View source for Mongul

{{Short description|Comic book supervillain}}
{{Otheruses}}
{{multiple issues|
{{all plot|date=February 2024}}
{{notability|date=February 2024}}
}}
{{Infobox comics character
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| character_name = Mongul
| image          = Mongul.png
| caption        = Mongul as depicted in ''DC Comics Presents'' #28 (December 1980). Art by [[Jim Starlin]] (pencils), Romeo Tanghal (inks), and Jerry Serpre (colors).
| publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
| debut          = ''[[DC Comics Presents]]'' #27 (November 1980)
| creators       = [[Len Wein]] (writer)<br/>[[Jim Starlin]] (writer/artist) 
| species = Unknown 
| homeworld      = [[Warworld (DC Comics)|Warworld]]
| alliances      = '''(Mongul)'''<br/>[[Injustice League]]<br/>[[Superman Revenge Squad]]<br/>[[Suicide Squad]]<br/>'''(Mongul II)'''<br/>[[Sinestro Corps]]
| partners       = [[Hank Henshaw]]
| powers         = 
*Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, and durability
*Near-invulnerability
*Teleportation
*Energy projection 
*Heat vision
*Anatomical liberation
*Skilled hand-to-hand combatant
*Genius-level intellect
*Access to [[Warworld (DC Comics)|Warworld]]
|cat             = super
|subcat          = DC Comics
|villain         = y
|sortkey         = Mongul
}}
'''Mongul''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɒ|ŋ|g|əl}}) is a <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; supervillains (and characters in general) are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.-->[[supervillain]] appearing in [[comic books]] published by [[DC Comics]]. Writer [[Len Wein]] and artist [[Jim Starlin]] created the first version of the character, who debuted in ''[[DC Comics Presents]]'' #27 (November 1980).<ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Rovin |title=[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]] |date=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=0-8160-1356-X |location=New York |page=232}}</ref> [[Jerry Ordway]] created the second version, who first appeared in ''The Adventures of Superman'' #454 as the lord of Warworld. He was later embellished by [[Peter Tomasi]] and [[Scot Eaton]] in ''Showcase '95'', #8. He is based on the [[Mongol Empire]]'s founder [[Genghis Khan]] and his successors, hence his name. The character was given an origin story in Green Lantern #23.2 by his co-creator [[Jim Starlin]] and artist [[Howard Porter (artist)|Howard Porter]] as homage to the writers who participated in developing the character. He has become one of [[Superman]]'s most enduring enemies belonging to the collective of adversaries that make up his [[List of Superman enemies|rogues gallery]].

Debuting in the [[Bronze Age of Comic Books]], Mongul has been featured in other DC Comics-endorsed products such as [[animated series]], [[video game]]s, a [[Direct-to-video|direct-to-DVD]] film, and merchandise such as [[action figures]] and [[trading cards]].

== Publication history ==
Mongul debuted in the title ''[[DC Comics Presents]]'' and was created by writer [[Len Wein]] and artist [[Jim Starlin]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Manning|first= Matthew K.|editor-last = Dolan|editor-first = Hannah|chapter= 1980s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 188 |quote = Artist Jim Starlin displayed his penchant for portraying powerful cosmic villains with the debut of Mongul, a new threat to plague Superman's life, in a story written by Len Wein.}}</ref> Starlin often receives credit as creator of the character, but Wein in an interview stated: "Well, [Mongul] had Starlin visuals, but he was my creation". Wein said he conceived Mongul specifically as a villain to physically challenge [[Superman]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eury |first1=Michael |author-link=Michael Eury |title=The Krypton Companion |date=2006 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |isbn=9781893905610 |page=138}}</ref> Starlin commented on the character as well stating, "When I went over to DC... I went over and created Mongul and he was definitely supposed to be [[Thanos]] in the DC universe"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dOFRxg-p6Y&t=2575s | title=Jim Starlin Biographical Interview 2024 part 1 by Alex Grand | website=[[YouTube]] | date=8 November 2024 }}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
Mongul was the ruler of his species until a revolution occurred by his people and a holy man named the Ancient Arkymandryte. Mongul was forced to flee the throne to save his life.<ref name="DCCP28">''DC Comics Presents'' #28 (December 1980)</ref> In his first appearance, Mongul kidnaps [[Superman]]'s friends ([[Lois Lane]], [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Steve Lombard]]), threatening to kill them unless the hero brings him the key from a dead Warzoon race called Largas, that can activate the artificial planet Warworld. After Superman retrieves the key, and is forced to fight [[Martian Manhunter]] who is protecting it, Mongul activates Warworld.<ref name="DCCP27">''DC Comics Presents'' #27 (November 1980)</ref> Psychically linked with its controls, Mongul tries to destroy Superman and [[Supergirl]]. Mongul is ultimately rendered unconscious by a massive mental strain caused from using its controls, but manages to escape before the heroes destroy Warworld.<ref name="DCCP28" />

