War (Marvel Comics)

War is the name of several fictional characters who are supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Four members of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse: Abraham Kieros; the fifteenth-century incarnation (real name unknown); the mutant Gazer; and the First Horseman War. The title has also been held by the Hulk, Deathbird, and Colossus.

Publication history

War (Abraham Kieros) first appeared in X-Factor #11 (December 1986), and was created by Louise Simonson and Walter Simonson. The character subsequently appears in X-Factor #15 (April 1987), #17 (June 1987), #19 (August 1987), #22–25 (November 1987–February 1988), Daredevil #252 (March 1988), X-Factor #26–27 (March–April 1988), X-Factor #84 (November 1992), The Uncanny X-Men #294–295 (November–December 1992), and Wolverine (vol. 2) #147 (February 2000). War appeared as part of the "Apocalypse's Horsemen" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 #1.

Fictional character biographies

Abraham Kieros

War
War, in action. Art by Walter Simonson.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Factor #11 (December 1986)
Created byLouise Simonson
Walter Simonson
In-story information
Alter egoAbraham Lincoln Kieros
SpeciesHuman mutant
Team affiliationsFour Horsemen of Apocalypse
AbilitiesAbility to create explosions through kinetic contact

Abraham Kieros was a young Vietnam War veteran who was paralyzed in combat. He was kept in a hospital and placed in an iron lung, but felt as though he was betrayed and forgotten by his country. Apocalypse appeared to him one day and offered him the ability to move and to get revenge on those who had tossed him aside.[1] He accepted the offer and transformed into the Horseman of War, restoring his mobility.

During the Horsemen's first confrontation with X-Factor, War attempts to lead the group. However, Famine and Pestilence refuse to obey his orders and flew off to do their own business. Soon after, Death takes over leadership. During the attack on Manhattan, War attacks Cyclops and is later teleported back to the ship by Apocalypse, where he fights several more X-Factor members. War is eventually defeated by Iceman. Apocalypse then grabs War and flees.[2]

Later, during the "X-Cutioner's Song" story arc, War attacks Colossus and Iceman, but soon flees after Caliban grabs Jean Grey and Cyclops. Caliban hands the two over to Apocalypse, who is really Mister Sinister in disguise. The X-Men seek out the Horsemen and War is presumably defeated in combat.[3][4]

Much later, War appears in an hospital, once again paralyzed from the neck down. He has apparently been abandoned by Apocalypse, who stripped him of his powers. Archangel, who had gained newfound powers and had been searching for Kieros, heals him of his wounds, giving him hope to start over with a new life.[5]

Hulk

Deathbird

Gazer

Gazer
Gazer as War, Horseman of Apocalypse.
Art by Salvador Larroca.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Men vol. 2 #169 (June 2005)
Created byPeter Milligan
Salvador Larroca
In-story information
SpeciesHuman mutant and Human mutate
Team affiliationsFour Horsemen of Apocalypse
NASA
Notable aliasesWar
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength and physical resistance
Optic blasts
Ability to absorb radiation
Gazer, before (left) and after his depowering on M-Day

Gazer is a mutant astronaut who was stationed alone on a NASA observation space station, due to the unusual metabolism he possessed as his mutant power, whereby he could absorb harmful radiation and process it to gain sustenance. Gazer lost his powers on M-Day, along with 90% of mutants. Some time later, Gazer was teleported to Apocalypse's ship and forced to battle Dr. Foster, a human archeologist who had stumbled upon Apocalypse's tomb, for the "right" to become War, Horseman of Apocalypse. Gazer would have lost the battle if it were not for Ozymandias, Apocalypse's servant. Ozymandias told Gazer that he would owe him.[6]

As War, Gazer was sent to battle the X-Men and Sentinel Squad O*N*E. Upon returning to Apocalypse's sphinx, he was approached by Ozymandias, who wanted his debt repaid. War, no longer Gazer, did not fulfill his oath and instead revealed the truth to Apocalypse about Ozymandias' treachery. During a heated battle against the X-Men, Ozymandias kills Gazer, taking vengeance on him.[7]

15th century incarnation

War
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Men: Apocalypse vs. Dracula #1 (February 2006)
Created byFrank Tieri
Clayton Henry
In-story information
Team affiliationsThe Riders of the Dark
Four Horsemen of Apocalypse
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength
Wields dual axes which he throws with remarkable accuracy

Not much is known about this incarnation of War. He was chosen by Apocalypse in the fifteenth century to become his horseman and lead his army, the Riders of the Dark. This army was so fierce and powerful that most people presumed it was just a myth used to scare soldiers before their first battle. It was no myth at all, and it precisely was what people thought it was, fierce and strong. In most of their battles, the only soldier who had to fight was War, who would single-handedly defeat hordes of men just by himself.

In 1459, the Riders of the Dark appeared in Romania where Vlad Ţepeş' army was fighting against the Ottomans and emerged victorious. Unfortunately for Vlad (who would become Dracula), War defeated Dracula's army. The survivors fled for their life, abandoning Dracula on the field who stood his ground and faced War but ultimately fell.

