CUCHULAINN
Real
Name:
Sedanta (“CuChulainn” translates as “Hound of Culann”)
Occupation:
Knight, warrior in the reign of King Conchorbor (c. 75-50 BC)
Legal
Status:
Citizen of Ancient Eire in the First Millennium BC
Identity:
The general populace of Earth is unaware of CuChulainn except as a figure from
Irish myth and legend.
Other
Aliases:
Cu Chulainn (original spelling), The Hound of Ulster, the Irish Wolf-Hound
Place
of Birth:
Emain Macha (modern Newgrange, Ireland)
Marital
Status:
Married
Known
Relatives:
Lugh (father),
Deichtire (mother, deceased), Sualtam (step-father/uncle, deceased), Dara
(half-brother, deceased), Conchorbor (foster father/uncle,
Group
Affiliations:
ally of Loeghaire Buadhah, Conall Cernach and the Red Branch Knights,
Base
of Operations:
Emhain Macha in Ulster of 1st Century Eire (now part of modern Ireland)
First
Appearance:
Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #3
History:
CuChulainn is the son of Lugh,
a member of one of the extra-dimensional race of beings known as the Tuatha de
Danaan, who were worshipped as gods by the Celts, and Deichtire, sister of King
Conchorbor of Ulster. According to later myths, Lugh had lured Deichtire from
Emhain Macha, the court of King Conchorbor, at Tara. She is later discovered by the men
of Ulster as they went hunting and became lost in a snowstorm. They are welcomed
by Lugh at his home at Brugh na Boynne where Deichtire gives birth to an infant
named Sedanta. Lugh allows the knights to return Deichtire with her son to
Ulster, but her son is a bit of a scandal as she is still betrothed to Sualtam
mac Roich, half-brother of King Conchorbor. Sedanta became the ward of King
Conchorbor who raises him to be a knight and warrior.
Due
to his divine birth, Sedanta proved himself to be of divine birth by defeating
fifty youths in his uncle’s court. Raised on a farm on the Miurthemne Plain,
he earned the name of CuChulainn after slaying the watchdog that belonged to
Culann the smith. As penance for its death, he had to take the place of the dog
for twenty years and protect Culann from harm. Desiring fame, CuChulainn
eventually was released from his sentence in time to defend Eire against the
three sons of Nechta Scene who were terrorizing the land. At seven years of age,
CuChulainn heard from the sage Cathbad that whoever raised a sword that day
would live on in fame. CuChulainn gained a sword and chariot and sword from his
uncle to face the three sons and slew them by cutting off their heads at once.
Unfortunately, CuChulainn has not heard the rest of the prophecy. He will live
on in fame, but his existence will be cut short. He returns to Ulster with the
heads of his conquest hanging from his chariot as a trophy. Queen Mughain, one
of the wives of King Conchorbor, tames CuChulainn by treating him hospitably.
When CuChulainn averts his eyes to avoid viewing her naked body, the men of
Ulster grab him and force him to a bath to wash off his bloodshed.
As
a man, CuChulainn is considered the most handsome of the knights of Ulster, and
the other knights rally to find him a wife that he won’t be tempted to take
one of their own. CuChulainn soon desires Emer, the daughter of Forgall Monach,
who resents his choice as his son-in-law. He tries to marry her off to King
Lugaid of Munster, but the ruler is too chivalrous to take her from CuChulainn.
For CuChulainn can prove to be worthy husband for Emer, he travels to Alba in
Caledonia (modern Scotland) and serves as a student to the female warrior,
Scathach. She sends him to clash against her rival, Aoife, a female warrior, and
defeats her by distraction. He spares her life on grounds that he end her grudge
with Scathach and that she bear him a son. CuChulainn departs her during her
pregnancy, and she eventually gives birth to his son Conla. CuChulainn also
tries to capture mystical birds as gifts for Emer, but he is punished by the
Celtic goddesses Fand and Li Ban for trying to harm them. When CuChulainn
returns to Eire, Forgall still refuses him to take Emer as a wife. As a result,
CuChulainn storms his castle and defeats his men and sizes his treasure, but he
does not slay Forgall who instead falls to his death from the ramparts.
On
his return to Eire, CuChulainn has several more adventures. He rescues
Derbforgaill, a Scandinavian princess and gives her as a wife to his foster son,
Lugaid. He defends Ulster from the armies of Connacht when Queen Medb of
Connacht attempts to steal the sacred bull known as Donn Cuailnge. After one
battle, he is cured of his injuries by Lugh who confesses to being his father.
CuChulainn soon becomes allies with two other warriors, Loeghaire Buadhach and
Conall Cernach. The three of them were bribed to claim the honor of carving the
roast of Bricriu, a minor hero, with the malicious intent of turning them
against each other. The heroes clashed as he had planned as they went to Queen
Medhbha for best judgement on who was the best warrior. She chose CuChulainn,
but the other two were sure he had bribed her so they went to King Roy of
Munster for a second opinion. He also chose CuChulainn and they seemed to accept
this judgment although their feud was left unsettled.
King
Roy resorted to mystical means to prove his choice. He sent a giant to challenge
the three warriors. The giant fought Loeghaire and was beheaded by him.
