OMAR KARINDU

Real Name: Omar Karindu

Identity/Class: Human magic user;
    Apparent citizen of Pakistan
    World War II era, Pre-Modern, and modern eras

Occupation: Mystic;
    former keeper of the Star of Capistan

Group Membership: Former leader of the Cult of the Unliving Four

Affiliations: Bundu, Defenders (Clea, Hellcat/Patsy Walker, Hulk/Bruce Banner, Nighthawk/Kyle Richmond, Power Man/Luke Cage, Red Guardian/Tania Belinsky, Valkyrie/Brunnhilde), Dr. Stephen Strange

Enemies: Kris Keating, Red Rajah

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Formerly London, England;
    formerly Pakistan

First Appearance: (Completely behind-the-scenes) Strange Tales I#136/2 (September, 1965);
    (true appearance) Defenders I#42 (December, 1976)

Powers/Abilities: Omar Karindu has unspecified occult knowledge and power. He held the Star of Capistan for a length of time. He was also skilled in the use of a handgun.

Height: Unrevealed (5'10"; by approximation)
Weight: Unrevealed (160 lbs.; by approximation)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: White

History:
(Defenders I#42 (fb) - BTS) - The past of Omar Karindu is unrevealed, but he somehow gained knowledge of the occult and was "among the world's most learned scholars of the paranormal sciences" (see comments).

(Defenders I#44 (fb)) <1933> - The Star of Capistan was found in the ruins of Dashetal by an unfortunate man who became possessed by the Star and was thus transformed into the Red Rajah; however, as the host for the Red Rajah was powerless, he was easily subdued by Omar Karindu, who shot the man and took control of the Star for the Cult of the Unliving Four.

(Defenders I#42 (fb) - BTS) - Dr. Strange and Omar Karindu encountered each other in the past, coming to regard each other as friends. One of these encounters was described as "the day of darkness in the city of New Dehli".

(Defenders I#42 (fb) - BTS) <1971> - During the Bangladesh War, Karindu relocated the Star of Capistan to London, England.

(Strange Tales I#136/2 - BTS) - Dr. Strange encountered Omar Karindu while fleeing Baron Mordo and seeking the secrets of Eternity (see comments).

(Defenders I#42 (fb) - BTS) - Karindu's knowledge, both of self and of the universe, continued to expand. He became the Brahmin (leader) of the Four Cult.

(Defenders I#42 (fb) - BTS) - In the modern era, as the Star of Capistan grew out of the Four Cult's control, Karindu brought it to Manhattan to seek the aid of Dr. Strange.

(Defenders I#42) - Omar Karindu, via his friend Bundu, summoned Dr. Strange to the Americana Hotel in which he was staying. However, Strange himself was possessed by the Star and transformed into the Red Rajah--during this incident, Karindu sustained a minor injury to his forehead, and wore a bandage afterward (see headshot).

(Defenders I#43) - When the Rhino and Solarr came to steal the Star of Capistan for Egghead, the Red Rajah easily overpowered them both.

(Defenders I#44) - When the Hulk, Nighthawk, and Power Man sought out Karindu in an effort to locate Dr. Strange, Karindu informed them that Strange had fallen victim to the Star of Capistan. Eventually, Karindu joined the growing crowd of people under the mental domination of the Star, and the trio of Defenders were overcome by the Red Rajah and his followers.

(Defenders I#45) - As Hellcat, Red Guardian, and Valkyrie fought the mind-controlled male Defenders and the Rajah's followers, Clea was able to make contact with Dr. Strange, and their combined efforts forced the Rajah to retreat back into the Star of Capistan, freeing all those formerly under its sway, including Karindu. The Star of Capistan was seemingly destroyed by Strange, and Omar Karindu's subsequent fate is unrevealed (see comments).

Comments: Created by Gerry Conway, Keith Giffen, and Klaus Janson.

    When I first read Defenders II#9, I thought it was revealed that AIM was slaying or had slain everyone who had ever touched the Star of Capistan, including Omar Karindu (there is a guy in Middle Eastern garb pictured). However, Donald Campbell told me it was only people who had touched the stone idol known as "The God from Beyond" who were slain. I checked the issues AND CHECKED WITH KURT BUSIEK, and confirmed that Donald was right. There is no evidence that Omar Karindu was killed, or even involved in the Headmen's quest for the God from Beyond, or the reformation of the Star of Capistan.

    Tania Belinsky (the Red Guardian) described Omar Karindu as among the world's most learned scholars of the paranormal sciences.

    Omar Karindu described Dr. Strange as his "dear old friend" and mentioned the Strange Tales encounter as their "last" meeting. Egghead described Karindu as "perhaps his (Strange's) closest friend."

     However, that story in Strange Tales does not actually depict or even mention Omar Karindu, and the Editor's Note in Defenders I#42 only stated: "It happened in between the lines of Strange Tales #136."--Ron Fredricks

    Given Omar Karindu's magical powers, I have no reason to believe that the dates given above are topical.

    Karindu references his journey towards Nirvana, which I took to mean that he was Hindu, but I may just be ig'nant.

New and additional images by Ron Fredricks.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Omar Karindu should not be confused with:

• Omar Karindu - the mysterious and occasionally seen Master of the Obscure, who took his name from this character

The Cult of the Unliving Four has no known connections to:

• any other "Cults" or "Unliving" or "Four" groups

Cult of the Unliving Four Little is known about this secret Pakistani group, aka the Four Cult, except that they held sacred the Star of Capistan. Its origins remain a secret, existing prior to 1933, but at some point Omar Karindu became the Brahmin (leader) of the Cult. The Star is referred to as the "key" to the Cult. The Star was relocated from Pakistan to London in 1971, and the Cult may have moved with it. Their fate following the destruction of the Star by Dr. Strange (and the later reformation by the Headmen) is unknown. It is unclear whether Bundu was a member or a servant. It is also unclear just who or what the Unliving Four are. --Defenders I#42 (44(fb) - BTS, 42

Bundu Either a member of the Cult of the Unliving Four or just a personal friend or servant of Omar Karindu, he summoned Dr. Strange for a meeting with Karindu. --Defenders I#42

images: (without ads)
Defenders I#42, p13, pan6 (main image - Omar Karindu)
Defenders I#42, p14, pan1 (main image - Omar Karindu by covered Star of Capistan)
Defenders I#44, p12, pan1 (headshot - Omar Karindu)
Defenders I#42, p13, pan7 (Omar Karindu speaks with Dr. Strange)
Defenders I#42, p14, pan2 (Omar Karindu unveils Star of Capistan)
Defenders I#42, p12, pan1 (Cult of the Unliving Four)
Defenders I#42, p12, pan7 (Bundu)
Defenders I#42, p13, pan1 (Bundu)

Appearances:
Strange Tales I#136 (September, 1965) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Steve Ditko (artist)
Defenders I#42-43 (December, 1976 - January, 1977) - Gerry Conway (writer/editor), Keith Giffen (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks)
Defenders I#44-45 (February - March, 1977) - Gerry Conway, Roger Slifer & David Kraft (writers), Keith Giffen (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks), Gerry Conway (editor)

First posted: 07/28/2004
Last updated: 10/16/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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