Osiris

• Core Identity: In the Marvel Universe, “Osiris” primarily refers to the ancient and powerful Egyptian god of the afterlife, but the name was also used by Kadar ahm Al-Saran, a mutant who served as one of the very first Four Horsemen of Apocalypse.
• Key Takeaways:
• Dual Identities: The most critical fact to understand is the existence of two separate characters named Osiris. The first is Osiris the God, a member of the Ennead (the Heliopolitan pantheon) and a peer of figures like odin and zeus. The second is Osiris the Mutant, a warrior from ancient Egypt transformed by apocalypse into his Horseman of War. Their histories and powers are entirely separate.
• Divine Influence vs. Mutant Pawn: The god Osiris is a major cosmic player, involved in godly councils and conflicts that affect the entire universe, such as the battle against the chaos_king. His influence is ancient and profound. Conversely, the mutant Osiris was a tragic figure, a tool of Apocalypse whose legacy is defined by being the first to hold the title of War, a role later famously held by figures like archangel.
• Comic Depth vs. MCU Introduction: In the Earth-616 comics, both characters have established histories, with the god having a mythology stretching back decades. In the marvel_cinematic_universe, only the god Osiris has appeared, seen in thor_love_and_thunder and referenced as the divine power behind an avatar in moon_knight, establishing the Ennead's presence in the MCU. The mutant Horseman has not yet been adapted into the MCU.

Before delving into their specific histories, it is essential to formally distinguish between the two Marvel characters who have used the name Osiris. The vast majority of appearances and lore are associated with the Heliopolitan god. The mutant is a significant but far more obscure character, primarily relevant to the mythology of Apocalypse. This guide will analyze both in separate, dedicated sections to provide a complete and unambiguous history.

The god Osiris made his official debut in the Bronze Age of Comics, first appearing in Thor #239 in September 1975. He was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist John Buscema as part of their expansion of the cosmic and mythological landscape of the Marvel Universe. By introducing the Ennead, Marvel's fictionalized pantheon of Egyptian gods, Thomas and Buscema placed them on equal footing with the Asgardians and Olympians, creating a richer, more diverse cosmic hierarchy. Osiris's introduction was crucial, establishing his brother seth as a major multiversal threat, not just to the Egyptian gods but to asgard and thor as well.

The in-universe origin of Osiris and the Ennead aligns with Marvel's established lore for its pantheons. They are not literal gods in the omnipotent sense but are an ancient race of powerful, extradimensional beings who were worshipped as deities by the ancient Egyptians. These beings, known as the Heliopolitans, reside in the dimension of Celestial Heliopolis, a pocket “god-realm” analogous to Asgard or Olympus. Osiris is the son of the elder gods Geb (Earth) and Nut (Sky). From birth, he was destined for greatness, beloved for his wisdom and benevolence. He ascended to become the ruler of the Ennead and, alongside his sister-wife Isis, ushered in a golden age of peace and prosperity. This idyllic reign attracted the jealousy of his brother, Seth, the god of death and chaos. In a tale mirroring classical mythology, Seth deceived and murdered Osiris, dismembering his body and scattering the pieces across the land. The devoted Isis, with the help of gods like Anubis and Thoth, painstakingly recovered the pieces of Osiris's body. Through powerful magic, she resurrected him. However, having passed through the gates of death, Osiris could no longer permanently dwell in the land of the living. He became the Lord of the Underworld, the righteous judge of souls, and the benevolent ruler of the afterlife. His son, horus, would eventually avenge him by defeating Seth and claiming the throne of the living gods. This foundational myth established the core conflict of the Ennead and positioned Osiris as a figure of immense power, wisdom, and tragic authority.

The MCU introduced Osiris and the Ennead more gradually, primarily through the Disney+ series moon_knight and the film thor_love_and_thunder. In Moon Knight, Osiris is established as a leading figure among the Ennead who, like the others, have withdrawn from direct intervention in human affairs. Instead, they operate through Avatars. Osiris's avatar, Selim, acts as the leader of the Ennead's council on Earth. This version of Osiris is depicted as strict, bound by tradition, and initially skeptical of the claims made by Marc Spector and khonshu regarding the threat of Ammit. His authority is absolute among the council, and his judgment leads to Khonshu's initial imprisonment. This portrayal emphasizes his role as a lawmaker and judge, consistent with his comic book counterpart, but frames him in a more bureaucratic and detached manner. Osiris makes a physical appearance in thor_love_and_thunder as a member of the Council of Godheads in Omnipotence City. He is seen alongside other pantheon leaders when Thor arrives to plead for help against Gorr the God Butcher. He is depicted seated near Zeus, holding a Was-scepter, and appears visually regal and ancient. While he has no dialogue, his presence confirms his status as the leader of the Heliopolitan gods and a peer among the universe's most powerful divine beings. The MCU has thus far focused on Osiris's role as a ruler and judge, carefully distinguishing the god himself from the actions of his human avatar.