Mongul then tries to conquer Throneworld, the home planet of [[Starman (Prince Gavyn)|Prince Gavyn]], one of the heroes who have used the name [[Starman (DC Comics)|Starman]]. Mongul murders Gavyn's sister and forces Gavyn's lover into marrying him to usurp the throne of the empire for himself. He uses Throneworld's planet-destroying weapon to blackmail other planets into obedience. Superman arrives and battles Mongul, while Starman disables the weapon. Mongul retreats as soon as the weapon is disabled, planning to make his next move.<ref name="DCCP36">''DC Comics Presents'' #36 (August 1981)</ref> Now wanting revenge on Superman, Mongul kills a [[Controllers (DC Comics)|Controller]] and steals a [[Sun-Eater]] to devour the Earth's Sun. While the [[Justice League of America]] and [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] battle Mongul, Superman finally defeats him as the Legion destroys the Sun-Eater.<ref name="DCCP43">''DC Comics Presents'' #43 (March 1982)</ref>
Mongul attacks Superman on his birthday and ensnares him with [[Black Mercy]], an alien plant that feeds off a victim's "bio-aura" and subdues them with visions of their ideal world. Meanwhile, Mongul nearly kills [[Wonder Woman]] while mocking her views that women are equal. In the end, thanks to [[Batman]], [[Jason Todd|Robin]], and Wonder Woman, Mongul falls victim to the plant, receiving visions of being ruler of the universe.<ref>''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' [[Annual publication|Annual]] #11: "[[For the Man Who Has Everything]]" (September 1985)</ref>

=== Modern Age (1985-present) ===
Following the [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', which rebooted DC's continuity, Mongul is reintroduced as the ruler of Warworld, a space empire where he entertains the citizens with gladiatorial games.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |author-link=Robert Greenberger |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |author-link2=Martin Pasko |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |pages=265–267}}</ref> Mongul's ship captures a dying Superman, who was floating adrift in outer space after he exiled himself from Earth, and Mongul decides to use him in the games, but Superman joins forces with the alien warrior and Mongul's champion [[Draaga]] and makes Mongul flee. Mongul is then persuaded via torture to serve the [[Hank Henshaw|Cyborg Superman]] to gain vengeance on Superman and to try to turn the Earth into another Warworld. In the process, Green Lantern [[Hal Jordan]]'s home, [[Coast City]], is destroyed, which leads to him joining Superman and his allies to defeat Mongul. After his defeat, Mongul is imprisoned in a prison for intergalactic criminals, only to break out during a riot.

During the ''[[Underworld Unleashed]]'' crossover event, the demon [[Neron (character)|Neron]] offers various supervillains enhanced power in exchange for their souls. Mongul's pride causes him to decline the offer and threaten Neron. In response, Neron beats Mongul to death for his defiance, taking his soul in the process.<ref>''Underworld Unleashed'' #1 (November 1995)</ref>

==== Son of Mongul ====
[[File:Mongulgibbson2.png|thumb|upright|Mongul II as depicted in ''Green Lantern Secret Files and Origins 2005'', art by [[Dave Gibbons]] and [[Peter Steigerwald]].]]Mongul the Elder had twin children who survived: a boy and a girl.<ref>Showcase '95 Vol 1 #8 (September, 1995)</ref> Both shared a strong sibling rivalry. The first, Mongal, was known for her physical strength, while the second, Mongul, was more rational than his sister. Mongul's son, also named Mongul, watched digital renderings of his father's battles with Superman and the destruction of Coast City. He copies his father's actions when he encounters a group of aliens whose spaceship crashes on Arkymandryte, turning them into his slaves. Mongul's father returns, and discovering his son's slaves, he kills the aliens and tells him only one being on the planet is worthy of adoration.<ref>''Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps'' #1 (September 2009)</ref>

Mongul's son appears to assist and train Superman in preparation for the arrival of [[Imperiex]].<ref>''Superman'' (vol. 2) #153 (February 2000)</ref> He is apparently killed during the ''[[Our Worlds at War]]'' event, but returns during ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''.<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #1 (December 2005)</ref> He seeks his older twin sister, [[Mongal]], to settle family squabbles. Stating family to be a weakness, Mongul kills Mongal with a single blow to her head.<ref name="Green Lantern vol. 4 #82">''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #8 (March 2006)</ref>

