Varnae (Earth-616)

From Marvel Database

Contents 1 History 2 Powers and Abilities 2.1 Powers 2.2 Abilities 2.3 Strength level 2.4 Weaknesses 3 Trivia 4 Recommended Reading 5 Links 5.1 Discover and Discuss

History

Varnae served in the Cult of the Darkholders under Thulsa Doom. Injured due to the actions of King Kull of Valusia, a dying Varnae was transformed into a vampire by sorcerers of pre-Cataclysmic Atlantis. He allegedly was the last survivor among the vampires created in Atlantis before the Great Cataclysm, and ruled over Earth's vampires until 1459. Over the years, Varnae would face Conan, Red Sonja, Zula and Thor. Tired of his ages-long existence, Varnae chose Dracula as his successor as lord of Earth's vampires, and imparted much of his supernatural power to him by forcing Dracula to drink his blood. Varnae then committed suicide by exposing himself to direct sunlight.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Varnae possessed a variety of superhuman attributes common to vampires. However, many of these powers were much higher than that of any other vampire, with the possible exception of Dracula.

Vampirism: Varnae has the ability to transform others into vampires by draining them of enough of their blood to cause their physical death. During the process, an unknown enzyme in Varnae's saliva would enter the body and transform the remaining blood into a liquid called Ichor. As a result, an individual would rise from this death-like state after a period of 3 days.

• Superhuman Strength: Varnae possessed superhuman strength greater than that of any other known vampire and was capable of lifting approximately 7 tons.
  

• Superhuman Speed: Despite his great size, Varnae could run and move at speeds greater than even the finest human athlete.
  

• Superhuman Stamina: Varnae's musculature generated less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of a human being. He could exert himself at peak capacity for several hours before fatigue began to impair him.
  

• Superhuman Agility: Varnae's agility, balance, and bodily coordination were enhanced to levels beyond the natural physical limits of even the finest human athlete.
  

• Superhuman Reflexes: Varnae's reaction time was enhanced to a level beyond the natural physical limits of even the finest human athlete.
  

• Immortality: As long as Varnae ingested fresh blood on a regular basis, he was functionally immortal in the sense that he was immune to aging and all known Earthly diseases and infections.
  

• Regenerative Healing Factor: If injured, Varnae was capable of rapidly healing damaged tissue sustained from mild to moderate injuries much faster than an ordinary human. Injuries such as severe burns and lacerations healed completely within a few hours. He was, however, incapable of regenerating missing limbs or organs.
  

• Hypnotism: Varnae was capable of mentally enslaving most ordinary humans by maintaining eye contact with them for only a few seconds. However, exceptionally strong willed individuals could fight the effects of his hypnotism.
  

• Telepathy: Varnae was capable of communicating and even mentally controlling any other vampire, with the exception of Dracula, even across great distances. Varnae's hold was particularly strong over other vampires that he himself had been responsible for creating. Varnae could also use his telepathy to mentally communicate with or control certain animals, such as bats or wolves.
  

• Shapeshifting: Varnae was capable of altering his appearance to variable degrees, although he seldom used this ability. He was capable of transforming himself into a giant bat, wolf, or assume the form of mist. Varnae was also capable of altering his height and weight to an unknown degree. However, he was capable of reaching a height of at least 25 feet.

  Abilities

Varnae possessed extensive knowledge of extremely ancient arcane and mystical lore.

Strength level

Varnae could lift (press) 7 tons.

Weaknesses

Varnae possessed all of the typical vulnerabilities of vampires.

• Sunlight: Varnae was extremely vulnerable to sunlight and exposure to direct sunlight, such as what caused his death, would cause his body to incinerate within a matter of seconds.

• Silver: Like all vampires, Varnae was severely allergic to silver. If injured by a weapon composed of silver, Varnae took considerably longer to heal from injuries from other substances.
  

• Religious Icons: Varnae could also be affected by various icons of a religious nature. However, Varnae was only vulnerable to religious icons associated with gods worshipped in his time. Unlike other vampires, Varnae was not affected by crucifixes, the Star of David, or any other icon of any religion in practice today.
  

• Impailment: Varnae could be killed by having a wooden stake driven through his heart. For some unknown reason, a wooden stake interrupts the mystical energies, and even the Ichor, flowing through his body, resulting in death. However, if he were staked and the stake was later removed, Varnae would return to life.
  

• Beheading: Varnae, like all vampires, could also be killed by having his head completely severed and removed from the vicinity of his body.
  

• Homeland Soil: Varnae, like all vampires, was forced to line his coffin or sleeping area with dirt taken from his homeland. Otherwise, he would be unable to travel more than 100 miles from the place of his birth. In addition to this, Varnae liked to fill his stone coffin with the blood of his victims.
  

• Blood: Varnae was also forced to regularly consume the fresh blood of living individuals in order to maintain his life and vitality. Otherwise, Varnae would steadily weaken to the point where he would enter a comatose state.

  Trivia

Name is based on vampire novel Varney the Vampire, although Varney would later enter in Marvel continuity (menctioned in the Book of Vishanti)

Recommended Reading

• Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme Vol 1 No. 16 April 1990; Featuring: Brother Voodoo, Marie Laveau, Morbius

• Ghost Rider/Blaze: Spirits Of Vengeance Vol 1, No. 19 February 1994

• NightStalkers Vol 1, No. 18, April 1994; Featuring: Doctor Strange, Domini, BloodStorm, Taj Nital, Salomé

• Blade: The Vampire Hunter Vol 1, No. 4-5 October-November 1994; Featuring: Salomé, Night Terror, Marie Laveau

Links

• Appearances of Varnae (Earth-616)
• Character Gallery: Varnae (Earth-616)
• Images that feature Varnae (Earth-616)
• Fan-Art Gallery: Varnae (Earth-616)
• Quotations by Varnae (Earth-616) 
• Marvel Directory

Discover and Discuss

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