Kurse first appeared as the Dark Elf Algrim the Strong in Thor #347 (September 1984), during the opening chapters of one of the most celebrated runs in the character's history. He was created by the legendary writer and artist Walter Simonson, who was in the process of redefining Thor's world with a grand, mythological scope. Algrim's introduction was a key part of the “Surtur Saga,” establishing the treachery and internal politics of the Dark Elves of svartalfheim. Algrim's transformation into the nigh-unstoppable Kurse occurred later, in Secret Wars II #4 (October 1985), with his full debut as the character in Thor #363 (January 1986). This evolution was a direct consequence of the universe-altering Secret Wars II crossover event, where the omnipotent beyonder played a pivotal role in Algrim's metamorphosis. Simonson used this crossover as a narrative opportunity to amplify a minor, betrayed character into a cosmic-level threat. Kurse's design—a massive, horned creature whose armor was fused to his flesh—was instantly iconic, visually communicating his immense power and tortured existence. His creation represents a classic comic book trope: the transformation of a lesser villain into a major force, driven by a deeply personal and relatable motivation—revenge.
The origin of Kurse is a tale of two vastly different paths, one forged in betrayal and cosmic intervention, the other in fanatical loyalty and willing sacrifice. Understanding these two distinct origins is critical to appreciating the character's role in each universe.
The story of the comic book Kurse begins with Algrim the Strong, one of the most powerful and respected warriors among the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim. He served his leader, malekith_the_accursed, with unwavering loyalty. During Malekith's war against Asgard, he promised Algrim rulership of the Dark Elves if he would face and defeat Thor. In a brutal confrontation, Algrim proved a match for the God of Thunder, but the battle was a ruse. During their duel, Malekith ordered the very ground beneath their feet to be opened, plunging both combatants into a chasm filled with molten lava. While Thor was able to escape using his hammer, mjolnir, Algrim was not so fortunate. He plunged into the magma, his enchanted armor melting but saving him from immediate death, though it left him horrifically burned and in unimaginable agony. He was left for dead, a pawn sacrificed by the master he trusted implicitly. This betrayal festered. Algrim's sheer hatred for Malekith kept him alive, clinging to a sliver of existence. His fate took a dramatic turn when he was discovered by the nigh-omnipotent beyonder during the events of Secret Wars II. Fascinated by Algrim's intense emotions and singular desire for revenge, the Beyonder offered him a deal. He would heal Algrim and grant him power beyond his wildest dreams, but there was a catch. Algrim's memory was fragmented by the trauma, and he mistakenly came to believe that Thor was responsible for his suffering. The Beyonder, either through carelessness or cruel amusement, did nothing to correct this. Reborn and remade, Algrim was no more. In his place stood Kurse. His strength was amplified to be more than double that of Thor's, his body was encased in a living, bio-organic armor fused to his very being, and he was nearly invulnerable. His mind was reduced to a single, burning imperative: find and destroy Thor. This led him on a rampage across Earth, where he relentlessly hunted the Asgardian, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. It was only through the combined efforts of Beta Ray Bill and the young heroes of Power Pack that Thor was able to finally confront Kurse and help him see the truth—that Malekith was the true architect of his pain. With his memory and purpose clarified, Kurse's rage found its proper target. His obsession shifted from Thor to Malekith, a hatred so pure and powerful it allowed him to track his quarry across the Nine Realms. This set the stage for one of the most epic and personal conflicts in Asgardian lore.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe presents a radically different origin, completely inverting the character's core motivation from vengeance to fanaticism. In the film Thor: The Dark World (2013), Algrim (portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) is introduced as Malekith's trusted lieutenant and second-in-command. He is not a rival or a pawn, but a deeply loyal follower who has fought alongside his king for millennia. He is one of the few Dark Elves to survive their ancient war with Asgard and has remained in stasis with Malekith, awaiting the day they can reclaim the Aether (the Reality Stone) and return the universe to darkness. In the MCU, the Kursed are not a unique creation of cosmic beings but an ultimate weapon of the Dark Elves. They are created when a warrior crushes a Kurse Stone, an artifact that unleashes a terrifying transformation. This process grants the user immense power but also consumes them from the inside out, burning away their life force in exchange for a temporary, god-like state. It is a suicidal, sacrificial act undertaken only by the most zealous of warriors. During the Dark Elves' assault on Asgard, Algrim volunteers for this fate. To create a diversion and allow Malekith to reach Jane Foster (who had absorbed the Aether), Algrim allows himself to be captured and imprisoned in the Asgardian dungeons. Once inside, he crushes the stone. The transformation is agonizing but swift. His body contorts and grows, his skin chars, and his armor warps and fuses into his flesh, creating the horned, monstrous form of a Kursed warrior. Unlike his comic counterpart, this Kurse is not driven by revenge against Malekith; he is the ultimate expression of loyalty to Malekith. His actions are calculated and purposeful, aimed solely at furthering his master's genocidal plan. He immediately breaks out of his cell, frees the other prisoners (including loki) to cause chaos, and proceeds to carve a path of destruction through the palace. His power is so great that he easily overpowers Thor and, in one of the film's most shocking moments, murders Queen Frigga when she refuses to surrender the Aether. This act solidifies him as a formidable and tragic villain—not a victim of betrayal, but a zealot who sacrificed his very being for a dark cause.
