Brew’s Crew: Mongul, Dictator of Warworld

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(Editor’s note: This is another in a series of irregularly-scheduled columns by Managing Editor Byron Brewer, mainly dealing with cosmic comics and their many denizens. Mr. Brewer’s opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CosmicBookNews.com. He welcomes both raves and opposing views.)

By Byron Brewer

Like all the beings in the DCU, Mongul has gone through many roboots, revamps and even death.

We are not sure which version will wind up in the pages of Green Lantern during Villains Month in September, but we hope the New 52 Mongul is an awesome alien threat!

Don’t take this for canon: Mongul is the ruler of a planet called Warworld where he entertains himself with gladiator-style games of life and death — mostly death. Mongul once captured Superman to use him in those games, but the Kryptonian joined forces with the alien Draaga, forcing Mongul to flee.

Through torture, Mongul was forced to join the Cyborg Superman (currently returning in Supergirl, of all places!) in order go have revenge on Superman and to turn Earth into another “war world.” In the process, the hometown of Green Lantern Hal Jordan was destroyed, leading him to join Superman and others in his battle against Mongul.

After his defeat, Mongul was imprisoned in a prison for intergalactic criminals only to escape during a riot. His first target was Green Lantern, but the one he found was not Hal Jordan but Kyle Rayner. He was again defeated, this time by Rayner with help from Superman.

Mongul was re-imprisoned but escaped again (monotonous, isn’t it?), leaving nothing but death in his wake. His escape craft wrecked and Mongul was near death, but he was teleported to a planet where he is saved by its benevolent population. Mongul repaid this kindness by tyrannically taking over the world (from the pages of the evening news!). The populace surprises Mongul by giving in to a virus and mass suicide rather than his tyranny.

During the Underworld Unleashed storyline, the demon lord Neron began offering supervillains enhanced power in exchange for their souls, all by the lighting of a candle. Mongul was one of those offered the deal, but his pride caused him to decline and he threatened Neron. In response, Neron seemingly beat the alien ruler to death, taking his soul in the process.

As Mongul rises again in the New 52 during Villains Month, we hope for a more powerful, more threatening, more cosmic Mongul.

Since his co-creator Jim Starlin will be writing the epic tale, odds are pretty good!