The mutant known as Osiris was created by writer Bob Layton and artist Jackson Guice. He first appeared, and died, in a single issue: X-Factor #4, published in May 1986. This was a flashback story revealing the very first incarnation of Apocalypse's Four Horsemen. Layton and Guice created this original team to provide a deeper, more ancient context for Apocalypse, establishing that his modus operandi of using four empowered servants was a tradition stretching back millennia. Osiris was conceived as the original “War,” a template for all future Horsemen who would bear that title. Though his appearance was brief, his significance lies in being the first, setting a precedent for one of the most iconic villainous teams in x-men history.

Kadar ahm Al-Saran was a warrior and mutant living in ancient Egypt during the rise of en_sabah_nur, the man who would become Apocalypse. Little is known of his life before his transformation, save that he was a disgraced warrior seeking to prove his worth. During a time of great conflict, Apocalypse was assembling his first “Four Horsemen,” a personal guard empowered by a combination of his own mutant abilities and salvaged Celestial technology. Apocalypse found Kadar and sensed his potential, offering him the power he craved. As part of a dark ritual, Apocalypse transformed Kadar into “War,” the first of his Horsemen. His body was augmented, granting him immense strength and the ability to fly. He was given a powerful energy weapon, capable of functioning as both a scythe and a bow that fired destructive arrows. Alongside the other original Horsemen—Pestilence, Famine, and Death—he served as Apocalypse's fist, crushing his master's enemies. His tenure was brutally short. During a major battle, the Horsemen were tasked with protecting Apocalypse. However, Ozymandias, a rival and future servant of Apocalypse, betrayed them, sabotaging their efforts. During the ensuing chaos, Osiris (War) was slain in battle. His death served as a harsh lesson for Apocalypse about loyalty and the expendability of his pawns. Though he died thousands of years in the past, his legacy as the first War echoed through the ages, with Apocalypse seeking to replicate his power in future candidates.

Kadar ahm Al-Saran, the mutant Horseman Osiris, has not appeared or been referenced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The MCU's only on-screen depiction of Apocalypse was in the 20th Century Fox film X-Men: Apocalypse, which is not part of the mainline MCU continuity (Earth-199999). Should Marvel Studios choose to introduce their own version of Apocalypse, it is possible they could explore his original Horsemen. An MCU adaptation of Osiris could portray him as a historical figure from ancient Egypt, perhaps a warrior from a rival tribe or even a palace guard, whose mutant abilities were activated and amplified by Apocalypse's technology. This would be an effective way to establish the long and bloody history of Apocalypse on Earth before he clashes with the modern x-men.

As the Lord of the Heliopolitan pantheon, Osiris possesses attributes common to all members of his race, but amplified by his station and specific divine portfolio.

• Superhuman Physiology: Osiris possesses superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, and reflexes far exceeding those of a mortal. He is strong enough to engage in physical combat with beings like Thor, though he is more of a strategist and sorcerer than a frontline warrior. His body is immensely dense and resistant to injury.
• Divine Immortality: Osiris is functionally immortal. He does not age and is immune to all terrestrial diseases and toxins. While he can be killed through sufficient force or powerful magic, he has demonstrated the ability to be resurrected, a feat central to his very identity. Even after his death at Seth's hands, his spirit remained a potent force.
• Divine Magic & Energy Manipulation: Osiris is a powerful sorcerer, with his magic centered on the domains of life, death, resurrection, and nature.
  • Necromancy: As the god of the afterlife, he has vast power over the souls of the dead, particularly those of his worshippers. He can command spirits, judge souls, and bar passage into or out of the Duat (the Egyptian underworld).
  • Resurrection: His most famous power is the ability to grant life. He was able to resurrect himself (with the aid of Isis's magic) and can bestow life upon others, though this is an ability he uses sparingly.
  • Nature Control: In his role as a fertility god, Osiris has some control over the natural world, able to promote bountiful harvests or cause blights.
  • Energy Projection: He can project powerful blasts of mystical energy for offensive purposes.
• Cosmic Awareness: As a pantheon leader and member of the Council of Godheads, Osiris possesses a degree of cosmic awareness, allowing him to perceive threats on a universal scale.

