Rune (comics)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Publication information
Rune
cover to Rune #1, Art by Barry Windsor-Smith
Publisher	Malibu Comics/Marvel Comics
First appearance	Sludge #1 (flip-book backup)
Created by	Chris Ulm Barry Windsor-Smith
In story information
Alter ego	Rune
Notable aliases	Prince of the Void
Abilities	Superhuman strength, healing factor, durability, life force absobtion, precognition (through Star Stones)

Rune is a fictional vampire-like being from Malibu Comics' Ultraverse imprint. He was created by Barry Windsor-Smith and Chris Ulm, and first appeared as a back-up story in Sludge #1 (another Malibu comic).

Rune was a human-like alien in the Ultraverse, until he acquired the Star Stones, magical artifacts which made him virtually immortal, but cursed him with a monstrous form and a vampiric thirst for blood. Ages ago, he found himself stranded on Earth, and has been both worshipped as a god and reviled as a demon throughout history.

Rune plays a vital part in the four-issue limited series Godwheel.

[edit] Powers and Abilities

Rune derives his power from the Star Stones, which he wears around his neck. These absorb the souls and life-force of his victims, and he uses them to power various feats of magic. He has vampire-like abilities, including bat-like wings allowing him to fly, great strength, speed and durability, and is nearly impossible to kill, even by decapitation; however exposure to a nuclear explosion in 1952 has given him cancer and greatly weakened his powers. Even in this state, he is capable of performing magic spells such as teleporting people across a continent and creating illusions to disguise himself as human. He also possesses certain psychic powers, such as precognition, psychometry, and clairvoyance. By consuming the life-force of an Ultra, he can temporarily boost his powers tremendously.

At one point in time he possessed the Infinity Gauntlet from the Marvel Universe.