Marvel Villains: Chapter Three

By: Leeland Hernandez & Allan Kalambayi

This is a continuation of the multiversal saga that began with Ultron. The story now focuses on a man who seeks to reshape reality: Kang the Conqueror, also known as ‘Rama Tut’. Before becoming Kang the Conqueror, he was Nathaniel Richards, a scholar from the 30th or 31st century. He is possibly a descendant of Reed Richards, also known as ‘Mr. Fantastic’, and his time-traveling father, Nathaniel Richards. Interestingly, he could also be a descendant of Victor Von Doom.

Fascinated with history, Nathaniel mastered time travel technology, recreating Dr. Doom’s time machine. He decided to travel back to ancient Egypt in a spaceship resembling the Sphinx, adopting the name Pharaoh Rama Tut. His plan was to capture En Sabah Nur, the mutant who would eventually become Apocalypse, as his heir. However, Nathaniel wasn’t the only time traveler. The Fantastic Four ended up in the same timeline and defeated Rama Tut. This led to Nathaniel, now Rama Tut, fleeing in his spaceship, leaving his Sphinx behind to mystify mankind for centuries. This was his first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), explaining the creation of the Sphinx in the Marvel comics.

Despite the shock, Kang has no superhuman abilities. Like Iron Man, he is a genius, one of the smartest minds in Marvel, an expert historical scholar, master physicist specializing in time travel, and a master technician and engineer. His advanced armor and technology grant him powers. Armed with 40th-century technology, his advanced battle armor increases his strength, allowing him to shoot energy blasts, create holograms, force fields, and control other forms of technology. His time ship gives him access to technology from any century. He is also more resistant to radiation than 21st-century humans.

Kang’s goal is to conquer the Multiverse and reshape all reality in his image. He believes that by conquering the Multiverse, he can save it from his Variants in the Council of Kangs and prevent incursions. This brief story discusses a single variant of Kang, Pharaoh Rama Tut. It’s a simplified version, and there’s more to the story if you’re interested. 

Kang the Conqueror is easily a top MCU villain, with his variant Rama Tut being particularly interesting. The comic presents a future where technology has advanced, much like what Iron Man might experience. However, unlike Iron Man, Nathaniel Richards chooses to use this technology for evil, aiming to rule the multiverse with his powerful suit.