GOG and MAGOG

Real Name: Gog and Magog; Nephut-Sha; Hassan Kareem (see comments)

Identity/Class: Demons; originally humans

Occupation: Agents of Seth; (Nephut-Sha) Egyptian high priest; (Kareem) Archaeologist

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Grog the God-Slayer, Scarab, Seth

Enemies: Arabian Knight (Abdul Qamar), Arabian Knight's unidentified ancestor, Hulk (Bruce Banner), Merneptah, Moses, Thor (Odinson)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: "Two Who Were Once One"

Base of Operations: Egypt

First Appearance: Incredible Hulk II#257 (March, 1981)

Powers/Abilities: Both Gog and Magog possess superhuman strength, possibly around Class 25 or, at most Class 50. They also have unusually long lifespans.

History: (Incredible Hulk II#257 (fb)) - <@ 1275 BC> Angered by Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt (and killing the pharoah Ramses II in the process), the high priest Nephut-Sha vowed vengeance. He began a long string of sacrifices, hoping to call the god Seth. Eventually, he succeeded, and Seth transformed Nephut-Sha into two demonic beings: Gog and Magog.

 

No sooner were they created than the new pharoah, Merneptah, brought the forces of Egypt against them and captured them. Fearing a reprisal from Moses' God after what had already happened, Merneptah had the two creatures entombed.

 

 

 

 

(Incredible Hulk II#257 - BTS) - At some point during the thirteenth century, Gog and Magog were released from their prison. A group of magicians sought to return them to their prison, and gave an unnamed desert nomad three magical weapons to combat the demons. He succeeded in driving them back to their tomb, but only by being trapped with them.

(Incredible Hulk II#257) - After the Hulk arrived in the Egyptian desert looking for a peaceful place to stay, he reverted to the form of Dr. Bruce Banner, who soon became overcame by the desert heat. Banner was rescued by Abdul Qamar, who revealed that they were at the site of a recently unearthed tomb.

 

The chief archaeologist on the site, Professor Hassan Kareem detailed the history of the creatures, then, secretly wishing to continue Nephut-Sha's crusade against the Israelites, gave his form up to revive Gog and Magog. Reborn, the creatures immediately came into battle with Banner's alter ego, the Hulk, and Qamar, now wielding the weapons of his ancestor he found in the tomb and calling himself the Arabian Knight. The two demons proved to be little match for the Hulk, and while battling them, the Arabian Knight saw a chance to bury the demons in their tomb again, along with the Hulk. Causing a cave-in, the Knight presumed all three buried forever. Moments later, though, the Hulk dug his way out.

(Thor Annual II#1) - Seth summoned his agents Gog, Magog, Grog and Scarab to tell them that the oracle has told him that the time was right to go after Thor, whose spirit and heart had been weakened after being banished for killing his grandfather Bor. Seth sent them out to search for Thor in the U.S. Interior Highlands. Gog caused a car accident to lure out Thor from hiding while Seth told him and the others telepathically that whoever found Thor should call the others so they could take him down together.

   Grog called Seth, Gog, Magog and Scarab for help, but only after Thor had beaten him already. Newly motivated Thor quickly knocked out Gog as well. Realizing Thor was not broken anymore Seth, hoping Thor only temporarily convinced himself to be ok again, teleported back to his base with his agents, promising Thor that they would come after him when the priests deemed the time was right.

Comments: Created by Bill Mantlo, Sal Buscema and Allen Milgrom

Gog is the blue demon, while Magog is the brownish-red one.

The names of the pharaohs in this story are never said, but given the time when each lived, they were most certainly Ramses II and Merneptah.

The story is never quite clear on what exactly Gog and Magog are. If they are actually Nephut-Sha given two new forms, then why do they require Kareem's body to become alive again later, especially since they were released from the tomb at least once before? It is possible that they are technically NOT actually Nephut-Sha and later Kareem, but rather some of Seth's demonic minions whom the Egyptian god has placed in their bodies (as opposed to transforming them).

Kareem claims that the biblical references of Gog and Magog derive from these two creatures, but that is purely speculation at this time, given the numerous amounts of various god and god-like beings in history.

Biblical: The prophet Ezekial foretold of a crushing defeat for "Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal" who was to come to be allies from the distant North to make war with the Israelites. Scholars have been unable to identify Gog but some suggest Gyges, a Seventh Century BC Lydian King. (My opinion: I can't agree with that. The reference says Gyges was Seventh Century BC and Ezekial was 5th Century BC.)

Biblical: Magog was a grandson of Noah (c. 2374? BC). In the Book of Ezekial reference to Gog in the Bible, it refers to the kingdom of Magog so Gog would have to be an descendant of the son of Noah.

Celtic Myth: Gog and Magog were two giants slain by Brutus in Britain and chained to a rock on the present site of Guildhall in London. Brutus founded Troia Nova (New Troy) upon which London would be built. Some myths claim Brutus, grandson of Aeneas, actually slew one giant named Gogmagog.
---Will U

The Sphinx's OHOTMUDE entry confirms that it was Ramses II who opposed Moses, and thus that Ramses II was the one Moses drowned in fb in Hulk II#257.

Jess Nevins once wondered, by the way, when the Sphinx served as a hero. Well, considering that Moses was not a nice guy, this could be the time.
http://www.nobeliefs.com/ --John McDonagh

Also, notice that in the flashback, Seth has the appearance of an anthropomorphic boar, whereas he usually took on some serpent-related appearance.

Profile by Madison Carter

CLARIFICATIONS:

GOG and MAGOG should not be confused with:

NEPHUT-SHA

Egyptian high-priest under the reign of Ramses II. Seeking vengeance on Moses, he prayed to Seth to give him power, and Seth turned him into Gog and Magog.

--Incredible Hulk II#257










HASSAN KAREEM

Professor and archaeologist who sought vengeance on Israel. When he discovered the tomb of Gog ang Magog, he was converted into their forms.

--Incredible Hulk II#257










Images:
Incredible Hulk II#257, p12, pan3 (main)
Incredible Hulk II#257, p8, pan5 (summoned)
Incredible Hulk II#257, p4, pan1 (statues)
Thor Annual II#1, p4, pan2 (with Scarab & Grog)
Incredible Hulk II#257, p8, pan2 (Nephut-Sha)
Incredible Hulk II#257, p7, pan6 (Hassan Kareem)

Appearances:
Incredible Hulk II#257 (March, 1981) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Sal Buscema (artist), Al Milgrom (editor)
Thor Annual#1 (November, 2009) - Peter Milligan (writer), Mico Suayan & Tom Grindberg with Stefano Gaudiano (artists), Warren Simons (editor)

First Posted: 03/18/2004
Last updated: 09/06/2013

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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