Viltrumites
The Viltrumites are a species who feature in Invincible.
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History
The Viltrumites were a humanoid extraterrestrial species that were native to the planet Viltrum. Long ago, the superhuman civilisation sought to attain a perfect society but believed eliminate the weak from their ranks in order for them to achieve intergalactic dominance. This saw Viltrumites battling and killing on another leaving only the strong to remain with this being noted for being an messy affair. Once this was complete, their population had been cut down to half their number but those that remained of the old society became a fierce unbeatable race of warriors. After their world was repaired, they looked outward into bringing their world order to other planets as they set their goal of establishing a planetary empire. Their people unanimously agreed to this initiative and the world conquering committee where they instituted a multi-step system in adding new worlds to the Viltrumite Empire. Many worlds were conquered and brought under their control which saw Viltrum a hub of interstellar activity and one of the first great empires of the galaxy. The many years of expansion were a success for the Viltrumites but eventually their forces became stretched thin and they had difficulties maintaining their hold over their territory. As a result, their expansion came to a halt and the empire sought a more efficient method of conquest. Thus, a new strategy was devised where instead of conquering a world with numbers and brute force they would instead dispatch the highest ranked and most trusted Viltrumite warrior to a target world where they surveyed it and weakened it over time. This saw the chosen individual acclimatizing themselves to their assigned planet and becoming a member of its society where they assured it did not advance to the point of becoming a threat whilst also making arrangements for its evental conquest in several hundred years time. Omni-Man was said to be among the first warriors chosen for this new strategy with it being considered an honor among their kind where he was sent to the planet Earth. (Invincible v1 #11)
In this time, a Viltrumite named Argall was born on his homeworld where he fought his way to becoming the Viltrumite Emperor before the great Purging Civil War between Viltrumites, leading his empire on a conquering crusade of brutal domination across the galaxy, but being praised for his wise leadership above all else. Around this time, his servant Thaedus came to see his people's conquering ways as being tyrannical and evil. Thus, he chose to betray his race and became the first of his race to rebel against the Empire. He would slay the Emperor Argall of the Viltrum Empire and defect to parts unknown, sending the Empire into disarray. This would remain the case until Grand Regent Thragg coming to power to lead in his place until Argall's remaining child Nolan could be found to take his place. (Invincible v1 #76) Thaedus then decided he would use his own DNA as a catalyst for a virus that would cause the mass genocide of the Viltrumites. The Viltrumites were the dominant presence in much of the Milky Way galaxy for thousands of years until the Scourge Virus was created and used against them. The Scourge Virus cut the Viltrumite population down to only about 50 members. (Invincible v1 #67) The Scourge Virus had caused the planet's population to be severely depleted and would make Thragg believe that the heir had died. Afterwards, he would cease all attempts to find the heir, feeling that he had earned his place among them. (Invincible v1 #102)
After the Viltrumite War, the Viltrumites were reduced by even more, with less than 35 members currently alive in the wake of their war against the Coalition of Planets. The survivors became refugees hiding on Earth, and eventually came under the leadership of Nolan Grayson, the heir of Lord Argall, who disbanded the Viltrumites' intents of conquest. (Invincible v1 #77)
Overview
In appearance, the Viltrumites were a race of bipedal beings that greatly resembled humans with moustaches being common among the males. (Invincible v1 #2)
The average Viltrumite is about the size of an average human, but due to their ultra-dense tissues they may weigh much more. Viltrumites have superpowers such as flight, super-strength, super-speed, incredible endurance, and a deep factor in healing. For instance, a severely injured adult Viltrumite may recover from severe injuries like a severe spine without special medical assistance in a matter of weeks or months. Ultra-dense tissue enhances the strength and durability of the Viltrumites.
