VOLKHVY

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Supernatural being

Occupation: Mystic champion of the Slorenians, Supreme Commander of the Slorenian government

Affiliations: Black Brigade, the Tabissara, Targoth

Enemies: Ember, Force Works, Locomotive Breath, War Machine

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Comrade Supreme Commander, the Eternal One

Base of Operations: Slorenian Parliament Compound

First Appearance: (as "Comrade Supreme Commander") Force Works #5 (November, 1994); (as Volkhvy) Force Works #11 (May, 1995)

Powers/Abilities: Volkhvy possessed superhuman strength and, with the aid of The Program, was capable of transforming humans into Targoth and controlling them. Any other powers remain unrevealed.

Equipment: Volkhvy sometimes wore armor and carried a black sword that glowed with an unknown energy.

History: Volkhvy was Ember’s opposite number, mystic champion of the Slorene race. Choosing to rule in secret as the true power behind the Slorene government, Volkhvy had abandoned whatever mystic artifact empowered him, choosing the power granted to him by The Program instead. The vampiric Volkhvy looked upon humanity as mere cattle, existing only to feed and serve him.

Who Volkhvy’s human host was remains unknown as does how he came to power in Slorenia (although it was said that country had endured generations of Slorene tyranny, even under the Communists, suggesting that Volkhvy had been the power behind the throne for many years).

Dr. Irena Renko on the Slorenian conflict and Volkhvy: 

        "Thousands of years ago, a racial feud turned into an eternal conflict 
          when it became     infected with mystical power. Now neither side can 
           win. As one side grows in power, the other shrinks...then the balance 
           is reversed. Until one side lays down it’s arms, we are doomed to 
           bloodshed!"

        "That which does not truly live, cannot die."

(Force Works #5)- After meeting with Force Works and planning to hunt down Ember, Black Brigade and Boshlovor reported to Volkhvy in his underground chamber, informing him of their progress. He ordered Black Brigade to let Force Works lead him to Ember to then destroy him, no matter who came in his way.

(War Machine #14)- Black Brigade called Volkhvy away from his work on The Program to inform him that Locomotive Breath had returned to Slorenia and brought War Machine with him, seeking access to The Program. Volkhvy explained that both he and Locomotive Breath relied on The Program for it’s life-giving power, that Locomotive Breath was the one who had built it, and then sent Black Brigade to keep them away from The Program at all costs.

(Force Works #11)- Boshlovor reported to Volkhvy on the progress of the meeting on a trade agreement with Tony Stark and gave him one of Stark’s combination watch/miniature televisions. Volkhvy explained how Stark’s technology could enable them to improve The Program and make it a thousand times more efficient. Weakened,  Volkhvy required Boshlovor’s aid to renew his strength through The Program, and he also sent Black Brigade to take a squad of Targoth and ‘harvest’ more Dudak to power The Program.

Tracking the Tabissara through the watches, Stark and Spider-Woman, posing as Stark's aide, realized that ten of them were above ground, with one more below. Spider-Woman managed to sneak under the Slorene Parliament building into Volkhvy’s underground bunker where she was confronted by Volkhvy, who informed her that she had seen too much.

(In-between issues) BTS - Volkhvy defeated Spider-Woman and  imprisoned her in The Program’s pod-banks beside a number of Dudak prisoners.

(Force Works #12)- Planning to use Spider-Woman to boost his own power, Volkhvy explained to her that he was the lord-champion of the Slorene race, about his feud with his opposite number Ember, and the nature and purpose of The Program.

As he prepared to feed, Ember broke through a wall and attacked Volkhvy, who defended himself with his sword.  Ultimately, Ember proved too powerful for him, shattering his armor, then draining his life force, killing him, at least until his inevitable return.

Comments: Volkhvy (as Comrade Supreme Commander), created by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Paul Ryan; Volkhvy (fully seen/named) created by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning & Jim Calafiore.

So, I'm not the only one who saw preview pics of the cover of Avengers #37, saw that black sword and thought "Hey, Volkhvy's back!", am I?

Here's a mini-profile on an individual named Volkhy who may (or may not) have anything to do with how they came up with the name Volkhvy.  

• VOLKHY 
• REAL NAME: Volkh Vseslav'evich
•  OCCUPATION: Monarch, Sorcerer 
• RELATIVES: Marfa (mother, deceased), Zaltys (father), Vij (half-brother)
• HISTORY: Volkhy is the son of Tsarena Marfa, a princess of ancient Russia born before 900 BC. She was walking through a garden one day when Zaltys the snake-god wrapped himself around her legs. She fended him off, but a few days later discovered herself with child. Volkhy's birth occurred on the full moon and caused earthquakes. He had many god-like attributes such as talking as an infant and possessing exceptional intelligence. He could turn into animals, and as a young man he amassed an army to defend his mother's kingdom from invaders. He shapeshifted into various creatures to feed and clothe his men, to spy on his enemies, and to learn their weaknesses. He conquered the land of his enemies by turning his men into ants and secretly leading them  into the castle where they slew the king. As king, Volkh divided his land between his warriors. 
• COMMENTS: Volkh was the Russian counterpart of Merlin.
• The background for Volkhy is probably better suited to the Russian character Dr. Volkh, from the superhuman team Bogatyri.  

byGauntlet: Dark Rider

CLARIFICATIONS:
Volkhvy should not be confused with:

• Volx, the Dire Wraith Queen, @ Nova II#17
• Dr. Volkh, of the Bogatyri, @ Avengers West Coast#87

Last updated: 07/12/03

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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