Perun

Origin

Perun is an original member of the Supreme Soviets. His first team mission was to confront  Darkstar, Ursa Major and Vanguard for defecting from the Soviet Union and becoming traitors to their motherland.  Fantasia cast an illusion spell and disguised the Supreme Soviets as members of the Avengers. Perun was disguised as Thor and was able to take down Ursa Major with a lightning blast channeled through his axe.  

Creation

Perun was created by Mark Gruenwald, Kieron Dwyer and Al Milgrom in 1989 and first appeared in Captain America # 352.   

Major Story Arcs

Fighting alongside Americans

Some years later, Perun and his teammates now known as the People’s Protectorate joined forces with Alpha Flight and the Avengers to battle a group of Atlanteans in order to prevent an international incident. Perun has also encountered other super beings like the Hulk and Unicorn in other missions. His axe was destroyed during a battle with Unicorn and eventually inherited Vanguard’s sickle and hammer. Eventually the People’s Protectorate would break up and its members including Perun would merge with the Soviet Super Soldiers to form the new Russian team, Winter Guard.   

Powers & Abilities

Perun is the Slavic god of Storm and Thunder. He has superhuman strength, durability, stamina and endurance. He can also command and channel lightning and direct it through his weapons. His most common weapon is the axe which he uses for melee and range attacks. He eventually will inherit Vanguard’s hammer and sickle. Perun also has the ability to fly.   

 

Alternate Realities

Ultimate Universe – Earth 1610

Ultimates 2 – Grand Theft America

Perun first appeared as part of Loki’s Liberators along with the Swarm, Abomination, Crimson Dynamo, Hurricane, the Schizoid Man & Col. Abdul al-Rahman as well as Hank Pym.  He posses the same powers as Thor, though they are obtained soley with the vest and hammer, he has a sickle as well.  Perun takes out Quicksilver during the Liberators initial strike on Washington D.C.  After the Liberators defeat by the Ultimates, Perun is taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody at the Triskelion.

Ultimate Avengers #3 Avengers vs. Vampires

There Perun rooms with Petra (the former Swarm now the new Red Wasp).  Nick Fury calls upon him to assist in the fight against the vampires.  Before heading into battle Fury wants to be sure of Perun’s power to teleport a thousand men when Perun confirms the hammers power to be virtually limitless.  The Triskelion is stormed by the vampires before the attack is launched.  Perun is attacked by an infected Captain America but manages to knock him back with his hammer.  As Perun begins to believe he can do this, Nerd Hulk comes from behind and snaps his neck.