Crule (comics)

Crule
Cover to X-Force#12 featuring Gideon and Krule Art by Mark Pacella
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	X-Force vol. 1 #12 (1992)
Created by	Rob Liefeld Fabian Nicieza Mark Pacella
In-story information
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	Externals Third Reich
Notable aliases	Krule
Abilities	enhanced senses, strength, speed, agility, reflexes, coordination, balance, endurance, hair coiled into whip-like braids, fangs, and gauntlet-covered claws

Crule is a fictional character, a mutant appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. His first appearance was in X-Force vol. 1 #12.

One of the immortal mutants known as Externals, Crule is the meanest and maddest of them all. According to Gideon, during World War II he worked in a concentration camp, happily operating a gas chamber. He is an ancient berserker, dressing like a barbarian and old enough to remember Mithras. Crule was sent by Gideon to attack X-Force after they rescued Sunspot. However, Crule is blasted out of X-Force's ship by Rictor and falls a few thousand feet, which puts him in a body cast.

When The Externals kidnapped some of X-Force and were holding them for ransom, X-Force sneaks into Crule's hospital room and abducts him. He is actually happy to help the team "humble" his fellow immortals, and gives them the location of the Externals' hideout and their weaknesses.

Crule is apparently killed by Selene in a final battle with the Externals.

Crule has enhanced senses, strength, speed, agility, reflexes, coordination, balance, and endurance. His body has natural weapons, including hair coiled into whip-like braids, fangs, and gauntlet-covered claws.

In the Age of Apocalypse reality Crule, was named Wolverine after being altered by the Beast and serves Holocaust as his leading hunter. He was ordered by Holocaust to kill the X-Man closest to Magneto, in front of him. Crule displayed the ability to 'charge up' a group of bandits the X-Men were (easily) battling in order to study them. This effect enhanced their adrenaline production and nerve conduction; granting enhanced strength, speed and senses; but not to truly superhuman levels. The effect was dangerous; putting enormous strain on the cardiovascular system and muscles; at least one bandit died from a cardiac arrest as a result. It is not clear if this ability to 'power-up' others was shared by Crule in the Earth-616 reality, or was a result of genetic tampering. 'Wolverine' demonstrated far more tactical sense and patience than Crule, and had sufficient cunning, strength, speed and resilience to track and defeat the X-Men effectively single-handed. He was preparing to kill Rogue, as the person most precious to Magneto, when Gambit returned to the fray, hitting him in the chest. Wolverine laughed off Gambit's attack, not noticing a large charged up rock placed in his belt. The resulting explosion apparently killed Wolverine; although as an External it is unlikely that this was truly the case.