Sauron (comics)

This article is about the Marvel Comics character. For the titular antagonist of The Lord of the Rings, see Sauron.
Sauron
Sauron as seen in New Mutants vol. 3 #10, art by Paul Davidson.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceAs Karl Lykos:
The X-Men #59 (August 1969)[1]
As Sauron:
The X-Men #60 (September 1969)
Created byRoy Thomas (writer)
Neal Adams (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoKarl Lykos
SpeciesHuman mutate
Team affiliationsWeapon X
Savage Land Mutates
Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability and intelligence
  • Flight
  • Hypnotic eyes
  • Razor-sharp claws
  • Fire-breath
  • Ability to absorb life forces and mutant powers, and sense mutants

Sauron (/ˈsɔːrɒn/[2]) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Neal Adams, and made his first appearance in The X-Men #59 (August 1969).[3]

Sauron is the alter ego of physician Dr. Karl Lykos. After being bitten by mutant pterodactyls, Lykos was transformed into an energy vampire, able to absorb the life force of others through touch. If Lykos absorbs the life force of mutants, he transforms into a humanoid Pteranodon, gaining increased strength and speed in the process. However, this also causes Sauron to gain control over Lykos. Throughout his history, Sauron has often been depicted as inhabiting the hidden prehistoric jungle of the Savage Land and as an enemy of the X-Men.

Outside of comics, the character has appeared in animated series, video games, merchandise and has been referenced in film. In the cartoons X-Men and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., Karl Lykos / Sauron was voiced by Robert Bockstael and Steven Blum, respectively, and by John Kassir in the action role-playing game video game X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse.

  1. ^ Misiroglu, Gina Renée; Eury, Michael (2006). The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9780780809772.
  2. ^ "EtcetEra Forum" – ResetEra: "it's pronounced "Soar-on".
  3. ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 307. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.