CHITINAUTS

Classification: Semi-humanoid extradimensional (Negative Zone) extraterrestrial race 

Location/Base of Operations: The Heteropteron and nearby space within the Negative Zone

Known Members: None identified

Affiliations: Catastrophus;
    presumably Annihilus and the Annihilation Swarm

Enemies: Darkhawk (Chris Powell), Razor (Brotherhood of Raptors, while possessing Darkhawk), Talon (Brotherhood of Raptors);
    if they participated in the Annihilation War, they may have opposed a large number of races/beings in the positive universe.

First Appearance: War of Kings: Ascension#1 (June, 2009)

Powers/Abilities: The Chitinauts appeared to be of various forms and abilties. 

    All had chitinous exoskeletons, but some had wings, some were bipedal in conformation with variations in limb numbers and types, some were more like centipedes, or beetles. 

Traits: The Chitinauts seemed to have a hivemind mentality, typically acting as warriors in the defense or service of Catastrophus. 

    They assaulted their opponents relentlessly until destroyed (or, presumably, otherwise instructed by Catastrophus)

Type:  Bilaterally symmetric insectoids (of various type)
Eyes: Two (on head; solid red vs. multifaceted red seen)
Fingers: Varies with body type (1 to 4 seen)
Toes: Varies with body type (1 to 4 seen)
Skin color: Brown
Average height: Varied with body type, some were roughly humanoid in size, some were significantly larger; some centipede types may have been 30' long

History:
(War of Kings: Ascension#1 (fb) - BTS) - The Chitinauts of the Seventh Stridulation were an elite that served Catastrophus, one of the Lords of Arthros who held territories in feality to Annihilus.

    Catastrophus was one of the relatively minor lieutenant lords left to rule in Annihilus' wake following Annihilus' apparent death at the hands of Nova (Richard Rider) at the conclusion of the Annihilation War.

(War of Kings: Ascension#1 (fb) - BTS) - Catastrophus came into possession of Annihilus' Cosmic Control Rod.

(War of Kings: Ascension#2 (fb) - BTS) - While it was Catastrophus' duty to rule until the next pupa that would become Annihilus matured, Catastrophus used the Cosmic Control Rod to retard the pupa's development to ensure his own long reign.

(War of Kings: Ascension#1 (fb) - BTS) - Catastrophus pupated a fresh host of Chitinauts to garrison his mightiest nomad fortress, the Heteropteron.

(War of Kings: Ascension#1 (fb) - BTS) - In an effort to "train" Darkhawk (more accurately, to enable the Brotherhood of Raptors member Razor to take over his form), Talon transported Darkhawk to the Negative Zone. 

    Once they crossed the bleaksun tracts, they entered the outer fiefdoms of the Chitinauts of the Seventh Stridulation, who -- when Darkhawk and Talon did not display a warrant or permit sanctioned by Catastrophus nor release the correct semiochemical pheromones -- attacked them to defend their territory. 

(War of Kings: Ascension#1) - Darkhawk and Talon fought back against these Chitinauts. Eventually, Talon reconfigured to Warflight mode and slaughtered the Chitinauts. 

(War of Kings: Ascension#1) - Darkhawk and Talon assaulted the Heteropteron to steal the Cosmic Control Rod; however, Talon  manipulated Darkhawk into transforming into Warflight mode -- in order to loosen Darkhawk's hold on his his amulet to faciliate Razor's takeover -- and then destroying the Chitinauts opposing them. 

(War of Kings: Ascension#1 - BTS) - Realizing the evil of Talon and the Brotherhood of Raptors, Darkhawk attacked Talon, who then drove Powell's mind out of the armor, allowing Raptor member Razor to take over the Darkhawk form.

(War of Kings: Ascension#2) - Talon and Razor battled the subsequent wave of Chitinauts of the Heteropteron, ultimately confronting Catastrophus himself and decapitating him before claiming their prize/goal, the Cosmic Control Rod. 

(War of Kings: Ascension#2 - BTS) - Talon then took the Cosmic Control Rod -- allowing Annihilus to mature, as he was too interesting a variable to be removed from the board -- and departed with Razor.

Comments: Created by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, Wellinton Alves, and Scott Hanna.

    Given that these guys are insect creatures covered with exoskeletons, I'm pretty sure their name should be pronounced like chitin - nauts (chitin <kite inn> being what provides strength to many terrestrial insects' exoskeletons), rather than chitty-nauts.

    I was originally working off the impression that the Chitinauts were a specific race, as opposed to just being another name for the Annihilation Swarm/Horde, whatever they were called. They may be the children of Catastrophus, making them a family rather than an actual race. This is the only place I recall seeing the term used, and so I am working under the ASSumption that the Chitinauts are a distinct group, as opposed to the larger Annihilation Swarm.
    The Chitinauts of the Seventh Stridulation are referred to as "an elite" portion/sect/brigade of the Chitinauts.

    Further "stridulation" refers to making a shrill, harsh, or grating sound, usually by rubbing legs together like a cricket. However, I've also heard of this being referred to as some euphamism for sex...Perhaps it refers to a set generation...or perhaps of a level of training/skill/experience...or a location? Who knows?
    They differed to markedly in appearance that it seems likely that it refers to training/skill or perhaps a specific organization, rather than set family/race.

    Catastrophus is one of the Lords of Arthros who held territories in feality to Annihilus

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The exact relationship to Chitinauts to the Annihilation Swarm/Horde is unrevealed:

They have no KNOWN connections to any other insectoid races, Negative Zone or otherwise.

images: (without ads)
War of Kings: Ascension#1, pg. 4, panel 2 (Darkhawk and Talon vs. Chitinauts of Seventh Stridulation; top left main);
        pg. 6, panel 1 (Talon-centered long image, with Darkhawk vs. Chitinauts of Seventh Stridulation; top right main);
        pg. 14, panel 2 (with Catastrophus in crowd in Heteropteron)
    #2, story pg. 2, panel 2 (biped & caterpillar-types);

Appearances:
War of Kings: Ascension#1 (June, 2009) - Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (writers), Wellinton Alves (penciler), Scott Hanna (inker), Michael Horwitz (assistant editor), Bill Rosemann (editor)
War of Kings: Ascension#2 (July, 2009) - Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (writers), Wellinton Alves (penciler), Scott Hanna & Nelson Pereira (inkers), Michael Horwitz (assistant editor), Bill Rosemann (editor)

Last updated: 3/22/2017

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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