Kull of Atlantis

Lore & Background

Kull was born in pre-cataclysmic Atlantis around 100,000 BC, into a tribe in Tiger Valley. Both valley and tribe were destroyed by a flood when he was a toddler, leaving him to live as a feral child. He was later captured and adopted by the Sea-Mountain tribe. As an adolescent, he was exiled from Atlantis for granting a woman a quick death to save her from being burned alive by a mob. He then became a galley slave after being captured by Lemurian pirates, regained freedom during a mutiny, and later became a pirate captain. After losing his ship and crew in a naval battle off Valusia, he became an outlaw, was imprisoned, and chose to become a gladiator. Gaining fame, he was freed by admirers and joined the Valusian royal army as a mercenary. He was recruited by King Borna to assassinate the sorcerer Rotath of Lemuria, and was promoted to general command of mercenary forces. Discontent with Borna's cruelty led to civil war; Kull led a revolt, killed Borna, and took the throne in his early thirties. 'The Shadow Kingdom' finds him six months into his reign, facing the first conspiracy. He later becomes increasingly introspective in 'The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune'.

Reader's Guide

Kull is significant as the direct literary forerunner of Conan the Barbarian. Conan's first published story, 'The Phoenix on the Sword', is a rewriting of an earlier Kull story, 'By This Axe, I Rule', with a new backstory, less philosophy, more action, and supernatural elements; many passages match word for word. Kull's character is more philosophical and brooding than Conan, agonizing over decisions and seeking noble actions. He is asexual and aromantic in the original Howard stories, though chivalrous and supportive of lovers regardless of social status. Kull has been adapted into comics by Marvel Comics (three series between 1971 and 1985), Dark Horse Comics (three mini-series starting in 2006), and Titan Comics. He was portrayed by Kevin Sorbo in the 1997 film 'Kull the Conqueror'. The character's legacy includes influencing the sword-and-sorcery genre and providing a template for Howard's more famous creation.

Did You Know?

• Kull's first published appearance was 'The Shadow Kingdom' in Weird Tales (August, 1929).
• Conan the Barbarian's first story, 'The Phoenix on the Sword', is a rewritten version of a rejected Kull story, 'By This Axe, I Rule'.
• In Howard's original stories, Kull has romantic and sexual encounters, such as with the slave girl in 'The Shadow Kingdom', and shows attraction to women.
• The claim that Conan is a direct descendant of Kull does not appear in 'Shadows of the Skull' (also known as 'The Skull of the Sorcerer') by de Camp and Carter, but in later pastiche works.