ASKALAN

Real Name: Askalan

Identity/Class: Extra-dimensional (Otherworld) Human

Occupation: Warrior

Group Membership: The defenders of Camelot

Affiliations: Black Knight (Dane Whitman)

Enemies: Ashtoroth

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Camelot, Otherworld

First Appearance: Hulk Comic#46/2 (January 16, 1980)

Powers/Abilities: Askalan was a skilled warrior, trained with both bow and spear. Even when blinded and dying he only narrowly missed a flying target with an arrow, aiming using sound alone.

History: (Hulk Comic#46/2 (fb) - BTS) - Askalan led a patrol of his fellow soldiers set of Camelot in pursuit of a band of marauding trolls. They successfully located and slew their prey, but then "death fell upon us in turn!" The dragon Ashtoroth, sent forth by his masters to slay the Black Knight, spotted them during his hunt, and attacked without warning. He slaughtered the men of Camelot, first burning many with his fiery breath, then trampling others beneath his immense bulk. Askalan was blinded by the fire, and his body rent by the dragon's talons. Left for dead, the wounded warrior listened as his nemesis ascended to the skies once more, leaving behind carnage.

(Hulk Comic #46/2) - Blinded, dying, but undaunted, Askalan once more heard the sound of leatheren wings beating across the skies above him. He fired an arrow upwards towards the noise and nocked another shaft at the ready, while he cried his defiance to his foe, not realising that it had actually been the Black Knight astride his winged steed Valinor which he had heard. The Knight landed, and Askalan charged him, thinking him a demonic ally of the dragon. Though unable to see, his spear only narrowly missed the Knight, who dodged out the way at the last second. The Knight's sword cleaved the head off the spear, but the enraged Askalan was not so easily thwarted. He spun, using the pole as a staff, and let loose a blow which sent the Knight flying, even as he proclaimed that he would send his foe "back to your carrion lord". Enraged, the Knight roared that no man would call Merlyn carrion unless he would answer to the Black Knight. Hearing this realisation dawned on Askalan that he was attacking an ally, and he collapsed to the ground. Seeing the battle was over, the Knight sheathed his weapon and demanded to know what had happened. Askalan explained how he and his men had been attacked, and why he had fired on the Knight. The Knight helped the injured man up, stating his actions showed great courage, and that he would carry Askalan to Camelot on Valinor. But Askalan did not answer, and the Knight realised the warrior of Camelot had breathed his last.

Comments: Created by Parkhouse, Neary and Stokes.

Askalan describes his dead fellows as "my men". However his armour doesn't look to be that of a knight, nor are his weapons those traditionally used by same. It is possible he simply took what weapons he could find after the attack, or those he felt most useful in fighting a dragon (a sword would not be as useful against it's thick scales as a spear, and arrows can down a winged foe). Or perhaps he was the equivalent of a sergeant. Whatever the case, it seems likely he held some level of command in the patrol.

Profile by Loki

Clarifications:

Askalan has no known connections to

images:

Top picture: Hulk Comic#46, p7, pan4

Face shot: Hulk Comic#46, p8, pan7

Charging: Hulk Comic#46, p7, pan7

Last updated: 01/07/14

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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