relationship with the United PlanetsUnited Planets
In the , the United Planets is a fictional governing body, traditionally depicted as active in the 30th and 31st century.-History of the published versions of the United Planets:...
has fluctated between uneasy détente and open warfare. When the U.P. first discovered the Khundian civilization, the Khunds responded by attempting to conquer Earth. They nearly succeeded with the assistance of Nemesis Kid
Nemesis Kid
Nemesis Kid is the alias of Hart Druiter, a comic book supervillain in the DC Comics universe. He lives in the future, comes from the planet Myar, and is an enemy of the Legion of Super-Heroes...
, a saboteur whom they planted in the Legion of Super-Heroes
Legion of Super-Heroes
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a fictional superhero team in the 30th and 31st centuries of the . The team first appears in Adventure Comics #247 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
. However, Nemesis Kid was exposed and the invasion was repelled.
The Khunds opposed the U.P. and the Legion at numerous time in the future. Notably, the Khunds and the Dark Circle invaded Earth during the so-called "Earthwar
Earthwar
"Earthwar" is a story arc that was published by DC Comics, and presented in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #241-245 . It was written by Paul Levitz, pencilled by James Sherman and Joe Staton and inked by Bob McLeod...
". It was soon revealed that the both groups were being manipulated by the sorcerer Mordru
Mordru
Mordru is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics' main shared universe.Mordru is the most prominent Lord of Chaos who is fated to survive even after the end of the universe, although he is usually shown as a powerful wizard...
, who almost conquered Earth before being defeated by the Legion.
Khundian Legionnaires
During the "Five Years Later" era of Legion continuity, Mordru casts a massive spell allowing him to animate and control the corpses of dead warriors throughout United Planets territory, and use them as an invasion force. U.P. worlds which were conquered by the Khundian empire are not spared from this phenomenon, prompting the Khunds to form an temporary alliance with the Legion. Four superpowered Khunds join the Legion: Firefist, a cyborg; his wife Veilmist, a teleporter; Blood Claw, who possesses indestructible claws; and Flederweb, a winged bounty hunter.Included in the force invading the planet Sklar are the corpses of the many deceased members of the Legion. Blood Claw is killed by Magnetic Kid
Magnetic Kid
Magnetic Kid was a fictional comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He has the superhuman power of generating and controlling magnetism. He first appeared as a child in Adventure Comics #335 , and joined the Legion of Super-Heroes in volume 3, #14...
's body. Firefist attempts to murder Devlin O'Ryan
Devlin O'Ryan
Devlin O'Ryan, occasionally codenamed Reflex, is a fictional character in the DC Universe. He became a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th century, during the "Five Years Later" era.-Fictional character biography:...
, but is seemingly killed himself when Devlin's reflective power repels the Khund's weapon blast back at him. The group manages to defeat Mordru, and the Khunds force Veilmist and Flederweb to resign from the Legion. Some time later, it is revealed that Firefist survived, and that the Khunds have initiated a plot to destroy Weber's World
Weber's World
Weber's World is a fictional planet in the 30th Century .It is an artificial planet-sized satellite, constructed for the purpose of housing the government and bureaucracy of the United Planets....
. Veilmist offers to assist the Legion in foiling the plot, but is killed by Firefist. Flederweb is revealed to be not a Khund, but a mind-controlled member of an unspecified alien race. After he is freed from Khundian control and helps the Legion save Weber's World, Flederweb joins the Heroes of Lallor
Heroes of Lallor
The Heroes of Lallor are a group of fictional superheroes in the DC Comics universe. They appear in stories featured in Adventure Comics involving the Legion of Super-Heroes.-Fictional history:...
.
The events of the "Five Years Later" era were erased from mainstream DC continuity following the Zero Hour limited series. Thus, the saga of the Khundian Legionnaires is currently viewed as non-canonical. However, Veilmist, Firefist, and a shot of Flederweb's arm appeared in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5, among dozens of Legionnaires pulled out of alternate realities.
20th and 21st centuries
Extreme enemies of the Thanagarians because of their planetary closeness. They superficially resemble humanHuman
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s, but average larger and more muscular in build, with pale magenta
Magenta
Magenta is a color evoked by light stronger in blue and red wavelengths than in yellowish-green wavelengths . In light experiments, magenta can be produced by removing the lime-green wavelengths from white light...
skin. Khunds have codified rules of combat. Khund bodies have much denser bone and muscle tissue than humans. The planet Khundia is a heavy gravity world.
The Khunds are part of the alien group that attacks Earth in the Invasion!
Invasion! (DC Comics)
Invasion! was a three issue comic book limited series and crossover event published in late 1988-early 1989 by DC Comics. It was plotted by Keith Giffen, and ties up a great many plotlines from various Giffen-created DC series, including Omega Men, Justice League International, and Legion of...
crossover.
In Wonder Woman (vol. 3) #19 it is revealed the Khund homeworld had been devastated by the attack of the aliens called 'Ichor'. With the assistance of Etta Candy
Etta Candy
Etta Candy is a fictional character from the DC Comics Wonder Woman series.-Golden Age:In her 1940s introduction, Etta Candy is a sickly malnurished woman Wonder Woman discovers at a local hospital. When next she is seen Etta is transformed into a spirited, rotund young woman who has a great love...
and Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, the Khund homeworld is saved and they gain their own Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
protector.
Television
- The Khunds are seen in the "Shadow of the Hawk" episode of the Justice League UnlimitedJustice League UnlimitedJustice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
series. They were fought by ShayeraHawkgirlHawkgirl is the name of several female fictional superhero characters, all owned by DC Comics and existing in that company's universe. The character is one of the first costumed female superheroes...
and Elongated ManElongated ManThe Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was in The Flash vol. 1, #112...
back in the early years of the reformed Justice League.
- The Khunds are mentioned but not seen in the "Champions" episode of the Legion of Super HeroesLegion of Super Heroes (TV series)Legion of Super Heroes is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation that debuted on September 23, 2006, based on characters appearing in the DC Comics comic book series. The series centers on the young Superman's adventures in the 31st century, fighting alongside a...
series.
Film
- In the animated movie Green Lantern: Emerald KnightsGreen Lantern: Emerald KnightsGreen Lantern: Emerald Knights, is an animated film that tells various stories featuring members of Green Lantern Corps, including Abin Sur, Laira, Kilowog, and Mogo It was released on June 7, 2011...
, the Khunds are one of the first races in the universe. They attack other worlds and the Guardians create the Green Lantern Corps in response to their threat.
External links
- More info on Khunds (be warned this site links Larry Niven's Kzinti into Khund history)