MORTAG

Real Name: Mortag

Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial robot (from Kirgar)

Occupation: Guardian of the former stronghold of the last warlord of Kirgar

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Former agent of the last warlord of Kirgar

Enemies: Black Goliath, Derath, Celia Jackson

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Guardian of the Stronghold

Base of Operations: the former Stronghold of the last warlord of Kirgar, Sharra's Forge, Kirgar

First Appearance: Black Goliath#5 (November, 1976)

Powers: Mortag was approximately 15 feet tall, and possessed superhuman strength (@ Class 10) and durability. He was presumably programmed with a variety of fighting techniques. He was skilled at unarmed combat, and also used an immense battleaxe.

Mortag would remain inert in the lower levels of the stronghold. He would be activated by the presence of intruders in the stronghold, and would seek to slay those intruders.

History: The planet Kirgar was once a mighty imperial state, rivaling the Rigellians and the Kree. However the mighty empire collapsed millions of cycles (years?) ago, and the race is believed to have become extinct. One of the last warlords of Kirgar had a mighty fortress to protect his belongings from those who would steal them. When that warlord died, he left a powerful robot, Mortag, to protect the stronghold.

Mortag apparently remained in the lower levels of the stronghold for an untold period of time. When the human adventurer Black Goliath, along with his friends Celia and Keith Jackson, and the A'Askvarii explorer Derath, were stranded on Kirgar, they entered the stronghold in search of the technology to help them return to their respective worlds. Their presence in the stronghold activated Mortag, who silently approached the relaxing Goliath and Celia. Mortag raised his axe and would have likely slain both of them had not Derath sensed Mortag, leaping in the path of his axe, and dying in their place.

Black Goliath grappled with Mortag, but seemed to be outmatched in both strength and fighting skill. However, Celia blasted Mortag with Derath's blaster, stunning him, and allowing Black Goliath to gain the upper hand. Black Goliath knocked Mortag back into a circuit board, which exploded, leaving Mortag in inert pieces.

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont and Keith Pollard.

Clarifications: Mortag should not be confused with:

• Mortak, an ally of Dakimh's enemy, Klonus, @ Giant-Size Man-Thing#3