Decimus Furius

Colossus

War (First Horseman of Apocalypse)

War
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Comics #1000 (October 2019)
Created byJonathan Hickman (writer)
Dustin Weaver (artist)
In-story information
Full nameWar
SpeciesHuman mutant
Team affiliationsHorsemen of Apocalypse
Swordbearers of Arakko
PartnershipsApocalypse (father)
Genesis (mother)
AbilitiesPyrokinesis

War is one of four children of Apocalypse and Genesis, born and raised on Okkara. She and her siblings grow up to be the first Horsemen of Apocalypse and fight against the Brood in Ancient Egypt. When the forces of Amenth invade Earth and split Okkara into Krakoa and Arakko, War, along with her mother, her siblings, all Okkaran mutants, and Arakko, is voluntarily sealed away in Amenth to stop the invasion, while Apocalypse remains on Earth.[8]

After Genesis becomes the host of Annihilation, Arakko is subjugated by the forces of Amenth.[9] War and her siblings are sent to Otherworld to attack Dryador and the Starlight Citadel. When Saturnyne intervenes and arranges the X of Swords tournament, War is chosen as a swordbearer for Arakko.[10][11]

War's first challenge in the tournament is against Solem in a contest of who can cut off a limb from their opponent first. Solem calls in a favor owed to him by Wolverine, who takes Solem's place in the battle. In the subsequent fight, War outmatches Wolverine, but fails to kill him. Wolverine cuts off War's left hand and wins the challenge, though the victory goes to Arakko since he was standing in for Solem.[12][13]

When Genesis incites a civil war on Arakko, War joins her mother there and fights against Storm and her allies.[14] After the war ends, War joins her mother and Famine in exile on Phobos.[15]

Powers and abilities

Abraham Kieros is a mutant with the power to create explosions in his immediate area by clapping his hands. He does so by harnessing the minor kinetic force created when his hands strike each other, amplifying it to a significant degree, and redirecting it spatially so that it strikes and affects some other object in his line-of-sight, causing an explosive release of force. The limits of the range in which his power is effective is not specified. While a servant of Apocalypse, War rode a robot mount that resembled a demonic quadruped beast, could travel on land or fly through the air, and was capable of teleportation.

Gazer could absorb radiation at frequencies and levels which induce radiation sickness in normal humans and photosynthesize it as food. After his depowering on M-Day, he was taken by Apocalypse and transformed to possess superhuman strength, enhanced durability, and the ability to absorb and channel solar energy as blasts of fire through his eyes. He also carried a spiked mace which flashed with electricity-like bursts and rode a robotic horse-like flying mount.

Apocalypse's daughter is an Omega-level mutant with the power to psionically manipulate air molecules and excite them to create flame.[10] War can channel her pyrokinesis to regenerate her body.[8][12] War is also very long-lived, having been alive for thousands of years.[16][17]

In other media

Television

Film

Abraham Kieros / War appears in X-Men: Apocalypse, portrayed by Fraser Aitcheson. This version served Apocalypse in Ancient Egypt. Additionally, a modern version of War is depicted as Magneto.[22]

Video games

The Hulk as War appears as an alternate design for the Hulk in Marvel Heroes.

