50 Facts About Knull (Marvel)

The Origins of Knull

Knull, the primordial deity of darkness, has a rich and complex backstory that predates the universe itself. Let's dive into the origins and early history of this cosmic villain.

1. Origin: Knull is a primordial deity that came into being following the destruction of the sixth iteration of the cosmos.
2. Existence: He predates the entire universe as we know it, existing in the darkness before the arrival of light.
3. The Celestials: The Celestials, powerful cosmic entities, brought their "light of creation" into existence, which Knull responded to by taking physical form and slaying a Celestial.
4. Knowhere: The severed head of the Celestial Knull slew became the world of Knowhere.
5. Symbiote Sword: Knull created a symbiote sword called the All-Black inside a dead Celestial's head, which he later lost in battle to Gorr, the God Butcher.

Knull's Influence on Other Characters

Knull's actions have had far-reaching consequences, influencing many key characters in the Marvel Universe.

6. God Butcher: Gorr, empowered by the All-Black, became the God Butcher and continued Knull's crusade against deities and immortals.
7. Thor: Knull's early battles influenced Thor's journey, including his becoming "unworthy" and paving the way for Jane Foster to become the Mighty Thor.
8. Silver Surfer: The Silver Surfer was the first Marvel hero to face Knull in battle, being briefly enslaved by him while bonded to a symbiote.
9. Klyntar: Knull was imprisoned at the heart of a planet called Klyntar, which translates to "the cage," by his own symbiotes who turned against him.
10. Symbiote Army: Despite being imprisoned, Knull continued to control his symbiote army remotely, using them for his nefarious plans.

Knull's Powers and Abilities

Knull's powers are vast and terrifying, making him one of the most formidable villains in the Marvel Universe.

11. Grendel: Knull managed to gain control of the Grendel dragon, sending it on a rampage on Earth, but his plan was foiled by Eddie Brock/Venom.
12. Cletus: Knull resurrected Cletus and bonded a piece of Grendel to his body, using him as an avatar to hunt down those bonded to symbiotes.
13. Cosmic Powers: Knull has superhuman strength, durability, and is mostly invulnerable, able to live for billions of years without sustenance.
14. Shapeshifting: Knull can shapeshift, taking forms like a Dracula-like entity or a long-tongued monster similar to his symbiotes.
15. Darkness Strength: Knull's strength is maximized in the dark, and he is weakened by cosmic light.

The Symbiote Connection

Knull's relationship with symbiotes is central to his character and his plans for the universe.

16. Connection to Void: Knull is connected to an abyss called the Void, which enhances his powers.
17. All-Black the Necrosword: The All-Black is a powerful symbiote sword that Knull used to kill Celestials and other cosmic entities.
18. Gorr’s Theft: Gorr stole the All-Black from Knull, which led to Knull creating new symbiotes to further his cause.
19. Symbiote Creation: Knull created the first symbiotes after losing the All-Black, experimenting with them and developing them into a hive mind.
20. Remote Control: Knull can pilot his symbiotes remotely, using them as agents in his battles against light and life.

Key Battles and Conflicts

Knull has been involved in numerous battles that have shaped the Marvel Universe.

21. Klyntar Imprisonment: The symbiotes imprisoned Knull at the heart of Klyntar, but he continued to control them from his prison.
22. Thor’s Encounter: Knull was not imprisoned until after his encounter with Thor, during which Thor shocked Grendel, weakening Knull and causing the symbiotes to turn on him.
23. Silver Surfer’s Battle: The Silver Surfer fought Knull billions of years ago, even before Gorr stole the All-Black.
24. Cosmic Crusade: Knull’s objective is to slay other cosmic gods and entities, waging a crusade against light and life.
25. Symbiote Mind: The symbiotes form a hive mind, but some have turned rogue, as seen with the Grendel dragon that crash-landed on Earth.

Knull's Cult and Followers

Knull has amassed a following that aids him in his dark endeavors.

26. Knull’s Cult: Knull has a cult that manages to bond pieces of Grendel to hosts, using them to hunt down those bonded to symbiotes.
27. Carnage’s Role: Carnage, bonded to Cletus, is seen as Knull’s successor and key to his freedom. Carnage is willing to play along with Knull’s plans, despite potential double-crossing.
28. Absolute Carnage: The series Absolute Carnage, written by Donny Cates and illustrated by Ryan Stegman, features Knull’s plans to escape and return to his true form with Carnage as his right-hand man.
29. Marvel Universe Impact: Knull has significantly impacted the Marvel universe, influencing characters like Thor and the Silver Surfer, and causing widespread destruction.
30. Critical Reception: Knull has received critical acclaim for his complex and menacing character, often compared to Marvel’s Dracula and Morlun.

