planet_hulk and World War Hulk sagas, fundamentally altering the Hulk's life. In the MCU, he provides crucial emotional support and humor for Thor during his most trying times, acting as a grounding presence and loyal friend.
The history of Korg is a fascinating example of retroactive continuity, or “retconning,” in comics. The Kronan species first appeared long before Korg was established as a unique character. This debut occurred in journey_into_mystery #83, published in August 1962. Created by the legendary team of writer Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and artists Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott, these “Stone Men from Saturn”1) were the very first villains faced by Dr. Donald Blake's newly empowered alter-ego, the Mighty Thor. They were depicted as generic alien invaders, and Thor easily repelled their fleet.
For decades, the Kronans remained minor recurring alien antagonists. It wasn't until 2006 that the character of Korg was formally introduced. In the seminal storyline Planet Hulk, which began in Incredible Hulk (Vol. 2) #93, writer Greg Pak and artist Carlo Pagulayan sought to create a band of alien gladiators to fight alongside the Hulk on the planet sakaar. Pak cleverly revisited the events of Journey into Mystery #83, establishing that one of those “Stone Men” was a character named Korg. This retcon gave him an immediate, deep-seated connection to Marvel history and a pre-existing (albeit one-sided) relationship with Thor. This transformed a nameless, single-issue villain into a complex, tragic, and heroic figure who would become central to the Hulk's story for years to come.
The origin of Korg differs dramatically between the comics and the cinematic universe, primarily in tone, circumstance, and his relationship with other heroes.
Korg's story begins on the planet Ria, where he was born into the Kronan race, a silicon-based species with rock-like hides. Alongside his brother, Margus, and their people, he was part of an exploratory force that sought to conquer other worlds. Their invasion of Earth brought them into direct conflict with Thor. During this battle, Thor shattered many of the Kronan invaders. Believing his brother Margus to have been mercilessly killed in the conflict, Korg developed a deep fear and resentment of the God of Thunder. Years later, Korg and Margus were captured by the cosmic empire of Sakaar. They were taken to the brutal planet, surgically implanted with obedience disks, and forced into gladiatorial combat for the entertainment of the tyrannical Red King. It was in the gladiatorial training pit known as The Maw that Korg's true journey began. There, he met other enslaved warriors from across the galaxy: the insectoid miek, the Shadow Person Hiroim the Shamed, the Brood alien No-Name, and the imperial outcast Elloe Kaifi. When the Hulk, exiled from Earth by the Illuminati, crash-landed on Sakaar, he too was captured and forced into the arena. Initially, Korg and his fellow gladiators were wary of the Green Goliath. However, after the Hulk demonstrated immense power and an unexpected sense of honor by protecting his fellow slaves, Korg and the others swore a blood oath to him. They became “brothers-in-arms,” a gladiator team that fought and bled together, eventually becoming known as the Warbound. Together, the Warbound, led by the Hulk (whom the people of Sakaar called the “Green Scar”), sparked a revolution. They challenged the Red King's authority, rallied the oppressed peoples of Sakaar, and ultimately overthrew the corrupt empire. Korg served as a key strategist and a powerful warrior during this rebellion. After the Red King's defeat, the Hulk was crowned King of Sakaar, and Korg stood by his side as a trusted advisor and friend. This peace was tragically short-lived. The warp-core of the shuttle that brought the Hulk to Sakaar detonated, destroying the capital city and killing millions, including Hulk's pregnant wife, Caiera. Blaming the Earth heroes who exiled him, the enraged Hulk, along with Korg and the surviving Warbound, set a course for Earth to seek vengeance. This ignited the events of World War Hulk, where Korg served as one of the Hulk's primary lieutenants, his tactical mind and immense power proving crucial in the war against Earth's heroes.
The MCU's version of Korg, introduced in thor_ragnarok (2017), presents a radically different origin and personality. Voiced by director Taika Waititi, this Korg is a jovial and talkative Kronan who becomes imprisoned on the trash planet of Sakaar, which is ruled by the eccentric grandmaster.
