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Rune
cover to Rune #1, Art by Barry Windsor-Smith
Publication information
Publisher	Malibu Comics/Marvel Comics
First appearance	Sludge #1 (flip-book backup)
Created by	Chris Ulm Barry Windsor-Smith
In story information
Alter ego	Rune
Notable aliases	Prince of the Void
Abilities	Superhuman strength, healing factor, durability, life force absobtion, precognition (through Star Stones)

Rune is a fictional vampire-like being from Malibu Comics’ Ultraverse imprint. He was created by Barry Windsor-Smith and Chris Ulm, and first appeared as a back-up story in Sludge #1 (another Malibu comic).

Rune was a human-like alien in the Ultraverse, until he acquired the Star Stones, magical artifacts which made him virtually immortal, but cursed him with a monstrous form and a vampiric thirst for blood. Ages ago, he found himself stranded on Earth, and has been both worshipped as a god and reviled as a demon throughout history.

Rune plays a vital part in the four-issue limited series Godwheel.

[edit] Powers and Abilities

Rune derives his power from the Star Stones, which he wears around his neck. These absorb the souls and life-force of his victims, and he uses them to power various feats of magic. He has vampire-like abilities, including bat-like wings allowing him to fly, great strength, speed and durability, and is nearly impossible to kill, even by decapitation; however exposure to a nuclear explosion in 1952 has given him cancer and greatly weakened his powers. Even in this state, he is capable of performing magic spells such as teleporting people across a continent and creating illusions to disguise himself as human. He also possesses certain psychic powers, such as precognition, psychometry, and clairvoyance. By consuming the life-force of an Ultra, he can temporarily boost his powers tremendously.

At one point in time he possessed the Infinity Gauntlet from the Marvel Universe.