Kurse's abilities evolved significantly from his initial state as Algrim, with his power levels being explicitly defined in relation to Thor's.
Initially, Kurse was a being of pure, undiluted rage. His mind was shattered, leaving only the burning desire for revenge. He was a creature of instinct, unable to be reasoned with. After his memories were restored, his rage became focused and intelligent. He was still a being of few words, but his actions were calculated and aimed solely at Malekith. Following his victory, a profound change occurred. With his purpose fulfilled, he was lost. Thor and Odin gave him a new one: protector. Under the new name Valgoth, he developed a gentle, almost childlike personality, deeply loyal to Asgard and fiercely protective of its children. This completed his arc from a vengeful monster to a redeemed hero.
The MCU's Kurse is a more straightforward, but no less terrifying, powerhouse. His abilities are the result of a specific alchemical process rather than cosmic intervention.
The MCU version of Algrim/Kurse is defined by one trait: unshakeable loyalty. He is a zealot, utterly devoted to Malekith and the Dark Elves' cause of plunging the universe back into eternal darkness. He speaks little after his transformation, his actions speaking for him. He is ruthless, efficient, and carries out his mission with brutal precision, exemplified by his cold-blooded murder of Frigga. There is no hint of the tragic victim seen in the comics; he is a willing martyr for a cause he believes in absolutely, making his villainy far more chilling and personal for the heroes.
Algrim the Strong's debut occurred during one of Thor's most famous storylines. Malekith, seeking the Casket of Ancient Winters, unleashes war across the Nine Realms. To eliminate Thor, Malekith manipulates his loyal soldier, Algrim, into a duel with the God of Thunder. The fight is brutal, with Algrim proving to be a genuine physical challenge for Thor. The critical moment comes when Malekith betrays Algrim, opening a pit of lava beneath them. Algrim's fall into the magma, screaming his master's name, is his defining moment of origin, setting the stage for the all-consuming hatred that would later fuel him.
This arc details Kurse's rebirth and initial rampage. Rescued from the brink of death by the Beyonder, Algrim is transformed into Kurse, a being of unimaginable power but with a fractured memory. Believing Thor to be his betrayer, he arrives on Earth and begins a relentless, destructive hunt. His single-mindedness and raw power are terrifying. He shrugs off everything Thor, Beta Ray Bill, and Power Pack can throw at him. This storyline establishes his sheer formidability and highlights that he cannot be defeated by force alone. It culminates in Thor finally managing to help Kurse see the truth, shifting his vengeful gaze from Asgard to Malekith.
This is the climax of Kurse's personal story. Having tracked Malekith across the realms, he finally corners him during the villain's attempt to use the Casket of Ancient Winters on Earth. Malekith, in a desperate act of cowardice, uses his magic to disguise himself as Balder the Brave. Kurse, however, is not fooled. His senses are attuned to Malekith's essence, not his appearance. In a moment of brutal, satisfying justice, Kurse seizes the disguised Malekith and unceremoniously breaks his neck, seemingly ending the threat of the Accursed forever. With his life's purpose fulfilled, Kurse is left an empty vessel, allowing Thor and Odin to offer him a new life.
Kurse's final and most heroic moment came during the final Ragnarok cycle that destroyed Asgard. When Loki's forces, led by the unstoppable monster Mangog, lay siege to Asgard, Kurse (now known as Valgoth) stands as the last line of defense for the Asgardian children. Refusing to abandon his post, he faces the overwhelming forces alone. He fights with a ferocity born of love and duty, not hate, and ultimately falls in battle, sacrificing his life to buy the children precious time to escape. His death is a testament to his complete redemption, dying not as a monster of vengeance, but as a noble Asgardian hero.
In this beloved animated series, Kurse appears in the episode “The Casket of Ancient Winters.” His origin is a blend of different concepts. Here, he is an Asgardian criminal named Torgo who is transformed by Malekith using the power of a Norn Stone. He serves Malekith as an enforcer but is ultimately defeated by Iron Man and returned to his original form. This version maintains the “transformed powerhouse” aspect but removes the core motivation of betrayal, making him a more straightforward henchman.
Kurse has appeared in several Marvel video games, often as a boss or powerful enemy character.