Romulus (comics)
 |
This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (February 2010) |
| Romulus | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Wolverine vol. 3 #50 (March 2007) (shadowed) Wolverine: Origins #39 (August 2009) (Full appearance) |
| Created by | Jeph Loeb Simone Bianchi |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Lupus sapiens (possible variant of Human Mutant) |
| Team affiliations | Weapon X |
| Abilities | Immortality or superhumanly prolonged lifespan Animalistic traits Possibly a healing factor Superhuman intelligence |
Romulus is a Marvel Comics supervillain. He is the leader of the Lupines, a human looking species who evolved from canines instead of primates, through convergent evolution. He is a shadowy character whose origin and motives remain a mystery. He is shown to have orchestrated most major events in the life of Wolverine, manipulating and controlling him for most of his life. After a couple years of being shown only in shadows he made his first full appearance in the 39th issue of Wolverine: Origins.
[edit] Fictional character biography
Romulus is first seen in several flashbacks that Wolverine experiences, later explained by Wild Child to have been induced by Romulus himself. He is shown leading the Lupines in prehistoric[1] and barbaric[2] times, being an emperor in Ancient Rome[3], as well as being the main force behind Weapon X.[4]
In present day, Romulus restored Feral and Thornn's feline look after their depowerment, augmented Wild Child's powers greatly, and erased all humanity from Sabretooth, causing the latter's death at the hands of Wolverine.[5] The exact reasons for these acts remain unknown.
Romulus was also the one who took Daken from his dead mother's womb[6] and raised him as a ruthless killer. Nick Fury revealed to Wolverine that Romulus has been manipulating people from his family's bloodline for centuries, and that he plans for Daken to become the next-generation Weapon X.[7] This was achieved through The Tinkerer, who bonded the metal from the Muramasa blade to Daken's inner claws.[7] Daken hinted he complied with the process because of his own agenda. Romulus told Daken to kill all the Weapon X experiments that gave them a healing factor with his Muramasa claws. He killed every one except Deadpool.
He appears to have ties with Russian authorities, arranging Omega Red's transfer to a regular Russian prison to set a trap for Wolverine.[8] After Wolverine temporarily subdues Omega Red, he is captured by Wild Child, who reveals that Romulus made Logan and several villains battle each other, his agenda being vaguely described as him needing a successor. Moments after Wolverine uses the Muramasa blade to kill Omega Red, Romulus reveals himself in front of him, prepared for battle with four claws already extended (the three between the knuckles of his fingers and one extending from behind his thumb).[9] Wolverine attacks Romulus but is easily overpowered since he is only using the sword at this point. Romulus slashes and attacks Wolverine from the shadows as he reveals his plans. Telling Wolverine that everything has led up to this moment. Romulus is what Wolverine will become. Pushing Wolverine to the breaking point, he drops the sword and pops his claws, much to Romulus' amusement. However, Wolverine fights back and gains the upper hand and slashes at Romulus' hand, shattering what turned out to be a clawed gauntlet. Seeing that Romulus' claws are fake, Wolverine taunts him saying, "You're not what I'm gonna become... I'm what you've always wanted to be". Hearing this, Romulus blindly attacks Wolverine with his remaining claws only to be slashed open by Wolverine. Seemingly beaten, Romulus tells Wolverine that although he is at the top of the food chain, by making Daken in his own image, he has set the stage for a confrontation between Wolverine and his son. Only the most ruthless will survive. Only the one most like Romulus. Wolverine defeats Romulus, but leaves him alive saying that he will return when he is ready to finish the job.[10] Unfortunately, as Wolverine turns his back, Romulus seizes the opportunity to knock Wolverine unconscious with his own sword. Romulus then leaves, but not before telling Wolverine to keep the Muramasa blade: he will need it. After his confrontation with Wolverine he coordinates a successful assassination in Tokyo from what seems to be his base of operations, a European-style castle. It is here that Romulus first begins to doubt his own understanding of Wolverine's actions.
Wolverine decides to confront Romulus one last time, using the help of various other heroes and his son Daken. In the end, as Daken is about to kill Romulus, Logan has Cloak teleport him into the Dark Force dimension. For a second Wolverine thinks he should behead Romulus, just like he did with Creed, but in the end he decides to leave him stranded in the Dark Force dimension forever.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Little is known about the full extent of Romulus's powers, but it is presumed he has all the abilities of other Lupines, except on a greater scale. He is also shown to have great knowledge, having a profound understanding of genetics, and seemingly being able to slow down or even completely reverse the process of aging, having lived for thousands of years (if Wild Child's dreams are correct). He has four adamantium claws similar to Wolverine's mounted onto gloves as well as having natural claws similar to Sabretooth. He possesses some kind of mental powers, manipulating Wolverine's memories and even inserting himself into Logan's dreams.
Romulus is consistently depicted as being of exceptional stature, surpassing Sabretooth in size. The font used for his words is unique, having a more ancient appearance than those of other characters. Although he often appears naked, he has been shown to wear clothes on several occasions, possibly making use of the fact that only a few living people can recognize him. Romulus has been seen wearing armor over his right knee which has a faint reminder of the adamantium armor adorned by Cyber.
His facial features are very similar to both Sabretooth and Wolverine. This is seen in his sideburns, canine fangs, pointy ears, and white eyes. His hair is almost solid white with the exception of his bangs, which are black. Romulus has been seen wearing his hair in a long pony tail in a way similar to Omega Red.[10]
[edit] References
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
