Kung (Thomas Morita) is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media, commonly as a recurring foil of the superhero Wonder Woman.[1] A Japanese-American mercenary with the magical ability to transform into animals, he first appeared in 1977's Wonder Woman #237,[2] written by Gerry Conway and illustrated by José Delbo. He would reappear several years later in both All-Star Squadron and Who's Who in the DC Universe, as well as in Crisis on Infinite Earths, the 1985 company-wide publication event that rebooted DC Comics' continuity. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Wonder Woman and her supporting characters and foes were re-imagined. Though originally absent from this revised mythos, Kung was reintroduced for the Modern Age in 1998's Guns of the Dragon, a four-issue DC Comics limited series by Tim Truman. An updated version of the character, a shape-shifting martial arts master, would emerge to once again confront Wonder Woman in 2007's Wonder Woman (vol. 3) Annual #1, written by Allan Heinberg and illustrated by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson.
| Kung | |
|---|---|
Kung as depicted in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #13 (March 1986). Art by Denys Cowan (penciler) and Dick Giordano (inker). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Wonder Woman #237 (November 1977) |
| Created by | Gerry Conway José Delbo |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Thomas Morita |
| Notable aliases | Assassin of a Thousand Claws |
| Abilities | Ability to transform into animals |
Fictional character biography
editThomas Morita
editThomas Morita is a Japanese-American man whose parents die during the Great Depression. Afterward, he becomes a samurai and undergoes a mystical process that gives him the ability to transform into animals.[3][4]
In Wonder Woman #237, Kung is killed while saving his sister Nancy from a teetering battleship.[5] The Monitor later retrieves him, among other heroes, to battle the Anti-Monitor in Crisis on Infinite Earths.[6][7]
In post-Crisis continuity, Kung is killed during the bombing of Hiroshima, but returns as a spirit to battle the Justice Society of America.
Kung II
editA second unidentified Kung appears in Wonder Woman (vol. 3) Annual #1 (2007).
Powers and abilities
editKung can transform himself into animal forms through concentration. His animal forms are larger than their normal counterparts and maintain his human mind. He is also a skilled samurai and martial artist.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Jimenez, Phil; Wells, John (2010). The Essential Wonder Woman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 234. ISBN 978-0345501073.
- ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 183. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
- ^ All-Star Squadron #8 (April 1982)
- ^ All-Star Squadron #42-43 (February–March 1985)
- ^ Wonder Woman #237-238 (November–December 1977)
- ^ Crisis on Infinite Earths #5 (August 1985)
- ^ Crisis on Infinite Earths #9 (December 1985)