References

  1. ↑ Simonson, Louise (w), Simonson, Walter (p), Wiacek, Bob (i), Scotese, Petra (col), Rosen, Joe (let), Harras, Bob (ed). "Redemption!" X-Factor, vol. 1, no. 11 (December 1986). New York, NY: Marvel Comics, ISSN 0894-6604.
  2. ↑ Simonson, Louise (w), Simonson, Walter, June Brigman, Sal Buscema (p), Wiacek, Bob, Randy Emberlin (i), Scotese, Petra (col), Rosen, Joe (let), Harras, Bob, Bobbie Chase (ed). X-Factor, vol. 1, no. 19–25 (August 1987–February 1988). New York, NY: Marvel Comics, ISSN 0894-6604.
  3. ↑ Lobdell, Scott (w), Peterson, Brandon (p), Austin, Terry (i), Thomas, Mike (col), Eliopoulos, Chris (let), Harras, Bob (ed). "X-Cutioner's Song Part 1: Overture" Uncanny X-Men, vol. 1, no. 294 (November 1992). New York, NY: Marvel Comics, ISSN 0274-5372.
  4. ↑ Lobdell, Scott (w), Peterson, Brandon (p), Austin, Terry (i), Rosas, Joe (col), Eliopoulos, Chris (let), Harras, Bob (ed). "Familiar Refrain (X-Cutioner's Song Pt. 5)" Uncanny X-Men, vol. 1, no. 295 (December 1992). New York, NY: Marvel Comics, ISSN 0274-5372.
  5. ↑ Larsen, Erik (w), Cruz, Roger (p), Owens, Andy (i), Ramos, Wilson (col), Abbott, Wes (let). "Into the Light" Wolverine, vol. 2, no. 147 (February 2000). New York, NY: Marvel Comics, ISSN 1083-3625.
  6. ↑ Milligan, Peter (w), Larroca, Salvador (a), Lusen, Aron (col), Petit, Cory (let), Marts, Mike (ed). "The Blood of Apocalypse Part Two of Five: The Hunger" X-Men, vol. 2, no. 183 (April 2006). New York, NY: Marvel Comics, ISSN 1083-4028.
  7. ↑ Milligan, Peter (w), Larroca, Salvador (a), Larroca, Salvador, Keith, Jason (col), Petit, Cory (let), Marts, Mike, Ryan, Sean, Lowe, Nick (ed). "The Blood of Apocalypse Part Five of Five: The Battle of the East River" X-Men, vol. 2, no. 186 (July 2006). New York, NY: Marvel Comics, ISSN 1550-526X.
  8. 1 2 Hickman, Jonathan (w), Silva, R.B. (a), Gracia, Marte (col), Cowles, Clayton (let), White, Jordan D., Bissa, Annalise (ed). "Something Sinister" Powers of X, vol. 1, no. 4 (November 2019). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  9. ↑ Hickman, Jonathan (w), Asrar, Mahmud, Yu, Leinil Francis (a), Gho, Sunny (col), Cowles, Clayton (let), White, Jordan D., Bissa, Annalise (ed). "X of Swords: Chapter 12" X-Men, vol. 5, no. 14 (January 2021). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  10. 1 2 Hickman, Jonathan, Howard, Tini (w), Larraz, Pepe (p), Larraz, Pepe (i), Gracia, Marte (col), Cowles, Clayton (let), White, Jordan D., Bissa, Annalise (ed). "X of Swords: Chapter 01" X of Swords: Creation, vol. 1, no. 1 (November 2020). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  11. ↑ Hickman, Jonathan, Howard, Tini (w), Larraz, Pepe, Asrar, Mahmud (p), Larraz, Pepe, Asrar, Mahmud (i), Gracia, Marte (col), Cowles, Clayton (let), White, Jordan D., Bissa, Annalise (ed). "X of Swords: Chapter 11" X of Swords: Stasis, vol. 1, no. 1 (December 2020). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  12. 1 2 Hickman, Jonathan, Howard, Tini (w), Larraz, Pepe (a), Gracia, Marte (col), Cowles, Clayton (let), White, Jordan D., Bissa, Annalise (ed). "X of Swords: Chapter 22" X of Swords: Destruction, vol. 1, no. 1 (January 2021). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  13. ↑ Percy, Benjamin, Duggan, Gerry (w), Cassara, Joshua (a), Guru-eFX (col), Petit, Cory (let), Basso, Mark, White, Jordan D., Amaro, Lauren (ed). "X of Swords: Chapter 16" Wolverine, vol. 7, no. 7 (January 2021). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  14. ↑ Ewing, Al (w), Çınar, Yıldıray (a), Blee, Federico (col), Maher, Ariana (let), Amaro, Lauren, White, Jordan D. (ed). "Nothing and Nobody" X-Men Red, vol. 2, no. 15 (November 2023). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  15. ↑ Ewing, Al (w), Çınar, Yıldıray (a), Blee, Federico (col), Maher, Ariana (let), White, Jordan D. (ed). "The Mended Land" X-Men Red, vol. 2, no. 18 (February 2024). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  16. ↑ Hickman, Jonathan (w), Weaver, Dustin (a), Strain, Christina (col), Klein, Todd (let), Lowe, Nick (ed). "The Infernal Resurrection of Leonardo da Vinci" S.H.I.E.L.D., vol. 1, no. 1 (June 2010). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  17. ↑ Pepose, David (w), Ferreira, Marcelo (p), Leisten, Jay (i), Rosenberg, Rachelle (col), Petit, Cory (let), Brevoort, Tom, Bissa, Annalise, Biro, Martin (ed). "Memory of a Killer" Moon Knight: City of the Dead, vol. 1, no. 1 (September 2023). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  18. ↑ Houston, Larry; Edens, Mark Edward (February 20, 1993). "The Cure". X-Men: The Animated Series. Season 1. Episode 9. Marvel Entertainment. Fox Kids.
  19. ↑ Houston, Larry; Edens, Michael (November 18, 1995). "Beyond Good and Evil: Part 3 – The Lazarus Chamber". X-Men: The Animated Series. Season 4. Episode 10. Marvel Entertainment. Fox Kids.
  20. ↑ "War Voice - X-Men '97 (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 9, 2026. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  21. ↑ Murphy, Doug; Johnson, Greg (October 18, 2003). "Ascension – Part I". X-Men: Evolution. Season 4. Episode 8. Marvel Entertainment. Kids' WB.
  22. ↑ Singer, Bryan; Kinberg, Simon (May 18, 2016). X-Men: Apocalypse. Twentieth Century Fox.
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