Knull, the ancient and terrifying god of the abyss, has quickly become one of the most formidable villains in the Marvel Universe. Though introduced in 2018, his origins stretch back to a time before the universe itself. A god of darkness, destruction, and chaos, Knull’s story is one of vengeance, conquest, and ultimate imprisonment. Here’s an in-depth look at The Dark History of Knull, his creation of the symbiotes, and the devastating impact he has had on the Marvel Universe.
Knull’s Origin
Before the birth of the universe, there was only darkness, and within this darkness, Knull existed. Unlike the gods and celestial beings that would later shape the universe, Knull saw the arrival of the Celestials as an intrusion upon his domain. The creation of the universe was, to him, an act of war against his eternal kingdom of nothingness.
When the Celestials began crafting worlds, Knull retaliated by forging a weapon from his own darkness—a living sword called All-Black, the Necrosword. With this blade, he struck down one of the Celestials, decapitating it in a single, devastating blow. This act of defiance marked Knull’s declaration of war against the light and creation itself.
The Birth of the Symbiotes
Knull’s battle with the Celestials led to his banishment into the abyss, but rather than being defeated, he thrived. In the depths of darkness, he began forging new creations—the first of which was a living, ever-adaptive form of darkness that could merge with other beings. This was the birth of the symbiotes.
Using the severed head of a Celestial as his forge, Knull refined his creations, shaping them into weapons of war. These creatures were his soldiers, spreading across the cosmos to extinguish the light and enforce his will. However, his initial creations were imperfect, still carrying the scars of their violent birth. To this day, symbiotes retain their weakness to fire and sound—echoes of the forging process that brought them into existence.
Reign of Terror
Wearing his first true symbiote armor, Knull set out on a rampage against the gods. His sword, known by many names—All-Black, the Necrosword, the Godslayer—became infamous for its ability to kill even the most powerful divine beings. With every battle, Knull sought to return the universe to its original state: pure, endless darkness.
But even a god as powerful as Knull was not invincible. Eventually, he was bested in battle, and his sword was taken from him. Yet Knull was not one to be easily defeated. Realizing he could control lesser creatures by bonding his darkness to them, he created an army of symbiotes to act as his extensions, spreading across galaxies and carrying out his will.
This new army became known as the symbiote horde, and Knull, at its center, was the god-host, controlling them all through a hive mind.
Knull’s Defeat and Imprisonment
Knull’s conquest seemed unstoppable—until he turned his attention to Earth. When one of his dragon-like symbiote creations arrived on the planet, it was met by Thor, the God of Thunder. In their battle, Thor severed Knull’s connection to his symbiote army, disrupting the hive mind. This single act changed the course of history.
Without Knull’s influence, many symbiotes began bonding with noble hosts, experiencing emotions such as honor and compassion for the first time. They turned against their dark creator, rejecting his rule and imprisoning him in the very thing they had once been: a massive living cage of symbiotes.
This prison, formed by millions of symbiotes working together, became known as Klyntar—the so-called homeworld of the symbiotes. However, as Knull himself revealed, Klyntar was never truly a planet. It was a prison, created by his own rebellious children to lock him away and keep his darkness contained.
The Legacy
Even in his imprisonment, Knull’s influence continued to linger. The symbiotes carried his genetic memory, a whisper of their dark origins hidden beneath their new identities as protectors and partners. Though some symbiotes, like Venom, found their way to heroism, the shadow of Knull always remained a threat.
Knull’s legacy extends far beyond the symbiotes. His weapon, the Necrosword, has passed through the hands of numerous characters, including Gorr the God Butcher, who used it to wage his own war against the gods. The echoes of Knull’s battle against the Celestials, his conquest of the void, and his ultimate betrayal by his own creations have shaped the cosmic landscape of the Marvel Universe in ways few other villains ever have.
Knull’s Threat to the Marvel Universe
Unlike many other villains, Knull is not simply a conqueror—he is an eldritch force of destruction, seeking to return the cosmos to the void from which he was born. He is a god who existed before time, a being whose very essence defies the natural order of the universe. The fact that he was once defeated does not mean he is gone forever.
The Marvel Universe is vast, and threats from the abyss never truly disappear. As long as darkness exists, Knull remains a lingering presence, waiting for his moment to rise again.
Final Thoughts
Knull’s rise from a relatively new character to one of the most feared villains in Marvel Comics speaks to the strength of his story. He embodies the fear of the unknown, the terror of the void, and the danger of unchecked power. Whether he remains imprisoned in the heart of Klyntar or emerges once more to reclaim his throne, one thing is certain—Knull is a force unlike any other.
The god of the abyss may have been caged, but darkness always finds a way to return. And when it does, the Marvel Universe will once again tremble before Knull, the god of the symbiotes
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