| Kukulcan | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | X-Men #25 (Oct 1966) |
| Created by | Roy Thomas and Werner Roth |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Juan Meroz |
| Notable aliases | El Tigre |
Kukulcan is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.
Contents |
El Tigre first appeared in X-Men #25-26 (October-November 1966), and was created by Roy Thomas and Werner Roth.
The character subsequently appears as Kukulcan in Ka-Zar: Lord of the Hidden Jungle #2-5 (March-September 1974).
Juan Meroz, also known as El Tigre, was a Latin American gem hunter who found two halves of a mystical pendant. By joining the two halves together, Juan was transformed into a being capable of projecting solar energy and of flying within an energy sphere. He believed himself to be the reincarnation of the Mayan god Kukulcan, and could control the minds of the Mayans's descendants.
Professor X found and tracked El Tigre, thanks to Cerebro. When the X-Men came to stop him, he used the amulet to become Kukulcan. The X-Men were no match for Kukulcan, and after his henchmen defeated them he slew the henchmen. Kukulcan transported himself away, setting himself up as a god in San Rico. The X-Men found him again and battled him. This time, Kukalcan's powers faded when he lost the stone which powered the pendant. The Beast kept the pendant, which had lost its powers.
El-Tigre later fought Ka-Zar in the Savage Land, also encountering Bobbi Morse, trying to steal the vibranium and other natural resources of the land.. El Tigre went to a place called the Mystic Mists after having learned that they were a source of power. While in the Mists, El Tigre was struck by a solid light from an extraterrestrial machine. El Tigre was transformed and given power, though his mind was changed as well. He was able to melt a rock into glass. However, when he looked into the glass and saw his new face, he was horrified and threw himself down a cliff to his death.[1]