Reclaiming his head to reattach it, he returned the next night and claimed the
right to claim Loeghaire’s head. Loeghaire asked Conall for help against the
giant and he again severed the giant’s head from his body. Recollecting his
head, the giant returned a second night claiming the right to take both their
heads. Loeghaire and Conall fled to CuChulainn for help and all three of them
killed the giant once more by cutting off his head. Reclaiming his head, the
giant returned to claim all of their heads. As CuChulainn stepped forward to
take his punishment, King Roy appeared and declared CuChulainn the true champion
of Eire for being able to concede defeat.
By
now, CuChulainn’s son, Conla, had grown to manhood. He came to Eire to take
his father’s place as the greatest champion of Eire. Besting Conall Cernach
in combat during his
search, he was recognized by Emer as CuChulainn’s son, but Conla had taken a
vow from his mother to not reveal his identity to his father. CuChulainn clashed
with Conla to exact revenge on the death of Loeghaire and delivered a fatal
blow. Dying, Conla finally admitted to being the son of CuChulainn, his body was
presented to the men of Ulster for a noble burial.
CuChulainn
later fell in love with Fand of the Celtic Gods, wife of the sea-god Manannan,
after rescuing her from the Fomore, the enemies of the Celtic
gods. Emer jealously plots to slay her, but upon seeing the strength of
their love, she backs down and Fand instead returns to Manannan. CuChulainn
serves King Roy further by invading Caledonia (modern Scotland ) and returning
with several treasures, among them, the Shield of Lugh, by then in possession of
Fingal, who he clashes with over the shield. When CuChulainn refuses to share
his spoils of war with King Roy, the wily ruler sought to teach him a lesson by
having him buried in the ground up to his head. His head shaved, CuChulainn
swore revenge on his former ally by conquering Munster and taking his wife,
Queen Blathnad, as his mistress. Fercherdne, the royal bard, avenged King Roy by
slaying Blathnad for allowing herself to be taken so easily and for giving
herself to CuChulainn.
CuChulainn
continued to protect Ulster from outside invaders and threats, often fighting by
the side of the Craobh Ruadhu (Red Branch Knights) sworn to defeat Ulster.
During war with King Ailill and Queen Medhbha’s invading armies, Morrigan,
Queen of the Celtic Gods, appeared in the battle in her form as the war-goddess,
but when CuChulainn refused to recognize her, she cursed him with madness on
behalf of Queen Medhbha, who had conspired with Lugaid, the son of King Roy, to
lure CuChulainn to his death. CuChulainn tries to break the curse by eating the
flesh of a dog, which ended up weakening his godly endurance. Realizing he was
about to die, he tied himself standing to a pillar in order to fall in battle
standing up. It is only until a raven lands on him that his enemies believe his
dead. Lugaid severs CuChulainn’s head from his body after death, but
Lugaid’s hand is severed from his arm as the sword of CuChulainn falls from
his hand. Conall Cernach later avenges CuChulainn by slaying Lugaid.
In
an alternate future of the 31st Century, the Earth has been ravaged
by Martian invaders and humanity has to rebuild civilization. CuChulainn is
restored to life through the Book of Kells by the heroine Shamrock and join the
Guardians of the Galaxy to preserve the Earth’s place in the universe. Despite
several adventures, CuChulainn opts to return to Earth and defend the planet
than follow them on interstellar adventures. It is unknown if this occurs in the
mainstream timeline.
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 430 lbs.
Eyes: Green
Hair: Red
Strength Level:
CuChulainn possesses superhuman strength giving him Class 100 strength, enabling
him to lift (press) over 100 tons under optimal conditions.
Known
Superhuman Powers:
CuChulainn possesses the conventional physical attributes of the Celtic
Gods or Tuatha
de Danaan. He has incredible strength, stamina, endurance and resistance to
harm. Olympian gods. He is immune to all Earthly diseases and is resistant to
conventional injury. If he were somehow wounded, his godly life force would
enable him to recover with superhuman speed. It would take an injury of such
magnitude that it dispersed a major portion of his bodily molecules to cause him
a physical death. Even then, it might be possible for a god of significant
power, such as the Dagda,
Llyr or Arianrhod
or for a number of Celtic gods of equal power working together to revive him.
CuChulainn also possesses superhuman strength and his metabolism provides him
with far greater than human endurance in all physical activities.
Abilities: CuChulainn is
an exceptional warrior with a sword and in unarmed combat.
Weapons: CuChulainn
carried a staff called gae-bolg which he could wield as a spear or club.
Comments: This bio describes CuChulainn of the Marvel Universe; he has not yet been seen
in the DC Universe.
King Conchobor of Ulster (King of Eire c. 73 BC) was the son of King Fachtna of Ulster and Nessa, the
daughter of King Eochaid Buidhe of Dal-Riada (modern Scotland). Fachtna had been the Chief Physician of King
Eochaidh Airemh of Eire around 130 BC, according to The Encyclopedia of the
Celts. He was followed by King Crimthann of Eire
who ruled at the time of the Crucifixion according to The History of the
Irish Kings.
In
Druid #2, King Lugaid is referred to as King Lewey of Munster.
Aoife,
the rival of Scathach, is not to be confused with Aoife, the daughter of Bodb
who is married to the sea-god Leir.
King
Roy, associate of CuChulainn, is not to be confused with Rob Roy, @ 1671-134 AD