MALCOLM KORTMALCOLM KORT
Real Name: Malcolm Kort
Identity/Class: Extra-Dimensional (Ultraverse) Human
Occupation: C.E.O. of Visionary Productions
Affiliations: Visionary Productions (Dolores (secretary), Dr. Wendell Deeters
(scientist));
Bloodbath, Bruut, Cybernoids, Hot Rox, Supreme Soviet (agents)
Enemies: Exiles-Deming; Amber Hunt, Mastodon
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Visionary Productions, Los Angeles, California, Earth-Ultraverse
First Appearance: Exiles (Ultraverse) I#1 (August, 1993)
Powers/Abilities: Kort has no superhuman
physical powers nor does he have any particular scientific
genius. He is a wealthy and powerful man, the CEO of a scientific
research firm--Visionary Productions. He believes his money and
power enable and entitle everything, and he is willing to
manipulate or sacrifice anyone or anything to get what he
needs/wants.
He employs a number of Ultras as agents, and he is also served by
the Cybernoids.
History: Some variation on the normal
jumpstarts caused certain individuals on Earth to develop the Theta
virus. The virus did not appear to actually be
contagious (at least it was not shown to be), but rather than
just cause people to become Ultras, it also would rapidly
progress to death. Kort sought to utilize and manipulate the
victims of the Theta virus to become his agents. He also wished
to learn how to synthesize the virus and control the process to
form an army of agents.
While the efforts of his scientist, Deeters, had met with limited
success, he continued to send his agents to capture anyone
identified with the virus. In this he was opposed by the Exiles,
who were seeking to bring the victims to Dr. Rachel Deming, who
wished to cure them and teach them how to use their powers.
(Exiles#1-4) - Kort sent the Supreme Soviet and
his Cybernoids to capture Amber Hunt. When the Soviet was foiled
by the Exiles, who took Amber to Deming, Kort had him used as a
test subject for Deeters, which was mostly a success--although
the Soviet died in the process. Kort then sent agents Bruut and
Bloodbath to obtain another victim, Timothy Halloran, which they
did successfully, despite the efforts of the Exiles.
Halloran's possessed a much higher level of Theta Virus activity
than previous subjects had, and when Deeters initiated the
process, Halloran's energies reacted violently and exploded.
Deeters and Kort both survived the explosion, but Halloran
escaped. Kort sent Bloodbath to recover Halloran, and he sent his
other agents to capture/subdue/slay the Exiles, who were
attempting to rescue Halloran.
Events escalated between the Exiles and Kort's agents and
ultimately Ghoul blew up Deeters' generator, causing an explosion
which destroyed Visionary Productions, and killed Kort, Deeters,
and everyone else in the building.
Ghoul, being somewhat dead to start with, was the only one to
recover.
Comments: Created by Steve Gerber, Tom Mason, Dave Olbrich, and Chris Ulm (writers) and Paul Pelletier (penciler).
CLARIFICATIONS:
Visionary Productions has no known connection to:
In general, no one in the Ultraverse has any connection to anyone from Earth-616 or any other reality, unless specifically stated.
Presumably creations of Deeters, Kort, or
another of his employees, these were robots programmed to serve
Kort and assist his agents. Several of them were sent with
Supreme Soviet in the failed mission to capture Amber Hunt, but
they were relatively easily destroyed by the Exiles. Another
Cybernoid was tracking Timothy Halloran after he had escaped the
Exiles. However, as it was tracking Halloran for Kort, it may
have either dysfunctioned after the destruction of Visionary
Productions and its central computers, or it may have abandoned
its programming when its goal was no longer possible or relevant.
They possess programming and data files which enable them to
assess and react to the strengths and weaknesses of their foes
(similar to the Sentinels), but they are relatively slow moving
and far from indestructible. They can fly, project energy blasts,
and track the energy signature of others. They may well have been
tied directly into some remote computer in Visionary Productions.
--Exiles#1 (3
Dr. Wendell Deeters
Deeters was Kort's chief scientist studying and working on replicating and controlling the Theta Virus. He was killed in the explosion of Visionary Productions.
Deeters was presumably an expert in the field of biochemistry.
--Exiles#1 (2-4
Visionary Productions
This was Kort's research firm, dedicated almost exclusively to work on the Theta Virus to build an army of Ultras for Kort. It served as a front for his illicit operations, posing as a legitimate research firm, and possibly in the field of entertainment as well. It was destroyed when Ghoul blew up Deeters' generator, which also killed its CEO and many of its employees.
--Exiles#1 (2-4
Appearances:
Exiles I#1 (August, 1993) - Steve Gerber, Tom Mason, Dave Olbrich & Chris Ulm (writers), Paul Pelletier (pencils), Ken Branch (inks), Chris Ulm (editor)
Exiles I#2 (September, 1993) - Steve Gerber (writer), R.R. Phipps (pencils), Ken Branch (inks), Chris Ulm (editor)
Exiles I#3 (October, 1993) - Steve Gerber (writer), R.R. Phipps (pencils), Scott Reed (inks), Chris Ulm (editor)
Exiles I#4 (November, 1993) - Steve Gerber (writer), R.R. Phipps (pencils), Dave Simons (inks), Chris Ulm (editor)
First Posted: 09/14/2002
Last updated: 09/14/2002
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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