Mongul receives a Yellow [[Power ring (DC Comics)|Power Ring]] after breaking a dying [[Sinestro Corps]] member's neck and takes over the Sinestro Corps.<ref>''Green Lantern Corps'' (vol. 2) #19 (February 2008)</ref><ref>''Green Lantern Corps'' (vol. 2) #23 (June 2008)</ref><ref>''Green Lantern Corps'' (vol. 2) #24 (July 2008)</ref> Following an unsuccessful attempt to invade [[Daxam]], Mongul takes the Sinestro Corps to Korugar, Sinestro's homeworld.<ref>''Green Lantern Corps'' (vol. 2) #37 - 39 (August - October 2009)</ref> Soon after, [[Sinestro]] is brought to Korugar and confronts Mongul, imprisoning him in the Sinestro Corps' Central Power Battery and reclaiming control of the Corps.<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #46 (November 2009)</ref>[[Image:SinestroDefeatsMongul.jpg|250px|thumb|Sinestro regains his Corps in ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 4) #46, art by [[Doug Mahnke]] and Christian Alamy.|left]]

=== ''The New 52'' ===
In ''[[The New 52]]'', a 2011 reboot of the DC Comics universe, the original Mongul is reintroduced. In his introduction, he is laying waste to a planet he is poised to conquer as he brought a resisting general aboard his vessel to show him the devastation of his homeworld just before killing him and adding his remains to a trophy room on Warworld.<ref>''Green Lantern'' (vol. 5) #23.3 (November 2013)</ref> After being deposed by Sinestro, Mongul allies with the Pale Vicors, a group who loot planets and nullify their inhabitants' emotions.<ref name="Sinestro #18">''Sinestro'' #18 (February 2016)</ref>

In the ''Superman: Villains'' one-shot (May 2020), Mongul is killed and succeeded by his son, Mongul MDCCXCII.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matadeen |first=Renaldo |date=March 5, 2020 |title=A Major Superman Villain Just Died... and He's a Bigger Threat Than Ever?! |url=https://www.cbr.com/superman-mongul-death-replaced/ |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
Mongul possesses immense superhuman physical abilities comparable to Superman.<ref name="DCCP36" /> Furthermore, he can teleport, generate energy blasts, possesses limited telepathy and telekinesis, and wields a chest-mounted cannon.<ref name="DCCP27" /><ref name="DCCP36" /><ref name="DCCP43" /> For a time, he was also part of the Sinestro Corps and possessed the ability to create energy constructs and empower himself via fear.<ref name="Sinestro #18" /> As a Pale Vicor, Mongul can negate the powers of the emotional spectrum and generate a protective aura.<ref name="Sinestro20">''Sinestro'' #20 (April 2016)</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
[[File:Mongul (Batman. The Brave and the Bold).jpg|thumb|Mongul as depicted in ''Batman: The Brave and the Bold''.]]
* Mongul appears in the [[DC Animated Universe]] series ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' and ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'', voiced by [[Eric Roberts]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Mongul Voices (DC Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/DC-Universe/Mongul/ |access-date=October 6, 2019 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
* Mongul appears in ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'', voiced by [[Gary Anthony Williams]].<ref name="btva" />
* Mongul appears in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'', voiced by [[Keith David]].<ref name="btva" />
* Mongul appears in the ''[[Justice League Action]]'' episode "Galaxy Jest", voiced by [[John DiMaggio]].<ref name="btva" />

===Film===
* Mongul appears in ''[[Superman/Batman: Public Enemies]]'', voiced by [[Bruce Timm]].<ref name="btva" />
* Mongul appears in ''[[Justice League: Warworld]]'', voiced by [[Robin Atkin Downes]].<ref name="btva" />

===Video games===
* Mongul appears in ''[[Superman: The Man of Steel (2002 video game)|Superman: The Man of Steel]]'', voiced by J.S. Gilbert.<ref name="btva" />
* Mongul appears in ''[[Superman Returns (video game)|Superman Returns]]'', voiced by [[Todd Williams (actor)|Todd Williams]].
* Mongul appears in ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame]]'', voiced again by Gary Anthony Williams.
* Mongul appears as a character summon in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=August 1, 2024 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref>
* Mongul appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'', voiced by [[Fred Tatasciore]].

==Reception==
In 2009, Mongul was ranked as [[IGN]]'s 41st Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mongul is number 41 - IGN |url=http://comics.ign.com/top-100-villains/41.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121094431/http://comics.ign.com/top-100-villains/41.html |archive-date=January 21, 2011 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://supermanica.kinlok.nu/wiki/index.php/Mongul Supermanica: Mongul] Supermanica entry on the Bronze Age version of the character.
* https://idol-head.blogspot.com/search/label/Mongul In-depth history of the character.
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