The full extent of the god Osiris's powers in the MCU remains largely unexplored, but we can infer several abilities from his appearances and role.

• Godly Status: His presence in Omnipotence City confirms he is a true divine being on par with Asgardians and Olympians. This implies he possesses superhuman strength, durability, and a greatly extended lifespan, if not outright immortality.
• Granting Power to Avatars: The primary demonstration of his power in the MCU is through his avatar, Selim, in Moon Knight. Osiris is able to grant a portion of his authority and likely some supernatural abilities to his chosen representative on Earth. This allows Selim to perform rituals and act as a conduit for Osiris's judgment.
• Divine Authority: The deference shown to him (and his avatar) by the other members of the Ennead council suggests his power is not just physical or magical, but also hierarchical. His word carries immense weight within his pantheon.
• Possession of a Divine Artifact: In Thor: Love and Thunder, he is seen holding a Was-scepter, a traditional symbol of power in Egyptian mythology. It is likely a potent magical artifact, potentially capable of focusing his divine energy, though its specific capabilities are unknown.

Kadar ahm Al-Saran was a mutant, but the specific nature of his original powers is unknown. The abilities he displayed as War were granted to him by Apocalypse through Celestial technology.

• Superhuman Strength & Durability: Apocalypse augmented his physique to superhuman levels, making him strong enough to tear through ancient armies and durable enough to withstand the weapons of his era.
• Flight: He was granted the ability to fly, a common enhancement for Apocalypse's Horsemen, allowing him to attack from above and move swiftly across the battlefield.
• Energy Weaponry: His primary weapon was a techno-organic device that could shapeshift according to his needs.
  • Energy Scythe: Its primary form was a large, powerful scythe that could cut through stone and metal with ease. This symbolized his role as a reaper of the battlefield.
  • Energy Bow: The weapon could also transform into a bow that fired powerful arrows of concussive force or plasma, making him a deadly ranged combatant. This versatility made him a complete warrior, a perfect embodiment of “War.”

As this character has not appeared in the MCU, he has no established powers or abilities within that continuity.

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• Isis: In the comics, as in mythology, Isis is Osiris's sister, wife, and most steadfast ally. She is a powerful sorceress in her own right, and it was her magic and unwavering devotion that allowed for his resurrection. Their bond is the bedrock of the Heliopolitan pantheon's ruling family.
• Horus: Osiris's son, born after his resurrection. Horus is the god of the sky and vengeance, and his primary life's purpose was to avenge his father by defeating Seth. He acts as the ruler of the living gods while Osiris presides over the afterlife, and they share a deep bond of loyalty and respect.
• Thor Odinson: While not close friends, Osiris and Thor share a relationship of mutual respect as heirs to powerful pantheons. They have fought alongside each other on multiple occasions, most notably during the war against Seth when he invaded Asgard and during the universal threat of the Chaos King. Osiris recognizes Thor as a noble warrior and a crucial defender of the cosmic order.
• Odin Borson: As leaders of their respective pantheons, Odin and Osiris were peers and members of the Council of Godheads. They shared a common interest in protecting their realms and maintaining the cosmic balance. They often conferred on threats that transcended individual pantheons, such as the coming of the Celestials or the threat of beings like Mikaboshi.

• Seth: Osiris's brother and eternal nemesis. Seth, the god of chaos, violence, and deserts, is defined by his jealousy and lust for power. His murder of Osiris is the central event that shaped the destiny of their entire pantheon. Seth has repeatedly attempted to conquer Heliopolis, Asgard, and even the multiverse, making him one of the most significant “god-level” villains in the Marvel Universe. The conflict between Osiris's order and Seth's chaos is eternal.
• Amatsu-Mikaboshi (The Chaos King): During the Chaos War storyline, the Chaos King sought to return the entire universe to the primordial void from which it came. He targeted the various pantheons and their afterlives first. He successfully attacked and consumed Celestial Heliopolis, temporarily destroying Osiris and the souls he protected. This made Mikaboshi one of the few beings to ever truly defeat Osiris, representing a fundamental threat to his very existence as a god of the dead.

