Erg (character)

Publication history

Erg first appeared in Power Pack #12 (July 1985), and was created by Louise Simonson and June Brigman. The character subsequently appeared in Uncanny X-Men #195 (July 1985), X-Factor #10 (Nov. 1986), Power Pack #27 (Dec. 1986), X-Factor #11-12 (Dec. 1986-Jan. 1987), #15 (April 1987), Decimation: House of M - The Day After #1 (Jan. 2006), X-Men: The 198 (2006), X-Men #183 (April 2006), and Uncanny X-Men #487-491 (Aug.–Dec. 2007).

Erg appeared as part of the "Morlocks" entry in Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #9.

Fictional character biography

Erg is a member of the Morlocks and one of the few to survive the Marauders' attack during the 'Mutant Massacre'. He is among the first mutants to seek a safe haven at the Xavier Institute following M-Day, when most mutants lost their powers. Erg, Mammomax, and Peepers are pursued by the Sapien League, who capture them just before they can reach the Institute. The League members attempt to burn the three at the stake, but are saved by Wolverine.

Erg remains at the Xavier Institute with many other mutants, some unwillingly, becoming something of a ringleader for the non-X-Men members of the 198. It is Erg's idea to raise a "198" flag, the number representing what was originally thought to be the number of mutants left in the world after the Decimation. He is among the mutants who attack Sentinel Squad ONE (Office of National Emergency) because they want to leave the Xavier estate.

Erg is among the mutants who accept having an electronic tag inserted to be allowed to go out on a supervised group trip to Salem Center. Valerie Cooper tells the mutants that the tags are harmless tracking devices, but Erg later discovers that they are designed to generate disabling electronic pulses. After learning this, Mister M destroys the chips.

During "The Extremists" arc, Erg reappears alongside some of his fellow Morlocks under the leadership of Masque. Besides Erg, this group consists of Bliss, Litterbug, Skids, and Leech.

In "Dark Reign", Erg is captured by Norman Osborn after the riots in San Francisco. He later takes refuge on Utopia and helps battle the Nimrods.

Powers and abilities

Erg is a mutant who is able to absorb all forms of energy and project them in blasts from his right eye, which he calls his "electric eye".

In other media

• Erg makes non-speaking appearances in X-Men: The Animated Series as a member of the Morlocks.
• Erg appears in The Gifted, portrayed by Michael Luwoye. This version is a black mutant separatist and the leader of the Morlocks who possesses an eyepatch over his left eye as well as a self-inflicted M-shaped scar which expresses his mutant pride. Additionally, he and the Morlocks are a neutral group who wish to live in peace.
• Erg appears in X-Men '97, in which he and the Morlocks move to Genosha before being killed by Sentinels.

References

References

1. Craig, Richard. (September 28, 2024). "Did Deadpool & Wolverine Cut Another Original Avenger Variant?".
2. ''House of M: The Day After'' one-shot (January 2006)
3. ''[[X-Men: The 198]]'' #1 (March 2006)
4. ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' #488-491 (September - December 2007)
5. ''[[Dark Avengers]]'' #7 (September 2009)
6. ''[[The New Mutants (comic book). The New Mutants]]'' (vol. 3) #14 (August 2010)
7. (October 10, 2018). "The Gifted's New Mutant Group, the Morlocks, Explained".
8. (October 10, 2018). "The Gifted Season 2 Episode 3 Review: coMplications".
9. (January 9, 2019). "The Gifted Season 2 Episode 11 Review: meMento".
10. (January 16, 2019). "The Gifted Season 2 Episode 12 Review: hoMe".
11. (January 23, 2019). "The Gifted Season 2 Episode 13 Review: teMpted".
12. Matadeen, Renaldo. (April 12, 2024). "Every Character Death in X-Men '97 Episode 5".