Although the same superpowers are shared by all Viltrumites, they are far from equally powerful and durable. The power of viltrumite and its speed can be improved by exercise. Although not immortal, Viltrumites live thousands of years, with their aging slowing as they reach maturity. Their power increases drastically between adolescence and adulthood and it does not seem to decrease significantly with age, as quite old Viltrumites like Conquest are also among the strongest. Three Viltrumites proved at full speed to be strong enough to destroy a whole planet without harm to themselves. There are still some contradictions in demonstrating the strength and resilience of the Viltrumite, often lesser forces are enough to seriously damage a Viltrumite.
Perhaps the Viltrumites ' most obvious characteristic is their ability to fly. The Viltrumite ear has a complex balancing system that can be easily disrupted in order to allow flight. In the past, this was used to the advantage of various heroes to defeat Viltrumites in hand-to-hand fighting. Another notable feature is that all male Viltrumites are shown to have moustaches. Viltrumite DNA, including humans, is compatible with many species. Viltrumite characteristics are typically dominant in such hybrids.Like humans, Viltrumites need to breathe air, but they can hold their breath for two weeks and live unprotected in the vacuum of space, enabling them to fly interstellar distances considerably faster than light alone without special equipment.
The Viltrumites possess a totalitarian system of government, with an empire spanning thousands of worlds. The Viltrumites are warlike and violent as a race, and will often kill weaker members of their society to enforce "purity". Viltrumites enforce their order so strictly that members rarely rebel, and those who do are vilified as traitors.
One body within their empire was the world conquering committee that was established when they became a planetary empire. It was responsible for enacting the Viltrumite's expansion initiatives that involved multiple stages. A search committee was part of the first stage where they looked for prospective planets that were developed enough that their addition would benefit the empire but not too advanced where they could repel the Viltrumites. The second stage then involved the installation of a global watchtower that would be used to keep supplies for a long-term occupation and allowed the monitoring of the entire plane from orbit. The final stage involved Viltrumite representatives arriving on the surface of the target world where they announced their takeover with the team remaining behind to monitor activities. Races that accepted Viltrumite rule were given access to their technology in order to improve their quality of life under the empire's rule whilst those that resisted were brutally subjugated or killed. The success of its expansion efforts led to it becoming the most popular profession on Viltrum. (Invincible v1 #11)
The search committee was largely a profession that involved simple analysis and no combat. The duty of its members was to evaluate planets that were ripe for conquest where members were stationed on mobile bases that travelled from world to world that had been conquered by the empire. All members of the committee that were of age had a chance of taking a more active role in the expansion efforts where they attended auditions to prove themselves. Those that impressed the heads of recruitment were then allowed to join the ranks of the world conquering committee and provided assignments in the expansion initiative. (Invincible v1 #11)
It was known that the empire utilised the aid of races that they had conquered who were used to help in their expansion efforts. These forces were not as efficient as the Viltrumites own warriors but did aid in the expansion. (Invincible v1 #11)
The Viltrumites are a technologically advanced race, and possess such technology as starships capable of faster than light speed travel, and wormhole creation.
Warships served as the main transportation for the Viltrumites that were large enough to carry several Viltrumites and their enslaved alien races. (Invincible v1 #72)
Members
- Argall :
- Thragg : male leader of the Viltrumite empire.
- Nolan Grayson :
- Kregg : a male Viltrumite born thousands of years ago. (Invincible #102) He came to be infected with the Scourge Virus which resulted in the loss of his eye that he replaced with a prosthetic replacement. (Invincible v1 #66) Kregg would serve in a senior position in the Viltrumite Empire under the leadership of Grand Regent Thragg. (Invincible v1 #29)
- Conquest : an older muscular male Viltrumite who was notable for his scarred features and his right cybernetic arm. (Invincible v1 #62)
- Anissa :
- Onnan : one of Thragg's children.
- Ursaal : female who was the daughter of Thragg.
- Thaedus :
Notes
- Viltrumites were created by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker where they made their first appearance in Invincible v1 #11 (April, 2004).
In other media
Television
- In Invincible, the Viltrumites appeared in the setting of the animated television series.
Appearances
- Invincible v1: (2004)
External Links
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