• The Ennead (Heliopolitans): This is Osiris's primary affiliation. He is the former ruler and current lord of the underworld for the entire Egyptian pantheon. The Ennead includes all the major Egyptian gods, such as Ra, Isis, Horus, Seth, Anubis, Thoth, and Bastet.
• Council of Godheads: Osiris is a senior member of this council, a multiversal assembly of the leaders from every pantheon in the Earth dimension (and beyond). This group gathers to address threats of a cosmic scale, such as the Celestial Hosts or god-slaying beings like Gorr. His membership signifies his status as a major political and mystical power in the universe.
• The Horsemen of Apocalypse (Mutant Only): Kadar ahm Al-Saran's sole affiliation was with Apocalypse and his first incarnation of the Four Horsemen. This was not a willing alliance but a form of servitude, bound by Apocalypse's power and promises. His “teammates” were the first to hold the titles of Death, Pestilence, and Famine.

This storyline, spanning Thor #395-400, was a major confrontation between the Asgardians and the Ennead. Seth, having conquered Heliopolis, turned his armies of the dead against Asgard itself. Osiris, ruling from the underworld, played a crucial background role, representing the kingdom Seth had usurped. His defeat and imprisonment were the catalysts for the conflict. The storyline saw Horus and Thor lead the charge against Seth's forces. This arc was significant for firmly establishing the power level of the Egyptian gods and integrating them directly into the cosmic struggles of the Asgardians.

In this major 2010-2011 crossover event, the Chaos King, Amatsu-Mikaboshi, began a campaign to destroy reality. His first targets were the realms of the gods and their afterlives. Celestial Heliopolis was one of his early conquests. The forces of the Chaos King overran the Egyptian underworld, and Osiris was shown being consumed by the encroaching void. This was a defining moment of defeat for the character, showcasing the immense power of the Chaos King, who could literally devour a god of death and his entire realm. Osiris was later restored along with the rest of reality when Hercules sacrificed his “All-Father” level powers to repair the damage done by Mikaboshi.

This is the only significant story for the mutant Osiris. In a flashback narrated by Apocalypse's sentient ship, the modern-day X-Factor learns about the very first team of Horsemen. The story depicts their creation and their final, fatal battle. Osiris is shown as a fearsome warrior, flying into battle and cutting down foes with his energy scythe. His death in this battle, caused by betrayal and overwhelming odds, served as a stark lesson for Apocalypse and established the high stakes and brutal nature of serving the ancient mutant. This single issue is the cornerstone of the mutant Osiris's entire lore.

While neither character has a wide array of famous alternate-reality counterparts like Spider-Man or Wolverine, there are a few notable interpretations.

• Mythological Counterpart: The most significant “variant” of the god Osiris is his original incarnation from classical Egyptian mythology. Marvel's Osiris is heavily based on this figure, incorporating the core elements of his story: his benevolent rule, his murder by Seth, his dismemberment, and his resurrection by Isis to become the lord of the afterlife. Marvel, however, places him within a science-fantasy context of extradimensional beings and Celestial technology.
• Earth X (Earth-9997): In the dystopian future of the Earth X saga, it is revealed that the gods of myth, including Osiris, are not gods at all, but incredibly powerful, shape-shifting aliens who were manipulated by the Celestials. They were tricked into believing they were immortal gods to act as a planetary defense system, preventing the birth of the Celestial egg within the Earth's core. This version re-contextualizes Osiris's entire existence as a pawn in a far grander cosmic game.
• X-Men: Apocalypse (Film - Earth-199999): While Kadar ahm Al-Saran does not appear in this film, his role as an original Horseman is conceptually present. The film opens in ancient Egypt and shows Apocalypse with four unnamed, technologically-enhanced guards who are betrayed and killed. While none are explicitly named Osiris or War, they serve the exact same narrative function as the original Horsemen from X-Factor #4, acting as the prototype for the team Apocalypse assembles in the modern day.

• ennead
• apocalypse
• seth
• thor
• four_horsemen
• moon_knight
• council_of_godheads

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