Since his first appearance in Avengers #8 in 1964 (he was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby), Kang the Conqueror has been established as a Marvel Comics supervillain, a recurring enemy of the Avengers and other superheroes. “Established” may be a strong word as even his villainy can be debated (rarely, though) as his motivations are not always purely malevolent.
In fact, Kang the Conqueror is a time traveler from the future who has appeared in various forms throughout Marvel continuity, and this led the character to develop a complex and convoluted history. Even his true identity and origins have been the subject of much debate and speculation over the years.
When you’re talking about Kang the Conqueror, starting with “it’s complicated” is the best way to resume the characters’ apparitions through the years.
He was first introduced as Rama-Tut, a Pharaoh from ancient Egypt who discovered a time machine and used it to travel to the modern day. Then, he encountered the Fantastic Four and, of course, was defeated by them. But he later returned as Kang the Conqueror, presenting himself as a time traveler from the 30th century who sought to conquer different eras of history.
Over the years, various identities and personas were revealed: Immortus, Scarlet Centurion, Victorex Prime, Mister Gryphon, Iron Lad, Victor Timely, Liberator… In some versions, Kang is Nathaniel Richards, a descendant of Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four—it is considered to be his true identity. In fact, it is mostly considered that the Nathaniel Richards born in the 30th century of Earth-6311 is the “Prime” Kang.
Other times, he was presented as a warlord from an alternate timeline or a conqueror from a distant future. Recently, he even went on a tour of his different identities to manipulate them as a way to become a better version of the conqueror. It’s complicated.
Regardless of who he truly is, Kang the Conqueror is known for his ambitious quest for power as well as his genius-level intellect, his access to advanced technology, and his highly advanced battle armor. Being a skilled military tactician, he has conquered multiple timelines and alternate realities, including an alternate future where he rules over the entire Earth as the “Scarlet Centurion.”
Also, he is not always alone as he has also been a member of various villainous teams, including, of course, the Council of Kangs—a group of alternate versions of himself from different timelines.
Kang the Conqueror is a complex character, to say the least. He is constantly scheming and plotting to expand his empire, but ensuring his own survival is his priority—and he is doing so by protecting his own timeline.
Kang the Conqueror: The Stories to Read
Marvel recently published a volume collecting stories featuring Kang the Conqueror, a good introduction:
- Kang: The Saga Of The Once And Future Conqueror
Collects Fantastic Four (vol. 1) #19, Avengers (vol. 1) #8, All-New, All-Different Avengers #13, Avengers (vol. 7) 1–6, Avengers: Back to Basics #5-6, Moon Knight Annual (vol. 2) #1, Symbiote Spider-Man: King in Black #1-5, and material from Fantastic Four (vol. 6) #35, Timeless #1
Classic Avengers tales by Steve Englehart featuring Kang the Conqueror:
- Avengers Epic Collection: Kang War
Collects Avengers (1963) #129-149, Giant-Size Avengers (1974) #2-4; material from Giant-Size Avengers (1974) #5, Marvel Treasury Edition (1974) #7, FOOM (1973) #12.
Another classic Kang vs. The Avengers tale, this time by Roger Stern and John Buscema.
- The Avengers: The Once and Future Kang
Collects Avengers (1963) #262-269, Avengers Annual (1967) #15, Avengers West Coast Annual (1986) #1.
Kurt Busiek wrote two now classic Kang stories, “Avengers Forever” with art by Carlos Pacheco, and “The Kang Dynasty.”
- Avengers Forever
Collects Avengers Forever #1-12. - Avengers: Kang Dynasty
Collects Avengers (1998) #41-55, Avengers Annual 2001.
The recent exploration of Kang’s previous identities by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing.
- Kang The Conqueror: Only Myself Left To Conquer
Collects Kang The Conqueror (2021) #1-5.
Do you have more recommendations? Let them in the comment section!