Korvus

Korvus
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Uncanny X-Men #478 (September, 2006)
Created by	Ed Brubaker Billy Tan
In-story information
Alter ego	Korvus Rook’Shir
Species	Shi'ar
Team affiliations	Starjammers
Abilities	Shi'ar superhuman attributes. As Wielder of the Phoenix blade: Flight Energy Blasts

Korvus, is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. Korvus wields a weapon known as the Blade of the Phoenix and made his first appearance in Uncanny X-Men #478

Fictional character biography

Though the Shi'ar have denied it for centuries, one of their race once wielded the power of the Phoenix. Rook'shir wielded the universal power through a giant blade, called the Blade of the Phoenix, and devastated much of the Shi'ar Empire until the Imperial Guard was formed to defeat him. However, a fraction of his power remained in the blade, which could only be lifted by a direct descendant of Rook'shir. Hoping that the blade would never be lifted again, the Shi'ar focused on wiping out Rook'shir's descendants.

The descendants were killed by the Vice-Chancellor K'tor, a loyalist of D'Ken, who kept only one survivor as a slave. The survivor was Korvus, and he was tortured as he worked on mechanical constructs, and when he reached adulthood, Korvus was imprisoned in the high security prison on the moon of Phygim and a device was placed on his brain that could be triggered if he tried to escape.

During "The Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire", K'tor approached Korvus in prison and offered to commute the rest of Korvus' sentence if he act against Marvel Girl, who was along with Havok, Polaris, Professor X, Nightcrawler, Darwin and Warpath, coming to the Shi'ar Empire to stop Vulcan on his quest for vengeance.

K'tor allowed Korvus to take the Blade of the Phoenix and gave him a ship so he could slay Rachel. Korvus eventually found the band of X-Men by tracking Marvel Girl's Phoenix's brand, to which he was drawn. Korvus landed on their ship and easily thwarted the combined X-Men with the Blade. However when he tried to slay Rachel, she grasped the Blade and their minds were involuntarily linked, reliving each other's lives in essence and forming a close bond between them. He then chose to ally with the X-Men and the device on his brain was deactivated with the help of Rachel.

Korvus taught the X-Men that their jumpship had the potential of opening a stargate using their own mutant power sources. Korvus worked on fixing the ship while the X-Men sent out a distress signal to the Starjammers. Korvus and Marvel Girl continued experiencing their mental bond, drawn together, and began a romantic involvement. She soon puts an end to the relationship, believing their connection isn't real and is due to the time their minds bonded because of the residual Phoenix force. This was much to Korvus' dismay, who actually began to fall in love with her.

After the death of Corsair at the hands of Vulcan, he, along with Havok, Polaris, Rachel, Ch'od and Raza become the new Starjammers, electing to remain in Shi'ar space and restore Lilandra to the throne.

Kingbreaker

Main article: X-Men: Kingbreaker

During battle with Vulcan's new guard, the Phoenix fragment in his sword, and within Rachel leaves them both.

War of Kings

Main article: War of Kings

Marvel has announced that Korvus and the Starjammers will play a large role in the upcoming War of Kings storyline, which also features Vulcan, The Inhumans, Nova, and The Guardians of the Galaxy.

Realm of Kings

It is known through Ch'od that Korvus along with Rachel, Polaris and Havok, have departed for Earth, apparently to report the incident where Korvus and Rachel lost the connection to the Phoenix Force.

After arriving on earth, Korvus felt not at home and became leader of The Salvangers, a.k.a. the Shi'ar Pirates. Later he was seen among the Starjammers once again, during the 'Trial of Jean Grey' crossover of All New X-Men and Guardians of the Galaxy, however without explaining why he left the Salvangers.

Powers and abilities

Korvus possesses all the typical attributes associated with the avian Shi'ar race of superhuman strength (if he is typical of his race he is able to lift 1 ton in normal Earth gravity), enhanced speed, reflexes, agility, flexibility, coordination, balance, and endurance.

As wielder of the Phoenix Blade, Korvus is able to fly and fire energy blasts through the sword.

It is currently unknown if the Blade of the Phoenix further augments his naturally abilities as a Shi'ar, although it is highly probable: Korvus survived two direct hits from Gladiator and was seen back in action only a short time later.

During X-Men: Kingbreaker, the Phoenix leaves the sword making it powerless.

Korvus is well versed in Shi'ar technology, especially in Shi'ar Hyper Drives.

Etymology

The names Korvus and Rook'shir appear to be taken from the avian genus Corvus, to which the birds known as rooks belong. This would be in line with the bird-like features of all members of the Shi'ar race.

External links

• Korvus at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
• Korvus at the Comic Book DB