ARKO

Real Name: Arko

Identity/Class: Extra-dimensional (Asgardian)

Occupation: Guardsman

Group Membership: Crimson Hawks

Affiliations: Balder, Enchantress, Heimdall, Odin, Sif, Warriors Three

Enemies: Karnilla, Loki, Surtur, Ymir

Known Relatives: Deilla (wife), unnamed son

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Asgard

First Appearance: Thor I#423 (September, 1990)

Powers/Abilities: Arko is a capable warrior, and is garbed in protective armor. His weapon of choice is a metal staff.

History: (Thor I#454/2 (fb))- As Arko grew up in Asgard, he witnessed many of its greatest heroes from afar, including the Warriors Three, Thor and Heimdall, and dreamed of becoming a hero like them. Eventually, he became a member of the palace guard.

(Thor I#423/2)- Arko was forced to leave behind his pregnant wife Deilla as Asgard was assaulted by Ymir. He rode to his station, and assisted in the firing of a flame missile at Ymir, but Ymir shrugged off the assault. Ymir began hurling boulders at the Asgardians' defensive line and Arko was nearly crushed, but Balder pulled him to safety, and attempted to rally him back to the battle.

(Thor I#424/2)- Balder dragged Arko back so that he could rest, but Arko refused to rest while his wife and unborn child were threatened by Ymir. Just then, Surtur appeared to challenge Ymir.

(Thor I#425)- As the two giant grappled, Arko saved a woman and her child from being crushed by debris. They reminded him of his own wife and unborn child. Ultimately, Ymir and Surtur were defeated by Thor, and Arko returned to Deilla to find that his son had been born safely.

(Thor I#453)- While guarding Odin's chambers, Arko overheard Odin (possessed by Loki) discussing treason with Karnilla, he alerted the Warriors Three.

(Thor I#453/2)- Arko and the Warriors Three were assaulted by "Odin", and Arko was knocked unconscious.

(Thor I#454)- Arko and the Warriors Three were brought by the Crimson Hawks to be executed, but at the last moment, Arko was saved by the Enchantress, who set him and the Warriors Three free. She teleported them to safety so that they could discuss their next move.

(Thor I#454/2)- As the Enchantress and the Warriors Three argued, Arko recalled his past, and finally inspired the Warriors Three to join the uprising against Odin. Fandral was so impressed by Arko's words that he suggested they should change their name to "the Warriors Four."

(Thor I#455)- The five conspirators returned to Asgard just in time to aid Sif and Balder against Karnilla, while the Eric Masterson Thor battled "Odin." The struggle finally ended when Sif restored Odin to his own body, and had Loki driven out.

(Thor I#459)- The Warriors Three held a celebration for Arko in an Asgardian tavern along with the Crimson Hawks, but their revelry was interrupted by a brawl between Thor and Eric Masterson, which resulted in the entire tavern launching into a barfight. Arko and the Warriors Three tried to halt the battle, but were told by Balder and Sif to let it be played out.

Comments: Created by Tom DeFalco, Gary Hartle and Mike DeCarlo.

DeFalco may well have intended for Arko to become a permanent addition to the Warriors Three, but since Arko joined at the end of his run, he was fated to enter character limbo.

Arko appears to have been a member of the Crimson Hawks from I#453 and on, but the first reference to him being a member came in Thor I#459.

Arko, his son and Deilla supposedly died during the Ragnarok in Thor II#85.

by Prime Eternal

CLARIFICATIONS:
Arko should not be confused with:

• Arkon the Magnificent, leader of Polemachus, @ Avengers I#75
• Arkus, Atlantean, cousin of Namor, military officer, @ Sub-Mariner I#63