PURSUER

Real Name: Inapplicable

Identity/Class: Terrestrial cockroach/programmed energy template

Occupation: Warrior/Agent of Kree Empire

Group Membership: Kree Empire

Affiliations: Created by Korath and other scientists

Enemies: Inhuman Royal Family (Black Bolt, Gorgon, Karnak, Medusa, Triton), Falzon

Known Relatives: Inapplicable

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Currently unrevealed; formerly Manhattan, New York; formerly Hala

First Appearance: Inhumans I#11 (June, 1977)

Powers: The Pursuer is a template that could be beamed across intergalactic distances, and could transform available materials into a form sufficient to suit its needs. It can do this with inorganic materials, such as stone or metal, or by transforming living creatures.
While its abilities depended somewhat on what material or entity its template was imbued within, it had certain inherent powers. It originally was programmed with internal sensors, attuned to the genetic structures of the Inhumans, and was intended to have abilities superior to its prey. It possessed superhuman strength (Class 10 or greater), as well as superhuman speed, durability, agility, and reflexes.
The original Pursuer utilized a scepter with which it could animate and control inanimate matter, forming tentacle-like appendages out of metal, concrete, or anything else to strike or bind its foes. It could rearrange matter, transforming small regions of air into glass or other materials. The scepter could also fire energy bursts.
It wears battle armor of unknown composition, and presumably could fly using those little jet things on its feet.

History:
(Inhumans I#11) - The Pursuer was created by the top echelon Kree computer geneticists, led by Korath-Thak. It was designed to defeat and capture the Inhuman Royal Family, and return them to Hala, to serve the Kree as warrior slaves. The Pursuer template was beamed to Earth, and intended to transform available materials into a form with which it could accomplish its goals. Its path could not be controlled, but it was hoped that it would strike metal or stone. Instead, it hit a cockroach. Undaunted, the Pursuer tracked down the Inhuman Royal Family and attacked them in Manhattan, New York. One by one he took down the group, including Black Bolt, and then transformed the air around their heads into glass, so he could watch them suffocate. However, the Inhumans' Kree ally, Falzon, sprayed the Pursuer with some noxious-smelling stuff he found in a van that had been abandoned during the melee. The stuff happened to be industrial strength pesticide, which dropped the Pursuer on the spot. Black Bolt then freed himself and the others, and the Pursuer was taken away by the NYPD.

(Inhumans I#12) - While being transported to a facility equipped to contain it, the Pursuer broke free and began anew its hunt for the Inhumans...and then the title got cancelled.

(Captain Marvel I#53) - After Mar-Vell revealed that the War of the Three Galaxies was a trap of the Skrulls, Phae-Dorr ordered the recall of the Pursuer from Earth.

 

 

 

(Quasar#32) - Korath-Thak placed the Pursuer template within himself, in order to help fight in the Kree-Shi'ar war, aka Operation: Galactic Storm.

Comments: Created by Doug Moench and Keith Pollard.

OK, the Pursuer program itself, after its recall, was utilized by Korath, who instilled the template within himself. But what happened to that cockroach? Surely it retains some element of power. Yes, it certainly has, and it is a member of the Cockroach Conspiracy.

Carycomix very astutely observes: "As the Supreme Intelligence has used the Forever Stone to force the whole Kree race into the next step of their physical evolution (previously deemed impossible - they became The Ruul), wouldn't that serve to re-mutate the little bugger?"

I'm betting that the cockroach Pursuer had something to do with Grant Morrison's thoughts to give his Marvel Boy, Noh-Varr, cockroach DNA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clarifications: The Pursuer (the template and/or its first host) should be distinguished from:

Appearances:
Inhumans I#11 (June, 1977) - Doug Moench (writer), Keith Pollard (pencils), Jim Mooney (inks), Archie Goodwin (edtor)
Inhumans I#12 (August, 1977) - Doug Moench (writer), Keith Pollard (pencils), Bob Wiacek (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Captain Marvel I#53 (November, 1977) - Scott Edelman (writer), Al Milgrom (pencils), Terry Austin, Bob Wiacek & Al Milgrom (inks), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Quasar#32 (March, 1992) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Greg Capullo (pencils), Harry Candelario (inks), Kelly Corvese (editor)

First Posted: 12/12/2001
Last updated: 05/04/2004

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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