MORTAKMORTAK
Real Name: Mortak
Identity/Class: Extra-dimensional (Katharta?) barbarian
Occupation: Warrior, King, Conqueror
Affiliations: Klonus the Wizard, Tai the Slayer, Thog
Enemies: Dakimh the Enchanter, Jennifer Kale, Korrek, Man-Thing
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: Mortak the Usurper
Base of Operations: currently unknown;
formerly the Mountain Temple of Zokk, in the dimension of
Katharta;
formerly an unnamed world which may or may not be associated with
the realm of Katharta
First Appearance: Giant-Size Man-Thing#3 (February, 1975)
Powers: Mortak is an accomplished
warrior, skilled in hand-to-hand combat as well as in the use of
bladed weapons. I'm betting he doesn't bathe very often, however.
He commands an army of barbarian warriors, of unknown size.
History: Mortak comes from a world separate from the landmass of Katharta, and it uncertain if he is from another dimension altogether. He rules a kingdom on that world, and seeks to rule all ten kingdoms of his own world. He became allied with the wizard Klonus and his lackey Tai under unknown circumstances.
(GSMT#3(fb))-Mortak's armies, assisted by the magics of Klonus, attacked and conquered of the city of Katharta. Its army was slaughtered, its crops were burnt, and its women were put into service of Mortak's soldiers. The king of Katharta was slain, and its prince, Korrek, was captured and held in chains in their prison for one year.
(GSMT#3)-While Mortak was happy with
ruling Katharta and taking over the ten kingdoms of their own
world, Klonus wanted more. There was/is a legend
of some unknown cosmic significance behind Korrek that he or
whoever rules Katharta is destined for godhood. Klonus waited
until for the proper time (some sort of astral alignment sort of
deal, most likely) to slay Korrek to gain the full power. Klonus
then had Korrek staked out on top of the Mountain Temple of Zokk,
and summoned the Serpent Hawks to sacrifice the barbarian prince.
However, Korrek's ally, Dakimh the Enchanter sent the Man-Thing
to Korrek's aid. 
The Man-Thing slew
Klonus's warrior servant, Tai, and freed Korrek. Klonus fled with
Mortak to avoid the Serpent Hawks who would now be hungry for a
different meal. Jennifer Kale teleported the Man-Thing and Korrek
to Dakimh's castle to discuss the significance of the recent
series of events.
Klonus traveled to Citrusville, Florida, where he drew power from
the Nexus of Reality in "The Man-Thing's swamp" and
prepared to make his stand against Dakimh and his allies. While
Klonus occupied Dakimh and the Man-Thing, Mortak engaged Korrek
himself. Mortak's sword shattered against Korrek's enchanted
blade, and Korrek overpowered Mortak in hand-to-hand combat. The
Man-Thing, who had destroyed its opponent, smashed Klonus in the
head from behind, incapacitating him. Jennifer formed energy
cocoons about Klonus and Mortak and banished them into space.
(Man-Thing I#21, 22)-The demon Thog freed
Klonus and Mortak and returned them to Earth to oppose the
Man-Thing. Klonus succeeded in weakening the Man-Thing by tapping
into his diluted, dispersed brain and bringing out portions of
Sallis' mind, which confused the bog-beast. Mortak further
confused it by skewering it with a pole, sending Sallis' mind
further into a state of shock.
With the Man-Thing incapacitated, Thog arrived and attempted to
use his plot involving the Nightmare Boxes to drive the
cosmos into insanity. However, the efforts of the Man-Thing,
Dakimh's spirit, and even Steve Gerber himself, caused the Boxes
to implode, pulling Klonus, Mortak, Thog, and the demons of
Sominus into it. Within the box, the Man-Thing destroyed Thog,
effectively ending the threat of the Nightmare Boxes. Gerber,
Dakimh, and the Man-Thing escaped back to Earth, but Klonus and
Mortak's fates were not seen.
Comments: Created by Steve Gerber and Alfredo Alcala.
Giant-Size Man-Thing. Now that's comedy! Thank you Peter David.
Katharta is listed as a dimension, yet Korrek sees a village aflame and states that all of Katharta was in flames. Perhaps Katharta is one city within a larger realm, and/or Katharta is the name of the capital city and the dimension, much like Asgard.
It is unclear whether the "one year" of waiting is a topical reference. It seems like a long time to wait, but it is also quite likely that time passes quite differently in the various dimensions involved.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Mortak should be distinguished from:
Mortag, the guardian of a
stronghold on Kirgar, @ Black Goliath#5
Mor-Tog of the Kree, @ Inhumans I#10
Last updated: 08/02/02
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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