Knull in Media and Pop Culture

Knull's influence extends beyond comics, appearing in various media and gaining a significant fanbase.

31. Cosmic Threat: Knull is considered one of Marvel’s most powerful cosmic villains, capable of rivaling the Hulk in strength when combined with the Carnage or Venom symbiotes.
32. Media Appearances: Knull has appeared in various media, including the Spider-Man promo "The Secret History of Venom," voiced by Ben Pronsky, and will appear in the upcoming Venom: The Last Dance.
33. Video Games: Knull is a playable character in several video games, including Spider-Man Unlimited, Marvel: Future Fight, Marvel Snap, Marvel Contest of Champions, and Marvel Puzzle Quest.
34. Comic Book History: Knull first appeared in VENOM #3 (2018) but was first glimpsed in THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #6 (2012).
35. Symbiote Lore: The symbiote lore, particularly with Knull, is full of contradictions and plot holes, which are common in comic book storytelling.

Complex Backstory and Lore

Knull's backstory is intricate, with many twists and turns that can be confusing but fascinating.

36. Backstory Confusion: Some readers have expressed confusion over Knull’s backstory, particularly regarding his imprisonment and the timing of his symbiote creation.
37. Powerful Symbiotes: Knull’s symbiotes are among the most powerful in the Marvel universe, capable of rivaling Thor and other cosmic entities.
38. God of the Abyss: Knull claims to be the god of the abyss, the world of darkness that existed before light entered the cosmos.
39. Black Death: Knull’s true extent of powers remains a mystery, but he is known to wield the All-Black, a powerful symbiote sword capable of killing gods.
40. Remote Piloting: Knull can remotely pilot his symbiotes, using them as agents in his battles against light and life.

Knull's Legacy and Impact

Knull's legacy continues to shape the Marvel Universe, influencing characters and storylines.

41. Klyntar’s Role: Klyntar serves as a prison for Knull, but it also represents a cage for his symbiotes, who turned against him.
42. Grendel’s Role: Grendel, a dragon symbiote, plays a crucial role in Knull’s plans, being sent to Earth to wreak havoc and help Knull escape.
43. Cletus’ Role: Cletus, bonded to Grendel, serves as Knull’s avatar, helping him hunt down those bonded to symbiotes and further his plans for freedom.
44. Carnage’s Connection: Carnage, bonded to Cletus, is seen as Knull’s successor and key to his escape. Carnage is willing to play along with Knull’s plans, despite potential double-crossing.
45. Absolute Carnage Series: The series Absolute Carnage features Knull’s plans to escape and return to his true form with Carnage as his right-hand man.

Recognition and Rankings

Knull has been recognized as one of the most powerful and influential villains in Marvel Comics.

46. Marvel’s Most Powerful Villains: Knull has been included in various lists of Marvel’s most powerful villains, including Screen Rant’s “20 Most Powerful Marvel Villains” and CBR.com’s “10 Marvel Gods With The Highest Kill Count”.
47. Cosmic Marvel Characters: Knull has been ranked among the most powerful cosmic characters in Marvel Comics, including Screen Rant’s “16 Most Powerful Cosmic Characters In Marvel Comics” and CBR.com’s “19 Most Powerful Cosmic Marvel Characters Ranked”.
48. Venom’s Main Villains: Knull has been included in lists of Venom’s main comic book villains, such as Screen Rant’s “Marvel: Venom’s Main Comic Book Villains Ranked From Most Laughable To Coolest”.
49. Black Knight’s Strongest Villains: Knull was ranked as one of the strongest villains by Black Knight in CBR.com’s “Black Knight’s 10 Strongest Villains” list.
50. Venom’s Most Powerful Symbiotes: Knull was ranked as one of the most powerful symbiotes in Venom’s history by CBR.com in their “Venom: The 20 Most Powerful Symbiotes” list.

Knull's Impact on the Marvel Universe

Knull, the primordial deity of darkness, has left an indelible mark on the Marvel universe. His ancient origins, cosmic battles, and creation of symbiotes have shaped many storylines and characters. From his conflict with the Celestials to his influence on Thor and the Silver Surfer, Knull's presence is felt across the cosmos. His symbiote army, including the notorious Grendel and Carnage, continues to wreak havoc, showcasing his enduring threat. Knull's complex character and formidable powers make him a standout villain, earning him a place among Marvel's most powerful cosmic entities. Whether in comics, video games, or other media, Knull's legacy as the god of the abyss ensures he remains a compelling figure in the Marvel universe. His story is far from over, promising more epic confrontations and dark adventures ahead.