Unlike his comic counterpart, Korg was not captured in war but was enslaved after attempting to start a revolution against the planet's oppressive rulers. As he comically explains to thor, his revolution failed because he didn't print enough pamphlets and his mother's boyfriend angered the wrong people. While imprisoned, he is forced to serve as a gladiator, where he befriends a quiet, blade-wielding insectoid named miek.
When Thor is captured and made a contender in the Grandmaster's Contest of Champions, he first encounters Korg in the gladiator holding cells. Korg provides a friendly, if slightly dim-witted, orientation to their prison life, explaining the rules and the grim fate of anyone who challenges the Grandmaster's champion (the Hulk). Despite the bleak circumstances, Korg maintains a perpetually upbeat and optimistic demeanor.
Inspired by Thor's desire to escape and save Asgard, Korg becomes a key figure in the prison break. He leads the other gladiators in a massive uprising, overpowering their guards and seizing control of a large starship. He and his fellow “Revengers” (as Thor dubs them) pilot the ship, the Statesman, to Asgard, arriving just in time to help evacuate the Asgardian population during the final battle against Hela.
After Asgard's destruction, Korg travels with the surviving Asgardians, Thor, Hulk, and Loki aboard the Statesman. He survives Thanos's subsequent attack on the ship and is among the refugees who settle on Earth in New Asgard. During the five years after the Blip, Korg becomes Thor's roommate and closest companion, spending his days playing video games and trying to support his emotionally devastated friend. He later participates in the final battle against Thanos's forces in avengers_endgame. In thor_love_and_thunder, he continues to be Thor's loyal sidekick, even narrating parts of the story, and eventually finds a partner named Dwayne, with whom he has a child, a baby Kronan, through a special Kronan ritual.
While both versions of Korg are Kronans, their portrayals of their abilities, personalities, and combat styles are distinctly different.
Thor: Love and Thunder, reducing him to a pile of rubble (from which only his head survives).Thor: Love and Thunder establishes that Kronans are a genderless species who reproduce by holding hands over a lava pit for two weeks, resulting in the creation of a baby Kronan.This is Korg's defining storyline. After being enslaved on Sakaar, Korg is forced into gladiatorial combat. He forms an unbreakable bond with the Hulk and other enslaved aliens, creating the Warbound. Korg's strategic mind and combat prowess are instrumental in the rebellion against the Red King. He helps unite the disparate peoples of Sakaar under the Hulk's banner. The story showcases Korg's honor, loyalty, and his deep desire for freedom. It establishes him not as a monster or an invader, but as a hero in his own right.
Following the destruction of Sakaar's crown city, Korg accompanies the vengeful Hulk to Earth. He serves as a general in Hulk's army, confronting heroes like The Thing and Human Torch. Throughout the war, Korg is the Hulk's conscience, questioning the morality of their actions and expressing concern for the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. His arc in this event explores the conflict between his loyalty to his friend and his own innate sense of honor, proving that even in a war of vengeance, he cannot abandon his principles.
This film serves as Korg's introduction and definitive appearance in the MCU. Trapped on Sakaar, his friendly and humorous personality immediately endears him to both Thor and the audience. He is not just a side character but the catalyst for the gladiator rebellion that allows Thor and his allies to escape. He provides much of the film's comedic heart, from his observations about “Doug” to his anti-climactic revolution story. His line, “Piss off, ghost!” is a fan-favorite moment that perfectly encapsulates his blend of naivete and bravery. The film establishes his core relationship with Thor and Miek, setting the stage for all his future appearances.
Journey into Mystery #83 is technically the first appearance of a character who would later be identified as Korg's brother, Margus. For decades, it was assumed this was Korg himself, but the World War Hulk: Aftersmash one-shot clarified that Korg was present at the battle but was not the primary antagonist Thor fought.Planet Hulk. He is depicted as a powerful and loyal member of the Hulk's team, serving as the stoic muscle and a friend to A-Bomb.Thor: Ragnarok, emphasizing his comedic personality and his role as Thor's companion, solidifying this version as his most popular and recognizable incarnation.