Kull

Kull. Kull is a fictional character created by Robert E. Howard, first appearing in the pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1929. A brooding and philosophical barbarian from the lost continent of Atlantis who becomes king of the ancient, civilized realm of Valusia, he is a direct precursor to Howard's more famous creation, Conan the Barbarian. The stories blend sword and sorcery with themes of existential doubt, the corruption of civilization, and pre-human history, establishing foundational tropes for the entire genre.

Overview

Kull's narrative begins with his rise from a galley slave and Atlantican exile to a mercenary in Valusia's army, ultimately seizing the throne after killing the despotic King Borna. His court is based in the city of Camelon, and his rule is constantly challenged by ancient conspiracies, serpent-men, and supernatural threats. Key supporting characters include his trusted friend and commander of the Red Slayers, Brule the Spear-Slayer of the Pictish Islands, and the enigmatic court wizard, Tu. His adventures are set in the mythical Thurian Age, a prehistoric era preceding the rise of modern civilizations and the cataclysm that sinks Atlantis.

Literary history

Kull first appeared in "The Shadow Kingdom" in the August 1929 issue of Weird Tales, a story notable for introducing the serpent-men of Valusia. Howard wrote a series of Kull stories and several unfinished fragments between 1929 and 1931, though many were rejected for publication during his lifetime. After Howard's death, many of these tales were published posthumously, with some original Conan drafts reworked into Kull narratives by later editors like L. Sprague de Camp. Major collections include Kull of Atlantis and The Sword of Kull, which helped cement his place in the sword and sorcery canon. His literary development directly influenced the creation of Conan the Barbarian, with the unpublished Kull novel "The Phoenix on the Sword" later rewritten as Conan's debut.

Character and themes

Unlike the more visceral and acquisitive Conan the Barbarian, Kull is a contemplative and often melancholic ruler, plagued by doubts about reality, identity, and the hollow nature of power. His Atlantican heritage places him as an outsider in the decadent courts of Valusia, allowing Howard to explore themes of civilization versus barbarism from a philosophical lens. The stories frequently involve encounters with forgotten races like the Serpent Men and beings from the dread realm of The Great Darkness, emphasizing a deep, antediluvian history. This focus on existential threat and the fragility of kingdoms became a hallmark of Howard's work and the broader sword and sorcery genre.

Adaptations

Kull has been adapted into other media, though less frequently than Conan the Barbarian. The 1997 film Kull the Conqueror, starring Kevin Sorbo, loosely amalgamated elements from the Howard stories. In comics, he has been featured extensively by Marvel Comics, first in the 1970s series Kull the Destroyer and later by Dark Horse Comics, which published series like Kull: The Hate Witch. He also appears in crossover storylines with other Howard characters and in role-playing game supplements for systems like Dungeons & Dragons. These adaptations have varied in their fidelity to the philosophical tone of Howard's original prose.

Cultural impact

As Howard's first major sword and sorcery hero, Kull established critical genre conventions, such as the barbarian king in a prehistoric setting and the conflict between ancient magic and primal strength. His direct influence on the creation of Conan the Barbarian is profound, making him a crucial figure in fantasy literature. The character maintains a dedicated fanbase and is often cited in discussions of Howard's literary evolution, alongside other series like Solomon Kane and Bran Mak Morn. Kull's legacy persists in modern fantasy, influencing writers and creators who explore similar themes of pre-cataclysmic worlds and brooding heroic figures.

Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1929 Category:Robert E. Howard characters Category:Sword and sorcery characters