DERATH
Real Name: Derath'Ath Machlan'n
Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial (A'Askvarii race) technology user
Occupation: Explorer, former Farscout Officer in A'Askvarii fleet
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Black Goliath and Celia and Keith Jackson
Enemies: Mortag
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Sharra's Forge, Kirgar (planet), formerly Oerlanii (home planet)
First Appearance: Black Goliath#5 (November, 1976)
Powers/Abilities: Derath possesses the typical
attributes of a member of the A'Askvarii race. He possesses six
arms, all covered with tentacles on the tips. He possesses gills
and is presumably amphibious, although he does require a special
uniform to prevent rapid dehydration on land. He possesses
rudimentary telepathy, enabling him to assimilate the language of
another sentient by direct contact with him or her.
In addition, Derath used a variety of advanced equipment. These include his Converter, which was able to construct molecule-thick body suits to protect others from harsh climates. He used a laser pistol able to incinerate a Dune Cat (a tiger-like creature of Kirgar).
Derath possessed advanced training in Physics, and he was trained in technology beyond that of Earth's. He claimed to be able to construct a functional starship given the materials and some basic tools.
History:Derath was once the foremost scout in the A'Askvarii fleet. However, on one mission he was careless and crashed on the desolate planet Kirgar, damaging his ship beyond repair. Derath knew that there was available equipment in the pyramid which served as a former stronghold of the Kirgar, but he lacked the strength and endurance to survive the trek across the hostile terrain of Sharra's Forge to reach it.
The length of time Derath was on Kirgar is unknown. The Earth hero Black Goliath, along with Celia and Keith Jackson were banished to Kirgar by an energy blast from the Stilt-Man. Derath encountered the three of them, and after a brief misunderstanding when his attempts to learn their language by direct contact was mistaken as an attack, he showed them the way to the stronghold. Black Goliath protected the three others from the harsh environment of Sharra's Forge. Upon entering the stronghold, Derath set to work almost instantly on devising a means to return the four of them to their homes.
Derath succeeded in constructing a
dimensional transporter to transport them. However, the guardian
of the stronghold, a powerful robot named Mortag, had been
activated by their entrance into the pyramid. Mortag stalked and
prepared to strike a killing blow to Black Goliath and Celia
Jackson, who had slipped away for a romantic interlude. Derath
saw this and pushed them out of harm's way, taking a fatal blow
to the back from Mortag's axe in the process. Keith Jackson
decided to finish Derath's log and keep it until he could return
it to his people and/or his family.
Comments: Created by Chris Claremont and Keith Pollard.
Derath seemed to be a benevolent, capable, and likeable guy. Too bad Bill and Celia had to get hot and bothered, or he would have survived and had a happy ending.
images: (without ads)
Last updated: 03/10/11
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
All characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters,
Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real
thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at:
http://www.marvel.com